The Malaysian Insight

WHILE happy for the sake of their children that wearing masks will be mandatory from August 1, parents are also worried about the effects of wearing it for hours on end.

Some are influenced by a South Korean study published in February, which claimed that long-term use by children can lead to 8% less respiration per minute, which in turn can cause 10% less oxygen intake, leading to health issues, such as insomnia and headaches.

Parents told The Malaysian Insight that since their children have to wear masks for several hours while at school, they plan to ensure the children stay at home as much as possible after classes to avoid having to wear a mask again.

“My son has asthma, but it is not serious. Other than going to school, we keep him home as much as possible so he does not have to wear his mask for long periods of time when outside,” homemaker Loo Yoke Pheng, 44, said.

She said her 7-year-old needed constant reminders to keep his mask on during lessons with fellow pupils.

Lee Lay Lee, 52, welcomed the government’s ruling to make masks mandatory in public, especially for children.

“We also try to have the children stay at home as much as possible after school.”

She said she has opted for masks made out of more comfortable material since her three children have to wear them every day.

However, she is worried about expenses, as her family has to use five masks daily.

Salesman Tan Chee Kai, 38, said for his family of four, a new mask daily for each person costs around RM100 a month.

“My wife and I have to wear masks to work; so do our children for their classes. So, we have to use quite a number of masks,” he said, adding that such long-term expenditure could become a burden.

Both Tan and Lee fear that the retail price of masks will increase with more demand.

However, the government has set a ceiling price of RM1.20 per piece, down from RM1.50 previously, effective August 15.

The government is also encouraging the use of home-made cloth masks, especially for large families, but stressed these must be made according to World Health Organisation guidelines.

Former deputy health minister under the Pakatan Harapan government Dr Lee Boon Chye has suggested that the federal government provide free reusable masks for pupils.

The government announced on July 23 that wearing a mask in crowded public places and on public transportation is a must, following an uptick in Covid-19 infections in Malaysia.

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said those found not wearing masks in public will be fined RM1,000. – July 30, 2020.