Health Ministry officers distributing leaflets on the coronavirus to arriving passengers at KLIA2 in Sepang. - AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
Fear and panic often spread faster than the viruses. There are many reasons for this fear, such as an actual disease risk, lack of genuine information, false news and rumours on social media, and politicisation by irresponsible parties. However, these emotions are dangerous because they distract from the public health response and harm national unity.
Let’s look at several points. Firstly, Malaysia has come through outbreaks before, such as Nipah in 1998, SARS in 2003 and H1N1 in 2009. Our frontline staff, doctors, scientists and epidemiologists are well-trained and world-famous. Even without outbreaks, they fight dengue, tuberculosis and HIV every day. I trust the competence, courage and professionalism of my colleagues. As my friend Azrul Mohd Khalib says, this too shall pass.
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