There are many things I want to get off my chest, but the most important one is this – can some of you stop sharing macabre, and sometimes grisly photos and videos of those who meet an untimely demise?
The latest case involved former Malaysian football captain, Serbegeth ‘Shebby’ Singh. He died on Wednesday evening after collapsing while cycling.
Soon after, photographs and videos from the scene were widely shared on WhatsApp and social media.
Why do people do this? What do they gain from it? Likes? New followers? Praise for “being on the ball”?
Where is their sense of decency? Do they even care about the feelings of the deceased’s family members?
In Serbegeth’s case, several family members received the pictures and videos via WhatsApp, compounding their grief and trauma.
Each time a celebrity or famous person dies tragically, the public loves to share these images without a thought to the feelings of the family members.
They also do this when there is a road accident. Or if someone falls, or jumps off a building.
Why this morbid fascination? Are their lives so meaningless and devoid of excitement that they get a buzz from sharing such images?
I have told off many friends for sharing gory photographs and videos of road accidents.
Some asked why I am so sensitive. Others said they are “just forwarding”, and “do not mean anything by it”.
I always reply: “How would they like it if others were to share such images of their loved ones?”
So please, people, stop it.
‘ONLY’ 30 SECONDS, SO JUST DO IT
It boggles the mind that, despite battling Covid-19 for close to two years, people are still blasé about using the MySejahtera mobile application.
It can be cumbersome to scan when your hands are full, but it only takes 30 seconds (maybe longer for those with older phone models).
Perhaps, part of the reason is that most shop assistants or waiters don’t really bother to check the app to see if you are vaccinated.
I knew Twentytwo13 managing editor Pearl Lee was writing the article about two days before it was published, but what prompted an experiment was something that happened on Thursday afternoon.
I had parked in a building and walked out, about 100 metres away, to purchase an item.
When I returned, the guard at the entrance was not around, although he was there when I left.
I scanned the MySejahtera app to go in, but a guy behind me coolly walked in, without scanning. I caught up with him at the elevator and asked why he did not scan in.
He replied: “I am going to collect something from the car. Aiyaa. Why waste time. No one checks.”
I then drove to another mall. Before entering, the guard took my temperature and held up the QR code. I pretended to scan, then showed him my status (from the previous mall).
Sure enough, the guard took a cursory glance, saw my vaccinated status and allowed me to drive in.
I took the risk as I knew there were QR codes at each entrance from the car park, which I dutifully scanned before going in.
What is the point of scanning at the main entrance, and causing a traffic jam, if the guard does not verify the status?
I am guessing that the guards at the entrances had to do the temperature checks themselves, as many visitors used to take the readings from their hands, instead of their foreheads, like they’re supposed to.
MORE NEW CASES THAN RECOVERIES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO MONTHS
For the first time since the week of Nov 13-19, there are more new Covid-19 cases than recoveries.
In the past week, 22,183 new infections raised the total to 2,802,263.
In the same period, 21,204 patients were cured, taking the total to 2,729,943.
Sadly, another 118 patients succumbed to the coronavirus in the past week, making it 31,762 fatalities.
Worldwide there are 323.5 million cases and 5.5 million deaths.
SCHOOL DAY BLUES
I received a message on WhatsApp earlier this week that read: “Enter malls, have to scan MySejahtera, but kids cannot bring phones to national schools. How do we keep track if there is an outbreak in school?”
One working parent told me she picked up her daughter from school on Monday.
She wanted to have dinner outside but had to change plans as her daughter did not have her phone.
“We could only ‘tapau’. It was a minor inconvenience, but I support the decision not to allow kids to bring mobile phones to school.”
THE JOKE IS ON DJOKOVIC
Novak Djokovic won the battle, but not the war, as he will be deported from Australia after having his visa cancelled for the second time.
That prompted this response.
CELEBRATING VEGANUARY
Here are vegan recipes to try.
IN DEMAND
This picture made its rounds on WhatsApp.
HE WAS IN HEAVEN BEFORE HE DIED
The great John Prine makes his monthly appearance in the Diaries with this poignant tune.
Until next week, stay safe.