Covid-19: are we out of the woods yet? (Q&A with Dr Balachandran)
In light of the Covid19: Quickly Test & Treat / Cepat Uji & Rawat campaign organised by the Malaysian Society of Infection Control and Infectious Diseases (MyICID) in collaboration with the Malaysian Family Medicine Specialists’ Association (FMSA) and the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), MJN e-News was given the opportunity to conduct an email interview with Dr Balachandran A/L S. Krishnan, General Practitioner, Malaysian Medical Association. (MMA).
MJN: What is your forecast for the global SARS-CoV-2 situation, given the emerging variants that are still “infecting” populations; will this (pandemic) truly end?
Dr Balachandran: The SARS-CoV-2 virus is highly unpredictable and constantly evolving, making it extremely difficult to predict when the pandemic will come to an end. Despite hopes that the pandemic would no longer be a global emergency by 2023, a sudden increase in the number of cases and deaths in Beijing end of the year 2022 shocked the world.
While we’ve made progress in mitigating the spread of the virus, it’s still uncertain if and when this pandemic will truly come to an end. However, I believe that we can take steps to minimize the impact of Covid-19 in the long term.
New variants like Delta have led to an increase in cases, but vaccines have helped reduce severity. The pandemic may continue to evolve and become endemic, or it may eventually be brought under control with global efforts. Vaccination plays a crucial role in controlling the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and hopefully will bring an end to the Covid-19 pandemic.
As more and more individuals become vaccinated, it becomes increasingly difficult for the virus to spread throughout the populations, ultimately leading to a reduction in the number of new cases and fatalities.
Vaccination is therefore an essential tool in the fight against Covid-19 and can significantly contribute to the process of bringing an end to the pandemic.
By staying vigilant and adaptable to emerging variants, we can work towards a future where the global impact of Covid-19 is greatly reduced. It’s important to follow public health guidelines and get vaccinated to help reduce the spread of the virus and protect ourselves and our communities.
MJN: Do you agree with other governments that the pandemic restrictions should be lifted? Why or why not?
Dr Balachandran: As for me, the primary concern is the health and well-being of individuals and communities. While I understand the desire to lift pandemic restrictions and resume normal activities, it’s important to consider the potential consequences of such actions.
The Covid-19 virus is highly infectious and has caused significant illness and deaths around the world. We have seen in the past that prematurely lifting restrictions can lead to a resurgence in cases and ultimately prolong the pandemic.
With that being said, decisions regarding the lifting of pandemic restrictions must be made with careful consideration based on a variety of factors, including the level of Covid-19 transmission in a given area, the vaccination rate of the population, and the capacity of the healthcare system to handle new cases.
I also understand the economic and social impacts of prolonged pandemic restrictions. At the same time, the governments and public health officials need to balance the need to control the spread of the virus with the need to allow people to resume their daily activities and support the economy.
The decision to lift restrictions should be based on scientific evidence and data and should be communicated clearly to the public so that people can make informed decisions about their own behaviour. We must continue to monitor the situation closely and adapt our response accordingly, in order to minimise the risk of further transmission of the virus. It is important to note that even if restrictions are lifted, individuals can still take steps to protect themselves and others, such as continuing to wear masks in crowded indoor settings, practicing good hand hygiene, and getting vaccinated when eligible to control the spread of the virus and prevent future outbreaks.
Ultimately, the health and safety of individuals must remain our top priority as we navigate through this pandemic.
Continue reading the article here: Covid-19: are we out of the woods yet? (Q&A with Dr Balachandran)
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