Dear Diary,
Some say 13 is an unlucky number. So it is for me as I’ve learnt John Prine has Covid-19 and is in critical condition. Here’s hoping the American country folk singer-songwriter pulls through as no one can tell a story like him.
Back home, there are new standard operating times for restaurants, hypermarkets and supermarkets and petrol stations.
Here’s how Day 13 of the Movement Control Order unfolded for me.
9.05am: ONOMATOPOEIA – Former boss M. Zulkifli A. Jalil shares the news that John Prine has Covid-19. Only Prine can write a song called Onomatopoeia. Another country music star Joe Diffie died yesterday. What a way to start the day.
10.01am: BLACKOUT – Wanted to watch TV but my cat had other ideas.
11.04am: TASTY TREAT – Yorkshire pudding is so versatile as you can have it savoury or sweet, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, as a snack or dessert. Here’s an easy recipe for those who still can’t get bread.
Note: I think she meant 200gm of flour although using the measuring cup means 200ml should get you the same amount. This is how it looks with some (Okay, a lot of) sides.
12.43pm: DESIGNER WEAR – Fashion designer Datuk Radzuan Radziwill starts a charity initiative to stitch personal protection equipment for nurses and other frontliners.
1.15pm: 3D FUN – Compatible for devices using Android 7 or higher and for iPhone/iPad using iOS11.0 or higher, try this time waster. Type an animal’s name into Google and select ‘View in 3D’. It brings up your camera and then 30 seconds later you have an animal in your house! You can take a photo or video of it and kids can walk around it.
2pm: THANKS FOR READING – Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announces RM1.50 ceiling for face masks from April 1. Did he read yesterday’s diary? He also says all shops, restaurants and petrol stations will open from 8am-8pm.
2.14pm: YES OR NO? – The National Security Council is surveying to find out how many are ready for an extended MCO.
2.15pm: COVID TEST – Check out this app.
3.24pm: HELP US – Received a Facebook link. William Cheah, who has been distributing food to the needy, lamented that now the government won’t allow NGOs to do so, he doesn’t have a place to store the food. As such, he has to give the food away. We need better coordination between government and NGOs for the benefit of those who need help. Over to you Ismail Sabri & Co.
4.43pm: WHERE THERE’S A WILL – We Love, We Care, We Share (WLWCWS) group managed to get permission to get distribute food to the needy.
Second wave of grocery via WLWCWS for 43 families
Mydin ran out of stock luckily we negotiated with NSK who was kind enough to allow us to purchase in bulk. Of course we had all the paperwork and permits.Thanks also to Our Journey and @malaysianbar@ssk010 pic.twitter.com/3THDNkdADI
— Darth Vadai (@DarthVadai) March 30, 2020
5.01pm: IT’S 37 NOW – 156 new Covid-19 cases brings total to 2,626 including 94 in the ICU. Two more deaths make it 37 to date.
6.30pm: SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES – Heating the salted egg pork and chilli prawns I picked up from a restaurant last night. The waiter who took the order said business is terrible but the boss has not laid off anyone … yet.
On the bright side, he said “no need to wash dishes or utensils and wait on tables.”
7pm: THIRD ROUND FROM THE SUN – Get well, John. Here’s a song by Diffie.
