LETTERS: Frontliners play a critical role in curbing the coronavirus. If people perceive staying at home while trying out new recipes on TikTok as an excruciating experience, think about the policemen who have to patrol the city or the doctors who have to face a rising number of patients.
They are real life heroes. Each one of us has some understanding of the true meaning of heroism when looking at fictional heroes like the Hulk, Superman, or Wonder Woman.
A real life hero is none other than Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, in battling Covid-19. He strongly emphasized the spirit of teamwork to achieve the desired goals.
A message posted by him on Facebook for frontliners, said: "Serve the nation for Allah and towards Him we put all the faith." It was an enlightening message in which metaphysical consideration must go hand in hand with physical efforts.
The pandemic has raised our attention to those in need. It has opened our eyes and gives hope to less fortunate people amid financial crises. Fashion Valet, a modest fashion company, created fundraising initiatives for those affected by Covid-19, collecting nearly RM1.5 million.
This 'hero' element exists in all of us, simply by staying at home and practicing Covid-19 preventive measures, or by not going out of the house. This behaviour change in reducing infections, is an enormous help in the war against the unseen enemy.
The closing of schools and universities is another challenge to the 'heroes' in all of us. Despite the move to online education, it has not affected the spirit of our teachers where parents also play a pivotal role by giving as much cooperation as possible.
Blogger, model and actress, Hanis Zalikha shared on her Instagram concerning her son's online learning. Parents and teachers had been heroic in ensuring quality education among their students since the pandemic hit.
Lastly, we can also learn from what the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The best among you are those who bring greatest benefits to many others".
Rashidah Abd Rashid
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times