5 Infamous Covid-19 Vaccination Myths That Have Been Debunked
- By CompareHero.my
- July 16, 2021
With Covid-19 being around for a long time now, you’re probably used to reading a lot of fake news and conspiracy theories surrounding it, and even on the vaccines. You know what they say: Fake news is the second battle that we have to fight together with this pandemic.
On that note, here are 5 top vaccine myths that have been going around since day one. Perhaps you might have believed some of these. But no worries, we’ll explain to you why these are said to be myths in the first place.
Contents
Myth #1: Vaccines contain chips that can track/control you
Late last year, several edited videos stated that the vaccines had microchips in them. One of these videos can be found here. If you think about it, it might not seem completely unbelievable, given how far technology has advanced.
But first of all, a microchip cannot fit into a syringe, as explained in this article by Business Insider. To summarize the article, the so-called microchip would need to be broken into absolutely tiny pieces for it to fit. Which essentially means that there can’t be any functioning chips in your vaccine.
Instead, what your Covid-19 vaccine is made up of is just some genetic material of the virus (so that the body can identify it in the future), salts, fats, sucrose (sugar) and some other ingredients which are perfectly safe. You can read the full list here.
Myth #2: Vaccines can alter your DNA
Again, this is just scientifically impossible. But to properly back this up, we referred to the CDC’s website—that is, the United States of America’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In it, they explained that any vaccine cannot ever alter the human DNA. When a vaccine is injected in your body, it sends a message to your cells to fight the virus. It does not, and cannot, enter the nucleus of your cell, which is where your DNA lies.
Myth #3: Vaccines can give you Covid-19
Like we mentioned earlier, your vaccine would contain a small amount of the genetic material of the virus. According to Gavi, a global Vaccine Alliance, there are two main types:
- Contains a live virus – it is a weakened live virus so it cannot infect the person
- Contains an inactivated virus – the whole genetic material of the virus has been destroyed
As you can see, it’s impossible to get infected through a vaccine because the virus strain would have a different makeup from that which actually infects people.
The purpose of having a part of the virus is so that the body will make a ‘memory’ of it and attack it in the future if you were to actually get infected with Covid-19.
Myth #4: Some vaccines are better than others
From the time the vaccines have been given, many have stated that they would like only a particular brand of vaccine. This is mostly because they feel some vaccines have higher efficacy rates than others.
A video by Vox explained that efficacy rates don’t really mean much, and they are completely different from how efficient a vaccine is. Sure, these vaccines may all have been made with different technologies. Pfizer, for example, has the mRNA technology, while AstraZeneca is known as a viral vector vaccine.
Regardless of how they were made, all vaccines have the exact same job: to help your body build immunity against the virus.
Myth #5: Vaccines are unsafe
For those who are against taking the vaccine in the first place, their biggest fear is that the vaccine will either make them very sick or even kill them.
While this may not be an unreasonable fear again, it’s good to remember that any medication would have side effects—even normal paracetamol that all of us have taken. However, it’s usually those who have serious allergies/underlying conditions who might be affected.
If you have allergies and certain conditions, you can meet your doctor for a checkup. But besides that, you could get extra protection through insurance coverage. An insurance policy can’t prevent side effects, of course, but it will be really helpful if something untoward happens. Because at least, you will have some financial backup.
While doing our research, we came across Zurich Insurance’s Z-eCoVac Protect policy. We found out that this policy is specially tailored for those who want to bolster themselves against the aftermath of vaccine side effects. Under this policy, Zurich Insurance will give you coverage for:
- Covid-19 Post Vaccination Inconvenience Benefit – RM1,500
- Covid-19 Post Vaccination Death – RM8,000
But that’s not all, actually. While this policy caters for post vaccination side effects or death, it can also cover you for up to RM8,000 if you meet with an accidental death/accidental disablement that has nothing to do with Covid-19 or the vaccines.
Of course, you’ll need to fulfil some criteria such as that you must be Malaysian/foreigner with a legal permit to live in the country and you must be fit to take the vaccine.
For more detailed T&C and information on this plan, you can check out their page here.
You might have come across other myths besides those stated here. If you’re unsure about something, refer to reputable sources such as the World Health Organization or your healthcare provider.
