APRIL - JUNE 2020
Strange Times Today, An Uncertain Tomorrow We are living in strange times. When have we ever been told that staying at home, becoming a couch potato watching Netflix and Astro is considered a healthier pursuit than going out to the park, jogging or cycling? Where EPL football games are either played in empty stadiums devoid of any spectators or completely cancelled altogether.
mid 80’s, the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997 which preceded the Nipah virus outbreak in 1998, the SARS outbreak in 2002/3 and the Global Financial Crisis in 2008/9 all pale in comparison with what we are currently going through. The worst thing is that this affects the whole world, including the two largest economies, USA and China as well as Europe, South America and Africa.
These are nevertheless trying times. Being a veteran with 40 years of involvement in the property industry, I have gone through quite a few property cycles but this is the most depressing period that I have ever experienced. The recession in the
The Covid-19 pandemic which started in Wuhan, China (I would not use the word “originated� as there are some quarters who believe that the virus was brought into Wuhan from the USA) has paralysed the entire world economy besides wrecking national health
By Tang Chee Meng
systems of even developed countries and causing much disruption, misery as well as deaths. It is still unsure when the pandemic can be brought under control although there are positive signs that China, due to the disciplined approach adopted, appears to have turned the corner in its war against the Covid-19 virus. The situation in the USA has gotten worse as it has now become the country with the most Covid-19 cases whilst Italy remains the country with the highest number of deaths. India is grappling with the effects of a poorly executed lockdown which has resulted in the poor and homeless being