PETALING JAYA: A strong and efficient vaccination programme will offer the public a pathway to live with the Covid-19 virus, say health experts.
They, however, say that while eased restrictions can be considered for fully vaccinated individuals, this is best done when more people in the country are inoculated.
International Islamic University Malaysia epidemiologist Prof Dr Jamalludin Ab Rahman said vaccines were developed with the intention to prevent transmission and reduce severity of symptoms.
“From the Phase 3 trials of the vaccines, it is clear that the vaccines are able to reduce the severity of the disease.
“The other objective of preventing transmission is good, but perhaps it is not as consistent as preventing severe Covid-19.
What exactly does toxic positivity look like, and why should leaders avoid it like fire? At times, it is perceived as a given that one should always strive to stay upbeat and optimistic at work, shares psychologist and International Islamic University Malaysia assistant professor Dr Pamilia Lourdunathan. However, telling a person who is coping with emotional loneliness, mental stress and pandemic fatigue during the lockdown to look at the bright side can be unhelpful and dangerous psychologically. Well-intended phrases such as ‘it could be worse , ‘stay positive’ or even ‘be thankful’ shuts off further conversations about one’s emotional state, she adds, reiterating the danger of tacitly ignoring team members struggles.
13 Jul 2021 / 08:40 H. Pix for representational purpose only.
KUALA LUMPUR: A worrying “side effect” of the ongoing movement control is the growing addiction to smart devices among children and adolescents.
Although there is a lack of data as no studies have been carried out on this issue in Malaysia, psychiatrists are seeing more cases of young patients who are hooked on gadgets such as smartphones, tablets and computers and manifesting signs of Internet gaming addiction (IGA) or Internet gaming disorder, and anxiety disorder comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD).
According to International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) consultant psychiatrist Associate Prof Dr Nora Mat Zin, one of the knock-on effects of staying indoors due to the Covid-19 pandemic and enforcement of movement control since March last year has been the “massive increase in the use of gadgets and screen time among children”.
PETALING JAYA: Following the announcement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) that the Dewan Rakyat will reconvene for five days from July 26, political experts say both sides of the divide should come together to work towards the nation’s recovery.
But some MPs feel that the upcoming meeting of the third session of the 14th Parliament should be longer to conduct debates on issues concerning the pandemic.
Political analysts see the meeting as a test of whether politicians can work together towards a speedy recovery from Covid-19.
“The rakyat are looking forward to this as they are eager to know the direction the nation is taking with regard to the national vaccination programme and recovery plans,” said Prof Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal
Mega centre: Volunteers making final preparations for the vaccination programme at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre. AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
PETALING JAYA: With five states moving into Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) today, health experts advised that the risk of reopening certain economic sectors must be managed.
Even though Malaysia was poised to accelerate vaccination in July, the health experts said the country must be cautious as it heads to recovery.
International Islamic University Malaysia epidemiologist Prof Dr Jamalludin Ab Rahman said companies must have self-control and a disciplined mindset, even if they were allowed to operate.