And if you have decided to take the vaccine, signing up for an insurance plan such as Zurich’s would be a great idea. It will give you the peace of mind that you need before you take your shot. Fortunately, signing up for Zurich’s Z-eCoVac is a breeze and you’ll be covered in no time.
If you’d like to purchase the plan, just click here and if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to them through the contact information listed in the page.
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10 Charities You Can Donate To During The MCO
- By CompareHero.my
- July 15, 2021
With more and more people losing jobs and even homes lately, there really is a need for those of us who can offer some help to step in. As you probably know, the #WhiteFlag campaign has made it possible for some families to receive food and groceries to sustain themselves.
Related: Here’s How You Can Contribute to The White Flag Campaign
It can be difficult to offer help especially during this MCO. To make it easier, we’ve put together a list of charities you can donate to right from where you are.
Contents
1. Kembara Kitchen
View this post on Instagram
Kembara Kitchen is a social enterprise and they run a catering business. But their business is used to help the needy as well. They have a team of volunteers who have been helping the underprivileged, especially from the time the pandemic started.
Recently, they shared on their social media pages that many newborns are being abandoned by their families, mostly due to the financial hardship.Following that, they have appealed for donations for formula milk and diapers for these babies. These items can be dropped off at their centre and the details are here.
They also accept cash donations, and you can find their bank account details here as well.
What do they need?: Milk and diapers for babies, funds
How to donate?: Details are available on their Instagram page
Contact: 017-883 5249
Instagram: @kembarakitchen
2. The Hope Branch
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The Hope Branch was started by comedian and actor Harith Iskander and his wife, Dr. Jezamine Lim as a means to collect funds to help those affected by the pandemic. They are now registered under the Registrar of Societies as Pertubuhan Harapan Amal Harith Iskander.
With the funds received, they have been distributing food to the needy, including those who are homeless and ill. The funds are also used for other forms of help such as transporting people to hospitals.
They’re currently crowdfunding on SimplyGiving for various initiatives, and you can contribute to any of these.
What do they need?: Funds to prepare care packs/groceries/food
How to donate?: SimplyGiving
Contact: 019-7093103
Instagram: @thehopebranch.my
3. Mercy Malaysia
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With the pandemic raging for this long, they would need funds to be able to better support those who are affected. They’re also currently looking for volunteers who can help out at this time, particularly at the Hospital Angkatan Tentera Tuanku Mizan.
What do they need?: Funds, volunteers
How to donate/volunteer?: Donate through their website. You can apply to be a volunteer here.
Contact: 03-7733 5920
Instagram: @mercymalaysia
4. MAKNA
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MAKNA is also known as the National Cancer Council of Malaysia. They’re a not-for-profit organization that supports cancer patients in various ways. One of these ways is by covering the costs of treatment, equipment and medication for those who cannot afford to.
As you would already know, the pandemic has placed a huge financial and mental strain on many. For cancer patients, not being able to get treatment fast enough because of financial difficulties only makes their burden worse.
If you do choose to donate, you can either make a one-off payment, or you can pledge a certain amount every month. You can also join their volunteer programme to provide mental support to cancer patients.
What do they need?: Funds, volunteers
How to donate/volunteer?: To donate, click here. To apply to be a volunteer, click here.
Contact: 03-2162 9178
Instagram: @maknacancer / @reasonstogive.makna
5. The Malaysian Blind Association
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Founded in 1951, the Malaysian Blind Association (MAB) has been home to many of the visually impaired in the country. The association has helped them pick up skills that they can use in their daily lives.
MAB also provides job opportunities for them by offering a massage service to the public. The visually impaired here are trained to be skilled masseurs and they can sustain themselves this way.
However, with the pandemic, it has been difficult for this service to operate and it has affected the rice bowl of the masseurs. As of January this year, MAB said that they needed funds to provide food for over 3,000 of these masseurs.
What do they need?: Funds
How to donate?: Via their website or directly to their bank account (details are here)
Contact: 03-2272 2677
Instagram: @malaysianassoc.fortheblind
6. Kechara Soup Kitchen
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Not to be confused with Kembara Kitchen that’s mentioned above, Kechara Soup Kitchen has provided free meals to the needy for over 13 years now.
To continue providing this help, they need donations in the form of cash, food items and volunteers.
