A healthcare worker, Thomas Grixti, has called on the public to be vigilant and show respect to all front liners who are still tirelessly battling COVID-19, even through the scorching days of Malta's summer.
Like many healthcare workers across Malta and Gozo, Grixti is currently collecting swabs that are being tested each day, which is undeniably a stressful job within itself. Add layers of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and a climate with an average of 35oC into the mix and you will probably find yourself at the point of hysteria.
On Tuesday, Grixti took it to Facebook to express his aggravation towards patients who did not seem to understand the strenuous conditions that healthcare workers face on an almost daily basis.
"Addressed to that person that asked me to hurry up whilst swabbing ...", the post started off.
"This is the result of just two hours of donning full PPE in our scorching Maltese climate, and I have another 6 to go," Grixtri said, displaying a photo of himself drenched in sweat as if he had just ran a marathon.
He explained that hundreds of swabs were already collected in the morning, all of which could be samples from potentially infected individuals.
This speaks volumes when taken in the context of the spike that Malta has been facing over the past week after getting close to zero cases two weeks prior.
"If your grey matter can even remotely fathom the sheer stress and responsibility of carrying out these tests in such sweat-dripping heat whilst adhering to infection control protocols, then maybe there is a hint of empathy still left in you."
"Make no mistake, Covid is still around," he warned. "Be vigilant, and respect those people sweating their guts out just so you can go to the beach and bake your banana bread with your mind at ease."