Envoy Textiles Ltd 董事長Kutubuddin Ahmed 先生
5月的一天，我突然開始發低燒，同時也失去了味覺，5月21日做新冠病毒測試，結果呈陽性。之後的幾天，症狀沒有再加重，但我不敢掉以輕心，因為冠狀病毒隨時會讓身體狀況急轉直下，所以還是住進了具有供氧設備和ICU的達卡廣場醫院 （Square Hospital）。
以下就是我自己留醫期間的心路歷程。
這次住院的經歷畢生難忘：那是一段沒有家人陪伴、見不到朋友、甚至沒有探視者的日子。這樣的日子如此煎熬，卻無可奈何。慢慢地，我讓自己的心平靜下來，嘗試著去重新發現和理解生命的意義。
新冠肺炎病人病症各異，從肌肉疼痛到呼吸困難都有，有些病人甚至集中了各種病症，病毒入侵的程度取決於每個人自身的免疫力。對我來說，隔離的折磨更甚於身體的痛楚。沒有什麼比孤獨地過日子更令人倍感壓力的了！另一個問題就是焦慮。身體和精神的虛弱感牢牢地抓住你，你會感覺到身體有一些言辭無法形容的行為和莫名的反應。
我儘量不讓自己閒著，為此我調整了自己的生活節奏：在醫院病房裡，我跟家人電話溝通、回復簡訊、在病房裡散步、跟病友聊天，以及祈禱。每天，我還花很多的時間跟自己的內心對話，不讓自己糾結於被病毒感染的沮喪中。
在這段困難的日子裡，我默默許願：未來，我一定在慈善事業上走得更遠；我已經定下了具體計劃，待時機成熟就公之於眾。我想為我的同胞盡一份力，幫助他們改善生活。我知道富裕階層已開始站出來，向被邊緣化的社群伸出了援手；如果富人們可以連手共同幫助窮人，那將事半功倍。現在疫情的大爆發，讓成千上萬的人丟了工作，貧窮人口數量在不斷上升。每每想著水深火熱中的同胞，我的心就往下沉。同時，我祈禱上蒼保佑我的家人，還有SHELTECH和ENVOY的每一位員工。
疫情爆發後，我們都在反思社會的衛生體系狀況。我知道孟加拉的醫療資源匱乏，但為什麼美國、義大利和西班牙的很多城市也淪陷於新冠病毒呢？背後的原因是什麼？我個人認為，各國領導人對公共衛生的關注遠遠不足，他們更熱衷於計算工業化和經濟增長帶來的進步。結果呢？不起眼的Covid-19病毒竟可以對人類張牙舞爪數月之久，病毒把已開發國家與發展中國家都推上了同一艘船。
孟加拉不但醫療資源匱乏，還存在著資源管理和應用方面的不當、甚至浪費。儘管如此，抗疫的前線人員，包括醫護人員、警察，還有媒體記者，都在竭盡全力；公立和私營機構也一步步地投入到對抗病毒的鬥爭中，儘管是杯水車薪。對於像孟加拉這樣一個人口密集的國家，社會公共資源管理無疑是一個巨大挑戰。我深信，儘管醫療資源有限，但只要合理分配管理，依然可以服務更多的民眾。
隨著新冠病毒傳播的升級，我們所有人都有被感染的可能，並非每個被感染的人都需要入院治療，衛生部門應該保證那些需要得到治療的病人能得到應有的醫治。我不需要加氧治療，但有一些病人需要ICU治療。我從新聞里得悉很多人得不到治療，甚至有些人因沒有得到治療而離世。我聽說政府正在積極加速擴充供氧設備，呼吸機和隔離設施。我想越快越好吧。隨著染役人數日增，我們還應該騰出更多的醫院，用於新冠病人的救治。我們的衛生系統需要公營與私營機構的共同關注。現在是時候建立緊急反應機制，既要有短期應急，更要有長期計劃。
我相信，全球的衛生保健系統在疫情過後將會發生翻天覆地的改變，孟加拉也不例外。每一次新的征程總是始於危機。我們需要加快行動、擴大檢測。我聽說快速檢測只需要15-30分鐘就能出結果。如果真有這樣的技術，我們應該引進。最終，我們能讓普羅大眾都參與檢測並得到治療。
科學家們期望今年或明年能研發出疫苗。目前，很多國家都投入在疫苗的研發中，有好幾個國家已進入了試用階段。很多國家都排隊等著疫苗問世，並為此支付數以十億計的金錢。我們也應該加入，這樣一旦疫苗研發出來，我們就能得到它。
此外，我們還需要在全國範圍內積極的進行宣傳，讓民眾充分了解保護措施。這樣才能舒緩醫療體系的壓力，同時也可以拯救更多的生命。我們應該教導人們遵從正確的衛生指引而非聽信網絡上的小道消息，社交網絡上虛假的衛生信息會把我們帶進大坑。
在有效的疫苗問世前，我們必須存活下來。我們要耐心地克服現在的困境，並計劃好未來六個月的生存。我們需要縮減開支，但首先必須生存。為生存，我們必須竭盡所能。生存將會是最大的投資，也是我們的希望所在。
