MCO Cooking

I have only been WFH for a week and already it has benefited me. I still put in the roughly 8 hrs, making sure that I am at my laptop by 8am and only closing off at 5pm. Of course, in between those times, I do take  a break, as expected when WFH. Nevertheless, I still managed to finish my reports and presentations; participate in concalls etc.

But what has benefited me is that I am now actually cooking. Yup! I have cooked TWO main dishes in the past week. My first dish was Kerala Prawn Curry, which my dad said was VERY NICE! And he especially loved the gravy.

The next dish I made was Chicken and Tomato Spiced Curry; and once again, dad was a happy man. He finished the leftovers the next day, proclaiming that it was very nice and that I should cook it again next time.

This is quite an achievement for a person who rarely cooks; and even when I do cook, I limit it to prawns because that the only thing I know how to clean! Yes yes, mum cleaned the chicken for me this time. I do know how to clean squid though.

Anyhow, all this cooking has got me excited, that I already have the next menu planned: Sweet and Sour Prawns, with French Beans and Eggs. That would be TWO Mains i.e. a complete meal.

I get all my recipes online and just tweak it a bit to the amount that I am cooking and also for taste.

So far, my family has not complained, so I guess I pass! 

Hehe...

The MRO has been extended!

Less than a week o me WFH due to the MRO (now called MCO), the PM announced that the MCO has been extended for another two weeks!! So, instead of being "freed" o 1st April 2020, we now have to wait till 14th April 2020. And that too is not guaranteed, as stories are going round that the MCO may yet again be extended to 28th April 2020.

This MCO thing has both its pros and cons. While it is one way to break the chain of the virus spreading, the downside is that business and wage workers are on the losing end. I work in the Utility industry where chances of the industry shutting down is pretty minimal; however, it is not the same for my sister who works in the hotel industry which is linked to the tourism industry. And we all know how the tourism industry is faring now. :-(

The MCO is a serious thing. It is meant to break the chain of the virus spread by limiting the movement and movement of people. The less people moving around, the less the virus spread. It's a simple formula. It's basically common sense; and yet, it is at this very point of time, we find that indeed...there are people with no common sense let alone fear! I am not only talking about those young punks but also grown adults with families; old people etc.

Despite numerous warnings, pleads and also road blocks, there are reports every day that the MCO is still being flouted. While I understand that groceries needs to be bought, but come one.....does a person/family need stuff every single day? The excuses you read about simply causes eye rolls.

Doctors, Nurses, basically the front-liners have all reminded and are now pleading for people to stay home. The dangers and consequence of contracting the virus is everywhere and yet, people seem to turn a blind eye. Why I wonder?

I have heard many people complain that they often wished they had time to spend with their families; to work on their hobbies; watch their children grow. And now, when time has been given to them, we find that there are still complaints. From all that I have read/seen, it looks like people just wants things easy. No need to work, still get paid, spend time with the family, go on holidays, hang out with friends.....all these without realising that the one thing that will enable them all this (and it is what the MCO is for) is GOOD HEALTH! Not money, not time. HEALTH.

For what it's worth, I really really pray that people come to their senses fast before it's too late. Not only for themselves and their families, but for the entire country and world.

Of MROs and Selfish People

It's 23 March 2020 and for the first time in my working life, I am working from home. For the next 11 days. Not because I am sick. Not because something is wrong at my company.

Me and almost the whole country are under a Movement Restriction Order (MRO) due to COVID-19 which is spreading like wildfire. It started in China back in December if I am not mistaken; and today, the whole world has been infected. Every day, thousands of people are being tested positive, and hundreds are just dying. To date, Malaysia has more than a thousand positive cases with almost 10 deaths recorded. And I expect the numbers to increase for I believe we have yet to reach its peak.

This virus is so fast spreading and dangerous that a simple handshake or hug with a COVID-19 positive case could mean you contracting the virus. And yet, despite this seriousness, we have "smart" people still going out while there is the MRO in place. Markets are still full, coffee shops are still being patronised, supermarkets are also still packed with people. While I understand that supplies do run out, but please....don't tell me that a person only buys supplies that lasts a day. Especially with the MRO. To me, these people are purely stubborn and selfish.

Just yesterday, I read an article where a lady went out to get shampoo (!!) and was promptly told off by the police. Another guy actually wanted to go have a meal and meet friends. Like seriously?! Some Malaysians don't seem to understand why there is an MRO and what the MRO stands for. Selfishness to the highest degree.

My family, close friends and I are scared to the bones; worrying constantly about washing our hands; wearing a mask (that too if we actually have one)...etc. And yet, these people still go out, some with kids (!!). I wonder where their brains are. Or do they think this is an issue of "It wont get me".

So many countries are under lockdown; perhaps Malaysia should be too. But then again, the very people who are still going out during the MRO will be the ones who complain about their "freedom" being restricted. What assholes! While the doctors, nurses, cleaners and Security personnel are risking their lives, these selfish idiots continue to expose themselves without an ounce of guilty conscience. Some people are even on the brink of losing their jobs; or having to take huge salary cuts.

While I can rant and rant about how selfish and stubborn some Malaysians are, I'd rather spend my time praying that a cure would be found; and that things will start to improve.

Let us all pray together for the world to heal and for some people to grow brains.