FAKULTI PENDIDIKAN

GGGE6293:

CURRENT TRENDS IN LANGUAGE TEACHING RESEARCH

PROGRAMME
SARJANA PENDIDIKAN (TESL)

TITLE
ORAL HISTORY TEXT: CORONA WAR ZONE

LECTURER
DR. AZLINA ABD AZIZ

NO. NAME MATRIC NUMBER

1 ANG FONG NIE P106176

2 CHEN XIU WEI P106506

3 NURZAWANAH ROHAIZAT P106114

4 TEE SHU MIN P106505

 ORAL HISTORY TEXT

TITLE: CORONA WAR ZONE

Maria is a nurse who has been working for 5 years in a hospital located in Sabah. She served in a
surgical department, helping the doctors in giving emergency treatment such as giving intubation
to the patients in need and nursing them back to health. She is passionate about her job and enjoys
helping people.

In January 2020, reports of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan,
China reached Maria and her colleagues. Since it was their first-time hearing about it, the severity
of the disease was rather vague at that time. Looking at the grim situation in China, they could
only pray that the pandemic would come to an end soon.

Not long after, the virus hit Malaysia. The first case of COVID-19 in Malaysia was detected
and confirmed. Various reports of the virus being highly contagious and its global impact had
triggered anxiety and concern among her colleagues, including Maria. Once the World Health
Organisation (WHO) declared a public health emergency, the Malaysian Ministry of Health
immediately devised standard guidelines for the management of COVID-19. The citizens were
urged to obey the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

March 2020 was the most unforgiven months in Maria’s life as the first COVID-19 patient
was admitted to the hospital she is serving. Soon, she was notified that she would be shifted to
another department which was in charge of COVID-19 cases. The news came like a bolt from the
blue. She was devastated by the sudden notice and was reluctant to accept the offer due to fears of
transmission and infection. Her mind was spewing with negative thoughts. However, as most of
her family members were also medical officers, they encouraged her to accept it as not only a
challenge in her career but a way to overcome her fear.

Determined to carry out her duty in the fight against COVID-19, she reported at the new
department two days later. The head of the department briefed them about infection prevention
measures. Maria and all the other nurses and medical officers were briefed and taught on how to
wear the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Wearing the PPE was such a pain in the neck as it
involved many steps. She could never forget how uncomfortable it was. Maria needed to learn and
make it her new work routine to identify and gather the proper PPE for herself. Besides, she needed
to always remember to sanitise her hands before touching the PPE. She also needed to wear the
isolation gown, face mask, face shield and put on a pair of gloves before she could enter the
COVID-19 ward to start her routine. Wearing the PPE was not only a hassle but so was removing
it. Maria needed to remove her PPE one by one carefully, place it in the designated disposal area
and shower thoroughly before she was allowed to change into her daily clothes and carry herself
in public.

At first, she was struggling to adapt and adjust to the new working environment. Wearing
PPE was torture as it caused inconveniences. Due to insufficient medical supplies, Maria and other
medical officers were given only one set of PPE each. Therefore, they were not allowed to drink
water or go to the washroom while they were on duty.

The first week was chaotic. They were busy familiarising themselves with the assessment
of COVID-19 patients and the new working norm, which would often lead to burnout. Thus, it
was important for everyone working on the frontline to support each other mentally and physically.
Maria was grateful to have supportive and helpful team members. During break time, she would
video-call her family members. Even though she had a hard time adjusting at work, she only shared
the good news with her family to lessen their worries.

One day, a new case was reported and she was assigned to an advanced stage of COVID-
19 patient. The patient suffered from diabetes and Hyperparathyroidism (HPT). Maria was
petrified as the previous records had shown that COVID-19 patients who suffered from a severe
illness had a very slim chance of surviving. She prayed hard and did her best to treat the patient
without demotivating herself. Thankfully, the patient recovered well and was discharged after 14
days of treatment and isolation. Seeing the smile of her patient while leaving the ward, she noticed
how much her effort and hard work had made a difference in a person’s life.

