Last May I published an article about how people around the world are coping with new normals due to the pandemic. The way we do things, even the simplest ones have changed dramatically. Now, fast forward still with COVID19, How is your new normal these days?
Previous Article: What’s the #New Normal with COVID 19 Around the World?
COVID 19 Recap
- From 5 million cases and 320,000 deaths since 3rd week of May; as of this writing there are 26 million cases and 864,000 deaths. Therefore statistics show infection surges.
- In most countries, lockdowns slowly relaxed, people can go outside and go as far as allowed and businesses reopened following government’s protocols.
- Borders slowly opening – air, land, and sea travel resume in several countries with restrictions and guidelines in place.
Further Reading: COVID19; When Can We Travel Again?
- COVID19 vaccine is not ready yet. Though pharmaceutical companies are already testing hopefully will be ready end of this year, at least.
- The majority of the economies are struggling to keep afloat and thousands have lost jobs globally.
Issues on Facemasks
World Health Organization and the majority of the health experts advise the use of correct facemask to stop the chain of coronavirus transmissions. Yet debates stir up every now and then in several cities, whether to use a facemask or not.
We just don’t wear facemask.
June 2020 Norway started to slowly open its society, including social activities and businesses but only for a short period of time… week by week the COVID infections are slowly rising.
By July it was steady but people still didn’t wear masks, even in Oslo. However the one-meter distance is being implemented nationwide, and all establishments like grocery, stores, gyms, salons, and restaurants always have sanitizers at entrances.
The problem with Norway or Scandinavia generally, is people never wear masks, especially in the provinces. I don’t know what’s the big deal with the mask since globally most people are using it due to the pandemic. In Oslo, some people are wearing masks already but not the general public. And when you go to smaller cities with 45,000 population nobody wears a mask.
At the start of August this year, Oslo became a red zone, therefore Germany and Denmark closed their maritime borders, or at least controlled them. Wearing of masks was mandated but still only a few wear them.
Above all, Norway still has low cases of COVID, very low and very controlled. It’s just the issue of face mask. Is it that Scandinavians are proud, emanates this mentality that I don’t have to adjust for you… like this is my personal thing…Or is it modern cultural stupidity? It is still an enigma with the face masks… especially the provinces throughout the country. Ben (Sandefjord, Norway)
Learn More: Therapeautic-Grade Essential Oils
Then we stop wearing facemask…
Cyprus managed a gradual relaxation of the lockdown by phases which started the 4th of May. Since then cases fall into single digits and sometimes zero. Guidelines and protocols are put into place thus residents feel safe going out again and then we just stopped wearing masks… Towards the end of July, cluster infections surge in some areas. By 31st of July wearing of masks is mandatory again with a fine of EUR 300 for violators. Currently, cases have gone down again by single digits, and no lockdown. – Vinn (Nicosia, Cyprus)
Further Reading: Cyprus in Corona: Post Lockdown
General Hygiene
The use of sanitizers, and washing our hands thoroughly is a conscious effort embedded to us due to the pandemic.
With my mom having a medical condition and very vulnerable, I make sure that everyone in the house takes the necessary precaution. Each one of us has an alcohol atomizer, face shield, lots of masks/gloves. We only use surgical masks. There is a handwashing station as soon as you get inside the main gate. There are slippers for indoors and outdoors. For guests, we only entertain them in our veranda.
For the groceries, we still disinfect everything, but no longer using bleach just like before. I use regular soap or dishwashing liquid, scrubbing the items at least in twenty seconds. – Daffy (Cebu City, Philippines)
Are you still a germ buster?
Business Opportunity
A New Backyard Cafe in Town
Life in the countryside has slowly creeping, adopting all the minimum health protocols. In our case we already adopt into it, just putting extra care in everything we do. We plan to take our garden to the next level aiming not just sustainability but also a beautiful backyard garden to make way in opening a Backyard Cafe. At the moment we choose to plant veggies and crops that would be the main ingredients to our upcoming menus launching. All is still a work in progress now.
We have accepted that this pandemic will take for a while, hence we are working to be sustainable in our own ways. We choose to keep going and we need to continue and utilize what we have. – Cheryl (Bohol, Philippines)
New Normals At Work
Changes at Work
Aloha! Here is my update at our physical therapy center. We have a COVID questionnaire screening for all patients to fill up every time they enter the facility and at the start of their physical therapy session. Body temperature is checked and we are requiring all the patients to wear any forms of face covering. All Physical therapists and staff on the floor are also wearing masks,face shields, and gloves for protection for hands-on activities. – Angela (Hawaii, USA)
Let’s Go Digital!
