A physician has recommended people to stay indoors as much as possible given the scorching weather and poor air quality recorded at several locations in the country.
Dr Ashok Philip, a former Malaysian Medical Association president, also highlighted the need to wear sunblock while outdoors.
“The main recommendation is to avoid direct heat and to stay indoors. Those who work outdoors should be given frequent breaks and drink lots of fluid,” said Dr Ashok.
“The one thing our people don’t do is use sunblock. It’s useful against direct sunlight.”
He added that it gets worse during this weather of less rainfall.
“This can also lead to more asthma and bronchitis cases.”
Dr Ashok reminded those who lead an active lifestyle to proceed with caution.
“It’s good to work out but with the heat and poor air quality, it’s best to workout indoors, in the gym. Otherwise, it’s best to alternate between outdoors and indoors and to drink lots of water or fluids.”
The Meteorological Department has predicted warmer weather and less rainfall in the coming weeks. It is only expected to get cooler beginning mid-April.
Meanwhile, Klang, Banting, Shah Alam and Petaling Jaya in Selangor recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings today.
As of 4pm, Johan Setia Klang recorded the highest API nationwide at 188. The only areas outside Selangor to record unhealthy API this afternoon were Rompin (API of 114 at 4pm) and Cheras (API of 105 at 3pm).
An API reading of between zero and 50 indicates good air quality; 50-100 moderate, 101-200 unhealthy, 201-300 very unhealthy and over 301 hazardous.
The Department of Environment earlier today warned people, especially those in Kuala Lumpur, not to carry out open burning in the hot and dry weather.
According to the World Health Organisation, to protect yourself during a heatwave, you should:
- Move to the coolest room in the home, especially at night.
- Avoid going outside during the hottest time of the day.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest time of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4am and 7am.
- Stay in the shade.
- Do not leave children or animals in parked vehicles.
- Keep the body cool and hydrated by taking cool showers or baths during a heatwave.
- If you feel dizzy, weak, anxious or have intense thirst and headache during a heatwave, it is best to move to a cool place as soon as possible and measure your body temperature.
- Drink water or fruit juice to rehydrate.
Here’s a round-up of The News Normal today.
FIVE NABBED OVER BRICKFIELDS RESTAURANT COMMOTION
Police arrested five men aged between 19 and 23 for their alleged involvement in a commotion at a restaurant in Brickfields over the weekend.
The suspects, who were picked up in a series of raids, do not have any criminal records. The case is being investigated for rioting with weapons.
In the 10.18pm incident, close to a dozen people armed with sticks and machetes, became unruly after they were not allowed to order food. Under the Movement Control Order, restaurants are supposed to close by 10pm.
The group threw chairs and broke bottles and glasses. Videos of the incident were widely shared.
JAMAL SAYS SORRY TO YEO
Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos has issued an apology to former Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin to settle a defamation suit against him.
In 2017, Yeo filed a lawsuit seeking RM5 million in compensation from the Sungai Besar Umno division chief for his defamatory statement over the alleged abuse of the Yayasan Warisan Anak Selangor fund.
Yeo, the Bakri MP, claimed the defendant had issued a defamatory statement on March 21, 2017 and that the statement was published by several newspapers, websites and on Jamal’s Facebook page.
DESPITE SCHOOLS INTERNET FIASCO, FROGASIA COMMITTED TO TRANSFORMING EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA
Nationwide education platform FrogAsia remains committed to its mission in transforming education in the country as it collaborates with YTL Foundation to organise the Leaps of Knowledge event tomorrow.
“On the belief that education is the basis on which every society progresses, YTL Foundation aims to empower individuals and communities to be catalysts of change, by developing and improving education,” said Lou Yeoh, executive director of FrogAsia.
“The year 2020 pushed educators around the world to pause and reflect on education as it stands today and how it needs to be for the future. We believe that now more than ever is the time to have the conversations of rebuilding back better, to ensure that all we’ve learnt is taken forward so that post-pandemic, we won’t go back to where we were before.”
The key speakers for tomorrow’s event include Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); Prof Fernando M. Reimers, Ford Foundation Professor of the Practice of International Education, Harvard University; and Kiran Bir Sethi, Founder of Design for Change.
The FrogAsia learning platform was part of the 1BestariNet programme that was terminated by former Education Minister Maszlee Malik in June 2019. He quit barely seven months later, leaving online education initiatives in schools in limbo. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, schools closed for the most part of last year as students struggled to learn online.
WHEN IT COMES TO CARING FOR HORSES, IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS
Datuk Awang Kamaruddin Abdul Ghani was emotional when speaking about how some horse owners treat the animal in the country.
The former world No 1 equestrian rider, who has won numerous medals in international competitions, said he is saddened by the “abuse” carried out by some of the owners.
IS TMJ TAKING OVER VALENCIA?
Tunku Ismail Idris hinted he could take over Spanish football club Valencia.
The Johor Crown Prince had posted on his Instagram story that he wants to expand his empire, spread his wings and go for new challenges.
“I’m not someone who will change your club logo or tradition. Like I said earlier, I’m royalty not a businesman. I’m here for glory, success and history,” he wrote.
“What does Valencia need? You need someone who knows football, hungry for success, passionate and understands how big Valencia is as a club.”
