Colin Charles Agenda

A delayed despatch, I was up early because I had a call and this was after sleeping pretty late nonetheless. Salmon pâté with veggies for lunch, and wraps for dinner. Did a workout with Aiman Ox — boxing made fun!

Malaysia’s Covid-19 situation: 5,482 total cases (+57), 3,349 recoveries (+54), death toll is at 92 (+3). Health Director General also had plenty of birthday greetings. Funnily he still insists to follow the WHO rules on mask wearing; he should break away from this! There were also 6 conditions to end the MCO, and for me, it does not seem like they have planned anything well (or not communicated it well, considering the end of the MCO is supposed to be near).

Singapore extended the Circuit Breaker (CB) till June 1. They are also locking down harder – no cafes, no bubble tea places, no barbers, etc. But exercise outside is still allowed. They are facing a rise thanks to foreign worker dormitories.

Up early, to do some national service — joined the Digital Penang initiative to think of ways to hack our way through modernisation thanks to the coronavirus. Breakfast was frittatas, lunch was indomee with condiments, and dinner was a burger with ice cream for dessert. Been a busy work day (1.20am, and I’m just signing off).

Malaysia’s Covid-19 situation is interesting — they are talking about a “soft-landing” approach to remove the MCO (basically saying social distancing has to continue, duh). But there is also plans for Ramadan early morning deliveries, though there are so few days under the current MCO that fall during Ramadan, which makes me wonder if this is a signal that they will extend it out of plain stupidity? Stats: 5,425 (+36) cases, recoveries 3,295 (+98), no deaths (stable, 89).

We’ve had the Selayang market area end up being under an enhanced MCO, “Northern KL”, where there are lots of Rohingya refugees. Singapore closed McDonalds nationwide; but also found that a bunch of their employees at various stores were positive for Covid-19.

Up pretty late on Saturday (got the sleep and readiness crown on the Oura), had a roti telur with a soft boiled egg… and then I ordered some pizzas on discount! Did an Ishaq & Ping workout (2 screens). Then watched some Curb Your Enthusiasm on HBO.

Sunday I was up earlier… (no crowns) Puttu for breakfast and leftover pizza for lunch and dinner, with a barre burn with Theresa.

Malaysia Covid-19 stats: 5,389 (+84) total, 3,197 discharged, 89 dead (+1). Singapore has been growing in numbers, lots in foreign worker dorms.

Catching up a lot on reading. Spending time on contact tracing research as well. Might have something up soon, especially since I’ve also been using the Charles Proxy.

Late start thanks to sleeping around 4am. Scrambled eggs for breakfast, and a burger for dinner. Did Konea’s workout for 0.5h, but didn’t go the whole way. Lots of work (what’s new?).

Covid-19 in Malaysia: 5,251 (+69), 2,987 discharged, death toll 86 (+2). “active cases stand at 2,198, 51 of which are in intensive care, 26 of them on ventilators.” I’d like to bring up a not so distant stat about ventilator capacity: “Malaysia currently has 926 units of ventilators in intensive care unit (ICU) facilities, 152 non-invasive ventilators and 142 transport ventilators.” (with 800 more coming). And 450 in private healthcare. Also not too distant, “As of today, only 34 per cent of the beds have been taken while the balance, 66 per cent are ready to be used at any time. Total beds available are 3,585 at 34 hospitals.” (he was referring to hospital beds, not ICU beds in particular). More on ICU beds.

So were we ever “flattening the curve”, or did we really over-achieve with the MCO?

Anyway, let’s go back to living life! I’m going to try sleep earlier tonight, its just past midnight. Maybe some TV…

Another later start, as I slept rather late. Scrambled eggs for breakfast, lots of older food finished for lunch, and an omelette for dinner. Did Ping’s workout today (a bonus), so clearly I needed to eat.

I’m reminded of a Vincent Van Gogh quote today: “What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything.”

iPhone SE launched (and it looks great). Might be my second phone. The iPad Magic Keyboard is also for sale, though I’ll wait to get it in-store, as I would like to make the purchase at a local retailer at the Gardens Mall.

I finally know that when it comes to Covid-19 red/green zones, one could achieve going back to a green zone if you have zero cases in the last 14 days. I say good luck to that, maybe. So far most of Peninsular Malaysia is a red zone anyway. Malaysia stats: 5,182 (+110), 2,766 discharged, 1 death (total: 84). Kids are not immune, 315 children below 14 have tested positive.

We’ve seen a garment manufacturer in Penang and Kelantan close operations by June, so thanks MCO (2000+ jobs lost). The education bubble might be ready to burst? Parents are homeschooling, and the longer this continues, you’d have to ask, why bother with fees?

In other news, I got a mere 17 sen reduction in my monthly electricity bill, via the “2% economic stimulus discount” provided for by the government, at my office. 17 sen. I’m still paying RM69.86. What will I do with this newfound cash?

Woke up, for a big breakfast today — pancakes, scrambled eggs and some ham. Worked. Did a Ping workout, which is excellent as always. Then had a nasi lemak dinner with chicken. Wiped that clean and went back to work.

Malaysia’s Covid-19 situation takes us to 5,072 cases, with only 85 new cases (a low number), 169 discharged (total: 2,647), 1 new death (total: 83). Interesting though is that this latest death was at UMMC, and has been there since March 21. We suspect that there are several strains of the coronavirus, with Malaysia likely having three strains.

Singapore has taken to ensuring they slap a SGD$300 fine on people not wearing a mask there, bringing added meaning to the idea that Singapore is a fine city. Malaysia is not that draconian, still preferring social distancing. Singapore however did send every household 4 reusable masks; Malaysia is doing the same (I have not received mine yet), but from what I gather they are surgical masks (this is such a mistake, they should be giving reusable masks).

Malaysia is also unique in keeping patients who test positive for the coronavirus, including asymptomatic ones, in a hospital. This is overly cautious, uses up hospital beds, but goes down to the fact that the Health Ministry refuses to trust Malaysians to do the right thing. Today there was also an old man that died of what they claim to be a heart attack, and not starvation.