Segregating the children of frontliners sends the wrong message

Filepic/The Star

On May 12, 2020, Malaysian Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin described healthcare personnel and other frontliners nationwide as “our national heroes”. He spoke about their invaluable and immense sacrifice for the nation and the risks they take by being in the front line of the battle against Covid-19. He was speaking not just of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare workers but also of the police, armed forces, food delivery drivers, supermarket workers, restaurant cooks, security guards, cleaners, rubbish collectors and many others who keep our nation functioning in this time of crisis.

It was hence extremely painful to read the updated taska (childcare centres) guidelines from the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry: “Panduan Pencegahan Penularan Covid-19 Pasca Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Bagi Keselamatan Warga Taman Asuhan Kanak-Kanak (Taska)”. In Appendix 12, Section 2.1.2 it reads: “Anak-anak frontliners adalah berisiko tinggi untuk mendapat jangkitan daripada ibu bapa mereka. Tempat yang paling selamat untuk anak-anak ini adalah penjagaan di rumah. Walau bagaimanapun, sekiranya anak-anak petugas frontliners dihantar ke taska, mereka perlu diasingkan daripada anak-anak yang lain.” (Children of frontliners are at high risk of being infected by their parents. The safest place for them is home care. However, if children of frontliners are sent to childcare centres, they need to be separated from other children.)