Kuala Lumpur: my current hometown, favourite city, epicentre of my social life. At least that was how it was for the first three weeks after returning from Ireland in early January. Then life changed on 25 January with the announcement that the Coronavirus had made it to our shores. 

Initially, it didn't impact us that much. With only three confirmed cases, they were found, treated, virus contained, job done. But, unfortunately, despite the horrifying stories emerging from China, we weren't prepared for it to spread as virulently as it did. 

As of 24 March, there were currently 1,624 cases in my adopted home. The climb has been relatively slow and seemed to be under control, with figures remaining below 100 until 8 March. Since then, it has been on a steady, upward curve, prompting the government to announce a Movement Control Order (MCO) the day before St Patrick's Day. The dress I bought for the virus-postponed St Patrick's Day Ball now hangs unworn in my closet. Not great for us Irish ex-pats, but hey, what can you do?

The increase in cases that prompted the MCO seems primarily as a result of a large religious gathering, a Tabligh Akbar earlier in the month. Now, the streets are pretty empty, the luminescence of the large restaurant area in Kampung Baru that usually provides a light show for me on my balcony has been extinguished, and I have not seen any of my friends, or indeed left my building for 10 days. Social distancing is the new buzzword. Only essential services are open—like the local bakery, which delivers my delicious hot-from-the-oven sourdough, and more importantly, the online pharmacy that provides my much-needed inhaler. 

The only entertainment my view now offers is a newly invented game of ‘spot the police car’ as they do laps of the area after dark, ensuring compliance with the MCO. My tiny glimpse of the Petronas Towers brings me a smidge of comfort in the dark evenings. 

My boyfriend is banished from the apartment as he is still in contact with various members of his family (he is Malay). I am in the high-risk category due to my asthma so must isolate on my own. He does bring groceries from time to time—on his last visit, he remained masked up and stayed about 10 feet away for the 20 minutes he spent here. 

This confinement to barracks plus the stress of worrying about my family and friends in Ireland, the UK and elsewhere, leads to some tough, challenging moments. I never thought I would utter the words "thank goodness for work" but being lucky enough to work remotely means I have some distraction from endless Netflix marathons in my solitude. But the Netflix marathons still do happen. 

The days are long, the nights longer, but I at least feel safe, cocooned in my condo. The virus has to grow legs 18 storeys tall and learn to pick locks to get at me, such is my self-isolation. I am safe. I hope you are too. 

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