DRIVING RECOVERY THROUGH JOINT EFFORTS
JKJAV is co-chaired by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) and the Ministry of Health (MOH). The voluntary programme will offer vaccinations to industry players and their workers in six zones, including Central, North, South and East Peninsular Malaysia, as well as Sabah and Sarawak. Meanwhile, the programme will see construction workers in Selangor getting vaccinated at the National Panasonic Sports Complex starting July 14. The Works Ministry and CIDB, he said, will also propose the idea of makeshift vaccination centres or mobile vaccination clinics at construction sites or workers’ accommodations to CITF. That said, Fadillah stressed that in the short term, compliance with the Covid-19 standard operating procedures and enforcement remains the best way to prevent the spread of the pandemic in the construction industry.
Source:The Star
July 04, 2021 20:48 UTC
Argentinian street artists unveil multi-story mural for hometown hero Messi
"From another galaxy... and from my neighbourhood," declares a freshly painted mural of Lionel Messi in the Argentinian town where he was born 34 years ago. The mural covers one end of a four-story apartment building in the La Bajada neighbourhood of Rosario where the star lived as a child, and faces the primary school he attended. The 14m-high, 8m-wide artwork unveiled recently depicts a bearded, shirtless Messi, and the smaller figure of the player as a child juggling a ball. Aerial view of a giant mural depicting Argentinian football star Lionel Messi upon its unveiling in Rosario, Argentina. One boot is black and the other gold, depicting the record six Golden Shoes Messi has won as top scorer in Europe.
Source:The Star
July 04, 2021 09:33 UTC
When opposites don't attract: How much polarisation can love take?
What if the dispute revolves around political questions and issues that touch on your own value system? Especially in the current coronavirus pandemic, it doesn’t take long for things to get heated: Some think the restrictions don’t go far enough, others think they’re too strict – and anyway, it’s “like flu”. However, right now we are more likely to be asked to give our stance on certain issues. However, the basic mood is characterised by appreciation and acceptance, which also makes differences in opinion easier to bear. Her basic advice for good discussions: Don’t immediately take an opposing side and defend your own position harshly, but first give the other person space and be curious.
Source:The Star
July 04, 2021 08:03 UTC
Out in the cold: Covid-19 preventive measures leading to fewer common flu cases
PETALING JAYA: Preventive measures such as physical distancing, wearing face masks and hand hygiene are not only preventing the spread of Covid-19, but have helped to reduce cases of the common cold and other communicable diseases, say health experts. This is further augmented by the fact that we are using masks and sanitising our hands frequently," he said. "Earlier this year, I would send my daughter to preschool and every time she did, she would get a flu or cough. Unfortunately, every time she goes back to school, the cough and flu will come back," she said. "I think the limited contact with other people really helps to prevent us from getting fever or viral infections – even ones which are not related to Covid-19," she said.
Source:The Star
July 04, 2021 07:30 UTC
When you think of linen, don't picture curtains – but instead, trendy clothes
Linen is one such fabric and it's in the process of making a triumphant return to the fashion sphere. Linen gets its revengeLong relegated to the background, or more precisely to household textiles and beachwear, linen could soon become a permanent fixture in our wardrobes. Linen is a natural fibre that does not require much water in the cultivation process, unlike other raw materials such as cotton. As a natural fibre, linen is biodegradable. And if you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies, be aware that linen is hypoallergenic, antifungal and antibacterial.
Source:The Star
July 04, 2021 06:56 UTC
Flouting SOPs in the construction sector
It angers me that there are some in society still treating this pandemic lightly by flouting SOPs or trying to circumvent rules by finding loopholes. Having said that, I would like to share my observations from being in the property development and construction industry - an industry that has been identified as one of the root causes for emergence of new Covid-19 clusters. Item 2(b) states that only construction companies involved in public infrastructure and critical works are allowed to operate under the currentmovement control order. While this “non-critical / non-public infrastructure related” construction sector which was not supposed to work continues to operate, there are millions of law-abiding citizens of Malaysia that are paying the price. The construction industry is a massive one.
Source:The Star
July 04, 2021 06:11 UTC
Residents in five states looking forward to Phase Two of NRP
PETALING JAYA: With Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Terengganu and Perlis moving into Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) on July 5, residents are looking forward to the relaxing of some of the restrictions and to resume plans that they've put off for months. Christopher Ng, a lecturer living in Ipoh, Perak, said he feels relieved that the state will be transitioning to Phase Two of the NRP as it gives people hope for a better future. "I'm happy that Perlis is placed under Phase Two as Covid-19 cases have decreased significantly. The 30-year-old said the reopening of more sectors of the economy would also help businesses affected by the first phase of the NRP. Fasihah, however, hoped for faster recovery for the state as she looks forward to travelling to other states in the near future.
Source:The Star
July 04, 2021 05:03 UTC
Suga's LDP on course to regain ground in Tokyo local election — exit polls
TOKYO (July 4): Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is likely to regain ground in local elections in Tokyo, exit polls showed on Sunday, as the capital prepares to host the Olympic Games whilst dealing with a resurgence of Covid-19. LDP is expected to win 25 to 43 seats of the assembly's 127 seats, after winning just 25 seats in the last election in 2017, public broadcaster NHK said. Koike's Tokyo Citizens First party wants the Olympics held without spectators and the Japanese Communist Party wants them cancelled. The Tokyo Olympics begin on July 23. She said the holding the Tokyo Olympics amid the pandemic and vaccine supply shortages were examples of the government's inadequate anti-coronavirus measures.
