Covid-19: Clear the confusion, tell us how to survive

 

There is still too much confusion about the Covid-19 pandemic: how it spreads, how effective the vaccines are, inconsistencies in the implementation of policies and restrictions, and especially what we should do to keep ourselves alive.

Yet, there is no clear guideline from the health authorities or the government on what we should do to stay alive.

Sure, we are told to stay home and follow the standard operating procedures. Sure, we are told to wear masks, observe physical distancing and wash our hands thoroughly. Sure, we are told to get vaccinated.

That might have been enough in March 2020 when the spread of Covid-19 infections became apparent; that might also have been enough before the arrival of the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

But not now.

For one, the availability of vaccines itself has led to more confusion. Let me explain. Vaccines were touted almost as a silver bullet in the early phases of the spread of the disease. When the vaccines arrived, the government was relieved, as were many Malaysians. After receiving much flak, the authorities ramped up the vaccination process such that our speed of vaccination is among the best in the world.

But that has brought about unexpected complications. The government’s decision to vaccinate people in mega centres (PPV) has resulted in large crowds gathering in one place at the same time.

Now, on the ground, people are saying that some of their family members probably caught the infection at the vaccination centre. I have read on social media the lamentations of those who said the only place their family member who had died of Covid-19 had gone out to was the vaccination centre.

I’ve seen video clips of massive crowds – especially of foreign workers – waiting at these mega vaccination centres to be tested or vaccinated and the sight is frightening, to say the least.

And of course we know that the vaccination centre at the Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC) in Shah Alam was closed for a day in July after 204 positive cases were detected among workers there.

It’s no surprise then that people are scared, not just concerned, about safety at these centres. Some are confused as to whether they should get vaccinated now or wait until such time when the crowds are thinner.

Many are also confused as to why the number of cases and deaths keeps rising despite the ramped up vaccination and other government measures.

From July 16 to July 31, a total of 258 “brought-in-dead” cases were reported, and on average there are 129 such cases every week nationwide. People are naturally alarmed. How, they ask, can this be happening if the government is doing contact tracing and mass testing. How effective is the MySejahtera system?

Also, people are sharing news about family members or friends dying even after getting the two required doses of vaccine. The authorities have stressed that even if those who get two doses of vaccine catch the virus, it will not be severe enough to require hospitalisation or being placed in ICUs or die.

But that’s not the case, isn’t it?

Shouldn’t the health ministry allay fears by being transparent about the whole issue and telling people why this is happening and what exactly they should do?

It was reported on July 16 that testing of healthcare workers by the ministry of health between Feb 14 and July 14 showed that 3,106 (or 1.26%) of 245,932 healthcare workers had been infected after receiving both vaccine doses, with only three in the serious Category 3 (0.1%) and Category 4 (0.1 per cent) respectively.

I’ve not read or heard of how many non-healthcare workers – ordinary people – have been infected after taking both doses in Malaysia. However, I read that fully vaccinated people made up nearly three-quarters of Covid -19 infections in a town in Massachusetts, US, after their Fourth of July festivities.

And according to scientists at Public Health England, early studies show that those who have been vaccinated against the disease may still be able to transmit the Delta variant as easily as those who have not.

In Malaysia, we are hearing on social media that vaccinated people are ending up in ICUs and dying. So, please give the people some assurance, some guidelines on what they should do so that they don’t end up in the ICU even after vaccination.

Because the authorities have failed to come up with proper messages, people on social media are sharing whatever they have picked, including that it takes up to 45 days after vaccination to be fully immune.

Why haven’t the health authorities gone on a campaign to inform the public on what to expect and how they should cope?

Also, now that hospitals are full or almost full, and our health system is on the verge of collapse according to the authorities themselves, what has the health ministry done to guide people with mild symptoms on what they should do at home – apart from checking their MySejahtera and filling up forms?

The government’s virtual Covid-19 assessment centre doesn’t seem to be working as many people are confused about what they should do.

If the government does not want asymptomatic people to crowd hospitals and the Covid-19 assessment centres, then it should come out with guidelines on what exactly they should do and what action they should take when their symptoms persist or increase.

The authorities must understand that most ordinary people have no or little understanding of diseases and depend solely on the doctor and the health authorities for advice and treatment. Therefore, telling them to fill up forms on MySejahtera and to take care of themselves at home is not enough.

Is there a way for some medical staff to follow up with those quarantined at home? Can the health ministry source for helpers from government departments where there’s less work during this pandemic and lockdown? Can’t they be given a crash course on counselling and a FAQ about home quarantine, so that they can reach out to the hundreds of thousands who are in home quarantine on the phone? These temporary helpers can refer medical questions to doctors or nurses.

Very often, people just need to know that someone cares and that someone knowledgeable is available to tell them what to do, particularly when they are in isolation. Often family members and friends know as much as they do and may not be of much help.

If that’s not workable, how about this? Almost every housing estate – especially in urban centres – has private clinics. Would it be possible for the government to pay these general practitioners to reach out to those quarantined at home within their areas?

The health ministry can send the contact numbers to these doctors and get them to keep an eye – via the phone – on those in isolation at home. Alternatively, those living in a certain area who are under home quarantine can be given the clinic’s number.

Doctors should log the number of people they have spoken to and the government should pay them market rates. If the doctor can spend an hour or two every evening checking on those under home quarantine, it may be enough.

But this should be purely voluntary; no doctor should be forced to do this as some may have too many patients to handle as it is. These are extraordinary times and I believe doctors in the private sector – who are already doing great service – would be willing to help.

The government should discuss this with the Malaysian Medical Association and the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations Malaysia to see if it is practicable.

Another area that needs plenty of clarity is the business sector. There is so much confusion among businessmen due to the government’s policy and implementation inconsistencies that many are raising their hands in desperation.

Why not prepare brochures on what should be done – whether at work or under home quarantine – and send this to every smartphone user? Why not do short explainer video clips on how to home quarantine and what to watch out for, and secure the help of television stations to broadcast these? Why not make better use of the radio to disseminate live-saving information instead of just repeating the “go and get vaccinated” message?

When people are confused, they expect the better informed and better trained to help them. Since we assume health officials know better than us about Covid-19 and its prevention, we expect them to provide guidance so that we can survive. Unfortunately, this guidance is terribly inadequate.

The authorities have failed to effectively guide the public on how to survive Covid-19. They need a jab of competence. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.