The necessary lockdown

AS Malaysia battles with a pandemic spiralling out of control, we debate between two difficult choices — impose a full lockdown or risk collapsing an already overburdened healthcare system and its team of dedicated frontliners.

Public health experts have no doubt that a proper lockdown, with adequate social support provided, is necessary to halt the fast-spreading virus. The lockdown would be for a period that would allow the healthcare system enough time to recuperate.