COMMENT | Today marks the anniversary when a lockdown was first introduced in Malaysia and when the Covid-19 virus reality hit home – as literally Malaysians were forced to stay at home.

Over the last year, there have been 328,466 confirmed cases and 1,223 deaths recorded. By comparison to other parts of the world, Malaysia has the third highest cases of Covid-19 in Southeast Asia and ranks 36 globally in the total recorded cases.

Her recovery rate from Covid-19 has been impressive and only four out of 100,000 people have been affected by the disease. Most of the cases have come in the third wave of the virus, after the super spreader Sabah elections. From Sept 13, 2020, to today, there have been 318,552 Covid-19 cases and 1,095 deaths. The third wave is not over.

Personal scars

While more Malaysians die of other diseases annually (heart disease, strokes, cancer and diabetes, for example), Covid-19 deaths have been serious. They have come suddenly and hit families hard.

There remains inadequate support for those who have lost loved ones, almost no recognition for those who have symptoms after the virus infection (long Covid-19) and continued stigma for those who survived Covid-19, some of whom remain traumatised from the experience. More can be done to...