[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."

[MEDIA RELEASE] The Impact of COVID-19 on Food Systems

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.

[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.