What do they need?: Funds, food items, volunteers
How to donate/volunteer?: Detailed info can be found on their website
Contact: 03-2141 6046
Instagram: @kecharasoupkitchensociety
7. Refuge for the Refugees
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With things being difficult for everyone on the whole, we might end up overlooking an already marginalised group of people in our society: the refugees.
Refuge for the Refugees is an NGO that advocates for the rights and welfare of refugees. Currently, they are collecting funds to provide food and grocery packs not only for these refugees, but also for underprivileged Malaysians.
What do they need?: Funds
How to donate?: Details of their bank account can be found here
Contact: refugefortherefugees@gmail.com
Instagram: @refugefortherefugees
8. The National Autism Society of Malaysia
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The National Autism Society of Malaysia was founded in 1987 to provide support and care for adults and children who are on the autism spectrum.
While their centre is closed during the MCO, they will continue to provide help to those who need them. You can either make a cash donation, or you can join as a volunteer.
What do they need?: Funds, volunteers
How to donate/volunteer?: Details can be found on their website
Contact: 03-7832 5928
Instagram: @nasomcares
9. Rumah Charis
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Rumah Charis is made up of two welfare homes that look after children as well as the elderly.
They are in need of donations to provide the best care of both these age groups.
What do they need?: Funds
How to donate?: Details can be found on their website
Contact: 03-7781 5977, 012-472 3935
Instagram: @rumahcharis
10. Second Chance Animal Society
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Let’s not forget about our furry friends in this time of need as well! The Second Chance Animal Society (SCAS) is a no-kill dog shelter. Instead of putting down these furbabies, their aim is to educate owners to spay pets so that there will be fewer abandoned dogs on the streets.
They also provide refuge for abandoned dogs until they can be adopted. Donations made to them will be used to care for these dogs.
What do they need?: Funds
How to donate?: Details can be found on their website
Contact: 012-9192263
Instagram: @scas_my
In case you didn’t know, any donations made to charitable organizations are tax exempted. You can claim back up to 7% of your total income each year.
Find out more on how this works:
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Term vs Whole Life Insurance- What’s Best For You?
- By CompareHero.my
- July 14, 2021
For the average individual, life insurance just isn’t the topic we talk about at the dining table, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s one of the key elements to ensure that our wealth and hard work aren’t wasted. The premise of paying for the premiums on life insurance is to ensure our children are well off even when we’re gone.
As for those who are keen on delving deeper into this topic, however, comes the debate of whether term life insurance is better, or whole life? Both of these are similar, yet their client’s desire for life is quite different. With that said, the goal of this piece is to help clear up the confusion and hopefully, help you make an informed decision.
Contents
1. What is term life insurance?
By definition, a term life insurance covers you for a specified number of years and has no cash value associated with it. Because of this, the premiums are often lower when compared with whole life policies. However, it will still depend on the number of years you want coverage for. Here are the features of term life insurance:
Benefits of term life insurance
- Because the coverage lasts for a specified number of years instead of your entire life, the premium payments are usually fixed for this period. That means you won’t have to worry about inflation, as long as your income can cover it.
- What’s more, is that if you’ve outlived this period, this policy can easily be converted into a whole life policy.
- One more thing is that because there is no cash value accumulation for this, the premiums are generally much lower when compared to whole life insurance.
Cons of term life insurance
- It may be quite a hassle to some because when you renew your policy or want to switch over to a whole life insurance, the company may request you to submit a physical exam all over again.
- Technically speaking, as you get older, the risk of your death gets higher, so with that thought, insurance companies may not renew your policy as you get further into retirement. Or, it may be limited to only a short number of years.
- As with that, the cost of the premiums may increase by a lot with each policy renewal.
2. What is whole life insurance?
Sometimes referred to as permanent insurance, whole life insurance combines your life insurance, as well as investments. The investment part of this insurance is called “cash value” and is placed in a different account known as a “cash value account”.
With whole life insurance, part of your monthly premium payment goes to the insurance coverage and the rest will go to an investment account. Think of this like a separate savings account that is managed by the insurance company but you have the right to withdraw any of those amounts plus interest if and when you’re in dire need of it.
Benefits of whole life insurance
- The most obvious is that this insurance lasts a lifetime.
