China sends face masks to Malaysia
Image adapted from: China Embassy in Malaysia
Over the past month, almost everyone has been scavenging stores for face masks and sanitisers to protect themselves against COVID-19. But with a Movement Control Order in place nationwide, we no longer have much need for them as most of us are now confined to our homes till 31st March 2020.
This means that there should be sufficient stock of masks for hospital staff, who are in most need of them as they battle the virus on the front lines. To provide support for Malaysians going through this plight, China has sent over more than 20 huge boxes of face masks to Hospital Sungai Buloh – a story which has been spreading positivity and harmony online.
China Embassy sends face masks to Hospital Sungai Buloh
Image credit: China Embassy in Malaysia
On 19th March 2020, China Embassy in Malaysia uploaded photos of boxes being unloaded from a lorry to Hospital Sungai Buloh on their official Facebook page.
These included over 20 large boxes, each filled with boxes of 60 face masks for medical officers to use at this government hospital, which is one of the designated spots to treat those who’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Image credit: China Embassy in Malaysia
The lorry also came with a banner that had a Malay idiom – “Bukit Sama Didaki Lurah Sama Dituruni” – that’s also translated into Chinese.
It can be directly translated from both languages to English as: “We climb the mountain together, and we descend into the valley together. Let’s fight COVID-19 with cooperation and harmony”.
Image adapted from: China Embassy in Malaysia
Malaysia sent 18 million gloves to China before
Image credit: MPI
When China was seeing the worst of the COVID-19 outbreak, Malaysia also pledged to send 18 million rubber gloves at the beginning of February 2020. This included donations from Malaysia China Silk Route Chamber and Malaysia Rubber Export Promotion Council, which showed that Malaysia was also willing to lend a helping hand to others in need as well.
We’re not the only ones to receive help
Image credit: Xiaomi Italia
China has been sending medical supplies to other countries facing outbreaks too, including Japan and Italy, with similar words of encouragement. Donations sent to Italy on behalf of Xiaomi even came with a poem that read: “We are waves of the same sea, leaves of the same tree, flowers of the same garden”.
Netizens react to China’s donation
Commenters on China Embassy in Malaysia’s Facebook post about the donations saw netizens commending the show of harmony between the 2 countries, and being positive about squashing the outbreak.
A comment posted by Praba Mohanan on China Embassy in Malaysia’s Facebook post
Image credit: China Embassy in Malaysia
The deed was also resposted on Twitter by user, Sakinah Al-Habshee, which has garnered over 13,000 retweets and 11,000 likes from netizens applauding the donation as well.
Original post from Sakinah Al-Habshee
Image adapted from: @serenitysakinah
With all the negativity and questionable comments spewed online regarding the outbreak, the responses to her tweet was also filled with wholesome comments calling for further unity and harmony as Malaysia continues to fight COVID-19.
Comment seen on Sakinah Al-Habshee’s Twitter post
Image adapted from: @lareinalenea
China sends face masks to Malaysia
Image credit: KEMENTERIAN KESIHATAN MALAYSIA
With how easily fake news is spread nowadays, it’s no surprise to see hate and fear being spewed on social media. Which is why it’s important to remember that we’re all in this together. So show your support to those fighting on the front lines by staying at home, and don’t contribute to the hate online during this time.
Keep up-to-date on COVID-19 with more news stories:
- What to do if you’re showing COVID-19 symptoms
- Supermarkets opening early for elderly
- 24-hour clinics in Klang Valley
- M’sian couple hosts drive-through wedding
- Online grocery services
- What “Lockdown” means to Malaysians
- Fake COVID-19 news debunked