GEORGE TOWN: Once a pilot who spent hours soaring through the skies, captain Dennis Khoo now gives a helping hand at a vaccination centre (PPV) where he volunteers almost 40 hours a week.
He became a volunteer last month at the centre in Equatorial Hotel here.
Khoo, 35, said he had a lot of time to spare since his work was now on hold.
Explaining his current job status, he said he was still with the company but was on standby mostly as there are only a few flights these days.
“So I decided to commit my time towards fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.
“When our company asked if any of us wanted to enrol as a volunteer, I signed up right away.
“I thought since I have a lot of free time, why not help out at a PPV?” he said in an interview.
Khoo said while he was worried about the risk of infection, he wanted to go the extra mile to combat the pandemic.
“Honestly, I am really angry that the pandemic has cost us our jobs and our livelihood so I want to be part of a movement to fight the contagion.
“I am willing to take a calculated risk,” he added.
Another worker from the aviation industry, cabin crew member Kuek Chuan Yan, 31, had pledged over 100 hours of his time to volunteer at the PPV here.
He wanted to play his part in fighting Covid-19 as well.
“I started only in mid-July. And I really enjoy helping out here,” he said.
Since most flights are grounded, he decided to commit his time to the voluntary work.
“Helping people is an easy task for me as I have been a cabin crew member for over nine years.
“Our customer service and handling skills can be put to good use. This is better than being cooped up at home,” he said.
PPV property manager at Equatorial Hotel, Teoh Eng Hin, said there were six volunteers from the aviation industry.
As for the vaccination exercise, he said it had been going smoothly.
“Presently, we are seeing some 2,000 jabs administered daily with 500 being first dose appointments.
“Each recipient takes about half an hour to complete the entire process,” he added.