有危必有機，這次的疫情危機教會了我們危機管理，以及重新思考生命和環境的必要性。我們必須重新審視在醫療、教育和人道等範疇的各種抉擇。利潤不代表消費，相反的，它意味著公平分配和平等重組。這次的疫情大爆發，給予了我們機會跳出發展、工業化和企業增長等框架的束縛去思考生命的價值。
比起疫情下求存，發展容易得多了。僅僅達到中等收入水平是不夠的；同時，我們還要提攜被邊緣化的那些弱勢群體。我們應該更多地關注社會，把不平等最小化。我們不但要戰勝病毒，我們還需要戰勝飢餓。
在留醫的日子裡，我不時聽到服裝廠停業、倒閉的新聞。服裝製造業為這個國家貢獻了80%-85%的外匯收入，要填補這個巨大的經濟損失談何容易！遺憾的是，大量停業倒閉的服裝製造業也成為公眾譴責的對象。此時此刻，這個行業的企業家們需要展示出更成熟的態度。
紡織業界錯失了一季的訂單，而下一季的情況依舊是未知數。但這種情形不會是永久的。歐美將會重新回來採購，問題是何時開始。儘管如此，我們還是要做好繼續生產的準備。對於孟加拉的企業家們來說，危機不是問題。我深信只要我們能挨過接下來的半年時間，我們的未來就會發生變化，服裝行業尤甚。
我們眼下能做的就是耐心等待，並為未來做出犧牲。在我自己領導的企業里，迄今我們沒有裁員，也沒有取消任何應付款項；我們僅僅是把退休金的發放推遲了幾個月。同時，我們正在評估公司的架構，重新調整開支，但可以肯定的是，我們不會辭退基層的員工。
我們中很多人再也回復不到疫情爆發前的生活，這成為了一種新常態，無論企業，還是個體。當下，重要的是保持住積極的心態，保持著活力！如果你畏懼恐慌，那肯定會輸掉這場戰役。我們是時候要為未來做好準備、儲存能量、積穀防饑。
一場求生之役尚未拉開戰幕，但我堅信，未來仍將屬於我們。
後記：
我是一個幸運者：在生命中，每每遇到坎兒，總有朋友相助，總被上天眷顧。我是一個重視家庭的人，堅信一個人的成功除了自身的勤勉、誠信與奉獻精神之外，不能沒有家人的默默支持。新冠病毒「找上」了我，讓我在醫院休息了12天。留醫的日子裡，來自家人、親朋好友與支持者問候的信息如雪片般飛至；這些飽含關愛、為我祈禱的信息每每令我熱淚盈眶。留醫的日子裡，我還收到一個喜訊：西班牙政府授予我最高榮譽騎士勳章。我是一個有近40年哮喘病史的病人，能戰勝新冠病毒實屬幸運。
感謝上蒼，感恩親友、同事們的祈禱！下周，我又將重返工作崗位。
作者介紹：Kutubuddin Ahmed 先生是孟加拉知名牛仔面料企業Envoy Textiles Ltd的董事長，身兼ENVOY集團及SHELTECH集團主席，他在2020年5月感染新冠病毒，現已康復。在住院治療期間，他寫了本文，分享他與病毒抗爭的經歷，以及對人生意義、企業生存發展、國家經濟恢復的一些感想。原文的標題是《Main fight to survival yet to begin》，譯者秦剛先生經作者同意，按中文語言習慣，對部分段落進行了調整。
The attached English version:
Faith – the Light in Darkness
A Bangladeshi denim entrepreneur's insight
after being infected by COVID-19
One day in May, I had fever and lost taste. On May 21, I tested positive to Covid-19. Though I did not develop other symptoms, I dared not take it lightly. My battle against the deadly virus was not an easy one since I have been an asthma patient for almost 40 years. Worrying the virus could take a nasty turn anytime, I got admitted to the Square Hospital, where oxygen support and intensive care unit facilities are available.
