Covid-19 Chronicles: The virus doesn’t discriminate—neither should we


The Covid-19 resurgence highlights the dangers we continue to face until a safe and effective vaccine can successfully control the pandemic. However, equally dangerous are the elements of discrimination in the midst of our global battle against infectious disease.

Filling up the MySejahtera form and similar screening surveys have become a routine process in this Covid-19 new norm. For many of us, the screening is only as a cursory procedure. We can answer ‘No’ to the questions and be deemed ‘Low risk’, and we are allowed to enter a premise without the blink of an eye.

Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 11.12/month

Billed as RM 11.12 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 9.87/month

Billed as RM 118.40 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
Dr Khayriyyah Mohd Hanafiah

Dr Khayriyyah Mohd Hanafiah

Dr Khayriyyah Mohd Hanafiah is an honorary fellow at Macfarlane Burnet Institute (Melbourne, Australia) and an alum of the Young Scientists Network-Academy of Sciences Malaysia. She is active in science communication and infectious disease biomedical research. She was the first female Asian champion of FameLab, the world’s longest running science communication competition, in 2018. The writer’s views are her own.

Next In Columnists

Human-centred AI in the Digital Silk Road era
Covid, babies and the bedroom: five years on
Far more than just a pledge
A purposeful summit?
Flying the Jalur Gemilang high abroad
Nimble footwork, ponderous steps
Banking in the AI age needs more than speed
‘MB crisis’ averted in Selangor
Punctured pride, prompt patrols
Tourism players must rethink their approach

Others Also Read