Well, technically it's Movement Control Order 2.0, back to square one, 'cause with the constantly rising cases, it's unavoidable. Humans being humans, a lot of people were expressing their outrage in social media, and panic buying again. Really? Haven't we all learnt this back from MCO 1.0 in March? Till this day I don't understand why are people rushing to panic buy, like why? I stocked up on stuff long before cases were on the rise again because somehow, you just got that gut feeling, and it's to avoid disappointment when I can't get my cheese flavoured tortilla chips (So delicious), but I suddenly have a craving for plain M&Ms due to unable to find fruit flavoured Skittles (I didn't want those tiny packets, I wanted large ones which I could fill into a jar) Unfortunately, just like the first round, original flavoured stuff are often stocked out, unless you want nuts, tomato, salt and vinegar, barbeque, tom yam, shichuan flavoured stuff. I'm good, thanks. I'm a simple person, I prefer eating without sauces and other fillings on top, so long as I got something to keep the hunger at bay.
God, I miss going to bookstores and clearance sales, mainly I was trying to hunt down several books that has long been out of print. Currently chasing this book down because I feel that the author is great at writing a fast-paced, plot with twists and turns, and she's rather underrated. Furthermore, I'm getting a little tired with Patricia Cornwell. Don't get me wrong, she's a great writer, but the amount of techno jargon is getting overwhelming to me, and I prefer good old down-to-earth crime novels. I managed to track all the books down except for this one. Actually, I managed to track it down in some thrift shops and second-handed bookstore in the States, but with the current events over there regarding a certain duck (No offense), I feel that it is best to wait till things cool off. Not to mention that after conversion rate, the shipping really burns a hole in my pocket. The amount after conversion could get me a brand new novel, and I was willing to get used or second handed copy to save cost as much as possible. Praying hard that my Book Depository will stock the book up. With airmail, I often have to wait for a month plus in order to get my books but so far after using them since the beginning of lockdown I have no regrets.
Not much phone calls but here are some.
Comparing Prices
With the rise of healthcare everywhere, it's almost like going to a shopping mall. You survey the market, you look at the doctors, then you decide whether you want to pay for their service or not. It's okay to survey, but at times I get a little frustrated when I hear the D word. Look, private side has always been at the high-end of prices, and I know, government you have a long waiting list ahead, but everyone often told me: If you can afford to come to private, it means 1) you have the means to pay 2) you're under insurance. Patients tends to love throwing this answer: Doctors are rich, surely they can afford to give a little discount? If I told you how much a doctor earn starting out, you will be horrified. The doctors who made their mark, earn their millions, those are the pioneers, the veterans who have poured all their sweat, blood, tears and sacrificed their work life balance to get where they are now.
*This is something I'll take to the grave, so don't bother asking.
The Best Time To Do Covid Tests
There's no right or wrong answer here. I attended this call recently. A caller had a close contact with a person and recently found out they are positive so they wanted to know the best time to do it. For me, the answer is simple. Close contact? Get a swab now and get yourself quarantined. No need to dilly-dally. If you are unsure, go to the Ministry of Health site. There is a lot of information and guidelines on what to do.
Source: Pemantauan Kendiri Kes Positif COVID-19 di Rumah oleh CPRC Kebangsaan, KKM
Pemantauan Kendiri Kes Positif COVID-19 di Rumah | COVID-19 MALAYSIA (moh.gov.my)
Psychiatry Is Often The Last Resort
I tend not to refer people to psychiatry until it's the patient requested, or once I get the full history and am certain it's related to mental health. Recently, someone twisted a story on how we send them to see a psychiatrist, when the story is actually they agreed to it after much discussion. To be safe, always put it as a last resort. Usually I'll go for Internal Medicine to be on the safe side.
I Want To See A Doctor NOW
I attended this call near 9 PM. A called on behalf of B that B has a thing on their throat and wanted to see a doctor NOW. I told them nicely since it's already night time, they can go to the Emergency Department where a MO can attend to them. A wasn't happy because they want to see a doctor NOW. Repeated the same thing and told them, don't worry, the MO on duty will get the correct doctor for you. I even gave the doctor's name myself and offered to schedule an appointment. Nope, they still insist on NOW. The case wasn't life threatening, I was trying to help save the cost because do you know much are the after office hours rate? It's like buying things from a 24-hour convenience shop. The prices get marked up. In the end, they didn't turn up, even though I managed to get a nice doctor to see them.
Discrimination
Sad but true. I don't want to use the other word because it sounds offensive, but whenever I say that there is no (insert here), callers tends to hang up without warning, especially (insert here). Some can even outright tell me (insert here) are more trustworthy. I myself also got it at times when I couldn't speak fluent Cantonese, I understood the language but I speak broken Cantonese, Rusty Japanese, Mandarin (mainly conversational), Bahasa Malaysia passable and English. I tend to get: "You are (insert here. Why can't you speak to me in (insert)?" Another common one is that (insert here) are more trustworthy, or (insert here) are (insert here). You know what this is? Bias, prejudice, stereotyping, unfairness, narrow-minded. I could go on and on, but it's hurtful, and I have to put in a lot of blanks because it is sickening.
I Want The Best Doctor (Chemistry Matters)
I'm going to say it till the end of time. All doctors are the best, because it is not easy to be a doctor, and they worked hard to get where they are now. I couldn't be one, I hated the three major science topics, and I couldn't bear to dissect animals (FOR SCIENCE!) The only thing I could say is I can recommend you a doctor, but after that is chemistry. Say I recommend you doctor A, you don't like them. You like doctor B, but no one likes them, but you feel comfortable with doctor B, and that is okay. You do you.
All Doctors Does A Specific Test
Not necessarily. We received a call on cost breakdown regarding a urology case. The normal breakdown will be a diagnostic test/scan and the doctor's fee. To try to get a fixed price is impossible because we do not know if the doctor is going to ask you to do this test or not, and we haven't even count the cost of the medications yet, which a another whole story. The most I could advise is to carry a few hundreds and a credit card.
Matchmaking
Doctors can be the best of the best, but at the end of the day, some patients love spending time with their doctors. They don't want a doctor who goes in five minutes in and out, or "Hi" and "Bye", even if they are a senior. I am in the second group, I don't mind which doctor I get, provided my condition gets solved. I don't like to talk much in real life anyway cause I tend to get into a lot of mess if I open my mouth, so I'm okay with whoever, but most of my patients love to talk, so we usually have to know who to match with whom. This is why I heavily stressed that we need to know our doctors well.
The Covid Hotlines Are Not Working
Have you seen the poor people behind the line? They get tons of calls everyday. If at first you don't succeed, dial till you get them.
Source: Hotline | COVID-19 MALAYSIA (moh.gov.my)
Stay safe everyone.
*Today's case: (Not out yet, so I'll take yesterday's case) 4,029 (Oh, HELL NO)
**We're nearly at our wit's end, but then I found this wonderful song from one my favourite band. It's basically a message to the world to never give up. If you are ever feeling down, listen to it. I'm currently listening to it while editing.
Source: 和楽器バンド Wagakki Band / Sakura Rising with Amy Lee of EVANESCENCE
(Published on 18th November 2020 by Wagakki Band)
和楽器バンド / Sakura Rising with Amy Lee of EVANESCENCE (Animated Lyric Video) - YouTube
(Retrieved on 17th January 2021)
