There’s a lot to learn from how various countries have dealt with and fought against the COVID-19 pandemic; here are some insights into how Australia fared, and what the rest of the world can learn from it.

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The increasing shaky balance between curbing COVID-19 cases and maintaining the economy is a cause of concern in light of the second MCO. Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, senior defence minister, has announced that there won’t be a second economic shutdown.

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As COVID-19 cases in the country continue to reach all-time highs, the pressure is on employers to get their employees tested in order to maintain a safe workplace. The cost of testing particularly migrant workers is starting to take its toll on employers, many of whom are already strapped for cash in these trying times.

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It has been quite the week for Wall Street - with hedge-fund giants losing billions as Reddit traders run wild with the ongoing GameStop surge. The unprecedented scenario has inspired Malaysian investors in the retail scene to prop up local glovemakers’ shares via BursaBets. But, as the Malay Mail reports, things may be very different in a country where short-selling is regulated.

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The coronavirus pandemic has reshaped habits and behaviors of even the most resolute shoppers as social distancing became a key line of defense against infection.

But one of the most significant and unexpected shifts, experts say, was the almost immediate embrace of online shopping by people in their 60s, 70s and 80s.

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In a time of physical distancing and isolation, the senior citizen demographic may be suffering more from feelings of loneliness and separation from society in general. Surprisingly, Facebook may be the tool to come to the rescue.

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Many festivals and holidays have been interrupted or even cancelled as a result of stay-at-home orders during the MCO. But the key difference between the first MCO and the second MCO is that in 2021, Chinese New Year will be celebrated primarily virtually.

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With the rise in plastic usage - and consequently, plastic waste - during the pandemic, there may be an avenue for bioplastics to finally take center stage.

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It’s a side effect of the pandemic we overlooked. Single use plastic is on the rise, amplified by our appetite for not only food delivery, but also face masks and other medical equipment. We discuss what we all can do -  the government, retailers and consumers - to bridge the gap in the plastic secular economy.

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Drones have always been controversial gadgets. While their value is unquestionable, issues of privacy and designated “fly zones” have been a matter of contention. As such, The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia plans to publish a new directive for unmanned aircraft systems, drones included, in February 2021.

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