Social etiquette is good – but not when we’ve a health crisis
Despite constant reminders to refrain from physical contact, Malaysians are struggling to break habits such as handshakes and hugs. Medical experts advise that the new norm be embraced, even after the pandemic is over.
PETALING JAYA: A handshake here, a hug there. It’s a hard habit to break.
“I still shake hands and sometimes hug someone who is close to me such as family members or close friends,” said civil servant Iman Mizam, 24.
“Personally, I feel like I’m being rude if I don’t, especially towards the older folk,” he said, adding that these were long held practices.
Environmental consultant Ravivarman Yalumalai, 24, said he was avoiding such physical contact.
“But I have seen people shaking hands and hugging, especially when they meet someone who they have not seen for a while,” he said.
Health experts have cautioned against such social habits.
Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia president Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah said that these physical touches should be avoided in favour of protection against the coronavirus.
“These habits bring people in direct contact with those who may have been infected and would make Covid-19 spread faster.
“In Singapore, you’re not even allowed to use your cellphone in public because they say even with your mask on, your saliva droplets can spread to a person close to you.
“Maybe we should also have that here in addition to no hugging and shaking hands, no spitting in public and not putting our masks on the table when we dine out,” he said.
Dr Raj Kumar said initially, many people resisted new practices such as staycations and having smaller events but now had to do so.
This should continue even after the Covid-19 pandemic, he said.
“Even after Covid-19 disappears, we will see new viruses arise so I think we have to be on guard all the time from now on,” he said.
Malaysians can also expect to keep habits such as cashless payments, online health consultations, meetings, classes and shopping.
Malaysian Public Health Physicians’ Association president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said people must keep up practices such as holding events with minimal headcount, ordering online and so on.
“I think this is also the time to practise contactless transactions whenever possible because Covid-19 is here to stay for a very long time, and a vaccine will also take time.
“The faster people adopt these habits, the better the chances will be for us to stop the infections,” he said.
This was especially crucial in the situation now with the huge number of infections, he said.
“In this current situation, the cases are everywhere and we don’t know who has the virus as many patients were asymptomatic.
“Therefore, the best way is to follow the 1m social distancing rule because it is the only way to ensure we don’t get the virus, besides wearing a mask and washing our hands.”
Based on his observations, Dr Zainal said public establishments such as restaurants should beef up enforcement on physical distancing.
“People follow the rule and check in with MySejahtera and sit at a safe distance from others.
“But social distancing goes out the window when they’re queuing up to pay. Sometimes, the cashiers are not even wearing their mask properly.
“It will turn into the same thing if the SOP is not followed all the way through from start to finish,” he said.
And here’s a reminder from the Health Ministry: There should only be four persons inside a lift.
“If you are in a hurry, take the stairs. You could get some exercise as well,” it tweeted recently.