By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, April 22: Although Sarawak has entered the endemic phase, the majority believe wearing face masks is still essential in protecting oneself from Covid-19.
This was the result of a poll conducted by DayakDaily on its website from 3pm on April 15 until 3pm today (April 22).
The survey aimed to gather the views of our visitors on whether masking should still be made mandatory as the State moves into the endemic phase.
The survey recorded 1,523 unique visitors where 880 or 57.78 per cent voted ‘Yes’ while 643 or 42.22 per cent voted ‘No’.
As we look at the percentage gap, it is understood that there are strong supporters for both stands.
While masking is considered the best practice to prevent the spread of Covid-19, this does not augur well with those who have a different opinion on how ‘endemicity’ should be.
On April 14, Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah opined that mask-wearing should no longer be mandatory since Malaysia entered the endemic phase.
He said Malaysians should be given the option to decide whether they want to continue wearing face masks or make it optional in outdoor settings, like in Singapore.
However, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen said every decision to relax restrictions on Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs), even in endemicity, must be based on data and scientific findings.
He explained that the current data now shows that the likelihood of Covid-19 spreading outdoors and in ventilated areas is lower than being indoors in a less ventilated space. Thus, it is somewhat safer not to put on a mask.
He also informed that similar data was used in Singapore’s decision not to require wearing face masks outdoors while making it mandatory to wear face masks indoors, especially in crowded places.
Nonetheless, he said over-relaxed Covid-19 restrictions might also cause a surge of cases, as seen in other countries.
At the same time, activist Peter John Jaban likened masking up to wearing a condom where he said wearing face masks should be made optional, and the government should not force people and fine them for going maskless.
To him, the public should be trusted to know to do the right thing in taking care of their health and the community. — DayakDaily
