Social distancing fits me to a T. I have been practising social distancing all my life. I welcome it. In fact, one of my pet peeves is people invading my personal space. I cannot and still cannot understand why people sidle up so close. Literally and obliviously in my face. It’s not that I am anti-social, maybe a little. It’s just that it’s nice to have some breathing space and not be breathed upon.

At ATMs. At check-outs, everywhere. In the LRT (understandable at rush hour, but still…). Standing on an escalator. Strolling in a park. Walking on a street. Public lifts are the most insane. I only use them when I am with my mum as she is over 85 and unable to walk far or fast. As an aside or rather as a matter of bewilderment, I don’t get why able-bodied people use lifts. Particularly in shopping malls, which are 4 or 5 levels, and rush in with older people, who visibly need the lifts more. Packed like sardines. Elbow to elbow, shoulder to shoulder. Why?

To contain the impact of Covid-19, the Malaysian government has put in place a Movement Control Order (MCO). As the name suggests, the order calls for restricted movement of people. And, social distancing. No mass gatherings. Total ban on overseas travel. Malaysians returning from overseas must undergo health screening and self-isolation for 14 days. Closure of non-essential government and private businesses. Also closed are institutions of learning from kindergartens to universities. Tourists and foreigners are banned from entering Malaysia.

While stringent, it’s still not a total lockdown or complete curfew. The order asks people to stay at home. Go out, only when necessary. To buy groceries, medicines and takeaway food. And when out, practise social distancing. The last part seems lost on many people. Social distancing. What’s that? I found the masked ones are the biggest culprits. Lulled into a sense of invincibility or thinking themselves superheroes (Lone Ranger,  Zorro, Batman and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles all wore some form of masks), these lot don’t stand two metres, much less one metre apart, in supermarkets when grocery shopping. Some saunter. Some loiter for far too long. Some are too touchy feely when selecting produce. Some traverse aisle after aisle as if on a mission. They appear unaware and don’t consciously practise social distancing. They stand clear only at the checkout counters. Where lines on the floor ‘instruct’ them to stay apart from other masked and non-masked shoppers.

The same happens when I encounter them on the streets, and when they alight and exit lifts at my condo. The masked ones appear less observant of other people, and don’t make much effort to avoid or at least distance themselves. They walk and whoosh in and out, apparently safe behind the ‘armour’ they wear.

I am actually a little wary of people wearing masks. I am not sure if they are unwell or is it a preventive measure? If they are unwell, they shouldn’t be out. If it’s a preventive measure then the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) advisory on masks states: ‘A mask should be worn if the wearer is healthy but caring for someone suspected with Covid-19. Also if the wearer is coughing or sneezing. A mask is only effective when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water[1]. My jury is out on masks. Especially, if I am depriving frontline healthcare staff, who are caring for the sick and hospitalised, and police and army personnel, who are helping implement the MCO. Currently, I am choosing social distancing from people. And, adhering to the 20-second hand washing rule with soap and water.

That said, I found myself getting a little complacent when I discovered kitchen towels could be used, instead of my knuckles or elbow, to press the lift buttons to get to different floors in my condo. Not tissues. Not keys. Not pens. The thicker kitchen towel paper offers enough traction to work the lift buttons. Not touching anything while in the lift made me feel safer. And, I decided not to follow my 20-second hand washing rule. I did a couple of quicker hand washes. Then, it dawned on me. The kitchen towel was giving me an additional layer of comfort but I was still handling my mobile, bag, keys and locks. And, who knows who coughed, sneezed and touched the lift buttons before and after me.

My lesson learnt was – kitchen towel plus 20-second hand washing = safer than sorry. In the same token. Mask, if you must. Plus ++ social distancing and hand washing = safer than sorry.