It’s the start of another working week here in Qatar. Here are my daily essentials: hand sanitizer, disposable mask, and vitamins to protect me from the virus. Qatar has is now in phase 4 of the gradual lifting of COVID 19 restrictions and that means reopening of malls in full capacity, return of 80% of the workforce in the office, and resuming of 30% capacity of public transportation.
I have to be more careful and extra vigilant with what’s happening around. In my line of work, I meet a lot of clients every day and sometimes even go to their offices or construction sites for measurements and meetings about our products and services, before the pandemic. Now, most of my transactions are online (Thank God for technology!) and my meetings are impersonal via Zoom. Qatar has 2,898 total number of active cases as of this writing and I pray every day that the numbers keep on declining. – Christian (Doha, Qatar)
Continuing Safety Precautions
In our dining facility, we still continue to implement the precautions since May. At the start, all employees line up for temperature checks. For dining customers security directs them to the washing and sanitizing area upon entering the facility; seating capacity is two persons per table, the chefs serves the food from the buffet to avoid any contact and condiments are portion controlled. Orders are pre-packed for takeaways. – Ashley (Brisbane, Australia)
Workforce Lay- Offs
Our company is downsizing due to the pandemic. Thankfully I still have my job and now, I work on weekends handling responsibilities of the retrenched staff. Dubai seems normal except that we are mandated to wear masks. However, at the metro rail station, there is rarely any social distancing at all! – Glyza (Dubai, UAE)
A few months ago, the cruise ship I was working with was docked in the Caribbean until further notice. I was full of uncertainty then; when will operations resume or when can I go home? I just returned to Brazil and like many co-workers, we are waiting impatiently for the return of the cruise lines. Here, wearing a mask is mandatory inside of any kind of business and public transportation, however, the number of deaths continues to rise. The government seems to be ignoring the situation and we have to do our part so it won’t get worse than it is already. Hopefully the “new normal” will become a little bit more familiar in the next few months. – Carolina (Brazil)
Working From Home
Many software companies are providing work from home opportunities. Only a few companies open with precautions against COVID 19. It’s new normal in India, no lockdown. Masks and sanitizers are the new normal. Pubs and malls are now open. Instead of going to crowded places, people are exploring the outskirts of the city and taking extra precautions. I think that everyone has adjusted to the new normals. – Keerthi (Bangalore, India)
All schools in Mexico City and surrounding areas are doing distance learning these days. Cases are still rising. I’m teaching online and I like it a lot. No need to wake up early and to travel to my workplace. – Jerwin (Mexico City, Mexico)
Since May, it is almost the same I still work from home. But for the rest of our frontline staff, they are slowly starting to go back to our office but with very strict compliance. They need to present a document issued by the government health staff from their area, a COVID Free Certificate. Our company has strict policies in allowing staff to enter the premises. One of the reasons is we have lost three colleagues due to COVID.
I order my groceries online because until now, I still did not receive a quarantine pass that allows me to go outside for errands. I give up waiting for the government personnel to send it to me. – Kate (Cebu City, Philippines)
New Normals in Education
Back to School
At school we have new rules:
- The lesson is now shorter. Before an academic period is forty-five minutes with fifteen-minute breaks in between. Now the lessons are shorter, 40 minutes each, and the breaks are longer; 20 minutes each.
- The classes have different entrance time and different lesson start times, so that the kids from different classes do not meet in the corridors during the breaks.
- There are four entrances to the school that are open so that the kids don’t crowd at the entrance. Before COVID only one main entrance is used, the other entrances were for emergency situations.
- At the entrance, each kid is taken temperature, and the kids with minor cold signs (such as cough or running nose) are not admitted.
- We were warned that if the kid has a high temperature and/or feels sick during the lessons, we have 30 minutes to pick her up. After 30 minutes, the school will call for an ambulance and we have to deal with infectious diseases hospital if we fail to pick up our child from school in time.
- Each class has sanitizers, and kids will need to bring their own whiteboard markers and use their own markers further on.
- However it’s clear that it’s not possible to have kids and teachers wear masks all day, and they are afraid that the kids experience a lack of oxygen this way, so masks are not obligatory at schools.
- Parents are not admitted inside the school.
