ON July 20, I entered the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), which has been turned into a mega-sized vaccination centre or PPV (Pusat Pemberian Vaksin).
I went there as senior citizens without appointment are now allowed to walk in to get inoculated starting from July 17.
To avoid huge crowds, I chose to go on the day of Hari Raya Haji, hoping that many seniors would rather celebrate than get vaccinated on that day, and I was lucky.
The crowd was much smaller compared to those on June 11 and July 2 when I escorted my wife to this PPV.
My first vaccination took just over an hour, from the moment I stepped inside KLCC until the second I exited from the same main door.
Just before getting my first shot, the appointment for my second dose was fixed on August 10 on Awal Muharram, yet another public holiday.
However, on July 29, I was alarmed to read reports and watched videos of massive crowds queuing for up to two kilometres along a road leading to KLCC.
Apart from waiting under the hot sun, there were no toilet facilities, thick bushes, or deserted back lanes to relief oneself.
Clearly, physical distancing was evidently lacking among those eager to get vaccinated and COVID-19 was having a field day, spreading from infected persons to those around them.
On August 10, I again took a train to Bukit Bintang, walked through Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, and used the overhead pedestrian bridge that zigzagged continuously all the way to KLCC.
Upon arrival, I was relieved to find that I do not have to join any queue. After showing my MySejahtera appointment at the entrance, I walked to the big hall where I had my first shot and witnessed those scheduled for second dose being cleared in double-quick time.
My second dose was over in a jiffy, as it took less than 30 minutes counting from the time I entered KLCC and exited from the same main door.
Considering there are always many people waiting to be vaccinated at any one time, the entire team at this PPV had been very efficient.
And just like my earlier trip, I wore triple masks in the train and inside the PPV. I will continue to be extra careful as my immunity will plunge after vaccination before it goes up higher than ever against COVID-19 infection.
Unfortunately, many vaccine recipients can sometimes be ignorant or indifferent. Those who have a false sense of security may let their guard down.
Since the movement control order (MCO) was introduced on March 18 last year, I had been diligent in practising physical distancing by not engaging in chatter, giving others a wide berth, and often had to walk away or change course when others were heading my way or crossing my path.
I was not comfortable dining in when it was allowed. Even when not sharing table, other customers could be talking or laughing loudly, spewing just as many droplets like those who may suddenly cough or sneeze. This was how most COVID-19 infections were spread.
If tables are shared and diners allowed to chat or speak on the phone, COVID-19 cases are bound to rise, and I do wish to become just another statistic.
Vaccination is no silver bullet but necessary for us to reach herd immunity so that infections will be slowed or go into decline.
Once intrastate or interstate travel restrictions are lifted, I will not be rushing to join crowds. The digital certificate in MySejahtera may serve as a passport for travel within the country but holders that do not adhere to SOPs would be contracting and spreading COVID-19 nationwide.
And sadly, most of the victims would be family members, relatives and close friends.
After being locked down in various degrees for so long, freedom to work, travel or indulge in activities we like has become paramount.
It is, however, a double-edged sword that cuts both ways.
Although the Government has announced some relaxations on movement controls, we cannot ignore the fact that COVID-19 infections have been spreading like wildfire in the recent months.
By right, lockdowns should reduce and not increase COVID-19 infections, and controls are loosened only when it is safe to do so.
Since lockdowns have not brought down daily cases, perhaps loosening controls might just do the trick. This seems to be the line of reasoning. – Aug 12, 2021
YS Chan is an Asean Tourism Master Trainer for travel agencies and a master trainer for Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and Mesra Malaysia. He is also a tourism and transport industry consultant and writer.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
