The past six months for 2020 have been long, hard, draining, fearsome, and uncertain—something we all were never prepared for. 2020 came with a surprise in the form of a pandemic for the whole world. Without any prior introduction we were forced to concede to one of the darkest times of our history. It has been six months ago since we were locked down in our homes. Six long months of dark and uncertainty for people and businesses. Six months since we were gradually introduced to a whole new kind of normal.
Now, with Cebu in Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) and the numbers for new and active cases decreasing, there is still something to celebrate despite the unfortunateness of our current situation. Businesses are also slowly reopening to regain their losses; students are going back to school, virtually; malls and other establishments follow the health protocols thoroughly before they allow people to enter. It is clear that the “new normal” is slowly being imposed. We can feel it and we can most definitely see it.
But what does the “new normal” mean?
Does it mean having to wear face shields and masks every single day when out in public? Does it mean having to socialize with people virtually? Does it mean being extra cautious about washing or sanitizing our hands or our well-being in general? Yes, yes, and yes. Our world is shifting towards an unprecedented path where social media has seemingly played an integral role in making sure the people and the economy still thrive. Where technology is vital and is necessary to progress in a time where we are crippled by a pandemic. More than so, we are now living in a world where health protocols are not only mundane but should be taken seriously and choosing to do otherwise is considered selfish and at most extent, inhumane.
When lockdowns were imposed across the world, businesses were placed on pause. Most had to temporarily halt their operations to contribute to the greater good—to flatten the curve. During this time, we saw a shift on how businesses did their operations considering that business owners were left with no choice. They had to implement an alternative that would continue their operations, even remotely. Though not relatively new, we saw the surge of employees asked to work from home. Something that still provided progress without having to compromise the safety and health of employees. During this crisis, we saw how business owners tapped into their ingenuity. Thanks to social media, which provided a platform for them to still continue their operations, we saw how they made sure they are still able to cater to their customers even while in lockdown. It helped made things safer for businesses to operate and more convenient for their customers to access.
Students are also back in school. Although in the comforts of their home, every student across the world are asked to attend classes virtually. Albeit a struggle, most are adapting to this somewhat unconventional way of learning. Students are locked to their screens for hours trying so hard to absorb every lesson presented by their teachers, who are equally trying their best to teach given the current situation.
Furthermore, after being locked for months in our homes, malls and establishments reopening was a news that exalted most. With this are strict implementations of health protocols to ensure everyone’s safety inside the establishment. Mandatory temperature checks and hand sanitizing at every entry points of every establishment. In Cebu, some require face shields and quarantine passes and if you failed to present both, security personnel discourage you from entering.
This is now the reality we are living in and change could not be more palpable in times like this. Adapting to the whole situation is necessary given how much it has caused to everyone, even businesses. There is a need to adjust, to rethink, and to remodel our lives to fit into this seemingly new normal. And if you choose not to, it will be a much bigger loss, especially for businesses. It’s safe to conclude that the new normal means living with caution.
Now, with Cebu in Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) and the numbers for new and active cases decreasing, there is still something to celebrate despite the unfortunateness of our current situation. Businesses are also slowly reopening to regain their losses; students are going back to school, virtually; malls and other establishments follow the health protocols thoroughly before they allow people to enter. It is clear that the “new normal” is slowly being imposed. We can feel it and we can most definitely see it.
But what does the “new normal” mean?
Does it mean having to wear face shields and masks every single day when out in public? Does it mean having to socialize with people virtually? Does it mean being extra cautious about washing or sanitizing our hands or our well-being in general? Yes, yes, and yes. Our world is shifting towards an unprecedented path where social media has seemingly played an integral role in making sure the people and the economy still thrive. Where technology is vital and is necessary to progress in a time where we are crippled by a pandemic. More than so, we are now living in a world where health protocols are not only mundane but should be taken seriously and choosing to do otherwise is considered selfish and at most extent, inhumane.
When lockdowns were imposed across the world, businesses were placed on pause. Most had to temporarily halt their operations to contribute to the greater good—to flatten the curve. During this time, we saw a shift on how businesses did their operations considering that business owners were left with no choice. They had to implement an alternative that would continue their operations, even remotely. Though not relatively new, we saw the surge of employees asked to work from home. Something that still provided progress without having to compromise the safety and health of employees. During this crisis, we saw how business owners tapped into their ingenuity. Thanks to social media, which provided a platform for them to still continue their operations, we saw how they made sure they are still able to cater to their customers even while in lockdown. It helped made things safer for businesses to operate and more convenient for their customers to access.
Students are also back in school. Although in the comforts of their home, every student across the world are asked to attend classes virtually. Albeit a struggle, most are adapting to this somewhat unconventional way of learning. Students are locked to their screens for hours trying so hard to absorb every lesson presented by their teachers, who are equally trying their best to teach given the current situation.
Furthermore, after being locked for months in our homes, malls and establishments reopening was a news that exalted most. With this are strict implementations of health protocols to ensure everyone’s safety inside the establishment. Mandatory temperature checks and hand sanitizing at every entry points of every establishment. In Cebu, some require face shields and quarantine passes and if you failed to present both, security personnel discourage you from entering.
This is now the reality we are living in and change could not be more palpable in times like this. Adapting to the whole situation is necessary given how much it has caused to everyone, even businesses. There is a need to adjust, to rethink, and to remodel our lives to fit into this seemingly new normal. And if you choose not to, it will be a much bigger loss, especially for businesses. It’s safe to conclude that the new normal means living with caution.
