Article No.

2 Facing Today's New Normal

by: ELEONOR P. ALCANTARA
Master Teacher I, STES Peñaranda District

Adjusting to a new way of living compared to what we have originally can be very
challenging. For the past few months, we've been dealing on unparalleled stretch in our everyday
lives because of the pandemic. Who would've thought that going to work and to the grocery store
would be like an adventure and before we know it, we dive into what looks like our new
standard.
New Way of Living
As the pandemic had driven us to adapt on the preventive measures that will keep us from
being infected, it has been also a necessity to regulate parameters and safety measures on strict
daily basis. When going outside, it is mandatory to wear face masks. With the fear and anxiety in
place, public transportation was also put on hold which is now gradually getting back on
operation.
Holidays and birthdays had also passed being celebrated in our homes due to travel
restrictions. But for all its worth, it is for the public's safety in order to reduce the rampant
infection rate.
Over the past 3 months, New Normal, is what they call to the way of living we now have
during this pandemic. As companies, business and establishments tend to reopen as well as the
public having a glimpse of their previous lifestyle, it can't be helped to oversee what new events
and changes may begin to occur.
It must be kept in consideration that this new normal is not pertaining to to life after
covid-19, for there is still now definite assumption to when that day will come.
Unorthodox Learning and Working
Education as we know it will be coming with a new face. From basic school face-to-face
discussion to a rigid online and modular learning process.
Following the series of community quarantine implementations resulting to the closure of
school operations nationwide, the Department of Education (DEPED) opted to open schools on
August 24, 2020. This has been the latest preparation move by the sector to overcome hardships
and stagnancies of education in the country.
Work system has also shifted due to social distancing and travel restrictions. Majority of
the work force have jumped to working from home with their offices being closed and also
because of the public transportations put on hold. As workers gradually return to office, the
employers must keep their employees out of harms way; seeing an obvious change and series of
safety measures for everyone's health.
As we recover from the dire effects of this pandemic, statistics don't lie that the virus has
infected more than 40,000 people and has taken more than a thousand lives in the Philippines.
Yet, there is wary confidence that we will redeem the old version of our lives.
Until we get a vaccine effective to eradicate covid-19, the virus will always be threath to
our lives and will be a part of our daily consciousness. The new normal should be an intricate
world of proper hygiene, conscious interaction, distancing and wearing of face masks. The
sooner we realize this, that's the only way we will be better as a people and as a nation.

References:
 https://www.gundersenhealth.org/covid19/getting-back-to-life-with-a-new-normal/
 https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/philippines/
 http://www.covid19.gov.ph
 https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.dw.com/en/life-after-coronavirus-we-can-shape-a-
totally-different-world/a-53496208