On Wednesday, I went to get some fresh meat to stock up for the long weekend.
After scanning my details and temperature, I walked into the shop, only to exit less than a minute later.
It wasn’t because there wasn’t any meat available. On the contrary, there were more than enough and many beautiful cuts were available too.
The reason I walked out was that a lady was handling the meat with uncovered hands – despite the outlet providing plastic bags for customers to use.
I waited to see if the shop assistant would say anything but he kept chatting to her and pointing to different cuts of meat.
In that time, she must have touched at least 10 pieces of meat. It made me wonder just how many customers had done the same.
I didn’t bother saying anything. The last time I did – to someone who was peeling garlic and onion skins at a supermarket – the person reacted as if I was the one in the wrong for raising the issue.
It is unbelievable that as Malaysia entered a third Movement Control Order (MCO) on Wednesday, there are still many Covidiots who act as if they are immune to the coronavirus.
Covid-19 or not, it is common sense that is unhygienic to touch raw meat and produce with your bare hands.
It may have been ‘acceptable’ before 2020 but now, with so many asymptomatic carriers and the number of Covid-19 cases on the rise, please be considerate.
On a side note, I managed to get what I wanted from another outlet. It was slightly pricier but worth it as it is close to a restaurant which sells great curry mee – I had a good lunch as well!
Separately, a couple of weeks ago, a well-dressed man entered a fast food joint wearing a handkerchief instead of a mask.
He looked like an outlaw from an old Western movie. The staff still served him and one had to politely point out to him that his ‘mask’ had fallen to the ground after he had collected his food.
He picked it up and acted as if nothing had happened.
Anyway, today is the 424th day since the start of the original MCO and this is the 48th weekly edition of ‘The MCO Diaries’.
ANOTHER DEATHLY WEEK
Malaysia suffered 190 Covid-19-related deaths in the past week, the most over seven days since the pandemic started.
That beat last week’s unwanted record of 126 deaths, taking fatalities to 1,822. The total included 39 on Wednesday, 34 yesterday, 27 on Thursday and 26 on Sunday – the four highest death tolls in a single day.
There were 25 deaths last Saturday, which equalled the previous record set on Feb 18.
We also had 29,765 new infections making it 462,190 Covid-19 cases and edging us closer to the half-million mark.
As it stands, we have the 42nd worse reported number of Covid-19 cases in the world.
The good news is that 22,893 patients were declared cured in the past seven days. That brought the total cured to 418,897 or 90.63 per cent.
Worldwide, there are now 161.8 million cases and 3.3 million deaths.
FAREWELL, WONG SAI WAN
My old boss Datuk Wong Sai Wan passed away early yesterday morning.
For those who know him, the wake is at Xiao En Centre, 1 Jalan Kuari, Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur today and tomorrow from 11am-6pm.
Only 50 people are allowed at one time, but there is a waiting area if there are too many guests.
His funeral is on Monday at the same venue but limited to only 15 people.
TREVOR NOAH SUMS UP ISRAEL AND PALESTINIAN PERFECTLY
Comedian Trevor Noah’s take on what is happening between Israel and Palestinian is spot on.
Israel and Palestine. Let’s talk about it. pic.twitter.com/prv6Z7TnoL
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) May 12, 2021
DIVORCE IS HARD
Following news last week of Bill and Melinda Gates’ divorce, I received this quite a few times via WhatsApp
VOLCANIC PIZZA ANYONE?
I’ve always been fascinated by volcanoes. One of the items on my bucket list is to watch an eruption and follow the flow of lava (from a safe distance, but close enough to feel the heat).
Guatemala’s Pacaya volcano has been erupting since February and I came across this story about David Garcia who serves up ‘Pacaya Pizza’ cooked on the smouldering volcanic rock to awed tourists and locals.
I wish I was there now. Have a look at this video.
Volcanic pizza.
Guatemala’s Pacaya volcano has been erupting since February, keeping locals on high alert.
But for David Garcia, the streams of molten lava oozing down the mountainside have become a kitchen where he cooks pizza at 1,000 degrees https://t.co/4UoCPEeNMI pic.twitter.com/WAIXN3taY5
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 13, 2021
LEMON AND LIME CHEESECAKE
Here’s a good recipe to try from the perfectly named Mary Berry.
‘SALAH-MAT HARI RAYA’
Liverpool fans made the same joke after their team’s 4-2 victory over Manchester United on Friday morning with goals from Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino (two) and Mohamed Salah.
Since we are still in the Raya mood, here’s a festive song by Nicole Kylie Ng – Suasana Hari Raya.
Ng was featured in the MCO Diaries in December, as she released an online Christmas album with profits going to an Orang Asli community in Mantin.
Enjoy her a cappella version of Anuar Zain and Ellina’s hit.
