What I Observed, Witnessed or Learned During the MCO

As expected, the Movement Control Order (MCO) continued into a third phase (till 28 April 2020).  Now everyone's wondering if there'll be a fourth.  Well, if the number of new cases don't come down drastically, it's very possible that we might have to go through yet another extension.  So, all of us must do our part by staying home so that the spread of the deadly virus can be contained.

With this pandemic, all of us had to quickly adapt to change...in the way we live, the way we work, the way we operate, the way we shop, the way we socialise and the way we communicate....from this day forward.

Wearing masks in public and sanitising our hands frequently would now be the norm.  I was told a manufacturing company made RM6 million a month from selling hand sanitisers alone.

Personally, during the MCO, there were a couple of things I observed, witnessed or learned, so I thought I'd share some of them here with you (+ I had plenty of time on my hands to write a lengthy post).

#1 - Eggs were selling like hot cakes


In the initial days when the MCO was enforced, it was not easy to get our hands on eggs.  Rightly so, coz eggs were one of the most sought-after essential goods as they were affordable and easy to cook.  Anyone can cook an egg.  People were buying them by the trays.  You had to forget about getting the brand of eggs you want, you just get whatever was available.  Luckily, as the MCO progressed, the situation improved and I managed to get the brand of eggs that I'm used to eating.

#2 - Bread was an even hotter item

Apart from eggs, bread was the other hot selling item.  They sold out so fast, you had to be among the early birds to get your hands on them.  Many had to settle for any brand they could get.  If you want Gardenia, that's even more elusive.  If you managed to get one, consider yourself lucky (I had to settle for Massimo & Mighty White at times).  The only way you can get your hands on them is if you happen to spot a Gardenia truck (while out on your grocery run) replenishing stocks to the shelves of a kedai runcit.  I did once...and within 5 minutes, all the bread was gone (I got one of the last loaves).  So you need perfect timing to get your hands on this precious commodity.  I was lucky enough to spot the Gardenia truck a second time, replenishing stocks to a 7-11 (or now 8-8) store this time, and lined up for it.  I was surprised to see the people in front of me leaving with only one loaf each (eh, so thoughtful of them to leave some for others, only to realise that it was the store that limited them to a loaf each coz the lady in front of me wanted to buy more than one). >_<

It's not a case of people hoarding bread (or eggs) since it has a limited shelf life, it was simply a case of increased demand as bread is easy to put together as a meal, especially for families with lots of children, but more importantly it's considered a cheap meal.  Gardenia has since increased their daily production, hopefully that will help ease the overwhelming demand.  It made me appreciate simple things like bread and eggs and not take them for granted...haha! :D  At the time of writing this, buying bread is still challenging (I managed to spot the bread trucks a couple more times since then...call me a 'stalker').

#3 - Open-air wet markets were not allowed to open

I can't understand why some wet markets (those not housed under a roof) were not allowed to open.  Wouldn't it be just the same as grocery shopping in a crowded supermarket?  There was a time I was around the vicinity of the wet market I usually shop at and was ecstatic to find 4 stalls opened illegally (pork, chicken, vegetables and my regular fishmonger).  I quickly bought as much as I had money for (I only had RM150 in my wallet as I wasn't expecting to find some parts of the wet market open).  I quickly got myself a choi yin kai (kampong chicken), some fish, vegetables and 4 boxes of eggs (two for my sister-in-law) and actually regretted I didn't have more money on hand to buy more fish (this ended up to be all the fish I had to eat during this MCO since I don't like to buy fish from supermarkets as their freshness is suspect).  I shared my fish loot with my sisters-in-law.

I decided to return a couple of days later in the hope of finding my fish seller again but was confronted with a scene full of policemen who were there to tangkap these vendors who had violated the guidelines of the MCO.  It was heartbreaking to see the anguish on the faces of these vendors as they were just trying to have a source of income during these times and now they have to face being fined (and/or having their goods confiscated as well).  If wet markets (with a roof) can open, why not open-air wet markets?  I'm sure they can assign someone to manage crowd control.  If more wet markets are open, it'll help relieve the massive crowds at supermarkets.

#4 - Open-air food stalls were not allowed to operate


In the initial days (within the first week) of the MCO, there was very little enforcement, so food stalls continued to open.  I managed to tapau nasi lemak from two stalls near my neighbourhood.  I did ask one of them, "Aren't you afraid you'll be caught?"  Her answer was, "What to do, we still need to make a living."  After the first week, they were no longer open.  I guess they must have been cautioned by the enforcement authorities.

Just like open-air wet markets, I don't see the reason why they can't open.  If we can queue to buy food from a coffee shop or restaurant, I'm sure we can also practise social distancing and queue at a food stall.  By the third week, I was having nasi lemak withdrawal symptoms....hahaha! :D  I miss my morning nasi lemak!  Luckily, by the end of the third week, I found one...and was able to get my fix.  This operator sells their nasi lemak from a food truck (in the mornings) while they also occupy a shop selling Malay mixed rice in the afternoon.  They decided to sell nasi lemak in the mornings...yay! ^.^

#5 - Buying food was a relatively quick and safe process

I'd buy at least one meal a day (usually lunch) so as not to slave over the stove too much and also to give support to some of the food stalls and restaurants.  I don't have to go far for fast food as I've many like McD (drive-through), Burger King, Texas Chicken, KFC and Domino's at my disposal.  I've been having quite a bit of fast food lately coz they've some great promos going on...there's one by Burger King where you can get 4 burgers + 2 fries (that can easily feed a small family) for only RM20 or even a set meal with drinks & fries from as little as RM7.90!


