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.

Save 30% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 9.73/month

Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.63/month

Billed as RM 103.60 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

Why Western Carmakers Are Losing Ground to China
Brain circulation or brain drain: Malaysia needs better metrics
Reaping timeless lesson on gratitude for our food
A weekend nobody took control – missed chances in Premier League
Artificial Intelligence Malaysia (AIM): A Digital Silk Road for All Malaysians
Why aren’t we angry anymore?
How not to get shortchanged in the bedroom
No more ‘Game of Thrones’
Lessons from Iran for Malaysia
A tale of two nails

Others Also Read