Cases have been spiking especially in Sabah and a recent tweet shared by Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, the prime minister's special adviser on public health put things in perspective.

She tweeted:

Me: “has anyone tested + yet?”

Them: “No, we pray we stay healthy as can’t afford to be ill or quarantined. But if we hv to, we’ve decided we will all quarantine together but keep working. If we collapse, Sabah collapses”. Lab staff handling COVID specimens. Heroes

Me: “has anyone tested + yet?” Them: “No, we pray we stay healthy as can’t afford to be ill or quarantined. But if we hv to, we’ve decided we will all quarantine together but keep working. If we collapse, Sabah collapses”. Lab staff handling COVID specimens. Heroes @KKMPutrajaya pic.twitter.com/IYCvthmSd7

— Dr Jemilah Mahmood (@JemilahMahmood) October 28, 2020

The real picture

The tweet reminded many Malaysians of how hard our frontliners including the lab staff are working and how much they have been sacrificing to keep Malaysians safe.

Several frontliners also replied to the tweet explaining how they were exhausted and have been separated from their families but are still pushing on for the nation.

Memang everyday rasa nak pengsan and give up. It’s a rollercoaster being here. BUT i think of how these patients have children/parents/husbands/wives to return to. I just hope Msians adhere to the rules in place so that we can kick this out for good.

— Hajar in Sabah (@HajarinSabah1) October 28, 2020

True enough doctor. We had been working since early this year. Separated from our partner & family in semenanjung. Yet we know we have to be strong & chin up to fight this pandemic. let's pray this pandemic end & we can transfer back to semenanjung. ???

— lel2740 (@drlel) October 29, 2020

Many Malaysians also tweeted words of encouragement and thanks to the lab technicians in Sabah and other frontliners working throughout the country.

Lab Technologist/MLT and all frontliners heroes out there fighting this Covid-19 enemy. Huge thank you to the whole team ???

— Ilani (@robinseggblue_) October 29, 2020

May Allah keep all of u Frontliners in Sabahin good health and mentally strong with His grace n love ♥️??Aamin.. Tq Frontliners.. TQ ALLAH for taking care of them♥️?

— ADINGKUNADHARAH (@ADINGKUNADHARA1) October 29, 2020

Thank you for all of the hard work and also empathy and kindness you all show to all every day. I know its very little, but my heartfelt thanks for all of the hard work and sacrifices. I stay in cuz that's the least I can do to say thank you

— ZANitebug (@ZANitebug) October 29, 2020

Semoga Allah berikan kekuatan, kecekalan dan kesihatan buat barisan hadapan negara. Tanpa mereka, bukan hanya Sabah tapi seluruh Malaysia akan tumbang. Stay safe and stay healthy to our heroes.

— shinisland (@yaynanaShFt) October 29, 2020

Our sincerest to all our frontliners! May ALLAH SWT bless u abudantly with good health and ease all your efforts. Ameen. Your sacrifices will never be forgotten.

— Najat Ahmad Marzuki (@NajatMarzuki) October 29, 2020

Diharapkan belanjawan negara akan datang ni..utamakan barisan hadapan..dan bagi 20k sorang bonus..gaji menteri pon potong dulu..frontliners keje sekarang antara hidup dengan mati je..

— Big Boss??#RakyatJagaRakyat (@abdmuhaimin_i) October 29, 2020

It's so lovely to see Malaysians tweeting messages of appreciation, but that's not all that we can and should do.

We should also make sure we follow the SOPs, wash our hands, practice good cough and sneeze etiquette, stay at home as much as possible and head to a doctor if we notice COVID-19 symptoms.

The only way to help our frontliners is to reduce the number of people infected with COVID-19.

We all have to do our part to flatten the curve.