Online Briefing on Awareness of Covid-19

Jointly reported by:
JR1S(2) Lim Shin
JR1S(6) Victoria Hwang
JR3Z(1) Tan Qi Xuan

          On the 12^th of May 2021, with the guidance of the Discipline Department, Prefects and Monitors of Kuen Cheng High School organised an online briefing titled “Together, We Fight against COVID-19” via Zoom video platform. The School greatly encouraged its students, parents and staff to participate in the event, for it was to increase awareness about the importance of protection and ways to curbing the spread of the virus. The briefing began at 2 o’ clock in the afternoon and lasted for an hour.

          The event opened with a short introduction of the School Prefect and Monitor representatives as emcees, followed by a simple speech from our Principal, Dr Chua Lee Lee. She expressed her gratitude towards the Discipline Department for hosting the event, for she was concerned about the students and the dangers of the pandemic. Madam Chua also gave her thanks towards our guest speaker, Dr Chee Hui Yee and the participants of this event.

          We were honoured to have invited Dr Chee Hui Yee as our speaker of the day, for she is the Assistant Professor of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), who is also an expert virologist, she has much to say on the subject.

          Dr Chee started by explaining what Covid-19 is. It is the second version of SARS which broke out in 2003 that did not spread worldwide. It is also considered a zoonotic virus that is transferred from an animal to a human. Besides that, it is spread majorly through coughing and sneezing.

          Dr Chee continued by saying that Covid-19 is easily spread in crowded spaces when people are having close contact with each other. Symptoms of Covid-19 are like common sickness thus it is hard to know when someone already had it. The symptoms are coughing, loss of taste, diarrhea, fever, and far more. It is advised to visit a doctor immediately when symptoms alike shown.

          Moving on, Dr Chee advised students to wash their hands often. This is because the chances of getting infected by Covid-19 is decreased after hands are thoroughly cleansed, best with soap. She brought the awareness of wearing your mask at all times and keeping a one-meter distance.

          Next, Dr Chee alerted students about the rising rates of Covid-19. She explained that 80% of current cases are from the community. During these few months of increasing rates of Covid-19, many lives were lost. On that account, we need to do better as a community to prevent the spread.

          A short Q&A session was then conducted to clear up any misconceptions and answer queries from the floor.

Q: Which vaccine is better for the elderly?
A: It depends on your doctor’s advice since everyone’s body is different. By using certain type of vaccine, there is no guarantee that the illness will be 100% cured. Consequently, there is a chance that a small percentage of the virus will be left in your body. There are also disadvantages if a patient’s body is too weak.

Q: Why is it that we will lose our sense of taste and smell when infected with Covid-19?
A: This is due to Covid-19 transferring through the nose, which then moves down to our throat. Thus, when the virus is destroying the body cells, sense of taste and smell of a patient will be reduced.

Q: I am 70 years old, am I required to take the vaccine? If so, which kind?
A: It is best to ask for assistance from a doctor. Doctors understand your body well and can recommend a vaccine suitable for your body.

Q: If someone was infected with Covid-19 previously, what are the chances of getting infection again? Is the vaccine necessary?
A: It depends. After a full recovery from Covid-19, there will be parts of the body that gains immunity. Therefore, chances of getting Covid-19 in the first 3-6 months is very low. Nonetheless, it is recommended to take the vaccine after 3-6 months.

Q: It’s been 14 days and I still don’t have the full signs of Covid-19. Am I still considered to be infected?
A: The chances are very low. Even so, there might be a chance that a different virus is currently attacking your body. If you are worried about your health, you should go seek medical assistance from a doctor.

          Overall the briefing was a major success. The Discipline Department hopes that all students, parents and teachers stay safe and good health during this pandemic. As the saying goes, if we can fully control the spread of the virus, we can save millions of lives.