Source:The Edge Markets
July 04, 2021 04:28 UTC
Hishammuddin: Malaysia to receive one million Pfizer vaccine doses contributed by US on Monday
KUALA LUMPUR (July 4): Malaysia will receive one million doses of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine contributed by the United States on Monday (July 5), Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said. He said these vaccine doses will greatly help intensify Malaysia's vaccination process and make meaningful progress to the ongoing roll-out of Malaysia's National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme. He also hoped that the close and friendly ties will be further strengthened for the mutual benefits of both countries. Hishammuddin said in the common pursuit for equitable global access to the Covid-19 vaccines, Malaysia stands ready to establish all-round cooperation with the United States in vaccine research, development, and distribution. Hishammuddin added that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin also stated Malaysia's support for the IP protection waiver for Covid-19 vaccines in his address at the Nikkei International Conference in May 2021.
Source:The Edge Markets
July 04, 2021 04:18 UTC
US donation to arrive today (July 5)
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has thanked the United States for donating one million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, scheduled to arrive today. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said Wisma Putra welcomed the arrival of the vaccine contribution from the US. Malaysia is expected to be receiving a total of 12 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines this month. Hishammuddin said that these vaccines would greatly intensify Malaysia’s vaccination process and make meaningful progress to the ongoing rollout of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme. Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had also announced in his address to the Nikkei International Conference in May of Malaysia’s support for the IP protection waiver for Covid-19 vaccines, noted Hishammuddin.
Source:The Star
July 04, 2021 04:18 UTC
M'sia thanks US for donation of one million Pfizer-BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine doses
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia thanks the United States for donating one million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTec Covid-19 vaccine, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (pic). The Foreign Minister said Wisma Putra welcomed the arrival of the contribution from the United States, which is scheduled to arrive on Monday (July 5). Malaysia is expected to receive a total of 12 million doses of various Covid-19 vaccines in July. Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had also announced in his address to the Nikkei International Conference in May, of Malaysia's support for the IPprotection waiver for Covid-19 vaccines, noted Hishammuddin. "In the common pursuit for equitable global access to the Covid-19 vaccines, Malaysia stands ready to establish all-round cooperation with the United States in vaccine research, development and distribution," said the Foreign Minister.
Source:The Star
July 04, 2021 03:45 UTC
At Florida rally, Trump bashes New York charges against company, adviser
SARASOTA (July 4): Former US president Donald Trump on Saturday condemned New York prosecutors for bringing charges against his namesake company and long-time financial adviser, using a campaign-style rally to air a host of grievances. It's a terrible, terrible thing," Trump told thousands of supporters gathered outdoors in Sarasota, Florida. The outcome of the investigations and other lawsuits facing Trump could impact whether he decides to run again for president in 2024. "They've mobilised every power of government to come after me, my family, my wonderful employees, and my company solely because of politics," Trump told the crowd. "We are looking at the election, more than looking at it," said Trump of 2024, prompting cheers from the Sarasota crowd.
Source:The Edge Markets
July 04, 2021 02:45 UTC
Science made simple
Making UPM proud: (from left) Diana Suhaiza’s, Nur Akhlisah’s and Shahrill’s clear and concise three-minute theses presentations won them prizes at the 2021 National 3MT Competition. Held virtually on June 9, the competition saw Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) scooping three prizes in three categories – Science, Social Science, and Engineering and Technology. UPM Institute of Bioscience PhD student Diana Suhaiza Said won second prize in the Science category with her presentation entitled “No More Anal Digging in Prostate Cancer Diagnosis”. UPM’s Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication student Shahrill Ramli @ Romli’s presentation on Malaysia’s only Prime Minister to serve twice won him the third prize in the Social Science category. First prizes went to Universiti Teknologi Mara student Afiqq Aiman Abd Ghapor for the Science category, Universiti Malaya student Nik Nur Ainin Soffiya Nik Mat for the Social Science category, and Universiti Malaysia Pahang student Mohd Hilmi Naim Mohd Yakin for the Engineering and Technology category.
Source:The Star
July 04, 2021 00:11 UTC
Coconut water a hit after vaccination
“According to them, they heard that coconut water cools down their system and helps with hydration. Senior nurse R. Shobana Devi, 55, said she had come across people who brought coconut water to their vaccination appointments. According to Pantai Hospital Penang senior dietician Verona Lee, people probably prefer coconut water to plain water as it is more palatable. “Coconut water doesn’t really have any extra edge over normal drinking water other than electrolytes and a little sugar,” said Lee. It was reported that consuming coconut water after vaccination was also a popular practice in Singapore.
Source:The Star
July 04, 2021 00:00 UTC
Experts call for mass testing and vaccinate those tested negative
PETALING JAYA: Health experts believe undetected asymptomatic and unlinked cases could have contributed to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases, especially in the Klang Valley. “Mass screening should be followed by aggressive effort in isolating those who are positive as soon as possible and continuing vaccinating those who are negative. Dr Awang Bulgiba claimed that the high 14-day incidence density for Selangor indicated that contact tracing and mass testing strategies had not been effective. He added that mass testing should be conducted rapidly and followed by vaccination to be effective. “People also need to be vaccinated right away after testing negative so mass testing without vaccinating would be a futile exercise,” he added.
Source:The Star
July 04, 2021 00:00 UTC