Good morning, let's get you up to date on what happened over the weekend.

Key Highlights

• Economic shutdown mulled
  
  
• Education dilemma
  
  
• Medical cost headache
  
  

Economic shutdown mulled

MCO 2.0, unlike last year, allowed many economic sectors to operate. That may soon change.

A leaked circular revealed the government is considering an economic shutdown by Feb 4 if Covid-19 cases keep rising.

The EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it was based on informal discussions with the government but did not mean an immediate shutdown.

Since MCO 2.0 started, 42,268 new cases were recorded. That's more than a quarter of all cases since the start of the pandemic. Another 119 people have also died.

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said many comply with the mask rule but the lack of social distancing is still helping the virus to spread.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Full shutdown if Covid-19 cases keep rising This was revealed in a leaked circular.
	Call to shut down the economy New cases have stubbornly risen.
	'Don't neglect wellbeing of healthcare providers' They are suffering from burnout.

Education dilemma

Reports of students testing positive for Covid-19 are unsettling parents.

On the other hand, the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) urged Putrajaya to ensure that children from underprivileged communities do not drop out.

Only students facing exams such as SPM and STPM have returned to school. The Education Ministry said postponing the exams any further will disrupt the future of the students' tertiary education.

Other students are learning from home. This means only 20 percent of students are in schools.

However, teachers complained that attendance for home-based learning is poor.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Partial reopening of schools a 'balanced decision' Deputy minister cites disruption to tertiary education.
	Lecturer breathes life into Biology lessons He creates videos for students on Youtube.
	Education Ministry urged to resurrect Education TV The programme used to air in the 1970s.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Private hospitals say why cost can't be reduced They propose taking regular patients from public hospitals.
	Homeless people in KL rounded up amid pandemic They are placed at temporary shelters.
	Govt fear the banks - Anwar This is in the absence of another blanket moratorium.

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 3,346 new cases yesterday (Jan 24), marking the 11th-day new cases are above 3,000.
  
  
• Recoveries outpaced new cases for two consecutive days since Jan 23, helping to bring down the total active cases.
  
  
• The 4,427 Covid-19 patients who recovered yesterday marked a new record high but ICU patients also hit a new high of 265.
  
  
• Malaysiakini also compiles daily locations affected by Covid-19 so you can take precaution.
  
  

What else is happening?

• High Court Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali was transferred back to the civil courts but will continue to preside over several ongoing 1MDB-linked cases.
  
  
• Muda is suing the Registrar of Societies (ROS) for refusing to approve its registration.
  
  
• The Sarawak government is accused of trying to lift the emergency in the state so that it can hold snap polls. 
  
  
• The Thaipusam chariot procession to Batu Caves will be allowed to proceed but only with 10 people.
  
  
• Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim claimed a majority of MPs are opposed to the emergency proclamation.
  
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	Ili Nadiah can’t stay silent in the face of climate crisis  Environmental science student takes to the streets.
	Suaram horrified by brutal death of detainee It reiterates call for an IPCMC.
	Dr M: I'm not in hospital His family members have Covid-19.

What are people saying? 

	Covid-19 management: If it ain't broke, don't fix it By Dr Musa Mohd Nordin
	Questioning emergency does not make one a traitor By sepang MP Hanipa Maidin
	Voices of doom during the pandemic By R Nadeswaran

CARTOON KINI