In fact, I was surprised at just how fast and easy buying food was (there's usually no queue, I seldom bump into more than 5 persons at any one time at a particular eatery, sometimes I'm the only one even)...and I'm done in less than 5 minutes...even faster than queuing for groceries. :P  And no worries, the process of buying food is safer than you think as food outlets have put in place social distancing rules.

#6 - Many resorted to food delivery services


There are two schools of thought on this.  On one side are those who don't have their own means of transportation or are too lazy to go out to tapau will rely on food delivery.  On the other side are those who fear hygiene/virus-free rider issues or are not willing to pay higher than in-store prices (around 30% surcharge) for the food will not choose food delivery.  I probably belong to the latter...but do succumb to the temptation of convenience occasionally. ^_*


Like ordering this black pepper chicken chop with spaghetti from a shopping mall (with a drink of homemade icy lemonade) that cost me RM23 (not including RM5 delivery fee and was surprised to find it delivered by a GrabFood driver, and no, it didn't come in an Audi...kekeke!)...and man oh man, it tasted so good coz I'm tired of my own cooking.  But paying around RM30 for a meal for one isn't something one can do on a daily or regular basis (especially if you have more mouths to feed), more so during these trying times.

#7 - More men were seen doing grocery shopping

Long queues at supermarkets were normal.  But what wasn't was seeing men in the queues.  I guess this can't be helped where you have wives/partners who don't drive.  So as not to violate the 'one person rule' when out buying groceries, their other half has to do it.  Some of the men were obviously out of their depth and I witnessed them calling their spouses frantically on the phone when they were unsure or couldn't find the items they were sent out to buy (sounds familiar?).

I, for one, am always glad to see a man in queue...that means he'd be done with his shopping in no time (as he'd usually be tasked with a very short list of items to buy by their spouses) thereby giving those of us in queue a shorter wait time for our turn.  I still do the bulk of the grocery shopping and my spouse is only sent out to get a few items that I missed.

#8 - More people are cooking up a storm in the kitchen


At the end of the day, cooking is still the cheapest and safest route to feed our families.  I've never cooked so much before in my life....7 days a week!  But with the start of Phase 2 of the MCO, I decided to give myself a day off on Sundays...kekeke! ;)  If you can't cook to save your lives, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how adaptable you can be when faced with adversity.  I always believe that everyone can cook...if Yan I can cook, so can you!  And if you truly can't cook (or needs a break sometimes), buy some and cook some...a happy middle ground (the food above was from a chap fan stall)! ^_~

#9 - Food businesses that are open are doing a lot less business


I'm lucky in the sense that many of my favourite food shops around my area are open, so I've got enough choices.  I've no problem getting my fix of prawn mee, kai see hor fun, pork ball noodles, curry laksa, roasted meat rice, nasi lemak, beef ball noodles, pork noodles, wantan mee, dim sum, mamak food and char kway teow among others.


A little chat with some of the food stalls and shops I patronise, I was told business was slower but they're grateful that they still have some form of income compared to those who aren't even allowed to open.  That's probably why I don't encounter a crowd when it comes to packing food coz cooking at home is still the cheapest option...but the food operators do need our help, so lend them support whenever you can (the food above came from a Malay mixed rice shop).

#10 - People are already bracing for the tough times ahead

My regular wantan mee stall told me that she noticed that she's selling a lot more noodles and, by that, I don't mean more business, I mean more noodles literally.  People are ordering more noodles aka kar fun instead of kar liew (add more noodles instead of more ingredients).  People want to fill themselves up sufficiently but, at the same time, are beginning to be more mindful with their spending.

One morning when I was buying nasi lemak at a shop, a guy approached and asked the nasi lemak seller how much for a packet of nasi lemak biasa and one with lauk.  Enquiring the price first isn't usual practice previously, at least I've not witnessed that before at a nasi lemak stall.  It goes to show that people are now more concerned with what they spend on to stretch their ringgit further.

#11 - Businesses have to adapt


Businesses must also brace themselves for change...change the way they do business or even rethink their business model.  In my residents' whatsapp group, I already see people promoting their food like satay, begedil tauhu, curry puffs, takoyaki and what-nots delivered to our doorstep.  I try to give them some support too.

I'm sure you've heard/read/seen things like restaurant operators doing vegetables delivery, GrabCar drivers doing food delivery, getting on the bandwagon of becoming a food delivery rider, home cooks getting into the food business or even durian sellers becoming egg sellers.  Selling the type of products that the market needs now or selling your goods and services online is the way forward.  You try to earn money in any way you can coz, post-MCO, people will not be rushing to dine out (it'll take a while before confidence returns) or go shopping like there's no tomorrow (until the economy improves).

