The New Normal in this Covid 19 Pandemic

It’s been more than 5 months and our country is still in community quarantine period because of this Covid 19 pandemic. Our lives have been changed because of this and we’re now adopting to the new normal. I know my post may already be late in enumerating the new normal but this is different, hopefully.  I’d like to share some of my new normal aside from the usual wearing of mask and face shield, sanitizing or bringing of alcohol every time. 

This pandemic have caused many people, including me, to be anxious, crazy thinkers or praning in Tagalog. As what my boss said, treat everyone as Covid positive person. That’s why in everything that you do, safety should come first. Here are some of our safety measures in adopting the new normal on this Covid 19 pandemic.

1. Simplicity is beauty.  

When General Community Quarantine was enforced, I was able to go out already at the same time got back to work in the office on certain schedules. That means, I get to wear my outerwear clothes again.  Because of this pandemic, everything you wear must be removed and placed in the hamper to be washed immediately.  Thus, wearing of jeans is out of the question.  Frequent washing of jeans will make it worn out and look old.  Jeans are the most versatile but I wouldn´t want to wear them yet. So my choice of clothes this time are those light, flowy and a bit loose fabric. Those that can easily be washed and comfortable to wear. No fancy designs or adornments on the clothes.  That simple. I also mostly wear pants and shirts with sleeves to cover more skin, for added protection I guess, every time I will be out for long like in the office.  I thought buying those fashionable PPEs (not the medical type) but I thought I´m not always out so I´ll leave it to those who really needs it. And oh by the way, for the shoes, I only wore Crocs slippers which I leave outside the house.  For the office, I also leave my shoes outside or quarantine first plus spraying alcohol before bringing it in. 

2. Minimalist.

Just like in clothes, other accessories must be minimal.  Of course I still bring a bag with me but I keep it as small as possible.  And I only bring essentials such as wallet, mobile phones, tissue and of course alcohol. My wallet, tissue and alcohol must also be small or pocket size so it can fit my small bag. My bag choices at this time are either leather or nylon. Nylon is perfect as it an easily be sanitize.  With leather, it should be carefully sanitized as it can dry out the leather material.  Best to apply leather cleaner or conditioner after sanitizing to maintain its leather quality and not dry out.

As for the accessories, I no longer wear one, even my wedding ring.  When my husband will no wear his wedding ring, so am I.  If he do, then I will also.  That´s the only accessory I wear.  No more bracelets, earrings, necklace and even watches.

3. Work From Home.

I am glad that I work in a company where digitalization is part of our initiatives.  We´ve started I think way back 2017 and now we´re reaping the fruits of our labor.  The advanced technology our company invested in were very useful at this time of pandemic.  These makes our Work From Home set up more efficient.  The only concern will be one´s internet connection.  Luckily for me, our internet service provider is stable and quite strong.  The only challenge is my mobile network signal which is very weak in my area.  So basically I can do work from home efficiently and without or less hassle.  I even bought office chair and table so I can work comfortably at home.

4. Groceries

When I had the chance to go out already, I accompany my husband to the supermarket to do some groceries.  My first grocery visit was at Landers.  Unlike the ordinary days where we browse through every shelves, this time, we only get what we really needed.  No more tambay and staying too long, for safety reasons.  And when we get home, all groceries were sanitized and left in an area for quarantine for some hours before placing in its proper storage location.  Bottles and canned foods were washed.  In case we did not brought our eco bags, the plastic bags used were not thrown away immediately.  Instead, we sanitize them as well and reuse it as plastic for trash bin.  When all groceries were put in storage, the area where we quarantine it is sanitized afterwards.

5. Deliveries

At this time of pandemic, many sought to online purchases to keep them safe and practice staying at home. We also do that for some of our ¨shopping¨needs and some foods.  When we receive deliveries, just like groceries, we sanitize and quarantine them.  Except for the food.  But for the food, we sanitize the handles and the outer plastic bag first before placing it in the table. Foods were also transferred to our plates/containers before we consume them.  Evertyhing else is thrown away afterwards.

6. Don´t forget your car!

Every after trip outside our home, my husband sanitizes the seats, flooring, handles, steering wheel and everything inside the car.  We even sometimes spray alcohol all over our foot and clothes before riding back to our car.

This pandemic has really made a difference in our lives.  We are slowly adopting to the new normal just to go on with our lives.  I know this is a difficult time for us but I hope and pray that this will soon be over and we can all go back to our real normal lives soon.  Keep safe everyone!