The government has recently announced the relaxation of SOPs which involves, among others, the option for fully vaccinated individuals to enjoy dining-in at eateries— something that we weren‘t able to enjoy previously. 

With the Covid-19 daily cases in Malaysia still at a harrowing 20K rate, some think this was a poorly calculated move by the government. Yes, the fully vaccinated individuals now pose a much lower risk of experiencing serious implications should they catch the virus, but they can still be its carrier which in itself poses a different risk altogether. With delta variant running rampant across multiple states, is a few lepak sessions worth risking an even higher infection rate?

Fortunately, Malaysians, as we have witnessed lately, are capable of making their own decisions albeit the apparent temptation. Many shops and restaurant owners are defying the dine-in relaxation orders and still opting for takeaways and pickups for the sake of everyone's safety— at least not until their workers are all vaccinated despite the government saying otherwise. 

Albeit the crucifying chaos that the country is currently in, it does feel slightly comforting knowing we can still find solace in each other's compassion. Be that as it may, one can no longer ignore that this poor country still needs saving. Desperately. 

May the odds be in our favor.