Back-to-school: MMA touts hand hygiene over mask mandates

 

Schools should prioritise hand hygiene to keep Covid-19 cases in check, rather than impose a mask mandate, the Malaysian Medical Association said.

Its president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai said washing and sanitising one’s hands are more important than wearing face masks in preventing Covid-19 from spreading in schools.

“There is no need for a face mask mandate in schools. Only students with symptoms, or a medical condition that may put them at high risk, should be wearing facemasks,” he said in a statement last night.

Contacted for clarification, Muruga stressed that those showing respiratory symptoms should also get tested and isolate themselves if their result is Covid-positive, in addition to masking.

There may be cases where students may show respiratory symptoms for other reasons, such as an allergy. In such cases, he said, they should be allowed to attend class provided they wear a mask and test negative for Covid-19.

Muruga also urged teachers to play their role by reminding students to sanitise their hands more frequently and avoid touching their faces.

Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai

Muruga’s statement came after the government mooted requiring students to wear masks once school reopens on May 2, due to concern over the highly transmissible XBB.1.16 variant of the disease.

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa had said she would meet her Education Ministry counterpart Fadhlina Sidek this week to discuss measures to prevent an outbreak in schools.

Masking has become an important measure for preventing Covid-19 transmission, based on the evolving understanding that the disease is spread primarily through airborne droplets and aerosols, rather than through fomites (ie touching contaminated surfaces and subsequently touching the eyes, nose or mouth).

The US Centers for Disease Control had cited several studies showing that the risk of becoming infected after each time touching a contaminated person is very low, less than 1-in-10,000, with most cases being transmitted through the air.

The importance of hand sanitisation

Asked for the evidence to support prioritising hand hygiene instead, Muruga told Malaysiakini that while both airborne and contact transmission can occur, the former is less important for asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic cases.

“Children are also likely to be less disciplined about not touching their masks and then their eyes, nose or mouth - thus neutralising the protection of the mask.

“That is why hand sanitisation is so important,” he said.

As an additional measure, Muruga said schools could also get their teachers and students to test themselves once on Sunday evenings, ahead of school on Monday.

“But this should only be for a brief period, to prevent any outbreaks in schools after the Raya holidays,” he said.

He also urged parents to help their children build a strong immune system by encouraging them to observe a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

“Vaccination, wearing face masks and sanitising hands are not the only important components in managing Covid-19.

“We also have to take steps to look after our health - a key point that hasn’t been sufficiently emphasised. A person with a weak immune system will have an increased risk of severe Covid-19,” Muruga said. - Mkini