Mask up when casting your ballots

Lax attitude: Some have started to let their guard down at Bayan Baru wet market in Penang. — K.T.GOH/The Star

ALOR SETAR: Voters, especially senior citizens, should mask up while casting their ballots at polling centres this Saturday, say health authorities.

Kedah health director Dr Othman Warijo said the practice should be observed as the Covid-19 pandemic is not yet over.

“We want people to go out and exercise their voting rights responsibly, but they must make early preparations.

“For example, voters can check the Election Commission (EC) website to find out their polling centres and the suitable times to go according to their voting channel,” he added.

He said based on discussions between the Health Ministry and the EC, hand sanitisers would be provided to voters.

“Voters should also avoid crowded places such as pondok panas (party gathering stations) to prevent infections,” he said.

Dr Othman said health personnel would be on standby to handle Covid-19 positive voters at polling centres.

“Those who are Covid-19 positive must inform the health personnel as there will be EC and ministry staff on duty to guide them.

“They won’t be allowed to mix with other voters, and to ensure minimal exposure to others, the voting process for these Covid-19 positive voters will be expedited,” he added.

Universiti Sains Malaysia virologist Dr Kumitaa Theva Das said now is the best time for those who have not had their second booster shot to do so.

“Many clinics and centres are offering walk-in services. So, getting that extra immune boost will keep you protected from the disease.“It is not just the infection we should be worried about, but reinfections that pose twice the danger.

‘’Being infected more than once leave long-lasting health effects on the heart and lungs. There is also a risk of neurological disorders,” she said.

Kumitaa said that voting is everyone’s right, but it must be done while following safe habits.

She urged voters to mask up at all times, using either the KF94, KN95 or N95 masks as these provided the best protection.

She also said cloth and regular surgical masks provided less protection against newer Covid-19 strains.

“If you don’t have any other option, use double masks as the new strains are highly transmissible,” she added.