- Secondly, you have the benefit of cash value accumulation. This can also be an extension of your emergency fund. For instance, if you’ve lost your job and couldn’t maintain the premiums, you can actually use the money in the cash value account to cover it until you get another job.
Cons of whole life insurance
- As you can probably tell, the combination of life insurance and cash value adds up to a higher premium.
- Although the cash value part may sound like a huge advantage, you’re actually better off investing in other types of products such as stocks, index funds, ETFs, or REITs.
3. So, should you get term or whole life insurance?
When you contemplate this question, it really goes back to the real purpose you’re purchasing the product. This is just a tool that protects your loved ones and shields your investments and assets in the event of your passing. It is not designed to be a money-making scheme.
Ideally, it’s better to prioritise getting out of debt, bulking up on savings and investments, then only think about buying life insurance. But if you still want peace of mind, you can always buy a smaller coverage and upgrade later on. You don’t want to put money into a life insurance policy if it’s not necessary, but it’s always good to be prepared for the rainy days.
If you’re still unsure of which one to get, it may be worth it to speak to a consultant or a licensed life insurance professional who can delve deeper into the topic. Just be sure to understand how it all works before making the choice.
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Here’s How To Know If You Have Unclaimed Money Kept By The Government
- By CompareHero.my
- July 12, 2021
In case you missed it, some news outlets have been reporting that you can now check if you have unclaimed money kept by the government. It’s not an entirely new thing and it has been around for a few years, but many people don’t know about it.
It’s estimated that up until now, there is around RM8.75 billion worth of unclaimed money being kept by the government. Where does this money come from, you ask? Anywhere, actually!
This amount of money is an accumulation from bank accounts that were left dormant, unpaid salaries, insurance, and so on.
Contents
- There’s a government portal just for this
- Step 1: Go to the e-Gumis website and create an account
- Step 2: Login after you’ve made your account
- Step 3: Update your information
- Step 4: Click on the button that says “Click Here To Search For Unclaimed Moneys”
- Step 5: Search for your IC number
- Step 6: Tick the box for each amount you want to claim and click ‘Proceed To Application”
- Step 7: Click the ‘Add payee’ button at the bottom of the page
- Step 8: Input your details
- Step 9: Upload the supporting documents
- Step 10: Click Submit
- What else do you need to know?
There’s a government portal just for this
The government body that is in charge of handling this is Jabatan Akauntan Negara, also known as the Account General’s Department. They came up with an online system, known as e-Gumis (which stands for Electronic Government Unclaimed Money Information System) to facilitate the checking and claiming of money from the government.
If you’re wondering how to use this system, here’s a short guide for you:
Step 1: Go to the e-Gumis website and create an account
Click here to browse the website. You can switch between Bahasa Malaysia and English. You’ll find the registration button on the top right hand corner. When registering, you’ll need to provide your full name, IC number and e-mail address as well.
Step 2: Login after you’ve made your account
Click on the login button on the top right hand corner of the same page, and you should see this page:
Step 3: Update your information
Once you’re on you will have to input some extra info such as your address.
Step 5: Search for your IC number
If you do have any money here, the amount and details will appear in a list. If you don’t, it will just be blank.
Found some money? Great!
Step 6: Tick the box for each amount you want to claim and click ‘Proceed To Application”
Step 8: Input your details
The payee is the person the payment will be made to, so in this case, it will be you. Once you’ve put in all your information, click next.
Step 9: Upload the supporting documents
You’ll need to prove that they’re paying to the right person, so you have to upload some documents such as your IC and bank statement. Check which columns are marked ‘Mandatory’ and upload the documents required in those columns only.
Step 10: Click Submit
Tick the last two boxes which are essentially the terms and conditions (but make sure you read them first) and then hit the ‘Submit’ button.
And you’re done! You’ll see this image stating that your application has been received. You’ll be notified later when the payment is made to you.
Before you exit, you can scroll down and click the ‘Print’ button’ to download a copy of the receipt for your own records.
What else do you need to know?