Not long after, when she thought she had seen it all, a new case came across her unit
whereby a maternity nurse contracted the virus from one of the patients. All the staff and patients
there were quarantined to control the spread. Her heart broke into a million pieces looking at all
the innocent newborns who might be in danger. Maria and her colleagues knew they couldn’t
blame anyone for the misfortune as this evil virus does not discriminate. They realised to combat
this emergency at their hospital they needed to pick themselves up and to KEEP FIGHTING. The
maternity ward was secluded so that no one was allowed to enter. Although it was hard to refuse
some mothers who were delivering their babies, Maria and her colleagues had to keep a strong
heart for the greater good. After weeks of working tirelessly, their tenacity had led to an
unbelievable outcome. The infected occupants of the maternity ward were fully recovered and
discharged. Maria expressed her deepest gratitude to the Almighty as all the babies, specifically,
were saved from any harm.

Despite all her effort and selflessness, Maria had to deal with social stigma and was also
ostracised by her community. Some residents from her neighbourhood showed negative attitudes
towards her. Although she completely understood their attitude of being very cautious around her,
being rejected and excluded had taken a toll on her mental health. Netizens, on the other hand,
would flood the frontliners’, especially doctors and nurses, comment sections with warm messages
and words of encouragement. They were very touched to see how much the netizens appreciated
their sacrifices and expressed it in different ways. It was truly a heartwarming gesture.

After a few months, the pandemic was finally under control. Despite feeling relieved by
the news; Maria, as well as her colleagues, knew there was no room for slacking especially in these
dire times. They were glad to see patients recovering and getting discharged. They never stopped
hoping and praying for the pandemic to end. One of the most significant memories she would
always hold dear to her heart was how the pandemic united everyone. Even though everyone had
to keep their physical distance from each other, Maria knew it had only brought them closer than
ever. Throughout the COVID-19 adversity, Maria learned to cherish every single moment with
those she loved at every stage of her journey.
GLOSSARY

1) Surgical department – A room or department where surgery is performed.

2) Intubation – A process of inserting a tube through the mouth into the airway to assist
breathing.
3) COVID-19 – Stands for Coronavirus disease. An infectious disease caused by a newly
discovered coronavirus in 2019.
4) Pandemic – A disease that spreads over a whole country or world.
5) Contagious – Easily diffused or spread from one to another.
6) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) – A set of step-by-step instructions that tell you what to
follow within an organisation.
7) World Health Organisation (WHO) – An international organisation that focuses on world
health issues.
8) Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) – It is used to keep workers safe in different industries.
9) Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) – A hormonal disorder when one or more of your four
parathyroid glands become enlarged and causing production of excessive am
BACKGROUND OF THE AUTHORS

Ang Fong Nie was born on September 27th 1992 in Kota Belud,
Sabah. Currently serving in SJK (C) Chung Hwa since 2017. She
received her Bachelor of Education (Hons) TESL from IPG
Kampus Kent, Tuaran.

Chen Xiu Wei was born on August 26th 1993 in Johor Bahru,
Johor. Currently serving in SJK(C) Malayan, Ayer Hitam since
2017. She received her Bachelor of Education (Hons) TESL from
IPG Tun Hussein Onn, Batu Pahat.

Nurzawanah Rohaizat was born on November 28th 1991 in Alor

Setar, Kedah. Currently serving in Politeknik Sultan Abdul Halim
Mu’Adzam Shah after 5 years of service in SMK Tunku Abdul
Rahman, Kedah. She received her Bachelor of Education (Hons)
TESL from a twinning program between Institut Pendidikan Guru
Kampus Ipoh and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.

Tee Shu Min was born on April 24th 1993 in Kluang, Johor.
Currently serving in SJK (C) Kahang since 2017. She received her
Bachelor of Education (Hons) TESL from IPG Tun Hussein Onn,
Batu Pahat.