Dear Diary,
Malaysia continues to be a laughing stock worldwide, no thanks to the Women and Family Development Ministry with many television shows and newspapers putting the boot in.
While some were handing out stupid advice, a coach has used the Movement Control Order (MCO) to designed an ergo trainer. Bravo!
Here’s how Day 16 of the MCO unfolded.
7.16am: HAPPY WORLD AUTISM DAY – Did you know the United States’ Centres for Disease Control & Prevention says autism affects one in 88 children? Closer to home, Hazlin Aminudin talks about what it is like being the mother of an autistic boy and the misconceptions people have.
7.23am: UNWANTED MILESTONE – Worldwide Covid-19 cases expected to breach one million today.
8am: WOE$ FOR SMALL CLUBS – Former Kelantan and JDT coach Bojan Hodak predicts small clubs, which make up 95 per cent of world football, could face bankruptcy if leagues are abandoned for more than three months.
8.13am: SCARY – Iceland lab testing suggests 50 per cent of coronavirus cases have no symptoms.
8.30am: CHANNEL SHUFFLE – So it wasn’t an April Fools’ joke. Astro did rearrange its channels. Pssst, Food Network (HD) is now Channel 708. By the way, you can watch all Astro news and movies channels until April 14.
9.37am: THE BLUES FOR COUNTRY SINGER – Country singer Caylee Hammack and her band have started a lawn mowing business to earn a living. I feel a country song in the making. Yeehaw.
10.33am: CHEAP EATS – Public service announcement for folks in Cyberjaya. Received this tip from friends Mark Darren Savuriar and Sachina Dominic. I checked Waze, sadly it is outside the 10km travelling radius.
The couple also played Batu Seremban last night – with ‘stones’ made from an old shirt filled with dhal! Never a dull moment with those two.
11.41am: INNOVATIVE – Malaysia’s paracycling national head coach Johari Nayan has designed his own ergo trainer. What have you been up to during MCO?
12.36pm: SHOPPING TIP – Canned goods go a long way during MCO but some are better than others. Here’s a list.
Disclaimer: Not all may be available in Malaysia. Hmm, baked beans for the win.
1.46pm: HOPEFUL – The World Health Organisation says the number of Covid-19 cases is expected to peak in mid-April and there are signs of a flattening of the infection curve.
2pm: COVIDIOTS OF THE DAY – Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob says 1,145 people were arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday for disobeying MCO, bringing the total to 4,189. You are lucky you don’t live in the Philippines.
‘Shoot them dead’: That is the order Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gave his military to punish those who violated coronavirus lockdown measures https://t.co/PoortoX6Tf pic.twitter.com/hMqAPUFmVi
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 2, 2020
4.54pm: YOU GO, GIRL – Malaysian wrestler Nor ‘Phoenix’ Diana featured in Forbes annual ‘30 Under 30 Asia’ list.
I am proud and honoured to make the #ForbesUnder30 Asia list for 2020.
Thank you so much everyone for your undying support. I will continue to work hard and strive to keep on inspiring.
This is for you, Mama. I hope I make you proud❤️ pic.twitter.com/G7ocgBeA9d— Nor ‘Phoenix’ Diana (@nordianapw) April 2, 2020
She’s certainly a better role model than some female ministers.
5.03pm: GOOD RECOVERY – A record 122 patients were discharged from hospital today. Sadly, five more deaths brings the total to 50 while the 208 new cases means it is 3,116.
6pm: BICYCLE RACE – In honour of Johari’s invention, here’s a song from Queen.
