Dear diary,
It’s the second weekend without football. Other sports have also shut down.
By right, I should be nursing a hangover and celebrating Liverpool’s triumphant English Premier League season as the club was expected to clinch the title with a home game against Crystal Palace last night or rather early this morning.
Now, I’m only nursing a hangover and silently cursing-cum-laughing along with my non-Liverpool friends.
Here’s how the fifth day of the Movement Control Order has unfolded.
1.10am: THE FORCE IS NOT STRONG IN THIS ONE – Called time on Star Wars Monopoly after nearly five hours. Declared myself the winner but now seriously thinking against starting on the 3D puzzle of the Millennium Falcon.
1.12am: YOU’LL NEVER WIN (THE LEAGUE) AGAIN – Noticed slew of messages from non-Liverpool fans, many of whom knew today was supposed to be when the Reds ended a 30-year title drought. They sent several recycled jokes such as the one below:
And this:
I think a woman invented this virus lah because:
1. All football matches are cancelled
2. All the pubs are closed
3. You have to stay at home with your wife for a long long time loh…
2am: YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE – Checked out Gerry and the Pacemakers Facebook page for updates on the You’ll Never Walk Alone European radio moment. Initiated by radio DJ Sander Hoogendoorn.
Goosebumps all over.
2.22am: OLD LADY WEEPS – Juventus’ Paulo Dybala announces he and his girlfriend have Covid-19. Two teammates – Blaise Matuidi and Daniele Rugani – have also been infected.
4-ish am: WHAT’S THAT NOISE? – Woken up by hammering sounds from the apartment above. Don’t think they were practising social distancing.
6.14am: GOODBYE – Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz dies of Coronavirus.
9.16am: SMALL VICTORIES – BFM producer and presenter Jeff Sandhu announces in our chat group Liverpool did indeed win the EPL last night.
10am: UNRESTRICTED STAGE – Turned on Facebook for a full day of entertainment.
10.33am: OH, NO! – A government doctor is the first medical specialist to die of the coronavirus. He died at the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital in Kangar Perlis.
10.59am: CAVE DWELLER – Fellow Red Azman Abdul Manap says: “It’s been five days and I’m feeling frustrated stuck in this dim room. Can’t go out, can’t meet people. I guess this was how my Man U fans felt (in their caves) this season.”
11.45am: FUN WITH NUMBERS – Here’s a tip on what to buy in the next draw.
1.20pm: 50,000 HANDS ON BOARD – Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob says besides the army, Malaysian Volunteer Corps (Rela) and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency personnel have been roped in to help enforce the Movement Control Order.
He estimates about 50,000 personnel will be on duty. He repeats the police are still in charge and hopes the public will stay at home or more drastic action may be taken.
3pm: ROCK ON – Cheered on former colleague Fabian Peter as it was his turn to perform on Unrestricted Stage. As expected of a Man United fan, he didn’t take requests.
5.30pm: 10 DEATHS NOW – The Health Ministry recorded 123 new Covid19 cases today bringing the total number to 1,306. From the 1,306 cases, 743 are linked to Sri Petaling religious gathering. Two deaths were recorded, bringing the number of deaths nationwide to 10.
6.30pm TUN M CLEARED OF COVID-19 – Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad tested negative for Covid-19 but will continue to observe the 14-day self-quarantine.
7pm: ALWAYS WITH YOU – I leave you with this beautiful song
