KUALA LUMPUR: As a fourth coronavirus wave looms, it is crucial the government takes proactive steps to combat fake news and widespread mistrust over Covid-19 vaccine and booster shots.
Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said it is necessary to mitigate fear among people for better pandemic preparedness and control.
"It is speculated that a spike in cases is a possible outcome of the recent political activity leading up to the Melaka election last Saturday.
"Any increase will only be seen by or after the end of November as it takes at least 10 days before symptoms begin to show.
"Given our collective experience over the last three waves, it is safe to assume that most people will also be well-prepared to deal with a Covid-19 resurgence due to the fact that they have already received their two doses of vaccines and are now waiting for the booster dose.
"But what is disconcerting is the increasing prevalence of anti-vaxxers who are spreading fear regarding the risks of getting vaccinated," he said in a statement today.
Their actions, Lee said are due to anxieties caused by what they consider uncertainties.
He said it is therefore important the people's fears be allayed by the dissemination of correct information in a timely manner.
"Uncertainties will always be with us-whether it is the economy, our finances, our health, our families, or political developments. And anxieties can leave us feeling stressed with a sense of hopelessness.
"The health ministry has a very important role to play."
Lee stressed that the authorities must monitor fake news and propaganda being generated and circulated on social media, and counter these with facts and figures.
These, he said must be done on a regular basis, and not ad-hoc.
"Over time, the authorities and the rakyat will be on the same page, and together we will face this pernicious enemy in a possible fourth wave or beyond."
On a related matter, Lee said while the MySejahtera mobile application has improved, there still is a need for some refinements.
For instance, he said many people are forgetful of the 'check out' feature and did not press the 'Check Out' button after leaving a shop, a restaurant or a clinic or any other establishment.
"While this feature is designed to help the user gain access but it could also be troublesome to the person concerned if he or she does not check out and will be contacted in the event of Covid case emergence in the affected area.
"Could the health ministry include an additional feature that will keep reminding the user, audibly or visually, to check out?"
Touching on other challenges faced by the people, Lee said the government should look into offering Covid-19 self-test kits for free as a public health measure to manage the pandemic crisis.
"Otherwise, the authorities need to determine a rate for the self-test kits that is affordable to the people as for regular users with low income, the costs can be high," he added.