COMMENT | Let’s be very generous during such tough times

COMMENT | This is the time when all of us have to start thinking seriously about reaching out.

By “reaching out”, I mean “really making a conscientious effort to do something good for other people, even those we do not know”. In short, be generous. And during this Covid-19 pandemic, be extra generous.

Someone wrote that, “During this time of the global pandemic, if there is a word worthy to underline – and which brings to light thousands of people’s selfless commitment to risk their lives and serve unconditionally with their time and resources – it is the word 'generosity'”.

Yes, Malaysians, let us be generous, generous and generous.

There is so much suffering around us. What is worse is that there are more and more entering the B40 group and we can expect the number of needy people who need urgent help in the weeks and months ahead to go up. Yes, we need to reach out more seriously.

For those able to give more, please do so. We are in very, very critical times. And our generosity could mean a matter of life or death in some cases.

Think of those who had committed suicide out of desperation. To them, life was not worth living after losing their source of income and unable to feed their kids.

Last year, we were dealing with the physical impact of Covid-19 which was stressful, to say the least. Now, the situation is more complicated and more demanding. We are now facing a tsunami of economic implications and disastrous mental health issues.

The latest movement control order (MCO 3.0) is now in force and many non-essential businesses have come to a halt. Losing one’s business or job brings an array of feelings which include depression and anxiety.

With mental health issues on the rise, there will be negative coping mechanisms that could lead to substance abuse and suicide as the last resorts.

Last week, many of us would have viewed the video ...