Page 10 - Magazine Part 2

Companies also had a lot to learn from the
MCO. All sorts of new policies that include
working from home (WFH) and flexible
hours
implemented
to
are
now
HOW accommodate the imposed restrictions.
Increased productivity was reported and a
lot of inefficiencies in operations were
realised and weeded out. While some
COVID-19 businesses have since folded under the
pandemic, many others grew resilient. They
came up with ways to quickly pivot their
businesses and open up new revenue
streams to keep themselves alive.
HAS CHANGED Along with the new normal came more people embracing cashless solutions and appreciating the time-saving value

of the virtual meeting. We have practically been forced to accelerate our adoption of digital technology in line with
Malaysia’s agenda, which should further propel the country’s developments and innovations in theory. However, there
OUR LIFE we must ensure we address these gaps so no one is left behind in our new, heavily tech enabled world.
are still gaps in society (like the B40 or rural residents) where this new technology cannot reach, so as we progress,

There was not a single nation in the world that was fully prepared for the impact of COVID-19, but the speediness and
FOREVER badly herself, with our healthcare facilities and systems being lauded by foreign parties.
efficiency of certain countries’ healthcare systems played a huge role in mitigating it. Malaysia hasn’t been doing too

We have also seen an increase in hygiene awareness among the public. People are wearing masks and carrying hand
sanitisers wherever they go and washing their hands with soap more often. Commercial businesses like shopping
malls, cinemas, theme parks and F&B outlets are implementing new SOPs too to adhere to the new normal.

We have also seen an increase in hygiene
awareness among the public. People are wearing
masks and carrying hand sanitisers wherever they
go and washing their hands with soap more often.
Commercial businesses like shopping malls,
cinemas, theme parks and F&B outlets are
implementing new SOPs too to adhere to the new
normal.

2020 was a year we won’t soon forget. Since the MCO began, Malaysians have shown just how Before the MCO, who would have expected that
logistics workers, food delivery riders and the likes
creative and versatile we can be. Many of us have
What started as a promising new
decade has turned into an begun working from home. Some of us have completely would become essential workers who are keeping
unprecedented era of a pandemic. Even as you read changed our career field, picked up new hobbies, and the nation’s economy moving and its people safely
this, more than half of the world’s population are stuck even joined in the TikTok revolution. However, these are home? These were jobs people used to look down
at home due to COVID-19. That’s around 4.5 billion more than just temporary muses. On the contrary, we upon. But those of us who have seen them in
people or six out of every ten individuals. should expect these to be the new norms of society. action, relentlessly powering through the
Because even after the MCO ends, life would likely challenges of the pandemic to complete their work,
Even in Malaysia, the feeling of déjà vu surrounds us as never return to the way it was before. appreciate them greatly. Healthcare workers have
we are in yet another round of Movement Control Order Despite the tragic loss of life, the damage done to always garnered some form of respect, but the
(MCO). The current phase of the MCO may or may not economies, and the impact on individual livelihoods, we pandemic has shed light on just how crucial they
end soon. The decision will be based on data provided believe that there are some positive aspects to this are in this fight against COVID-19. They’re the ones
by the Ministry of Health. Whichever way the lockdown crisis. Those of us who spent the MCO at home constantly at risk of contracting the virus
plays out, there has been one near universal aspect to surrounded by family probably now have a much themselves as part of their jobs, yet they do it
the past year or so – it abruptly disrupted our daily deeper understanding and appreciation of those we live diligently, making sacrifices of time spent with the
routines and living arrangements in ways that would with. Along the way, we learnt things about ourselves, family in order to aid patients. There isn’t much
not normally occur. our strengths and weaknesses, limitations and that we ordinary folks can do to help these
capabilities. We developed our own systems to co-exist frontliners except to avoid contracting the virus
in the same space efficiently. and spreading it.

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