2020,WHICH was not a good year for most people, came to an end yesterday.
In 2020, the coronavirus infected 180,000 people and claimed the lives of over 2,680 Myanmar people. Businesses including SMEs on which general employees are relying for livelihood are closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our children have suffered gaps in their educations.
There were havocs wreaked by and economic upheaval caused by COVID-19, but we could come together to contain the pandemic.
We have witnessed achievements in containing the COVID-19, to date, and we could hold the 2020 General Election successfully amidst challenges from the pandemic.
In comparison, the situation of the pandemic in our country is not as severe as other countries now face. No doubt, we have been successful, thus far, thanks to the public’s participation and awareness. This is a credit to the crucial role of public participation in preventing and containing the pandemic
This is also one of the positives of 2020, and our New Year’s resolution should be the same as in the old year when we helped and protected each other as we look forward to the time when there will be mass immunity to COVID-19 in 2021 without leaving anyone behind. It means our battle with the pandemic will continue long into the New Year.
In fact, even with the arrival of vaccines in 2021, we are not out of the woods yet. Still, we need to repair the havoc wreaked by COVID-19 in the years to come.
It has been a struggle in 2020 but we could see a light at the end of the tunnel due to the COVID-19 vaccines.
Getting though that long tunnel will involve following health guidelines such as social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands frequently.
Mask up, wash up and keep at least 6 feet of distance from others until there is widespread immunity to the coronavirus.
On New Year Day, we would like to urge the people to remain farsighted, determined, diligent and unified to be able to overcome the losses that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
