Researchers propose plan to target spread of virus, get economy going

[superadmin]

PETALING JAYA: An economic policy think tank has presented a plan to ditch lockdowns entirely and allow the targeted spread of the virus to enable the economy to function while limiting the infection of the community’s most vulnerable.

Published by the Center for Market Education (CME) and titled “Fighting Covid-19 in Malaysia: Mass Testing and Other Reasonable Proposals”, the authors argue that such a solution would combat the pandemic without sacrificing the social and economic structure of the country.

“We believe that we have offered a fresh analysis grounded in a sounder trade-off analysis and on the principle of individual responsibility. Contrary to what we have seen so far, this is indeed a plan,” said CME chief Carmelo Ferlito, noting that the government’s current reliance on lockdowns is ineffective and untenable.

Ferlito said the “blind faith” in movement restrictions and the focus on reducing infections should instead be replaced by allowing transmission to increase among those healthy enough to stave off the virus’ worst effects so immunity can be built through exposure, while only those with comorbidities or other vulnerabilities are protected from it.

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