Syed Mohammed Idid Syed Ahmad Idid is now on the highway to health after beating Covid-19.
But it was so different last January when the PLUS corporate, community and public engagement head feared for his life after testing positive for Covid-19.
He said having the virus was the worst thing to ever happen to him and he would not wish it on his worst enemy.
As such, he is glad the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme is up and running.
“If you have not registered for the vaccine, please do so immediately. You have to protect yourself and those you love,” Syed Mohammed Idid said.
“I went through the ordeal and do not want anyone else to experience it.”
To this day, Syed Mohammed Idid does not know how he caught the virus as he is a stickler for following the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
No one he was in contact with tested positive.
“It is a mystery. The authorities did the contact tracing and everyone else was negative. Every place I went to in the days leading up to my positive test was clear of Covid-19. This shows how dangerous it really is.
“All I know is one morning after breakfast I injured my heel. It was not serious, no cuts … it was just bruised. I continued running errands but at night I got a fever.
“The next day I went to a private hospital but as my fever was fluctuating due to the paracetamol I took, the doctor suggested I come back the next day if the fever persisted.
“That night, my fever shot up to 39.2. I rushed to the hospital first thing in the morning and the doctor did a dengue test and a Covid-19 test.
“I tested negative for dengue but the next day found out I had Covid-19.”
He broke down in tears when describing his feelings walking from his apartment to get into the ambulance that took take him to Hospital Sungai Buloh.
He was self-isolating at home for a few days when he received the call that he would be sent to the hospital.
“I did not have any contact with my family when I was self-isolating. We chatted via video calls and they would put food outside the door of my room,” added an emotional Syed Mohammed Idid.
“A few days later, I received a call from the hospital. By that time, I was already feeling a little weak as I had lost my appetite.
“I had to walk out of the apartment alone. My family had cleared a path from my room to the elevators. They could not even say goodbye.
“As I was walking away, I felt emotional as I did not know if I would see them again.”
To make matters worse, several neighbours were gawking as he made his way to the ambulance.
“I felt like a criminal. It was as if the guards had caught a wild animal and they were looking to make sure I did not escape,” he said.
As the ambulance navigated its way to Sungai Buloh, Syed Mohammed Idid kept praying everything would be all right.
He knew the coronavirus by itself would not be deadly but it would severely affect those who had hypertension, diabetes, heart problems and other illnesses.
“I have been taking medication for high blood pressure and at my last check-up, I was told my sugar level was on the high side,” he said.
“It was only later I discovered I had Level 4 Covid-19. I was and am still grateful that I had wonderful doctors who took care of me.
“I was in the high-risk category because of pre-existing conditions but never once did I not feel safe.”
Syed Mohammed Idid also had plenty of praise for his family and office mates who kept his spirits up.
“I do not know what I would have done without them.
“Mental strength is so important in this situation. I was ‘bombarded’ by many kind and positive messages not just from my family and colleagues but also from my boss and the company chairman.
“That helped me tremendously.”
He added people must know that it is not just the patient who suffers when someone tests positive.
“Those around the patient are impacted. Everyone will be on pins and needles and worrying.
“So my advice is, please stay safe, follow all the SOPs and take the vaccine.”
Anyway, today is the 361st day since the start of the original Movement Control Order and this is the 39th weekly edition of ‘The MCO Diaries’.
RECOVERY RATE CONTINUES TO CLIMB
Malaysia’s recovery rate surpassed 94 per cent this week when 15,757 patients were declared free of Covid-19.
This brings the total cured to 302,662 out of 320,939 cases. There were only 10,842 new infections in the past week.
Sadly, there were 44 deaths in the past week which took the number of fatalities to 1,203.
Worldwide there are 119.2 million cases with 2.64 million deaths.
GREAT IDEA
Perhaps it’s time to switch the method for the vaccination registration exercise.
Perhaps its time to switch the method for vaccination registration exercise.
All Malaysians are going to be on the vaccination list. If you disagree, then apply for a drop-out via mysejahtera.
— 𝑾𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝒈𝒚𝒍 𝑾𝒂𝒏 𝑯𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒂𝒏 (@WanAgyl) March 9, 2021
PARKING ‘BOOST’
We can once again use Boost e-wallet to pay for parking in Kuala Lumpur. Boost and Touch n’ Go were the go-to mobile applications for parking but were not integrated into Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s new system on Oct 1.
That was the day all parking meters in Kuala Lumpur ‘died’ as City Hall implemented a cashless system.
Since then, I have been using EZ Smart Parking. I am not sure when Boost was reintroduced but am happy as it means I can free up space on my phone by getting rid of an app.
More importantly, there is one less place to ‘park’ my money.
TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE
Traffic now is as horrible as it has ever been – and we have only just come out of MCO in the Klang Valley.
With petrol prices on the high side, it means I have already spent RM170 and it is only March 13! My average fuel bill for the last five months was RM210.20.
USE YOUR HEAD
Saw this at a restaurant recently.
TREAT FOR MOMS
Tomorrow is Mothers Day in Britain and while we celebrate it in May, there is no reason why we cannot give mum a cake. Why not give this Chocolate Lime Cheesecake recipe a try.
MAMA DON’T ALLOW
I have been listening to the Gombak Hillbillies since last April when it uploaded Covid-19 Blues on its YouTube channel.
Just last week, it uploaded a toe-tapping tune called ‘Mama don’t allow’ which will surely put a smile on your face. Enjoy.
