As the pandemic takes a toll on everyone in all aspects, how can we come together to help each other?
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18 Aug 2021
7 Min Read
Puteri Nelissa Milani (Guest Contributor)
As the pandemic takes a toll on everyone in all aspects, how can we come together to help each other?
To say that now is a stressful time is an understatement. Daily surging cases coupled with income loss and alarming suicide rates — it feels like we’ve all been wearing these frowns for way too long. The pandemic has infected many parts of our lives. MCO restrictions imposed on businesses are meant to protect lives. However, when businesses can’t operate, it affects beyond account balances.
It costs lives.
Furthermore, given the suicide rates, the pandemic may have aggravated pre-existing contributing factors to an already concerning public health issue. Ironically, regardless of our strategy, it seems like we always end up in a lose-lose situation. With extended lockdowns and MCO restrictions affecting our economy, it doesn’t look like the situation will turn around anytime soon. Despite the gloomy outlook, not all is woe and sorrow.
Enters #BenderaPutih (White Flag) movement.
The society-led movement, which gained momentum in social media over the past month, received traction and good response not only nationwide but also featured worldwide, as seen on Indian Express and even BBC.
So, what’s the movement all about?
Some say it's political propaganda. Others say it’s an act of exploiting Malaysians’ big hearts.
Let’s break it down to what it actually is.
No shame. No questions. Just raise your flag.
#BenderaPutih is a society-led movement that encourages those in need to hoist a white flag or cloth in front of their houses. Malaysia has been in continuous lockdown since 1 June due to the surge of COVID-19 cases. Since then, businesses have started closing, people have lost their jobs which translates to no income for many households. Raising a white flag symbolises a request for help especially for those lower income families. Not a political agenda or an exploitation but rather another human being begging for help while there’s no light at the end of their tunnel.
Heart-wrenching stories where families survived only on crackers or government handouts prompted Malaysians to do what they could and jump to the rescue. With daily news on infections and deaths, humanity is fortunately very much alive. You don’t have to look far to find our locals being shining examples. Stories like ‘Mistaken for a #BenderaPutih’ definitely left a smile on our faces.
Yes! There’s hope for humanity!
Individuals, companies (such as 99Speedmart and Econsave), and NGOs are also supporting this initiative. From basic necessities to care packages, Malaysians have held hands (metaphorically of course) to come together and help those resorting to their last efforts.
Another true embodiment of Malaysians’ unity is the Sambal SOS App. Inspired by the movement, a group of computer science students rolled out an app to pinpoint food banks and white flag sightings, making it easier for good Samaritans to provide aid.
Did these stories make your altruism tingles? If so, check out these channels that you can join to be part of the movement. Some are even run by our very own Taylorians:
Prefer having a list of places you could help out with? Check out these channels by SAYS and Tatler.
Amidst the surge of people in need and as our fatigue of the pandemic grows stronger, we often forget an important thing — our own well-being.
When you have a fever, you’d pop some medicine. An injured muscle? You’d apply cold spray.
So, what about your mental health?
If you can’t instantly list out your go-to methods on coping within your ‘4-walled world’, it’s time for a mental health check.
Now is more important than ever to have an A-game routine. A healthy routine makes us happier. Here are 3 practical ways that may help your mental well-being during the lockdowns.
1. Eat our veggies, do our planks
If these tasks are at the bottom of your checklist, we’d be great friends!
Jokes aside, first tip: commit to a healthy self-care regime. The one that contributes to your growth. In this pandemic, it can double as a stress-coping mechanism. Not only would it alleviate psychological distress and pandemic-induced anxiety, it also prevents lasting psychological outcomes. It’s important to maintain a sense of equilibrium, do the things that we can control, and replace uncertainty with routine. Remember, self-care is self-love.
Oftentimes, many don’t even realise that they’re in need of extra self-care or are experiencing a burnout. If you haven’t thought about it, it’s time to do some reflection.
2. Stay connected
Ah, humans — such social creatures. In self-isolation, we don’t just lose out on our outing sessions, our regular human connection is disrupted too. We lose physical contact and, even for the most introverted person, it can get tough. Schedule for virtual hangouts and weekly date nights.
I’m going to be real — it’s not the same but it’ll help stretch the social bubble and relieve stress even if it’s just a bit.
Check in on your friends, elderly, and especially those living alone. Vent and cry with your ‘stuck-in-lockdown’ buddy on the other line. You could even create a Spotify group session with your friends, get on a video call, then dance your heart out in front of each other.
Fret not if you look crazy — we’re in a pandemic, NO ONE will judge!
3. Proactive steps for your mental well-being
Good mental health requires a lot of self-reflection and inner work — but that doesn’t mean you can’t involve practical steps too.
Try limiting your news consumption or picking up a self-improvement habit. Take a mental break from your day-to-day activities. Sleep is one of the casualties of stress so take some breaks after you’ve completed your task — I’d recommend the Pomodoro technique. Not only could it boost productivity, you can catch up on those naps since you’re stuck at home! Give meditation another try. Take yourself out on a date.
Most importantly, treat yourself like someone you love dearly, you pandemic-survivor!
It’s true. None of these steps will change the fact that we’re in a deadly outbreak era. However, looking after our mental well-being may help us feel happier, relaxed, and rested. Plus, focusing on the little things that make us happy makes the current situation a little more bearable.
If you haven’t checked in on your own well-being, start today by following these easy tips.
If there’s something the pandemic has taught us, it’s that we need to know the importance of taking care of our emotional needs as well as we do our practical ones. Our situation forces people to battle with their lives in many ways.
While it’s normal to feel down or to want to give up, let’s soldier on together as one Rakyat. The heart-warming stories are proof that Malaysians have each others’ backs.
So, despite the various perspectives on the reasons behind the #BenderaPutih Movement, let’s not lose sight of its true purpose — helping those struggling to make ends meet. Indeed, this movement is ‘by the Rakyat, for the Rakyat’.
We mustn’t lose hope and continue to have faith in our vaccination programme and humanity among Malaysians. At the end of the day, though we may not be in the same boat, we’re all in the same storm so let’s push through together and help each other out in any means possible.
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