Words by Aishath Imala

According to Health Emergency Operation (HEOC), we are going through a fourth wave of covid cases. Therefore, HPA has announced strict measures in-order to tackle the high number of cases in the greater male’ region. Due to the severity of the current situation, the greater male’ region has been imposed with a curfew from 0400pm to 0800am and movements has been restricted from 0800am to 0400pm with two permits from each household allowed.

What does these measures remind us of?? It takes us back to one year ago when we had our first local case of covid-19 on 17th April 2020 and how the country went onto a full lockdown the same day. It takes us back to the panic and uneasiness we faced in fear of not knowing the inevitable. Of taking every precaution we can to fight this pandemic ravaging the whole world. It’s not much different now as this disease is back with such ferocity that so many lives have been lost in this battle in such a short span of time. Every day we live in fear for our loved ones. The hurt of those losing loved ones every single day is unimaginable. Without the chance of a proper goodbye. Without the chance of being there for one another at these difficult times.

In the meantime, it is so important to say the biggest challenge is for our health workers, who has been working tirelessly since the beginning of this pandemic. The doctors, nurses and volunteers working selflessly day and night wearing layers of suits in order to fight this ongoing battle. The frontline workers, who are working to provide with the necessities to the community. For them, they see no end to this because it keeps getting worse and worse. Moreover, the current situation is the worst that our nation has ever seen since the first case detected. The death rate has been much higher in the month of May than it has ever been. But have we ever considered this? Can we imagine their work load with such high number of cases? Have we ever thought how much of a toll it would take on them? On their mental health? Of being away from their families at a stretch? Just so to protect them from this deadly virus. So, the least we can do is appreciate and applaud our health workers, frontline workers and volunteers for the commendable service without whom this battle would be in vain.

Furthermore, we, the youth as the majority of this nation, should take a step back and ask ourselves one question. Are we responsible enough to flatten the curve? For generations our lifestyle has been going out to coffees, hanging out with our friends and going for bike rides from dusk till dawn. Hence, our youth had to compromise a lot for the past year. Lack of socializing put a huge strain on their mental wellbeing which was bound to happen. And the same could be said for the current situation. But as the restrictions had eased did we take the necessary measures when we go out? Did we maintain safe distance and washed our hands regularly? Had we been responsible enough to look after our loved ones who depends on the youth of the family to provide the basic necessities. Most importantly are we aware enough of what has taken over the world.

Keeping these questions in mind, let’s see what we CAN do. During these uncertain times, we can use social media and apps to spread the correct information. We can educate ourselves, deepen our knowledge about this pandemic. The way we convey a false message could easily be led to a lot of misinterpretation. Furthermore, we can consider those in our community who are most vulnerable, including old aged people and people with preexisting medical conditions. We can volunteer to provide mental support to those in need. Be it a family member or a friend.

Ultimately, it all comes down to each and every person’s responsibility to help us all get through this pandemic quickly. It is time for us to get through these challenging times whilst making a community effort because being selfless and helping each other is something which has been engraved into our blood. And together we will fight to combat this health crisis until the end.