If you don't, we're all probably going to be stuck at home for a longer period of time.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah stressed several times during his latest press conference on 2 April that the next two weeks will be the deciding factor for Malaysia.
"If all of us can come together, stay at home, wash our hands, practice social distancing and most importantly practice social discipline, the curve can be flattened," he said when providing an update on COVID-19 in the country.
Those told to self-quarantine did not listen
He added that one of the reasons COVID-19 spread during the initial stages was because those who were told to self-quarantine had defied regulations."During the first phase, about 15% to 20% did not quarantine themselves. They still went out," he said, adding that it was the asymptomatic cases that we needed to worry about.
Asymptomatic means people who have the virus but don't display any of the signs.
What are the signs to look out for? According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) it's:
- fever
- tiredness
- dry cough
Some patients may also have:
- aches and pains
- nasal congestion
- runny nose
- sore throat
- diarrhoea
Tightened regulations under MCO phase 2
Dr Noor Hisham said that regulations were tightened in the second phase of the Movement Control Order (MCO) to reduce the curve of infection further."Initially people were allowed to quarantine at home. Now we ensure those who are positive are placed at quarantines centres or specific hotels that have been identified to hold COVID-19 positive patients," he said.
He added that stricter regulations were necessary.
"The second phase of the MCO is expected to end on April 14 but on the 10th, we will look into our performance in terms of data and decide. It is too early for us to make any conclusions now."
"We are not expecting zero COVID infection cases. We just need to allow hospitals to cope with the number of positive patients," he said.
All this indicates that if we don't flatten the curve enough, we could basically end up being under MCO or an enhance MCO for a longer period of time.
We don't know about you, but we just want to stop the spread, flatten the curve at get on with our lives, please.
The only way to do this now is to follow the regulations to the T.
Don't leave your house unless it is absolutely necessary, wash your hands, practice social distancing and if you have any symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, tell the authorities!
Don't be a doink! Do your part in breaking the chain of infection.