Current Affairs

It’s been day 500 of MCO in Malaysia, and we’ve done mostly everything in our “to-do” lists – when would this end?

Okay, so it’s not really day 500, but Malaysia – and most of the world – has been in restricted movement since March 2020 to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. Things seem promising, with a general drop in positive cases, even with increased testing. Signs that the curve is being flattened.

However, despite this positive news, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warns against rushing into lifting the MCO.

"We’ve said previously that easing these measures must be a gradual process, and we’ve spoken about the criteria that countries should consider"-@DrTedros #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/i1iHcQo0oE

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 17, 2020

The main concern of lifting coronavirus restrictions too early is that it could lead to a fatal resurgence across the globe.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of WHO, spoke about this as countries across the world – including the UK, Italy, Spain and the US – are looking into ways in which they could soften and ease shutdowns, which are now turning the health crisis into an economic concern.

“I know that some countries are already planning the transition out of stay-at-home restrictions,” commented Tedros from a virtual press conference in Geneva, Switzerland. He mentions that WHO also wants to see restrictions lifted as much as anyone, but, at the same time, hasty actions could lead to a deadly COVID-19 comeback.

“The way down can be as dangerous as the way up if not managed properly.”

WHO’s response in supporting countries on #COVID19:
-Track & identify cases
-Ensure patients get the care they need
-Frontline workers get essential supplies & information
-Advice the public
-Train responders
-Accelerate R&D of vaccine & treatments
https://t.co/xgPkPdvn0r pic.twitter.com/RoiEdWgu3Y

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 17, 2020

Countries that seek to lift restriction should make sure of certain things. Namely:

• 1. If the transmission is controlled
• 2. If sufficient public health and health medical services are available
• 3. If outbreak risk in special settings such as long-term care facilities are minimised
• 4. If preventive measures in public spaces are in place
• 5. If importation risks can be managed
• 6. If communities are fully aware and engaged in the transition

Just some food for thought while we are all eager to shift out from this restricted movement order. At the end of it all, and as Tedros concludes, “every single person has a role to play in ending this pandemic.”

Source: Independent