IN May, the World Health Organisation declared an end to the Covid-19 pandemic, saying it was no longer a “public health emergency of international concern”.
Closer to home, our transition to the endemic stage began earlier, with the nation reopening its international borders in April 2022. Since then, public health restrictions associated with the pandemic have been eased, allowing Malaysians to experience a semblance of normalcy to life before the pandemic.
However, we have recently been reminded that the shift to endemicity does not signify the eradication of Covid-19, nor does it permit us to lower our guard. According to the Health Ministry, there has been a surge in Covid-19 infections over the past two weeks, with a reported increase of 57%.
As we prepare for year-end festivities, travel and gatherings with family and friends, let us remember some of the lessons we learned from the pandemic in the hope to curb the current wave of infections before it escalates.
Firstly, sanitising or washing hands regularly to ensure personal hygiene. During the peak of the pandemic, it was common for everyone to carry a small bottle of sanitiser, and free dispensers were readily available in public places, such as shopping malls and eateries. Sanitising your hands is possibly the most basic yet effective way of preventing the spread of Covid-19 and other diseases.
Secondly, though it is no longer mandatory, wearing face masks in public should be encouraged in certain circumstances. Wearing a face mask is essential when attending major events such as conferences or exhibitions, using the LRT or MRT, going to class or the office and visiting shopping malls.
Malaysians appear to be cognisant of this as indicated by the rise in face mask sales, according to Ideal Healthcare CEO Haminuddin Hamid in a recent interview.
Additionally, public facilities could enhance safety through routine sanitisation, a familiar practice during the pandemic days. This includes regular cleaning of suraus and
often-neglected prayer mats.
Elevator buttons and escalator railings should be sanitised regularly throughout the day. In dining establishments, digital menus may be a preferable option compared with physical menus, which may not be cleaned between customers. Regular sanitisation can minimise the spread of infectious diseases.
Individuals who are unwell should refrain from going out whenever possible. If it becomes necessary to venture out while unwell, they should wear face masks.
Those who are unwell should avoid crowded areas. They should also ensure proper ventilation in indoor areas. Coughing and sneezing in public are among the simplest ways infections can spread.
Although Covid-19 may no longer be a public health concern, it is likely to persist within our population indefinitely. The last two weeks have shown us that complacency can lead to a resurgence of infections.
These practices that we implemented during the pandemic have the power to drastically mitigate the spread of Covid-19 and other infectious diseases.
Let us make it a point to mask up and keep our hands clean to ensure we never have to endure the pain of a pandemic again.
The writer is a senior lecturer at the
Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences at the Faculty of Dentistry at Universiti Malaya. Comments: [email protected]
