June 09, 2020

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi wrote on her Facebook page yesterday that it was important to distance ourselves from infected persons if we wished to protect ourselves from getting infected and that this was the first thing the people learnt regarding COVID. As it was impossible to know who had been infected, it became necessary for us to stay at a distance from everyone. This was what she wrote:

I feel bad for having to remind the people again and again regarding COVID. However, the reason I am using Facebook is because of the COVID issue. Furthermore, the psychologist said that it is necessary to repeat about 200 times to make something sink into the head of a person. I don’t think I have repeated 200 times already.

What I am about to say now comes from the Minister for Health and Sports and not from me. This issue is about something that the Minister for Health and Sports and civil service personnel from his ministry feel that they need the most for protection against COVID and something that they are really worried. This is also something which is the most difficult.

All of us became familiar with the term “social distancing” during this year. There needs to be some discussion regarding the use of words. It was important to distance ourselves from infected persons if we wished to protect ourselves from getting infected. This was the first thing we learnt regarding COVID. It was impossible to know who has been infected just by looking at that person. Therefore, it came about that we had to keep a distance from everyone. Therefore, the slogan social distancing, which meant “in social relations, keep at a distance from each other” spread all over the world.

Some think that instead of social distancing, “physical distancing” which meant “keeping a physical distance from each other” was more appropriate. Whichever term we used, this is not something very easy to do. Human beings, because their lifelong habits, wish to “touch and feel”, in their relations with each other. This is something the Ministry of Health and Sports has to worry as their duty is to take care of our health. Especially in the markets and bazaars people are pushing and shoving without paying any heed to social or physical distancing as if encouraging the spread of infection of the disease.

I want all of you to keep a distance from each other by following the instructions of the Ministry of Health and Sports to give some ease of mind to the Health Minister. Those who go to sell and those who go to the markets, please take special care. And don’t forget to wear your mask and wash your hands.

Only 201 times…

(Translated by Kyaw Myaing)