THE regulation for wearing masks indoors has been lifted, except when in medical facilities and on public transport, as announced yesterday.

Does this mean there is no risk of Covid-19 infection, following this announcement? Of course not.

As of yesterday, there were 2,428 fresh cases with a positivity of 7.6%, which means the number is under reported.

Luckily, 95% of cases reported present mild symptoms and are in quarantine at home.

Hospital admissions and ICU usage due to Covid-19 were 22.1% and 18.1% respectively.

The statistics show that, although Covid-19 is under control, this means it still poses risks to some, especially the high-risk and the elderly groups.

If we are not required to wear masks by law, do we follow suit? Do we feel uncomfortable if people around us are not wearing masks?

We should not be obliged to follow the crowd. The government has returned the power to the people to decide whether we want to wear a mask.

We are not forced to do so anymore, except, as mentioned, in medical facilities and on public transport.

Before vaccines were available, ecological studies found that Covid-19 transmission was 7.5 times higher in countries that did not have a mask mandate.

With the Omicron virus variant, vaccination may not be very effective in the prevention of infection, but it is effective in preventing severe diseases, thus reducing the rates of hospitalisation and death.  

However, we should not perceive that a mild Covid-19 infection is fine. There are the complications of post-Covid symptoms or ‘Long Covid’.

Multiple infections may exhibit increased risk and excess burden of all-cause mortality, hospitalisation, and adverse health outcomes in the acute and post-acute phase of the reinfection.

Therefore, with the removal of the requirement to wear a mask, it is hoped that Covid-19 cases do not surge or increase the burden on healthcare system.

This is where we, as the individuals involved, should be socially responsible. If and when we are infected, even though with mild symptoms, we should report it through MySejahtera and quarantine, so that we don’t infect our family, friends or colleagues.

We should put on our masks when we have flu like symptoms, even if we test negative. 

We should weigh the risks when deciding whether to wear a mask. Are we in the high-risk groups: age 60 years and above; co-morbidities or low immunity; or more prone to severe disease?

Are we vaccinated or boosted? Do we want to protect our loved ones from infection?

Do we frequent crowded locations? Are they well ventilated? 

There is no right or wrong answer. It is our choice. We should be responsible, regardless of the consequences. Stay safe, stay healthy. – September 8, 2022.

* Prof Moy Foong Ming works in the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.