All posts by nedhamson

Activist, writer, researcher, addicted to sharing information and facts.

Coronavirus: Malaysians refusing to wear face masks may be jailed

The Malaysian government is considering whether to go with a fine or jail time for those refusing to “mask up” once the use of face masks is made mandatory in public places, said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He said the growing number of infections was worrying, as the number of new Covid-19 cases hit double digits for the third straight day on Tuesday (July 21).

There were 15 cases yesterday with 11 of them being local transmissions.

If the wearing of a face mask is made mandatory in public places under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act, Dr Noor Hisham said that those flouting the law could either be fined RM1,000 (S$324) or put in jail.

“The Health Ministry is encouraging the use of face masks, especially in public places, high-risk places or places where social distancing of one metre apart is hard to enforce.

nz_masks_220734.jpg?itok=fsRWpjLI

PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) – The Malaysian government is considering whether to go with a fine or jail time for those refusing to “mask up” once the use of face masks is made mandatory in public places, said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He said the growing number of infections was worrying, as the number of new Covid-19 cases hit double digits for the third straight day on Tuesday (July 21).

There were 15 cases yesterday with 11 of them being local transmissions.

If the wearing of a face mask is made mandatory in public places under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act, Dr Noor Hisham said that those flouting the law could either be fined RM1,000 (S$324) or put in jail.

“The Health Ministry is encouraging the use of face masks, especially in public places, high-risk places or places where social distancing of one metre apart is hard to enforce.

“We have currently not made it mandatory because once we make it mandatory under the Act, we would have to consider the punishment.

“We are still looking at the punishment – whether to fine or give jail time for those not wearing face masks – once its use is made compulsory, ” he said during a briefing yesterday.

He reiterated the ministry’s recommendation on the use of face masks, which could reduce the risk of infection by 65 per cent as well as social distancing, which could reduce transmission by up to 70 per cent.

Dr Noor Hisham said Malaysia recorded seven recoveries on Tuesday.

As for the 15 new infections, he said four were from imported cases involving three Malaysians and one foreigner.

Nine of the 11 local cases were from Sarawak.

Out of those, one was a foreigner who tested positive during new arrival screening at the Semuja Immigration depot in Sarawak. “Five of the cases are from a new cluster – the Sentosa Hospital cluster. There are currently six cases in this cluster; the first was detected on July 19, ” he said.

Those affected in this cluster were five medical workers and another one from a cleaning company.

All six of them are being treated at the Sarawak General Hospital.

There were no new deaths on Tuesday. The number of fatalities remained at 123.

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Trump willing to work with China on Covid vaccine

Who is on first? Pompeo blasting China in UK. Trump Inc. buying Chinese furniture for Trump properties, President calling Covid-19 Chinese virus? US President Donald Trump expressed a willingness on Tuesday to work with China or other countries to bring a successful coronavirus vaccine to the United States, despite rising tensions between Beijing and Washington. “We’re willing to work with anybody that is going to get us a good result,” Trump said, when asked if the administration would collaborate with China on a vaccine for Americans, whether China is first to develop one or not.

Donald Trump Began a Press Conference by Talking About the Coronavirus. He Ended It by Sending An Accused Sex-Trafficker His Best Wishes.

In a reversal of his previous dismissive attitude toward the coronavirus pandemic, President Trump on Tuesday encouraged the widespread use of masks (despite his refusal to wear them in the past) and condemned large gatherings (despite having held a rally on June 20).

“Some areas of our country are doing very well. Others are doing less well,” he said, in his first coronavirus briefing since April. “It will probably, unfortunately, get worse before it gets better—something I don’t like saying about things, but that’s the way it is.”

Dr. Deborah Birx was present at the briefing, but Dr. Anthony Fauci was not. Fauci has said that he was not invited. Trump declined to comment on Fauci’s absence.

Despite the president’s newfound appreciation for the seriousness of the virus, the speech was not without its Trumpisms. He repeatedly referred to the coronavirus as “the China virus,” and, when asked whether he thought Ghislaine Maxwell—Jeffrey Epstein’s associate currently incarcerated on ch

20200721_zaa_s152_075.jpg?w=1200&h=630&c

In a reversal of his previous dismissive attitude toward the coronavirus pandemic, President Trump on Tuesday encouraged the widespread use of masks (despite his refusal to wear them in the past) and condemned large gatherings (despite having held a rally on June 20).

“Some areas of our country are doing very well. Others are doing less well,” he said, in his first coronavirus briefing since April. “It will probably, unfortunately, get worse before it gets better—something I don’t like saying about things, but that’s the way it is.”