#12 - We have to adapt


First, I had to cook...like I've never done before, frequently and on a daily basis.  I've cooked more in this one month than I've cooked in an entire year.

Secondly, I had to queue...like I've never done before to buy groceries and basic necessities (at least not like an every day practice).


Thirdly, I had to deal with the fact that not all the foodstuff (or brands) I want (or used to) are available.  I even had to buy brands of luncheon meat and fried dace that I've never tried before.  The ikan bilis I got was not of the same quality I was used to...and yes, I finally bought some yellow onions that I said I wouldn't buy as it was difficult to cook without onions for long periods as the MCO kept getting extended.  I got all these from a new wet market (I found at the end of the fourth week of MCO)...one with a roof..yay!) in a nearby neighbourhood...and was so happy that they had a dry goods stall (besides stalls for fresh chicken, fish and vegetables).

Fourth, I even prep my vegetables differently now.  Previously if I see any yellow leaves, I'd just discard the whole stem but now I find myself tearing out the yellow bits and salvaging as much as I can.  I think it was a case of not wanting to waste more than I should to reduce my trips (and queuing) for grocery shopping + the thought that some people don't even have food weighed heavily on my mind too.

And fifth, it goes without saying that I (or we) have to be more cautious with our spending from now on as we don't know what the future holds...but we know we need to be financially stable.

Finally, our biggest challenge of how we adapt will probably come post MCO.

#13 - Many religious celebrations and cultural practices had to be abandoned

The Chinese, Christian, Indian and Muslim communities all had to forego a major celebration or religious festival of some kind like Qing Ming, Holy Week, Easter, Tamil New Year and the forthcoming holy month of Ramadan (or at least go about it differently) due to the enforced MCO.  No ethnic groups were spared.  I will miss the Ramadan bazaar for sure but wouldn't go near it with a ten-foot pole this year even if it was not banned.  Ramadan bazaar operators must find innovative ways this year to sell their products to still be able to earn some income.

  #14 - Reading heartbreaking stories

In between all that's happening, we read about heartbreaking stories of people who lost their source of income as a result of this pandemic, having no food or finding it hard to put food on the table.  Most vulnerable are the daily wage earners, part time employees and self-employed workers...no business, no jobs, no income! :'(

On one end, I read about the story of a family who can only afford to eat rice with soya sauce and if they have some eggs, that'll be considered a bonus.  And on the other, I read about someone buying 24 cans of luncheon meat and 24 cans of potato chips (he says he's not hoarding since these are not essential goods).  Well, canned food like luncheon meat is essential...at least to me.  He may be a contributing factor why I can't find luncheon meat on store shelves! >:(

What about stories of tonnes of fresh vegetables left to rot while there are those who can't even afford to buy food.  Worst still, there are heartless thieves who steal the supplies meant for the poor.

#15 - Words like no pay leave, pay cuts, lay-offs & retrenchment are everyday vocabulary now

Incidents like no pay leave, pay cuts, lay-offs and retrenchment will be commonplace as businesses struggle to stay afloat.  Post-MCO, business and job opportunities will still be challenging and it will take businesses a while before they recover (for some industries, it'll be even longer).  Everyone has to find a way to maintain some form of financial stability.

#16 - Wearing masks will now be commonplace


Long after the MCO is lifted, I think wearing masks in public will now be a thing of the norm.  There'll be no awkward glances from people (like previously) when you wear one.  The ones I've seen not wearing masks are usually the older generation, mostly men.  But there are some who are taking it to the extreme by wearing gloves as well...and they're not even frontliners! >_<

#17 - Do what you can for others


If you find yourself and your family privileged enough not to have to worry about putting food on the table, spare a thought for others.  There are people out there with no income and nothing to eat.  Make a donation in cash....or in kind, however small, every little bit counts.  Just choose one you're comfortable with.


On a personal level, I prefer to look out for socially responsible companies who will match ringgit for ringgit what I donate...so that I can stretch my donation further.  There was one by Bonuslink where Shell would match what you donate (you donate by giving away your Bonuslink points) but that campaign has since ended on 7 April.  There's a current one now by Shopee where they'll donate RM1 for every RM1 you donate.


The process is very simple (if you already have an account with Shopee), you just need to click on any of the preset amounts...and it starts from as little as RM5.

#18 - Our lives and lifestyles will forever be changed

Our lives will be forever changed after Covid-19.  It'll impact us on the way we live...and the way we do things from this day forward.  Even long after the MCO is over, strict guidelines will have to be put in place about social distancing, mass gatherings or just about the way we go about doing things to ensure there's no new spike in cases.

Besides our lives, for some of us, our lifestyles will never return to the way it was.  Even if and when confidence returns, we've been 'hit' in our pockets, so excuse us if you don't see us rushing out to dine or to shop...lavishly like we did before.

But like a phoenix rising from the ashes, we will beat this and come out of it stronger.  Life may take some time to get back to normal but we can...and we will get through this crisis.

Stay safe.  Stay healthy.  Stay home.  Stay resilient.

Keep calm and wash your hands...constantly!