2020 Mar 31
In these dark times come a breed of heroes we do not generally highlight or show gratitude for in our normal day to day lives. Amidst this crisis, we realise the true warriors of our nation, the bedrock of our safety and success.
These are the people that are on the frontline of this mess, fighting everyday to ensure we live to see another day and keep our society running
HEALTHCARE WORKERS – DOCTORS, NURSES AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN
Our loyal healthcare workers are facing an unprecedented workload in overstretched health facilities, and with no end in sight. They are working in stressful work environments, not just because the virus is little understood, but because in most settings, they are under-protected, overworked and vulnerable to infection.
The risk to doctors, nurses, and others on the front lines have become evident: Italy has seen at least 18 doctors with Coronavirus die, Spain reported that more than 3,900 health care workers have become infected. With our limited capacity and resources in Sri Lanka, how can we ensure that those risking their lives in the frontline are being taken care of?
We must do everything to support health workers who, despite their own well-founded fears, are stepping directly into COVID-19’s path to aid the afflicted and help halt the virus’s spread. The pressure on the healthcare workforce will only intensify in the coming months as already resources are scarce.
CLEANERS AND GARBAGE COLLECTION TEAMS
Despite the country on lockdown and curfew, we see without fail our trusty garbage trucks and the uncles manning them arrive on time. Their shouts in the morning bring me some sort of solace knowing that we are still functioning as a society under a certain schedule even under all this madness. Imagine having to worry about that mounting pile of garbage at home during this crisis, it would be rightly traumatic, and these heroes ensure you can stay clean and hygienic during these precarious times.
Our trusty cleaners risk their health to go out onto the streets and ensure a hygienic and safe environment. With all transportation like buses and trains being fully sanitized along with any and all public spaces, we understand this is a mammoth of a task not to be taken lightly.
SHOP KEEPERS AND DELIVERY SERVICES
We may be safely quarantined at home but those essential service shops that are currently in function do not enjoy the same privilege. To ensure you have access to everything you possibly need we see shop keepers from big and small organisations rally through and sort out nightmare logistical problems to stay open for your benefit.
Hats off to the brave warriors that speedily traverse the roads of Sri Lanka to deliver anything that is needed to the people. They have to risk exposure as they dutifully ride their vehicles into the trenches to deliver whatever we need. Be it may essentials like medicine or cravings like coffee and cake, they got you covered.
THE FORCES AND POLICE OFFICERS
Patrolling the streets far away from the comfort of their homes and the embrace of their loved ones. Our forces have been deployed all around to ensure general peace is upheld and facilitate any sort of work that needs to be carried out during such times. Salute.
COMMUNITY DRIVEN INITIATIVES – THE GENERAL PUBLIC
The generosity and warmth of Sri Lankans is something we are all proud of. During times of crisis, it is never the government or other organisations that step forward first but everyday Sri Lankans, as we have seen in the past. The outpour of help and support rendered to their neighbours, and anyone they can possibly reach, is absolutely beautiful. Even under curfew conditions, you can see people risking a lot to be able to help their fellow Sri Lankans. We have people giving urgent information to anyone who needs it or even sparing their own stock for the benefit of others, be it may diapers, milk or vegetables we witness an awe-inspiring surge of camaraderie.
We also see the rise of many voluntary services, solely driven on assisting marginalized communities amidst these troubled times – which has been integral in maintaining the sanity of the public.
Media
Yes, even the media. Despite the invasion of posts and shareables, we should acknowledge the media for keeping everyone in the loop in these dark times. Being informed, we must agree, affords us some sort of solace. With public dissemination of information people have now been able to practice right methods in handling this outbreak. That being said, everything must be taken with a pinch of salt and you must not always trust any media source but more reputed organisations and platforms for your news as the rest might just send you into an anxious paranoid frenzy.
