Hot Issue #whats4lunch by ACTnow

Over the past few months, many new Covid-19 cases have been reported in workplaces in Malaysia, either in factories or in workers' accommodations. Government’s stand was clear in only allowing factories to reopen after 80% of their employees had been vaccinated. Factories should contribute to economic growth and not be the centre for the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak. How do you think the government should handle this?

Malaysia - Public hospitals across the country are facing a critical shortage of medications, including those needed to treat serious Covid-19 cases. Among drugs reportedly low on supply are multiple meds used for sedation and muscle relaxants, anticoagulant drug Clexane, pain medication Faentayl as well as other such as Pantoprazole, which is used to treat patients who developed intestinal bleeding due to usage of medicines used for the treatment of Covid-19 patients. The medicines involved are those widely used in intubation procedures at intensive care units (ICUs). The sources said the hospitals had to use alternative drugs to treat the patients and described the shortage as “abnormal”. Nationwide drug shortage is driven by a “sudden increase” in demand for Covid-19 treatment.

Social Experiment Gone Wrong !! 

A married couple have been arrested over a purported “social experiment’ of entering a few shops without being full vaccinated. The arrest took place after the couple reportedly bragged about being able to dine at a restaurant without having to show their vaccination status. Screenshots of a social media post showed a woman telling her Facebook friends about how easy it was for her family to eat at a packed restaurant without being asked about their vaccination status. The issue had triggered many to call out the couple’s irresponsible behaviour for not only putting themselves and their children at risk but for totally undermining the nation’s efforts at putting an end to the Covid-19 crisis. The couple was being investigated for negligently spreading disease harmful to life, public mischief, and abusing internet services.

Malaysia has a rare-earth mine ! It is getting into some trouble as Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said , Pahang government has not issued any mining lease (ML) for lanthanide rare earth in Jelai, Lipis. The allegation that was viral on social media about the state government has approved a mining project for the purpose was untrue. There were procedures to be complied with before such a mining lease could be approved. Uncontrolled mining pollution has a literal ripple effect. Mine waste, heavy metals and acidic water often end up in streams and rivers. 

The Johor government revealed that a total of 779 teachers in the state are reported to have declined and rejected the Covid-19 vaccine shots. State government will call up the teachers who rejected the vaccine individually. Teachers should be "setting an example to their students and protecting them, instead of placing students in danger.

Logjam has disrupted the operation of water treatment plants along the affected areas due to high pollutants in water. All the water treatment plants in Sibu have ceased to operate at the moment, and the clean water supply. The Sarawak government has been urged to investigate the cause of Rejang River logjam.

We have heard of Traffic Jam, have you heard of Logjam before? What is this all about?

In France, the COVID certificate is issued to people who have tested negative or who have been fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines recognized by the European Medicines Agency. Aug 13, police in France are investigating a series of Covid-19 vaccine certificate scams after several doctors reported having their health service accounts hacked. Under the new pass system, introduced progressively since mid-July, anyone wishing to enter a restaurant, theater, cinema, long-distance train or large shopping center must show proof of vaccination or a negative test.

These measures led also to the flourishing of a black market for fake health passes.

Kedah police are ramping up monitoring on individuals undergoing quarantine at home to prevent them from going to public areas which could cause the spread of Covid-19 in the state. A team had been set up to conduct monitoring and house-to-house inspections three times a day to ensure home quarantine compliance. Apart from that, the Ministry of Health will start using electronic trackers for those under home quarantine. Electronic trackers would be used to help the Health Ministry track individuals travelling from other countries, or close contacts, and individuals with temporary symptoms as they await COVID-19 test results

A batch of imported frozen fish being sold at Hong Kong wet market was found to be tainted with the novel coronavirus. Feb 2021, the World Health Organization made a surprising statement: The coronavirus could possibly be transmitted on frozen packages of food. Food scientist said the virus can persist and survive in conditions that are found in these cold and frozen environments. Nov 2020, An ongoing study by Singapore researchers found that Covid-19, can survive -- in sufficiently high amounts -- on frozen fish, chicken and pork for three weeks at refrigeration temperature.

Perhaps it is time to let these fishes back into the water? 

Malaysian Shopping Malls Association (PPK) said its latest survey showed the majority of malls had only between 10 and 20 per cent of tenants still operating within their premises. As of December 2020, nearly 60 per cent of malls saw 10 per cent of tenants closing permanently but by December 2021. However, 66 per cent of malls are now expecting 10-30 per cent of their tenants to vacate. A recent survey of 94 shopping centres nationwide found that nearly two-thirds of them suffered a 60% to 90% drop in sales during the ongoing lockdown. Coupled with the inevitable decline in visitors and most outlets staying closed, this forced 80% of the mall operators surveyed to enforce pay cuts of 10% to 20%, as well as the withdrawal of annual bonuses and other benefits. How are they sustaining themselves?