Mission 3: Personal responsibility & self-monitoring

COVID-19 has impacted each and every one of us differently. Some of us have fallen sick with COVID-19 infection and recovered. Some may still be battling with long COVID. Some, unfortunately, have succumbed to the sickness.

It's up to us to minimize our chance of exposure to the virus by understanding the risks and practicing protective behaviors – from where we work or go to school, to how we socialize, what we do in our spare time, and more.

Protecting ourselves and others from COVID-19

Mission 3 is about protecting ourselves and others from COVID-19. This week, I commit to reducing the risks of contracting COVID-19 by planning my time well so that my family could spend less time in confined, crowded, and closed places this festive season when we are out and about.

Take action to reduce exposure to COVID-19

First, we take action to understand the risks we face based on the different situations and settings we find ourselves in and limit our chances of getting COVID-19.

Now we all know that COVID-19 SOP relaxations are starting on 1 May in Malaysia. However, it's still prudent to practice protective behaviors such as:

Regularly washing hands, especially after being in contact with high-touch surfaces and public spaces
Bringing along a hand sanitizer
Wearing a mask
Ensuring good ventilation and fresh air
Maintaining physical distancing of at least 1m from others within close conversation
Avoiding confined, crowded and close places
If going out to eat, we can choose to sit outdoors instead of dining in.
Going for a walk when hanging out rather than sitting in a coffee shop or other public spaces

Bottom line is: Know your risk, lower your risk.

Protect people in our community who are particularly at risk of COVID-19

We could also think about different ways we can do to protect ourselves and keep others in our community safe, especially those who are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19.

Groups at high risk of getting COVID-19 include older people / senior citizens and people living in long-term care facilities, as well as people living with underlying health conditions.

There are also many other groups who are susceptible to the virus because of where they live or work or their access to healthcare, who can also use our support:

People who are homeless
People living in crowded housing or slums
Migrant workers
People who are displaced
People with disabilities
People in the correctional institutions
People living in remote locations
People living in poverty
Indigenous populations

My family, including my two kids under 12 are fully vaccinated, i.e., the adults are vaccinated and boosted, and the kids have completed their 2 doses.

Monitor ourselves of symptoms

Finally, monitor our health if we have been in contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms. The best way to do this is to apply TRIIS.

T - Test with a self-test kit as soon as possible if you are experiencing any infection symptoms such as a runny nose, fever, cough, and others.
R - Report the test results on your MySejahtera right away.
I - Isolate yourself or quarantine immediately if you have been tested positive for COVID-19.
I - Inform your close contacts if your test result is positive. Inform the health authorities or any Covid-19 Assessment Centre (CAC) nearby if your condition has worsened while self-isolating at home.
S - Seek treatment at your closest healthcare facility or at a CAC nearby.