Dear Diary,
It’s a long weekend! Then again, it’s been one long weekend since March 18.
But the end is in sight as Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the loosening of the Movement Control Order (MCO) – or MCO 2.0 as he jokingly called it – from May 4.
However, I’m far from rejoicing as many measures depend on Malaysians behaving responsibly and sensibly. Good luck with that.
Also, while I understand the need to get the economy going, won’t there be a mad rush over the weekend from those desperate to get back home on time?
Remember how crowded the highways were before interstate travel was banned?
Being Ramadan, what about those stuck in traffic jams on the way back?
And today’s number of cases is worrying with 69 new patients.
Oh, and I can’t help but feel the PM is a Star Wars fan as May 4 has long been commandeered by fans of the film series as a play of words for the iconic ‘may the force be with you’ to ‘May the 4th be with you’.
Here’s how Day 45 of MCO unfolded.
7.41am: POINTING FINGERS, AGAIN – US President Donald Trump says evidence ties virus to Wuhan lab, threatens tariffs.
8am: FOOTBALL BANTER
9.05am: EIGHT MONTHS AWAY – Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the United States, says “if everything falls into place” there could be a Covid-19 vaccine by January but cautions several things could still go wrong.
10am: SANDS OF TIME – Recently I lamented how time has flown by each day. This article helps explain that feeling.
11am: CONFUSING – Muhyiddin announces loosening of MCO or Conditional MCO. Among them are:
- Reopening most economic sectors but with rigorous SOPs.
- Jogging – up to 10 participants – and outdoor exercise allowed but kids’ playgrounds are off limits. No indoor badminton but outdoors is fine. No contact sports such as football, rugby, basketball and hockey. Golf is allowed but fishing – even if for food, is not.
- Religious gatherings for all faiths and kenduri not allowed.
- Interstate travel still not allowed unless you stay in one state and work in another.
- Dine-in at restaurants but tables must be 2m apart.
- Restaurant staff must take down details of customers in case they need to track them down if someone tests positive for Covid-19.
Some restaurants struggle to get the orders right so this is going to be a challenge. And wouldn’t it be better to just open for takeaway for the time being?
The PM, however, didn’t say if all these means Parliament can go-ahead for more than a day.
1.01pm: DANGER ZONE – Four people from the popular Pasar Jalan Othman have tested positive for Covid-19.
2pm: GREAT READ – Today marks the 30th anniversary of Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. They are among my favourite authors.
4.12pm: FILL ’ER UP – For the first time since March 17, I had to fill up petrol. Only RM50 and the tank was three-quarters full. Woohoo!
4.20pm: OH NO! – The Social Security Organisation says applications for the Employment Retention Programme will no longer be processed as the allocation for the scheme has been exhausted. Pity the workers.
4.45pm: WORRYING – There are 69 new cases, bringing the total to 6,071. Another death takes fatalities to 103. Recoveries numbered 39, making it 4,210 cured or 69.3 per cent success rate.
5.01pm: SICKENING – Came across this tweet.
Breaking: Following the appalling statement released by MOHA #Malaysia on #Rohingya #refugees, massive crackdowns of migrants are reported by communities this afternoon. https://t.co/SN1iU22gCF pic.twitter.com/eY6rFB2Ha7
— APRRN (@APRRN_) May 1, 2020
5.25pm: WHEN NAJIB ACTUALLY MAKES SENSE – Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak makes several valid points regarding the announcement to relax the MCO, stressing it should be done in stages.
6pm: TO THE HUMAN RACE – Coca-Cola, in its global campaign, launched To The Human Race tribute video worldwide today. Twentytwo13′s parent company, Professional Storytellers, was involved in the production thanks to the team from Directors Think Tank.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp6UZ_I4zj0&t=17s