YOURSAY | ‘That’s the paradox of a pandemic. Do too much and it works, but then everyone says you’re overreacting…’
Six states won't reopen economies tomorrow
Mortality: It is reassuring that the menteri besar and chief minister of some states have a bit more sense than backdoor Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and thus will not go for an abrupt reopening of the economy.
It reminds me of the United States where President Donald Trump wants to open up the economy in an instant, but there are state governors who ignore his order.
Yet many people also realised this situation is not sustainable - businesses will have to reopen at some point.
I can only hope businesses in those states not reopening just yet will use the time to improve their standard operating procedures (SOPs) so that the new normal of social distancing will be in place.
For the rakyat at large, I think all of us have to get used to this new normal and practise personal hygiene as recommended by the Health Ministry to prevent getting infected.
Anonymous_86381547637684419: What’s the point if one state opens up and another closes? All it takes is one ‘balik kampung’ exodus. We might as well just scrap movement control order (MCO) now and see how effective it is.
Restaurants allowed to open? Aren’t they already open? Can’t we just continue with the takeaway-only policy?
We recorded 122 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday and everyone is acting like there’s already a vaccine.
That’s the paradox of a pandemic. Do too much and it works, but then everyone says you are overreacting. Downplay it and you find yourself overwhelmed, only to start blaming China for hiding their numbers.
I’d rather a government that takes every precaution. Just compare New Zealand with the US.
Anonymous_1543386425: Service providers should be given time to organise and plan how they are going to serve their customers and comply with the SOPs.
They must train their staff on how to interact with customers and there should be someone to guide customers on observing social distancing.
For example, restaurants must have sufficient hand sanitisers. They must know how to deal with takeaways without overcrowding.
Pokokkelapa: Any business before it reopens have to do a risk assessment, be it a factory, office or shop. This comprises an assessment of the area, the workers, clients, suppliers and customers.
Different businesses have differing risks. Only then, safety measures and SOPs can be put in place or practised. It is not a “one size fits all” thing.
Will that be done? Obviously not. Everyone will scramble to make money, the conduct of employees will be ignored and clients and customers told to self-regulate.
How all of this will be implemented is a big challenge, especially during these times.
Just telling them to adopt the guidelines by the National Security Council (NSC) does not make sense. It is just a guide. Who is going to audit and enforce compliance?
Anonymous 2413471460628504: The reopening date is not compulsory. If one is not ready, then don't open.
But for those who are ready because they spent the last seven weeks planning (like buying hand sanitisers, masks and thermometers) for an eventual opening, why are they made to wait for those who are not ready?
Foureye Man: This is the "beauty" or "ugliness" of practising the free-market economy and decentralised governance. Every state has its own preferences and authorities.
For those states that do not want to open up so quickly, they are answerable to those residing in their respective states.
If these state governments can afford to do so, I strongly suggest they close the eateries and supermarkets, which are very crowded at times.
Scientifically and medically speaking, there is no perfect time to lift the MCO. Many of you suggested testing every worker, basically everyone, so that when no one is infected with Covid-19, on then we lift MCO.
I think you probably miss the news that the Covid-19 virus can stay on surfaces such as food packages, doorbells, escalators, cars, clothes, et cetera, practically all things surrounding you for quite a long time.
So, even if everyone in Malaysia is tested and found to be healthy, there is no guarantee the next day or the next week, someone will not be infected.
Clever Voter: It is easy for many to disagree with the decision of Muhyiddin Yassin’s regime. There are conditions for the easing of the MCO, which most will disregard.
A few videos posted in social media have shown how the public can be so disorganised and blatantly forget the risk of contracting or spreading the virus.
This confirms a need to enforce rules. People are only known to behave when there are uniformed personnel to ensure public order.
A delay of a few weeks will not be of help if we don't have strict enforcement. This has always been the principle but even political leaders can easily forget it.
OCPD: Around my Kuala Lumpur office, things still look as if there is no easing of the MCO. Neighbouring offices are still shut, restaurants still don’t accept dine-in, shopping malls are still empty.
We, humans, are smart enough to know how to self-regulate ourselves.
Wira: Make the wearing of masks mandatory to anyone who steps outside one’s home.
This is to prevent carriers (including pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic) from transmitting their infection to others.
If we don't what a third wave in this country, just do it. Make this the new norm.
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