Now that you’ve sent in your application, you can patiently wait till you hear back from them. And in the meantime, here are a few things you should know:
- It can take a few months for you to get your money back
- You can only check two IC numbers per day with one account
- An e-Gumis account that’s been inactive for 6 months will be shut down
If you do find you have unclaimed money, it’s good to claim it since the money being there is a waste and can’t be used by anyone otherwise. On the other hand, that money being claimed and spent will help the economy. So, hopefully you do find some extra cash when you log in.
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6 Things To Know About The Moratorium Before You Sign Up For It
- By CompareHero.my
- July 9, 2021
The latest moratorium that recently started on July 7th 2021 is the second one the government has announced since the pandemic began. There are some differences between this moratorium and the previous one.
For one, this moratorium will be available to the B40 and M40 groups, and to small to medium enterprises (SMEs). Whereas, the first moratorium was only open to the B40 group. There are some other differences which we will look at in the points below. But we will also look at how this moratorium is going to work, so you can decide whether or not you want to opt in.
Related: Highlights on PM Muhyiddin’s RM150 Bil Pemulih Aid Package
Contents
1. You’ll still need to pay later
If this is your first time signing up for the moratorium, you should know that a moratorium is just a ‘pause’ in payments. Basically, you will be given 6 months off from paying back your loans but you will have to continue paying back once the 6 months have lapsed.
So, make sure you don’t make the mistake of thinking that a moratorium actually is a ‘discount’ for your loan. It doesn’t actually waive payments for 6 months.
2. You’ll need to apply for it
While this moratorium will be made available to more people, it won’t be given to you just like that. There’s an application process, and either there’ll be a form on your bank’s website to fill up, or your bank will send you an application form via email
For those who aren’t tech savvy and might not know how to fill online forms, you can head over to the bank in person. But do check if your bank’s operating hours have changed or if certain branches are closed during the MCO/EMCO.
3. You’ll need to fulfill certain criteria
Thinking of signing up already? Hold your horses because…there are some criteria you need to fulfill before being given the moratorium. Per Bank Negara Malaysia’s website:
- The moratorium applies to any financing approved before 1st July 2021 only
- You must not have missed your monthly repayments by more than 90 days and you cannot be bankrupt
- If you are a company, you cannot have started winding up proceedings (shutting down your company)
If you do tick all the boxes, then you’re all good to go. But before you go ahead, there are some other things you should know about the moratorium.
4. The total amount of your loan will increase
While a pause in payments sounds great, you’ll need to proceed with caution again. Signing up for the moratorium means you’ll end up owing more money to the bank. This is due to the fact that even though you don’t need to pay for 6 months, you’ll still be charged interest during that time.
Besides that, you’ll just end up being indebted to the bank for longer because again, you’ll still need to pay that 6 months’ loan later. So, you’ll need to be mindful of this.
5. It won’t affect your credit score
Your Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS)—more commonly known as your credit score—is a marker for how financially healthy you are. It measures your debt, your ability to pay back, if you’re involved in any legal cases, and so on.
The goal is to have a good credit score always, and being in a lot of debt can affect this. If you’re worried that opting in for the moratorium will affect your credit score, worry not as Bank Negara has clarified that this will not be the case.
Related: I’m Only 21 Years Old. Do I Need A Credit Score?
6. You might be able to get help even after it ends
This moratorium may be extended if the banks feel that additional help is needed. In fact, this actually did happen with the last moratorium. Besides that, your bank may also be willing to offer help on a case-by-case basis to individuals who still aren’t financially stable yet.
This would be more applicable to those who haven’t been able to find jobs, or do not have enough money to meet their commitments. You can also try and work out a new payment plan on your own with your bank, such as reducing the amount you’ll need to pay them each month.
There are also agencies such as Agensi Kaunseling & Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) that can help you with debt management. They can’t give you cash to pay off your debt, but they can help you manage the debt instead so you won’t be overwhelmed.
Related: What Actually Happens When You Go To AKPK For Help?
Decide what works best for you
All in all, moratoriums are a great way to get some relief from financial commitments, especially if you’re going through a rough patch right now. But if you are still able to meet your monthly payments, you might want to continue paying as normal. Now that we’ve listed out these pros and cons, hopefully you’ll be able to decide what works best for you.
If you need additional information on the moratorium, you can check out Bank Negara Malaysia’s website, or you can just contact your bank.
On another note, if you’re thinking of taking a personal loan to pay off some commitments, check out how you can get one:
