Wiill It Be A Total Lockdown

---

WE will start observing a nationwide 14-day total lockdown tomorrow (June 1st) with high hope that the Covid-19 pandemic can be contained - if not during the 'stay at home' duration - at least it manages in bringing down the number of new infection and fatality rates.
Call it an action too late as the action will be put into force only after the daily cases exceeded 8,000 last week as compared to the first Movement Control Order on March 18 last year when the cases were only hundreds.
The government was put under tremendous pressure by many sections of the community for it to impose a full lockdown amid Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's earlier statement that 'we have no money' and had to depend on the big industries to support the nation.
This has led to workers at some factories enjoyed their daily job amidst some of them were tested positive. The Sabah state election last September was also blamed as the factor for the spread of the virus.
Helloooo! The government had given its greenlight to Sabah PRN. It was not only the denominator for the pandemic had the entry points into the country did not allow foreigners to come in. Want to deny that too?
Umno President and its Secretary-General Zahid Hamidi and Ahmad Maslan respectively had suggested for a full lockdown many times since two months ago. So did Najib Razak, Mohamad Hasan and some others. However, it fell on deaf ears when a few people in the Cabinet 'were earning' from it. (Let's not discuss more about it).
I remember the first lockdown which was successful enough to bring down the number of new infection cases to just one or two, which prompted the government to give a go to Sabah PRN. The city came to a stop, deserted.
However, it gave adverse impacts to some of the community, especially petty traders and the middle-and-lower income brackets. They government had no choice but to aid them through a stimulus package amounting to billions of ringgit.
It was not sufficient. Other sectors, notably the hoteliers, travel agents and tourism, the small and medium industry and others were affected too. Schools were closed, so was the higher learning institutions. But still, there were complaints. Of course the government cannot satisfy everybody as the nation needs revenue too.
However, we are still waiting for Putrajaya to come up with solutions this time. Not much (I think) because some economic sectors are allowed to operate in a stipulated time. Let's be fair to the government or at least understand the situation.
I have some doubts too, especially in permitting some sectors, especially the health-related industry to still run. (No need to mention names) I think those indstries were the main contributor to the new cases, correct me if I'm wrong.
And... no double standard this time, please! Many complaints about the 'upper class' community getting special treatment if they failed to wear a face mask or flouting the standard operation procedures (SOP) issued by the government.
Another thing, the vaccination process must be simplified. Don't let people erecting a long queue. As minister KJ said yesterday the government was considering a drive-thru vaccination in the country which has proven effective in some nations.
No need to tell them more, they are the clever lots! Just pray that the total lockdown (is it total?) will be successful. If not, PM and the rest of his Cabinet members will once again face the people's wrath!

---