- In school, it looks more or less in order. We didn’t have to collect any certificates from our pediatrician. The school has a medical check-up facility and that’s it.
As far as the cases, it is the same as before Around 4500-5000 new cases daily and on average between 90-150 deaths daily. – Anna (St. Petersburg, Russia)
Learning at Home
My son is doing online classes from the same school. But I have to do a lot of supervision during sessions, guiding him with logging in and assisting with all the activities. At some point, I end up answering the activities for him. When I’m at work, he calls me frequently on what to do. I don’t see much advancement in this setup. I am considering a modular education program or transferring him to a public school in the meantime. – Helen (Cebu, Philippines)
Entertainment in New Normal Mode
This is Robyn! In this pic, I am with Alan Committie, one of SA’s top stand up comics. It was my first live theatre show since our national lockdown in March. Theatres were closed from March 15 so it was great to be there, after months of watching shows being streamed on the digital stage. Absolutely thrilling.
In addition to his stand-up skills, Alan Committie is also an accomplished award-winning theatre actor and director. This pic was taken in a pop-up theatre in a film and sound studio in Cape Town. There was a small audience – masked up, sanitized, temperatures taken at door -and the show was live-streamed as well. Hybrid theatre is going to probably be what we can expect until a vaccine is found for COVID-19 or the virus burns out. The benefit of the digital stage is that shows are accessible for a global audience. Amazing talent in South Africa. See my website TheCapeRobyn: arts, destinations, style
Masks are mandatory. Everywhere. – The Cape Robyn (Cape Town, South Africa)
New Normals When Outside
Corona Tracking App
The cases are steadily dropping in Ontario now we are at stage 3. We can see friends and family but gathering up to ten persons only. Our interaction is within our “social bubble” (the same 10 people that we interact with frequently).
A COVID 19 Tracking app was launched wherein you will get an alert if you happen to be in contact with someone who tested positive. People log in to the app anonymously and their information is confidential but they use some kind of electronic contact tracing via GPS that will determine if you were in the same area with a COVID positive person.
Parks and restaurants are open now but social distancing is a must and it is mandatory to wear a mask when indoors. Most workplaces will continue to work from home until a cure/vaccine is made available. It is still kind of strange but not as isolating as before. This is our new normal here. They will take a stance based on the uptick of cases so hopefully, we will not experience any surges. – Helene (Toronto, Canada)
Celebrating Independence Day
September 2nd is Vietnam’s Independence Day, a perfect day for parents to take their kids to shopping malls, cafés, and game centers. New normal means people have learned how to live with the pandemic, and that means taking precautions such as social distancing, wearing masks, and temperature checks while enjoying a national holiday, a weekend, or a typical day. Some schools have also face to face classes already. Hanoi has done a great job since day one to curb COVID-19. – Sue (Hanoi, Vietnam)
Public Transport Resumes
Starting on the 1st of September, the metro rail transit and karwa bus resume operations although catering only 30% of normal capacities and of course with all the necessary safety measures. Our public transport halted at the start of the pandemic last March. Some private companies are still in skeletal force. Restaurants now open for dine-in services with a limited number of diners. As for the corona cases, we have about 200-300 cases daily, compared last June having 2,000 daily cases. Wearing of masks is mandated. – Jenny (Doha, Qatar)
Just Getting Comfortable with New Normal
Nothing much has changed since May, except for the opening of schools. I go to work and on weekends I go out with my kids or friends. Just getting comfortable with social distancing, sanitizing all the time, and the wearing of masks is voluntary. – Thess Mica (Nagoya, Japan)
Just go straight to the ocean!
Due to rising cases in Hawaii, we have our second lockdown on August 8th. Most establishments and restaurants are close right now. Tourist and Residents from the Mainland USA arriving to the island needs quarantine for 14 days in their hotels or residents. State and City ordinance implements a lot of protocols, one of these is you can surf, swim, and do other water activities on the beach but you cannot walk and stay in the sand bars. Just go straight to the ocean! A fine of USD 5,000 is imposed on violators. – Angela (Hawaii, USA)
Into the Woods
Update in Stockholm, events of over 50 people is not allowed. However, private gatherings are allowed just as long as not in public places. It feels normal and people are free and can do whatever they want to but of course respecting the government’s recommendations (not enforced). Some people are still even going to their regular trips – vacation to Spain, Italy, or France. I spent my vacation enjoying the beauty and nature of Sweden.