The 12-day stay in hospital was significant and it will remain significant for the rest of my life.
All coronavirus patients do not show the same symptoms. I saw patients with numerous symptoms ranging from muscle pain to breathing difficulties. There were people who even had all the symptoms together. But in general, the impact of the virus depends on the immunity power of the individual.
For me, isolation was greater than the physical pain. There is nothing more stressful than living all alone. A life without family, friends or even visitors. Another issue is anxiety. Weakness gripped you both physically and mentally. There were so many indescribable physical actions and reactions– you can only feel it.
Adjusting to such a life is difficult, but what else could be done?
I tried to remain active as far as I could. I readjusted my routine to communicating with my family, replying to texts, walking inside the ward, talking to other patients and praying for all. I used to talk a lot to myself. I gave myself a lot of time instead of being obsessed with the virus infection, and tried to use the time to rediscover and understand the meaning of life. I looked back to the past, and then tried to interpret the future.
I decided to spend more on charity though I was already involved in many of those. I tailored a plan and will let others know about it if everything goes right. I want to work for my fellow countrymen so that they can improve their way of living. I am aware that the affluent have already stood by the marginalized people of society. Even then, the task would be easier if the rich could collectively lend a hand to the poor. The pandemic has wiped out jobs for millions, and the number of poor is rising. I used to think of the people and this would make me depressed every time. I prayed for my family and every employee of Sheltech and Envoy.
We are dissecting the health system since the virus outbreak, which I think is natural and logical. I know our resources are scant. But why have the USA, Italy or Spain failed? What is their reason? I think the world leaders did not consider public health as much as they were concerned over medical treatment. They only calculated progress through industrialization and growth. No one is bothered about the environment. Many of us dream of the developed world – happiness all around. But the virus has exposed the vulnerabilities – careless attitudes of the world leaders, failures, helplessness, deaths and a display of sheer chaos. The bottom line is -- none ever could imagine a virus would be so strong as to haunt us for months. Therefore, all calculations got jeopardized and the virus has put the developed and underdeveloped countries on the same boat.
We have lacking, wastage and mismanagement over resource and utilization. Even after that, the frontline people – medical personnel, police or journalists – tried to do their best. Public and private capacity to fight the virus is being expanded gradually though it is still inadequate. Proper management I think is a major challenge for a country as densely populated as Bangladesh. I believe we still could serve more, even with limited resources, through smart management.
All of us will possibly get infected by Covid-19 as the spread of virus is escalating. But all will not require hospital care. The health directorate should ensure proper treatment for the few who will require medical attention. I did not need oxygen support. But there are patients who required ICU support. I saw in the news that many people were not getting treatment, while some died without any treatment. I heard that the government has taken up an initiative to expand oxygen supply facility, isolation and ventilation on an emergency basis. I think the sooner the better. Besides, we need to dedicate more hospitals for Covid-19 treatment as the infection goes up every day. Our health system now requires the attention of both private and public sectors. This is the time for emergency response, which will have short and long-term plans.
