The Economics of COVID-19 Part 1

COVID-19 has affected our economy adversely. It has become a pandemic which bring dire economic consequences.

In response the government has introduced MCO-movement control order. Really, the duration is indefinite.

The government is asking people to stay at home do social distancing wash their clothes  use hand sanitizers wear masks cook more and make love more too. How else to entertain?

We are  also provided  with some comic relief. We have a higher education  minister asking  us to play  tick- tock on the phone.

We have the women affairs minister asking the wives to do the voice of Doraemon when romancing their husbands. Wow! This lady is unsangka-rable!

And we have the Health Minister asking us to drink more warm water. He has consulted 500 countries whereas there are only  195 countries in the world.  Clever fellow-not only is he a medical  doctor but has two ba's to his  name!

Our economy  has undoubtedly  shrunk. Our GDP is down. Many industries have gone south.

The hospitality industry  is down. Hotel occupancy is down. The aviation  industry is laying off workers. 2 to 3 million people will be retrenched.
Poor Makcik Kiah will not be able to sell her goreng  pisang.

The government  has  introduced  a slew of economic incentives.  I hope this policy will not be an excuse to implement  more collectivist programmes.

The normal and typical response  is to ask the government  to do more.  It is precisely more government  intrusion  that makes matters worse.  Sad to say it's not a call for a mini dictatorship  of the proletariat.