Dear Diary,
Somehow, I watched The Titan Games, When Harry Met Sally and the Bundesliga match between Dortmund and Bayern Munich – in that order – back-to-back. I don’t think I’ve watched that much television in one go before!
Anyhow, today’s teatime snack was toasted bread and beef serunding, courtesy of Kamarul Akhir.
Kamarul, who I worked with in theSun more than 20 years ago, is now selling Serunding Ayahchik to make ends meet.
The award-winning photographer, who has done work for many international news agencies, has been badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jobs for his company – All Sports Images And News Agency (Asiana) which he started in January 2014 – has dried up as no events are being held. To add salt to his wounds, Kamarul’s sports outlet in Puchong – Asiana Arena which opened in December – has remained closed since the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18.
“Covid-19 has hit many people hard. Many photographers are finding it difficult to earn a living,” said Kamarul, who is developing an e-commerce website.
“I have found it hard to cari makan and my sports arena was just beginning to attract attention.
“Now, besides serunding, I also sell hand sanitisers. We have to diversify. I can’t just sit at home or depend on handouts. Where possible, I have to find ways to earn some money.”
Those interested in ordering ‘Serunding Ayahchik’ can contact Kamarul on Facebook.
Separately, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has sparked a debate by saying schools shouldn’t reopen until a vaccine for Covid-19 is found. The Philippines school year is scheduled to begin on Aug 24. I agree with Duterte and hope our Education Ministry thinks things through before reopening schools.
Here’s how Day 71 of MCO unfolded.
7.45am: RAYA JIG – This video is popular on social media. Lovely.
8.42am: TIME TO INVEST – European travel and leisure stocks soared amid reports Spain and Germany are easing travel restrictions.
9.04am: WELL DONE – There are no new cases for the fifth consecutive day in New Zealand while the only remaining person in the hospital with Covid-19 is discharged. It also expects a plan for safe travel with Australia in June. Meanwhile, Montenegro is the first country in Europe to declare itself coronavirus-free.
9.12am: HEALTHY SNACK – The Health Ministry says snacking on just a single cup of cucumber slices gives you 14-19 per cent of the Vitamin K you need for the day. You’ll also get Vitamins B and C along with minerals like copper, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium.
10.12am: HISTORIC – Meet the NASA astronauts who will launch into orbit. The launch is scheduled for 4.33am tomorrow and you can watch it on YouTube.
11.05am: CLOSE WATCH – Hong Kong legislature is surrounded by riot police ahead of protests. Police later fire pepper ball rounds at protesters.
12.02pm: GETTING READY
Istanbul’s 550-year-old Grand Bazaar is set to reopen on Monday for the first time in two months after being closed due to the pandemic.
The market is usually visited by 150,000 people every day — and by 42 million last year https://t.co/yo0nRTpeXK pic.twitter.com/xkvTzieTJn
— AFP news agency (@AFP) May 27, 2020
1.11pm: SAFETY FIRST – Since MCO started, the number of emergency calls to the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia has fallen by 40 per cent. There was a slight increase since Conditional MCO came into effect on May 4.
2pm: HMMMM – Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob says SOPs during the Conditional MCO apply to all regardless of ‘class’. He also says the public and media must get permission from Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia and Royal Malaysia Police to fly a drone.
Meanwhile, 824 vehicles that attempted to cross state borders were turned back. The worst offenders are from Selangor (284), Kedah (122) and Melaka (113).
3.21pm: CANCELLED – The Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association cancels the Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant due to Covid-19.
4pm: POSITIVE – Ron Hogg, director of the Malaysian Cub Prix Championship and Asia Road Racing Championship, is hoping to start the season in July.
5.07pm: LOWEST EVER – Only 15 new cases today – the lowest since MCO began on March 18. This takes the tally to 7,619. Another 42 patients were discharged making it 6,083 who have been cured. Fatalities remain at 115.
6.30pm: KIND OF BLUE – Jimmy Cobb, the drummer on Miles Davis’ 1959 jazz classic Kind of Blue – revered as one of the greatest albums of all time – died aged 91, on Monday. Have a listen to the album.