Sara Al Madani wants to be part of the UAE Covid solution

Despite understanding fears, she believes it is everyone's duty to be vaccinated

As a proud UAE national, award-winning entrepreneur, public speaker and recognised local personality, Sara Al Madani wields more influence than most (just don’t call her an ‘influencer’. More on that later). The confidence the 35-year-old exudes when launching into the various projects we have been following for almost a decade, whether they be in the fashion realm or lately tech domain, is consistently palpable. So it was with a fair amount of surprise when asking our first question about her decision to take the Covid-19 vaccine anything other than complete self-assurance featured in the reply.

“I was like any person in the world, I was afraid to take the vaccine,” came the humble and considered response. Relating to peoples’ everyday general fears of medical procedures and acknowledging various opinions floating around different social circles, apparently the choice to book an appointment revealed itself after careful reflection centring on two core aspects. First, could she live with herself thinking she had contributed to perpetuating this pandemic, and second her father had already stepped up to help others, why not her?

“I thought, it’s not just about me, it’s about the people around me. It’s about responsibility. I want to be an example and I want to be a part of the solution not the problem,” Al Madani said. “My dad was a volunteer when the vaccine came out, so it was tested on him. That also motivated me.”

Now an advocate for the jab, the Sharjah resident maintains a willingness to listen to concerns and respects the choice of those still reluctant to sign up for their go, but struggles to understand the rationale.

“Just think about it,” she implored, “the front-liners are not sleeping and risking their lives to protect us and they have taken it. Why wouldn’t you? Why shouldn’t we join them on that boat towards change and success? It’s an opportunity to be in this all together, to hold hands and find solutions.”

The rapid and widespread roll out of the vaccine to all citizens of this nation free of charge is an immense source of pride for Al Madani. In comparison to other countries, which have witnessed a more lackluster or disorganised approach, the UAE is now a global leader. Al Madani believes, from the off, the empirically powerful social contract the UAE’s residents and its government enjoys gave us a head start.

“It was the collaboration between the citizens and our government that made us succeed. We both supported each other in the journey. We respected the rules and did whatever has been asked of us and that made the government’s job easier. That’s how we controlled the pandemic. In turn, they have taken care of us with the vaccine. It shows how strong the government is and how willing they are to protect you.”

The conversation then turned toward life after coronavirus. Given shot rates are sky high, the light is not only at the end of the tunnel, it appears to be streaming through kissing the faces of those racing toward it. As the long trundle comes to its completion, Al Madani feels we’ll be carrying more than a few valuable lessons from the experience with us into the future.

“It changed my values and priorities,” she said of this time. “It has changed the way I work. It improved some stuff in all of us. We’re more aware of our health. We appreciate time with our loved ones better. I think when the pandemic is over life will never be the same. It has changed us. It has been a blessing as well as a curse.”