The ministry's advice to women was not the only governmental misstep as it confronted the coronavirus. The country's
movement control order on March 18 specified that only the "head of the household" should leave the house to purchase necessities.
While the order did not indicate whether that person was male or female, men took it upon themselves to brave the grocery store.
It didn't work out so well for many.
Facebook posts showed male heads of households having a tough go of it in the aisles, either staring in confusion at lists in their hands or taking instruction over their cellphones from central command back home.
Malaysian Cheanu Chew made fun of both himself and others in his Facebook post headlined
"Attention All Men!" He advised:
Shoppers "like me, don't forget to fully charge your phone before you execute your mission. Also, get enough sleep the night before so you can stay calm over the phone to minimise disruptions during your operation."
The supermarket chain Tesco Malaysia recognized there was a problem and swiftly came to the hapless male shopper's aid with a
how-to guide.
It proclaimed, "Now all husbands can shop." And assured them, "Here at Tesco, we have your back!"
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