I believe the post coronavirus world will see a tremendous change in healthcare system and Bangladesh will not remain isolated. Because every new journey began from a crisis. We need to speed up and expand testing. I heard about rapid testing, which can give the result within 15 to 30 minutes. If there is really such technology, we should introduce it. The bottom line is, we need to bring the virus test and treatment within the reach of common people.
Scientists hope to invent a vaccine this year or in the next year. Many countries are at present doing relentless research to get the vaccine, while many have reached the tril phases. Countries are booking in advance to get the vaccine as soon as it is invented, and they are pouring in billions for that. We should follow the lead so that we can get the vaccine if the world discovers one.
Besides, we need countrywide aggressive awareness campaign to make people aware of the protective measures. This will ease the pressure on the healthcare system and many lives could be saved. People should be made aware of following proper health guidelines instead of following online propaganda. Social networking site-based fake health messages could lead us to further troubles.
We need to survive until an effective vaccine is invented. Until then, we have to learn to live with the virus and to invest time to continue the battle. We should overcome the situation patiently and plan to survive for the next six months. We have to reduce the expenditure and pay if requires, but we have to survive. For this, we need to adopt whatever strategy it takes. Survival will be the biggest investment and that is what we should count on.
Each crisis brings new potential and scopes. The virus crisis has taught us crisis management and the need to rethink life and the environment. There are scopes to revisit the decisions on medical treatment, education and humanity. Profit does not mean consumption, rather it means equal distribution and equal restructuration. The pandemic has brought us chances to make life confined by development, industrialization and growth, easier. It is not enough to simply achieve middle-income status; at the same time, we need to lift up the marginalized people. We need to look closer at society and minimize the inequalities. We not only have to win against the virus, but also against hunger.
I heard about the apparel industry woes during the hospital stay, and have been hearing now too. The sector provides the country with 80 to 85 percent export earnings. It is difficult to tackle such a huge loss. On the other hand, it is natural and regretful for the readymade industries to draw criticism since it is the largest sector. To earn the trust of the people, this sector leaders should show more mature attitudes.
The textile sector missed a season while the next one is uncertain too. But the situation will not be the same forever. Europe and America will begin buying. The question is when, and there is no answer to that. But we will have to be ready and continue production. Crisis is not an issue for the Bangladeshi entrepreneurs. I do believe that our future will change if we can survive the next six months. This is truer for the readymade garments sector.
We will have to wait and sacrifice for the sake of the future.
In Sheltech and Envoy, we have not downsized our office so far nor cancelled any payments. We just postponed the provident funds for a few months. We are assessing our institutional framework to readjust the expenditure. This is temporary. But we will certainly not terminate our low-level workers.
Many of us will not get back the life we had before the pandemic. This is the new normal for institutions, non-institutions and elsewhere. We will get back on our feet if we have confidence in ourselves. Stay positive, stay lively, and stay faithful. If you get scared, you will certainly lose the battle. Get prepared for the future. Gain energy for the battle, and save money for future investment.
The main fight for survival is yet to begin. Rest assured, the future is ours.
PS:
I am a lucky man.
I have come across countless good hearted-people and friends in my life who have stood by me during difficult times. I have worked hard throughout my life, and I am doing the same now. I am a family man who believes hard work, honesty, dedication and support of the family are the combined mantra for success. I had been hospitalized with coronavirus for 12 days. Hundreds of texts from family, friends and well-wishers marked the hospital stay. Those messages of love and prayer would bring tears to my eyes. One good news during my hospital stay was that I had been nominated by the Spanish Government for the highest civilian 'Knight Officer' title.
Now, I have fully recovered from the infection. Thanks to the mercy of the Almighty and prayers of all. I hope to resume office work from next week.
The writer is Mr. Kutubuddin Ahmed, Chairman of Envoy and Sheltech groups, he recently recovered from Covid-19, he writes about his struggle with the disease, his reflections on life and country, and the road to recovery for the Bangladeshi economy.
文章來源: https://twgreatdaily.com/KIKoj3MBd4Bm1__Ylzk3.html