While scientists race to find a vaccine for the coronavirus, countries including Malaysia are resorting to convalescent blood plasma transfusion to treat patients severely ill with COVID-19. The treatment includes administering blood plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 to patients critically ill with the novel respiratory illness. We asked experts to comment on the effectiveness of this method to treat newly-infected patients.
Author: Su Lin
[MEDIA RELEASE] Social Media, Fake News and COVID-19
Each day, we are bombarded by misinformation on COVID-19, especially on social media. This situation makes it difficult for users to distinguish between fact and fake news. The World Health Organization (WHO) has called this an "infodemic" describing it as more dangerous than coronavirus pandemic. To address these issues, the Science Media Centre (SMC) Malaysia in collaboration with the Medical Mythbusters Malaysia hosted a webinar recently to discuss the impact of the fake news on the COVID-19 pandemic.
[MEDIA RELEASE] COVID-19: Staying Safe in General Practice – Air Circulation
General Practitioners (GP) in the private sector plays an important role in the delivery of healthcare for the public. It supplements the primary healthcare services offered in the public sector. Most of the GP practices in Malaysia, either group or individual are located in shop lots. The usual practice in these clinics is to use split airconditioning units for climate control. Here are some simple measures that the GP can take to reduce the risk of transmission.
[EXPERT REACTION] Conditional MCO extended to June 9
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced the conditional movement control order (MCO) will be extended for another four weeks until June 9. While several festivities such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the Kaamatan Feast and Hari Gawai will fall during this period, mass movements across state borders or 'balik kampung' would not be allowed. We asked experts to comment on the fifth extension of the MCO.
[EXPERT REACTION] COVID-19 Infection Risk: Male vs Female
There are research suggesting male are more susceptible than females to contract COVID-19. The coronavirus mortality rate also recorded a higher toll on male. In China, the death rate for men was 2.8 percent, compared to 1.7 percent for women, according to the largest analysis of cases by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. We asked experts to comment on the risks of COVID-19 infection and mortality rate based on sex.
[OPINION] Palatable Strategies for the COVID-19 Epilogue – Dr Dhesi BR
As the world grapples with the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic whilst it crushes socio-economic foundations and brings world-leaders to their knees, the question at the back of our minds is how will the story-line end? Dr Dhesi BR opines pragmatic options on flattening the curve should be placed on the table for critical evaluation in finding that postscript for the final chapter in the COVID-19 saga. If possible to flatten and shrink it, ‘squishing the curve’.
[MEDIA RELEASE] Standard Operating Procedure for Public Transportation post-MCO
A substantial proportion of the Malaysian population is dependent on public transportation to go about with their daily lives. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, a group of academics from the University of Malaya has developed a Standard Operating Procedure for Public Transportation designed to minimise the risk of spread of SARS-CoV2, thus avoiding any COVID-19 outbreak potentially arising from the use of public transportation.
[MEDIA RELEASE] Guide for Supermarkets to Standardise COVID-19 Prevention
Supermarkets play an important role in COVID-19 prevention. Many supermarkets have put in place measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 at their premises. However, as the Movement Control Order is relaxed, and client numbers increase, supermarkets will have to be even more vigilant. This guide aims to help standardise the measures to be taken by all supermarkets, as well as offer ideas and initiatives that could be taken.
[MEDIA RELEASE] Planning for a Phased Restart
The Malaysian Health Coalition (MHC) has a consistent position of a phased restart of our economy and society, expressed in our Joint Statements on 11 April 2020 and 23 April 2020. We understand that the movement control order (MCO) carries psychological, emotional and economic cost to the Rakyat. The MCO cannot be imposed indefinitely, and there is no “best time” to restart Malaysia.
[MEDIA RELEASE] Conditional Movement Control Order: Too much, Too Soon – Nipah Virus Scientist
Universiti Malaya Academician Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit described the reopening of the economy by relaxing some restrictions under the implementation of the conditional MCO starting May 4 as "far too much and too soon." This is based on the number of cases which has not gone down sufficiently for the country to consider being "out of the woods."
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