Updates
The battle is far from over
-------------------------
With shortages of vaccines worldwide, it will be only realistic to think that Malaysia will face the same issue despite reassurances that we will get our vaccines come end February 2021.
With the new mutations that are now increasingly detected which renders some of the vaccines possibly inadequate, it is clear that the battle is far from over.
Continuing public health measures and a robust vaccination plan, together with better inter-ministry and private-public co-operation is much needed.
Emergency Ordinance only sweeps many issues under the carpet as higher handed tactics are employed out of desperation which will never have lasting and sustainable effect.
New strategies involving technology, in tandem with proven approaches, will be needed urgently.
#COVID19 Assessment Centres (CAC) are to assess if you can be treated at home for infected individuals with no or minimal symptoms.
bit.ly/2YaAqN7
Covid-19: CAC to classify, assess patients suitable for home treatment - Dr Adham
bit.ly
KUALA LUMPUR: The Covid-19 Assessment Centres (CAC) set up nationwide will classify patients’ level of infection to determine the next course of actio...#Covid19 may be a moving target. The faster the rollout of vaccinations globally the better, reducing the chance for more strains emerging.
Failure to consider equitable distribution of the vaccines and its rapid deployment worldwide will only invite more variant strains to appear, potentially rendering existing vaccines inadequate at stemming this virus.
cnn.it/393Z7Bl
Emerging evidence suggests new coronavirus variant could be problematic for vaccines
cnn.it
As researchers around the world race to see if new coronavirus variants will pose a problem for the vaccines, a second study in two days says a variant from South Africa could possibly do just that.The inequalities are certainly more pronounced during this #Covid19 pandemic. Big Pharma, big money has won the day as humanity takes a back seat.
The prize goes first to the highest bidder. WHO appears paralysed as they succumb to the power play of stronger countries.
bbc.in/39GMs6x
Covid vaccine: WHO warns of 'catastrophic moral failure'
bbc.in
It accuses richer nations of a "me-first" approach to Covid vaccine, and hoarding precious supplies.Pfizer seeking fast track approval from FDA for its #COVID19 vaccine. First to the post. Now, let’s see who gets it first? The challenge for mass production and distribution remains. nyti.ms/3lJuogH
New Pfizer Results: Coronavirus Vaccine Is Safe and 95% Effective
nyti.ms
The company said it planned to apply for emergency approval from the Food and Drug Administration “within days.”With Amazon jumping into the pharmacy bandwagon with prescription medications, the industry must embrace the "new norm" in dispensing prescription medications. Competing in price, convenience and service. bit.ly/32UElAD
Why The New Amazon Pharmacy Could Pose A Real Threat To Drugstores
bit.ly
In its latest disruptive move, Amazon on Tuesday unveiled Amazon Pharmacy that would make it possible for customers to buy prescription drugs on its site with Prime members getting unlimited, free two-day deliveries.Pattern of spread is different in tropical, humid climate. It appears the chances of droplets surviving in the atmosphere may be much greater than a drier climate.
bit.ly/2GIfwQB
Simulation shows how droplets spread when a COVID-19 patient coughs in Singapore’s tropical climate
bit.ly
SINGAPORE (ANN): Researchers here have developed a simulation which more accurately models the spread of droplets when a person with Covid-19 coughs in Singapore’s tropical environment.Elections during COVID19 Pandemic
------------------------------------
Can an election be held safely during the #COVID19 pandemic? Well South Korea and Taiwan have held successful elections during this pandemic, indicating its feasibility.
Strict guidelines MUST be adhered to and it should not be "business" as usual. Introducing better technologies and expanding mail in voting may reduce expected congestions at polling centres. Physical campaigns will also have to follow strict guidelines.
www.malaysiakini.com/news/548772
Health Ministry's election wishlist: No travels, rallies or walkabouts
www.malaysiakini.com
UPDATED 8.45PM | COVID-19 | Health DG hopes these three rules will be applied should snap polls be called during pandemic.The Sabah Covid19 Crisis
-------------------------
The surge of #COVID19 in Sabah is probably a testament to the lower socio-economic condition, making physical distancing impossible and masking expensive.
The invisible group of illegal immigrants, a known problem to plaque Sabah prior, also adds to fueling this rapid spread.
A greater rate of testing is needed to identify and isolate more rapidly, rather than waiting for cases and then only active contact tracing, albeit important, allows a critical period of time to pass before identification of a cluster.
bit.ly/31F6ueq
Malaysia breaks daily Covid-19 record with 1,228 cases today, 889 from Sabah alone | Malay Mail
bit.ly
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — The Health Ministry reported a whopping 1,228 new Covid-19 cases today, its highest tally since the virus broke out here. Sabah alone saw 889 new cases, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said. Seven new deaths were also registered today, bringing the...Pharmaceutical's selective ethics
It is becoming increasing apparent that, self regulation within the pharmaceutical industry is highly selective. After all, the bottom line is all about sales and profit margins. Patients' interest is usually an afterthought and a compulsory and 'inconvenient' part of #healthcare and #medicine.
www.technologyreview.com/2020/10/24/1011177/covid-19-expanded-access-trump-christie-ethics-opinion/
Drug companies shouldn’t play favorites in granting access to experimental covid-19 treatments
www.technologyreview.com
In the past month, US President Donald Trump and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie were diagnosed with covid-19 and spent time in the hospital, just like tens of thousands of other Americans nearly every day since the pandemic began. But Trump and Christie were special cases. They received e...