Sharing the home minister’s and my encounter with the coronavirus has struck a nerve with many friends.
Several have shared their experiences, and while not a common complaint, anxiety or panic attacks do happen.
At least five friends have reported having some form of panic attack, but none as severe as Miss J’s symptoms.
I have known Miss J for close to 30 years, and she is probably the calmest person around, the one who often keeps her head on when those around her are losing theirs.
However, since testing positive for Covid-19 two weeks ago, she has found it hard to cope.
Commenting on my Facebook post that the home minister and I have trouble sleeping, or that we often get up around 3am, Miss J contacted me.
“I, too, have been getting up around that time, but I am getting panic attacks. I have difficulty breathing and have to use my asthma pump,” said Miss J.
“The first time it hit me, it felt like I needed to run away from home. I wanted to get out of my house as I felt claustrophobic – even though my room opens to a mini hall and I have lots of space.
“I wanted to get in the car and go somewhere. But then, I felt too afraid to drive.”
She said the feelings have continued until today. There are days when she is too paralysed to work, or feels afraid to get into a taxi or e-hailing ride.
Last Sunday, she woke up and got ready to go to work, but suffered a bout of panic attack so severe that she could not fit into her jeans. She was worried that she would not get to work on time. It took her a few minutes to realise that it was a Sunday.
“To help with my nerves, I now open the blinds to my window when I go to sleep. If I feel anxious, I look outside,” said Miss J, who bought some anxiety and stress relief pills to help her cope.
When I told her I was recording what had happened to her for the readers of Twentytwo13, she joked that I should make her sound like a rapper by naming her Miss J.
It is good that she still has her sense of humour.
The other friends who have had anxiety attacks have reported that they are slowly weaning off.
They still experience them, but most are related to whether or not they can complete their work on time, or if they have turned off the lights, or their gas stove, at home.
One of them, Mr K, even drove home from the office to check on his house, only to realise that he had been staying with his parents for the last two days.
Another friend, Mr R, said he was angry about being confined to his room.
“I was cursing the virus non-stop. I took every precaution, but I still tested positive. My wife, too, was positive. Luckily, our kids were fine,” he said.
After a quick check with my family doctor, I discovered that some of his patients had reported feeling restless after getting the vaccine or testing positive for Covid-19.
He said it appears to be one of the symptoms, and added he knew of a couple who also had anxiety attacks.
MORE RECOVERIES THAN NEW CASES FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE EARLY JUNE
The number of patients who recovered from Covid-19 in Malaysia in the past week surpassed the number of infections this week.
In the past week, there were 29,198 recoveries against 28,884 new cases.
The last time this happened was on June 4-10, with 11,239 recoveries against 10,978 new cases.
Total cases in Malaysia are at 4,672,999, while recoveries are at 4,588,743.
There were 54 fatalities, taking the total to 35,956.
YUMMY SOUP
The home minister recently bought a box of herbs called ‘Superior Lung Detoxifier Soup’. I was sceptical at first, but it was delicious.
Both of us are still coughing after our ordeal with Covid-19. The soup has helped reduce the frequency of the coughing fit.
Best of all, national diving queen Pandelela Rinong Pamg commented that she is a big fan of the soup.
If it is good enough for a world champion, that’s good enough for me.
FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Local non-governmental organisation TECH Outreach is organising a ‘Bazaria’ today and tomorrow
.Established in 2009, TECH Outreach aims to transform the lives of disadvantaged communities, locally and abroad, through micro-credit financing and entrepreneurship development. It focuses on women and children.
MEXICAN COFFEE
Mexican coffee is the perfect combination of strong, freshly roasted coffee, chocolate, and cinnamon. I like to add some spices or even chilli flakes for that extra kick.
WAKANDA FOREVER: NO WOMAN NO CRY
The trailer for Black Panther 2 dropped this week, and it was awesome.
Nigerian singer Tems’ haunting voice to Bob Marley’s 1974 classic ‘No Woman No Cry’ sent shivers down my spine.
But the question on everyone’s lips is, will the movie get the greenlight in Malaysia?
It comes after Thursday’s announcement that ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ would not come to our shores.
Many are speculating about the actual reason for the ban, with some blaming it on LGBTQ elements, while others say it is because of a character known as the God Butcher.
Earlier this year, another Disney movie, ‘Lightyear’, did not make it to our cinemas.
The film censorship board denied banning the movie, but had “approved it with minor cuts and muting of a specific dialogue” that promoted a homosexual lifestyle.
Fans are worried as some Dora Milaje, female warriors who serve as Black Panther’s guards, were in a relationship with each other in the comic books.
The first movie did not explore that side of the story.
We end this week’s Diary with Tems’ vocals. Until next week, stay safe.