Dr. Deborah Birx was present at the briefing, but Dr. Anthony Fauci was not. Fauci has said that he was not invited. Trump declined to comment on Fauci’s absence.

Despite the president’s newfound appreciation for the seriousness of the virus, the speech was not without its Trumpisms. He repeatedly referred to the coronavirus as “the China virus,” and, when asked whether he thought Ghislaine Maxwell—Jeffrey Epstein’s associate currently incarcerated on child sex trafficking charges—would turn in powerful men, he responded, “I just wish her well, frankly.”

“I’ve met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach, and I guess they lived in Palm Beach,” he continued, “but I wish her well.”

Nothing to see here—just the President of the United States wishing an accused child sex trafficker well, TWICE! pic.twitter.com/z6Lq4q1IE7

— Mother Jones (@MotherJones) July 21, 2020

All entering Malaysia to serve quarantine at hotels, govt centres

From Friday, people entering Malaysia from overseas will have to undergo their mandatory quarantine at hotels or quarantine centres.

Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is also Defence Minister, yesterday said this requirement applies to Malaysians and non-citizens granted entry to the country, and that they will have to bear the full cost of their stay.

Currently, those who test negative for the coronavirus upon arrival can choose to serve their 14-day quarantine at home. But this option will no longer be available from Friday.

facebook_default_pic.jpg

PETALING JAYA • From Friday, people entering Malaysia from overseas will have to undergo their mandatory quarantine at hotels or quarantine centres.

Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is also Defence Minister, yesterday said this requirement applies to Malaysians and non-citizens granted entry to the country, and that they will have to bear the full cost of their stay.

Currently, those who test negative for the coronavirus upon arrival can choose to serve their 14-day quarantine at home. But this option will no longer be available from Friday.

The new rule comes amid rising Covid-19 cases after Malaysia eased its shutdown measures on June 10, allowing businesses and most social activities to resume but with social distancing protocols in place.

Recently, five cases were detected in the “Novgorod cluster”, which originated from a Malaysian who had returned from Russia on July 5.

He had tested negative for the virus on arrival, but later tested positive on a second test.

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri also said the police will no longer just advise or warn those who flout social distancing rules under the recovery phase of the country’s movement control order (MCO).

“Many people seem to assume that there are no laws in place, as if the MCO has ended,” he said. “The police have decided that there will be no more warnings and advice. They will take stern action against anyone who violates the MCO.”

On Monday, police detained 80 individuals for violating the MCO – of which 20 were remanded, four released on bail, and another 56 fined.

Malaysia recorded 15 new coronavirus cases yesterday, lifting the total to 8,815 cases while deaths remained at 123.

Yesterday’s was the third straight daily double-digit rise in infections, after the country managed to hold daily growth to single digits since movement controls were eased.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK, REUTERS

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Japan approves dexamethasone as coronavirus treatment

Japan’s health ministry has approved dexamethasone, a cheap and widely used steroid, as a second treatment of Covid-19 after a trial in Britain showed the drug reduced death rates in hospitalised patients.

The ministry included dexamethasone as an option for treatment along with antiviral drug remdesivir in a recent revision to its handbook. The revision was widely reported by Japanese media on Wednesday (July 22).

In results announced last month, a trial by researchers in the United Kingdom showed dexamethasone as the first drug to save lives of Covid-19 patients in what scientists said was a major breakthrough in the coronavirus pandemic.

nz_dexamethasone_220733.jpg?itok=Ycti-24

TOKYO (REUTERS) – Japan’s health ministry has approved dexamethasone, a cheap and widely used steroid, as a second treatment of Covid-19 after a trial in Britain showed the drug reduced death rates in hospitalised patients.

The ministry included dexamethasone as an option for treatment along with antiviral drug remdesivir in a recent revision to its handbook. The revision was widely reported by Japanese media on Wednesday (July 22).

In results announced last month, a trial by researchers in the United Kingdom showed dexamethasone as the first drug to save lives of Covid-19 patients in what scientists said was a major breakthrough in the coronavirus pandemic.

Related Stories: 

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Moderna, Merck will not limit price of COVID-19 vaccines to company cost

Executives from Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca Plc testified that they will price their respective potential vaccines at no profit while the pandemic rages on.
Gerberding and a representative from Moderna did not comment on the price they have in mind for their vaccines at the hearing, which focused on efforts to develop a safe, effective and widely accessible vaccine against COVID-19, which has claimed 600,000 lives globally.
Pfizer Inc has said the company intends to make a profit from its potential coronavirus vaccine if approved. However, Pfizer Chief Business Officer John Young, testified: “We recognize that these are extraordinary times and our price will reflect that.” 460650
Executives from Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca testified that they will price their respective potential vaccines at no profit while the pandemic rages on.