The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected food security, not only in Malaysia but all over the world. With the broken supply chain, shortage in labour, closure of restaurants, and countries banning export and many other issues plaguing our food systems, there is an urgent need to realign our fragile agriculture ecosystem. Pre-pandemic issues such as ageing farmers, climate change, emerging diseases, poverty among farmers and access to technology are still unresolved, forcing us to adapt to the new normal.
Author: Su Lin
[EXPERT REACTION] Conditional MCO to Take Effect on May 4
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today announced the conditional movement control order (MCO) to take effect starting May 4, 2020. This allows for almost all economic sectors, business activities to resume business, subject to conditions and standard operating procedure. It includes all food and beverage outlets that are allowed to open for dine-ins, provided they adhere to conditions set by the authorities. We ask experts to respond to this latest development.
[MEDIA RELEASE] COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Explained
Scientists at Oxford University had begun clinical trials on the coronavirus vaccine on April 23. The first human trial had recruited 510 healthy volunteers aged between 18-55 to test the new vaccine, called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. This is following the successful test on macaque monkeys in late March. According to the university, in the "best-case scenario", any early sign whether the vaccine works on humans will be known as early as mid-June.
[EXPERT REACTION] Do cloth face masks work against COVID-19?
With the shortage of N95 and surgical face masks, cloth coverings are probably the next best option. Health authorities including the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) have been encouraging people to make cloth face masks at home to guard against the spread of the coronavirus. We asked experts if they actually work against COVID-19.
[OPINION] Are You And Your Office Ready To Get Back Post-MCO?
So you have got your mask and hand sanitisers. And you have prepared by learning about safe physical distancing, hand washing, dealing with contaminated surfaces and to keep away from crowds. But there is much more to prepare for before returning to the office.
[MEDIA RELEASE] SOP: Post-Lockdown COVID-19 Safety Guidance for Early Childhood Centres
The National Early Childhood Intervention Council Malaysia has developed a detailed standard operating policy (SOP) to ensure a COVID-19-safe environment for early intervention centres (EIPs), childcare centres and kindergartens. It works as a guideline for early childhood centres to take precautionary measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 disease in the community when the centres reopen for operation.
[MEDIA RELEASE] Strategies for the ‘New Normal’ Post-MCO
Science Media Centre (SMC) Malaysia in collaboration with the Malaysian Health Coalition (MHC) hosted their first webinar on Saturday to discuss strategies for the ‘new normal’ once the movement control order (MCO) is lifted. The panelists discussed many issues from the impact of long-term MCO on mental health to life after MCO and MCO exit strategies, as well as preparations for the new normal and the importance of effective science communication during the COVID-19 crisis.
[EXPERT REACTION] Using TCM to treat COVID-19
While scientists are racing against time to develop a vaccine for COVID-19, other types of treatment are being tried out on the infected patients to battle against the coronavirus. This includes traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In China, medical doctors have said to combine TCM and Western medicine as part of COVID-19 treatment for its patients. We asked experts to comment about its effectiveness in treating COVID-19 patients.
[MEDIA RELEASE] UPM–GENIUS Kurnia, launch Autism Awareness Campaign during MCO
Autism community requires increasing attention and awareness, especially in these challenging times. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in collaboration with GENIUS Kurnia, has launched an Autism Awareness campaign by providing several awareness activities in the forms of weekly challenges to commemorate the World Autism Month.
[EXPERT REACTION] Can coronavirus spread through food?
What we do know so far about COVID-19 is that the disease can spread through droplets that are released from the nose or mouth when someone coughs, sneezes or exhales. But what about consuming food that might be contaminated by the virus?
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