Friday, July 17, 2020

TO MASK OR NOT TO MASK – A TALE OF 2 COUNTRIES

 Back to SCHOOL with MASKS.

       Let’s stop talking about the “OLD Norm” when wearing a MASK was a FASHION statement. The question today is, “Is mandating masks in public  a violation of human rights?” This brings me to compare 2 countries who have embraced the NEW Normin reopening of schools. Two contrasting scenarios have emerged with views so different, they lie on opposite ends of the spectrum.
        Cities in California, Michigan, Florida and Arizona have mandated the use of masks. A rife in arguments escalated immediately with mask opponents voicing a violation against their first and fifth amendment rights. 
In San Clemente, California, some parents have strongly objected to social distancing and wearing of masks in schools. They say these measure will hurt their children’s well-being. 
         US cases hit record high with 67,632 new cases reported in 24 hours (Thurs 16.7). California reported its second highest single-day increase in cases and deaths just two days ago (Wed 15.7), with 11,125 new cases and 140 additional deaths, but views like:

  😷  “Don’t tell me my kid has to wear a mask, I don’t need to be dictated to tell me how best to raise my kids,”
   😼 “Keep facial expressions visually available,”
   😿 “NO to masks, YES to recess, Let me Breathe,” still prevail in San Clemente.

         In Malaysia, such views will not be entertained. You can "think" it, but that's as far as it goes!!
         By next Wednesday July 22, after 4 months 3 days of home isolation, ALL primary and secondary students aged 6 – 17 years would have returned to face-to-face interaction with their friends and teachers. 
       However, back to school comes with a mandatory implementation of a 36-page school reopening management guideline released on June 4th.  
     Is there a Right or Wrong here? Teachers measure the 1 metre distance between desks as required in the guidelines.
 Malaysians have “obeyed” social distancing,  wearing of masks and other mandatory guidelines since March 18th. 
         Masks do not stop viral transmission, its function is towards stopping the  spread of droplets from the wearer to others. Use of face masks is now NOT compulsory as transmission of the virus is low, with Malaysia experiencing only sporadic outbreaks. In March, we experienced triple-digit daily new cases, today it has been reduced to single-digit. 
If this is what “obeying’ has produced, I would say “obeying” has had positive outcomes. Do we Malaysians equate “obeying” with perhaps common sense, or is it because we trust our health care sector who better understands the Covid-19 scenario?
If other countries term THESE rules as “violation of human rights,” then 
"TO EACH HIS OWN." I rather be SAFE than DEAD.

    Note: This is not a political piece, but a personal view. 

Acknowledgement: All pictures in this post are from The Star, the people's paper

5 comments:

  1. Your personal views are very similar to mine. We don't (yet) encourage everyone to wear masks but we do encourage/insist on people maintaining their distance.
    Until quite recently Australia was doing well. We have had a flare up, lockdowns have been re-instituted, and masks in the affected areas are strongly enouraged.
    All of which makes sense to me.

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    1. I read in the papers Melb. is on lock down until August and new cases are sprouting in NSW. Stay safe

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  2. I don't think they know or how to handle this virus. I know my mask (made out of cotton-with triple layer) doesn't protect me as much. But I am willing to protect others. Yes we call those rich white snob rude woman Karen...Coffee is on

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  3. Just like you, I have also cahnged to cotton masks. More breathable and not so hot in this sunny weather.

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