Getting our temperatures checked before we are allowed to enter premises is the new norm in Malaysia.
Photo: The Sun Daily
However, there are concerns with regards to the use of temperature scanners as premises may unwittingly allow COVID-19 positive individuals into their shops.
As such, we asked respiratory specialist Dr Kow Ken Siong if the temporal artery thermometer, most commonly used at offices and restaurants, can give accurate body temperature readings
“Temperature scanners are not as precise as a thermometer used to individually measure a person's temperature. Temperature scanners are more about detecting individuals with alleviated body temperature, higher than the last 10 people that have been screened.”
He also noted that a mercury thermometer gives the most accurate reading, but added that this is more cumbersome to use than the forehead scanner.
Most business premises set 37 degrees Celsius as the limit, but should these premises be more flexible on hot days?
Dr Kow feels this could be taken into consideration in a hot and tropical country like Malaysia…
“Body temperature varies throughout the day, being lowest in the morning and highest in the afternoon, sometimes reaching 37.7 degree Celsius.”
“I would consider a temperature of over 37.8 degrees Celsius as having a fever and a temperature of over 37.8 degrees Celsius most often means you have a fever caused by an infection or illness.”
However, some customers have used some tactics to reduce their body temperature before going into the business premise, such as sitting in the car with the air-conditioner switched on to full blast or even putting ice on their foreheads.
Photo: Malay Mail
But would we use these strategies in managing an actual fever? Dr Kow shares his thoughts.
"The most effective way of managing fever is to lower body temperature with drugs called antipyretic, such as Panadol, or non-steroidal drugs like aspirin. Other cooling measures such as cooling with tepid water and using cooling blankets are needed only if the temperature is about 41.1- degree celsius or higher.”
Meanwhile, the Health Director-General reminded the public that extreme tiredness and a loss of sense of smell and taste are also some of the symptoms of Covid-19 infection that we should pay attention to, other than a high temperature.
While there are concerns about the use of temperature scanners at premises, consumer rights groups are also concerned about the handling of customers’ personal data, as we are now required to fill in our details before entering shops and restaurants.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations CEO Dato Paul Selvaraj says shops must take all the necessary steps to ensure this data is not abused.
“There's still no regulation to control this and I think what’s best for the seller to do, is to make sure this list is destroyed after a certain period of time and not kept for it to be abused by anybody.”
He also urged the government to come up with a mechanism to ensure that info, such as customers’ names and phone numbers, are not abused especially for marketing purposes.
And, always remember to bring your own pen to fill in your details to avoid cross-contamination!
By: Roshini Ravindran
