Covid-19 Lockdown in Malaysia; a miniature painter's thoughts and perspective

Unless you have been living under a rock, you should be aware by now we are facing a global pandemic. And while I despair at sheer stupidity and ignorance of some fellow citizens during these trying times, I honestly cannot blame them for their reaction. Science as a body of knowledge seems to have become less of a priority in the education system and results are all too predictable.

Light traffic during rush hour near the Petronas Twin Towers (Source: Straits Times)

A spike in Covid-19 cases here came about as 16,000 people - some unaware they were already infected with the virus - attended a religious event in Kuala Lunpur, and then subsequently dispersed all over the country and South East Asia. To date not all have been accounted for. Following this, a perfect storm then arose when a well intentioned interstate-movement-restriction-order resulted in massive amounts of citizens congregating in police stations all over the city to obtain exemption permits before dispersing back to their hometowns all over the nation. To make matters worse, many seem to be ignoring the lockdown due to confusion, ignorance or plain stubbornness. 

Highways in Kuala Lumpur are bizarrely empty (Source: Malaysian Reserve)

And then you have the Health Minister coming on air saying drinking warm water prevents Covid-19 infection. Seriously? Sigh. Personally, I believe practicing good hygiene and maintaining social distance, among others, is our best bet to flatten the curve of infection rates. Science matters! 

Empty roads in downtown Kuala Lumpur (Source: Straits Times)

Being a biochemist by training I was already highly attuned to the horrors of this pandemic at its early stages. But even then the seriousness of it all didn't really hit home until I had to get in line to get my temperature tested and hands sanitized before I could enter a local grocery store for supplies. Thankfully queues were orderly and not overly long; shoppers largely calm and courteous i.e. no toilet roll fights that have become viral (no pun intended) memes; food stocks adequate; traffic light due to it being largely restricted to essential movement like medical emergencies, supply runs, etc.

More empty highways in Kuala Lumpur during what would've been peak hours (Source: The Star)

With many citizens seriously affected financially by this pandemic, it might seem scant consolation to note that pollution levels have decreased. Irony dictates that the problem of Global Warming should be solved by a Global Pandemic which may lead to a Global Economic Downturn.  

Yet more empty streets of down town Kuala Lumpur (Source: EdgeProp.my)

On a less dire note, this lockdown means I no longer have any credible excuse to further delay work on my huge pile of miniature and scale model kit backlog. In fact just prior to the lockdown I went ahead and added to this pile - I know I shouldn't have - two new F1 kits to work on during this self-isolation period. However, that's a story for another day. Lastly in a period where it's essential for Science to triumph Fake News, I leave you with a quote from astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson ... Knowing how to think empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think.