It’s often hard to recognise historic moments when you’re living through them, but that’s exactly what’s happening now. Not only is the Covid-19 pandemic the most widespread, impactful global outbreak since the 1918-1919 Spanish Flu, but in a sense, it’s an event that’s binding human beings together in a way few, if any, events have done in any of our lifetimes. Whether you’re in New York, Singapore, Mumbai, London, or here in Kuala Lumpur, you are very likely stuck at home under some level of lockdown. With the coronavirus impacting some 210 countries right now, this is a worldwide shared experience like nothing the world has seen in a very long time.

Here in Malaysia, we’re over three weeks into our movement control exercise, with a bit over two more weeks left to go as of this writing. Spending over three solid weeks at home has probably inspired a range of things for many people… some good, some decidedly less so. But if you’re handy with words and want to share your lockdown experience, we’d love to hear from you!

After all, it’s been said that William Shakespeare wrote King Lear when he was in lockdown himself during the plague’s run through England in the early 17th century. So get those creative juices flowing!

Isolation Inspiration

Maybe you’ve taken an online course. Maybe you’ve reconnected with your family. Maybe you’ve learned some new cooking and baking skills and found a renewed joy in homemade meals. Some people are still able to work from home during this time, so maybe you’ve found new ways to improve your self-discipline and focus. Others have taken up a bit of gardening. Long-neglected cleaning and reorganisation projects have suddenly become easily tackled. So how are you spending your “movement controlled” days?

Just drop us a line and send us your “Tales from the Lockdown.” We can’t promise we’ll publish them all, and we of course must reserve the right to edit submissions for content and clarity, but the best we receive will be published here and in our print magazine, The Expat.

The coronavirus pandemic is a generation-defining event, even if it doesn’t seem quite that way in the midst of it. The aftermath from this pandemic will change the world in ways big and small. We’d love to compile a small collection of personal experiences, so that what we are collectively enduring now in 2020 is neither lost nor forgotten.

Here are the basic terms:

• Submissions must be in English
• Please limit the essay to roughly 350-450 words
• We’re happy to accept submissions from all age groups – if you’re a kid, please tell us your age
• Please include your name, where you live, and where you are from (the city/town if you’re Malaysian; the city/country if you’re not)
• Your email address will not be shared or published; only your first name and location
• Published submissions become the property of TEG Media, parent company of ExpatGo
• Payment is not offered for published submissions

Where to Send It

Send your personal story to [email protected] (Add “Tales from the Lockdown” or something similar in the subject line to ensure it stands out.)

Our thanks in advance for sharing your stories, and a reminder to adhere to the MCO, practice social distancing, and wash those hands!