Experts give thumbs down for mask mandate despite surge in Covid-19 cases

 

Health director-general Dr Radzi Abu Hassan recently advised Malaysians to wear face masks, especially in crowded places.

PETALING JAYA: Health experts have played down the need for the government to reintroduce a face mask mandate despite a surge in Covid-19 infections which saw positive case numbers nearly doubling in the span of a week.

In a statement on Wednesday, health director-general Dr Radzi Abu Hassan advised the public, especially those with symptoms and high-risk groups such as the elderly and pregnant women, to wear face masks, especially when in crowded spaces.

Noting that Covid-19 cases had been rising globally, he said the ministry was prepared for a surge in numbers due to the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations, as well as the school holiday season.

Speaking to FMT, three health experts agreed that self-preventive measures were sufficient amid the 88% spike in Covid-19 cases, from 6,796 to 12,757 in one week.

Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations, Malaysia president Dr Shanmuganathan TV Ganeson said imposing a blanket policy would not make sense due to the nature of the outbreak.

“There are areas that have no Covid-19 outbreaks at all, and then there are some areas that are seeing an upsurge in cases,” he said.

“If we have a blanket rule, then people who are in places where there are no outbreaks would be reluctant to mask up,” he said, adding that people should not wait for government directives to take care of themselves.

Dr Kumitaa Theva Das of Universiti Sains Malaysia meanwhile said that people should be knowledgeable about the most effective ways to avoid getting infected by drawing from their previous experiences during the pandemic.

Kumitaa, a virologist, also reminded the public against being complacent about getting vaccinated as the immunity they develop from the vaccine wanes over time.

“Rather than risk being infected and needing to spend a week or two of the holiday season isolated, it would be easier for everyone to wear a mask,” she told FMT.

Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib agreed, saying the country need not impose mandates or the “harsh” quarantine restrictions that were in place during the lockdowns.

He said those working in close quarters and exposed to many people – such as in hospitals, restaurants, supermarkets, and airports – should already be masking up as a standard practice.

“We will treat this as an endemic disease and live with it, the same way we do for flu, influenza and other respiratory diseases,” he said.

“However, it is essential that we make available the best possible options for vaccinations.”

A rise in cases in neighbouring countries has prompted nations such as Indonesia and Singapore to implement a range of measures including adopting hybrid work arrangements, promoting vaccines and mask-wearing, and deploying thermal body scanners at airports.

Shanmuganathan suggested that the government reintroduce the regular briefings which the health director-general used to hold during the pandemic, during which he provided updates and reminders about measures to avoid getting infected.

“The public health (authorities) or the health ministry should play a proactive role rather than waiting for the medical fraternity or the media to remind them that something (an outbreak) is happening.

“A five-minute appearance on television should be more than enough,” he added.

He said such videos would then circulate on social media, helping to inform the public about the latest updates on the virus. - FMT