1. An overview: How
has the government fared in terms of publishing Covid-19 data and figures? Is
it transparent enough?
To be honest, if the public would like to understand the
general COVID-19 trends and development in the country, state or even district
level, the current data provided by the government might be sufficient for
general public consumption. Just in one go, let me try to illustrate what kind
of daily data provided by our government: new cases and active cases, from
national down to mukim level, new and existing cluster updates, number of
people tested, number of death, number of patients admitted to ICU and those
who need ventilator, imported cases and country origin, cumulative cases and risk
level by colour code for all districts based on past 14 days local infection
cases, non-citizens statistics updates, daily surveillance cases, as well as R
values.
As a health data researcher myself who manually key in some
of the covid-19 data everyday, one big inconvenient fact is that, many of the
data provided is in image format, it is hardly convenient for people to do any
sort of data analysis. Most of the data also are not provided in timeline
format, so unless one does data input like me everyday or get the data from
such person, it is impossible to see the long term trends yourself.
Of
course, government could also provide further breakdown of case data according
to characteristic: I refer to Australia’s Victoria State and Hong Kong’s health
department , they also provide breakdown to cases by age and gender, mode of
transmission or mode of case detection; I refer to Singapore’s Ministry of
Health, they provide breakdown to cases by symptomatic and asymptomatic (which
our MOH used to provide in certain surveillance groups); I refer to New Zealand’s
Ministry of Health, they provide breakdown to active cases by current location
(how many are in managed facilities or hospitals, at home or self-isolation, or
in ICU). Not to say that Malaysia is doing badly because we do have some data
categories some other countries do not provide in daily updates.
There
are also instances it is debatable to publish certain granular and specific
data such as Hong Kong they publish current location of active cases down to
building level, Singapore they name the company or location of the infected
person is working or living or having activities.
So,
if you ask me about whether the government is transparent enough, that sounds
like if the question is about whether the government has some data to hide and
can justify so. Given the public stigmatization on covid-19 is so great, the
identity exposure of the group of people, workplace or public space probably
would not help containing the local infection but hurting the community for a
considerable period. So, first the authority should ask if the data
release would be helpful in their disease containment strategies and better
health protection; what could be the downside of such action, for example,
creating negative social impacts, unnecessary public panicky and witchhunting.
Some data are difficult to understand or worse if one does not understand
properly the implication or interpretation of data, this would risk certain
people twisting and interpreting the fact wrongly, this could create public
fear and anxiety. Thus, for certain data, it is actually wise to share with
only relevant authorities and competent data researchers via different channels,
not in the open.
2.
The channels they have opted to use are Telegram, Instagram, KKM website,
MySejahtera. And also Live PCs by the Health DG. Could there be better, and
more coordinated methods that the government could use, in light of how our
culture/society uses technology?
Currently
almost all COVID-19 info is aggregated and coordinated in the COVID-19
dedicated website covid-19.moh.gov.my , including
state-district-mukim levels daily data. This should serve as the main source of
information. Telegram channel has a little more data on the case distribution
map and new cluster illustration, but it is difficult to navigate using that
app, especially if you want to track historical data.
For
live PCs by the Health DG, these days he reduced the frequency of such PCs, it
would be helpful for the MOH to communicate issues concerning them directly to
the public, media can get to enquire and get further clarification and response
on some matters. Even the PC videos are also uploaded on the dedicated website
I mentioned.
For
most urgent and important info, most of the population who has a mobile number
will get updates from the National Security Council (MKN) via SMS. And some
health information will get broadcast on TV and radio. Therefore I think the
government has used plenty of right channels at different technology levels to
disseminate the info catering to many layers of society, so the bigger issue is
more about the messaging clarity and effectiveness.
3.
There have been arguments about how the data published is not granular enough.
Is there a need for granular Covid-19 data and what can it be used for?
I
have somehow mentioned on this issue when I responded to your earlier question.
Some form of most granular Covid-19 data should be restricted to the usage of
relevant authorities and competent researchers, for example mySejahtera contact
tracing data. The authority should have responsibility to protect the identity
of patient, workplace, or public places but leave the decision to the premise
or the individual to make public announcement themselves. Relevant authorities
should have such data to act upon, whether to do contact tracing, closure or
sanitization of premise.
4.
Dr Jemilah mentioned that data scientists have been hired to go through the
government's Covid data to see how it can be useful towards the fight against
Covid. In your opinion, how can the data on hand be useful in the fight against
Covid?
We
need to understand the limitation of data technology too. For example, the
MySejahtera app data can tell the authority who were at the same site during
certain period, it couldn’t tell the authority how the people interact. Even if
the app is working as best as the South Korea’s app measuring the period and
distance of contact between one another, it still couldn’t tell you whether the
two persons if they wear mask, if they hug or shake hands, or if the
measurement is just between the mobile phones lying on the dining table next to
each other.
For
contact tracing, while the granular data could be still useful as a reference
even though it may be very noisy data, it still has to go back to the health
personal who is trained to do contact tracing via personal interview to find
out who could carry the bigger risk.
To
me, it would be useful to look at the local transmission data and analyse the
pattern significance, then it would be very informative for the local health
authority to take action to respond timely, whether to do targeted mass
screening at certain locality or improve the SOP there. This is where the
granular data could help.
5.
JKJAV has begun announcing daily vaccination dose figures & registration
numbers. Is this necessary, and why?
In
my opinion, the daily vaccination dose figures and numbers would help and is
necessary, so that public would know the progress of our National COVID-19
Immunisation Programme. That is the bare minimum for transparency to keep the
public informed, give them the confidence about the programme and perhaps rally
or excite them to take part. But whether the government should publish the data
down to district level or Vaccination Administration Centres at this moment, I
guess this could be debatable, I think maybe not necessary now.
6.
In an ideal world, what would be the best way to disseminate news about the
vaccination programme to the whole nation? How could it be pulled off?
The
programme publicity cannot be all top-down, one cannot underestimate the power
of peer-influence. Besides the current variety of channels and technology
platforms the government is using, the government should rally the support from
the grassroot local community organisations and groups to help promoting the
programme and get the people registered. It is always most persuasive if the
people in your family and neighbourhood start talking about the programme and
vaccine, show willingness to participate the vaccination.