COVID 19 Recommendations: Maximum of 10 people when hiking. There is enough space to walk a meter behind another and also advice to take your own car than taking public transportation if you want to go somewhere inland, north or southern parts.
The trend of our COVID cases has gone down but over the past few weeks when the school was opened again, the cases went up a little but not dramatically. Wearing of masks is not required, just on a voluntary basis, and hand sanitizers are found everywhere. – Anne (Stockholm, Sweden)
Final Thoughts
At the start of the pandemic, is a doomsday for all of us, and I can’t seem to imagine what’s gonna happen in the next six months. And here we are! This article is just to show you how people are coping with so many issues in our daily lives. The past few months were indeed a series of struggles and only God knows what the future holds.
Nevertheless, we don’t have much choice but to acknowledge the pandemic and is here to stay for a while. Every sector in the society is trying to work things out painstakingly. Just imagine how schools are preparing for reopening? Yet, for parents, there are endless concerns, confusion, and headaches.
But then again, we all resolve to keep on fighting and take one day at a time. Thank God, no more hoarding of goods these days!
What I worry about is the long term effects of this pandemic in the economy, health, education, our generation, and the entire society. Nobody knows…
But let’s just all stay afloat. Nothing is impossible, right?
Before I end, let’s not forget that so many people are not in good condition right now – financially, healthwise, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. What we can offer is a simple act of kindness every day…
Before I end, I just want to express my heartfelt thanks to all contributors, for making this article possible. Thank you so much for your support.
Now it is your turn dear reader, let me ask in this time of COVID19, How is your New Normal?
76 Comments
Add Yours →I’m kind of concerned with your story that people in there don’t bother wearing mask. Our new normal here is that people are required wear not just face mask but also face shield especially in establishments. We’re still working from home, and I guess people are getting used to it. But I hope this new normal ends soon. Stay safe!
For whatever reasons why some refuse to wear facemasks, all I can think of is, what the world will be if masks were not mandated or encouraged at all? While many have survived COVID 19 infections but this is something I can’t risk, maybe I won’t be able to make it…. Thanks for sharing your new normal. Take care always and be safe!
In the UK, we have to wear masks in enclosed public areas, gatherings are only up to 30 people, social distance is still encouraged and most businesses and schools are back to the new normal.
There tend to be local lockdowns if there are any spikes in infections. ?
This was such a comprehensive article! Loved getting a glance at everything that happened at omce though the situation in some countries and the publuc’s apathy does make me sad
Hi Nash, thanks for your feedback. Yeah, it’s kinda happy and sad about what is happening around the world. I hope this helps in knowing what controls or guidelines are in place that may be possibly applied to other areas. Take care and Be safe!
Makes me sad too and angry ?
Thanks for sharing Rachel! Take care and be safe always. 😉
And you too.
Surprised to hear that people from Norway aren’t willing to wear a mask after they’ve been quite lucky with their response to covid19 so far, keeping their death rate low by acting faster than most governments did
I don’t know why this is so much an issue when you are talking about a deadly virus. Those people who oppose are trying to prove some points, but is this really helping? We all hope this pandemic ends soon or probably are we all waiting for the vaccine…?
Face mask and face shield are required in Metro Manila. Cases are growing still in our country and I have not gone far from my house except that one time a couple months back to get a haircut and recently to do something at the office.
Hi Liz, I thought cases in the Philippines have gone down? Are you still in ECQ? At this rate, each one must take all the safety precautions. I hope things get better soon, for you to start venturing outside. Please hang on, take care of yourself and be safe.
Our new normal in Melbourne Australia is, following almost 6 weeks of ‘stay at home lockdown’, another 6 weeks of the same before gradual relaxation of restrictions, current rules allow people 1 hour of exercise a day within 5km of home, no socialising, no visitors, 1 supermarket trip per day, per household. Compulsory mark wearing outside the home, many, many workplaces closed. But, aside from a small group of malcontents, people are happy to be bringing the virus under control and heading back towards healthy normality.
This is good to know that virus transmission is under control. I recalled when we were on strict lockdown here in Cyprus, we are only allowed to go out of the house 1 time per day for essential reasons, and this with government’s approval via SMS. Just hang on, slowly you will be back to normal,with the new normals.;) Thanks for sharing!
I am a teacher and we have been in session for 3 weeks. Our school sounds almost identical to yours with the exception of the imposed restrictions on leason times and breaks.
All the best for the schools opening. Take it easy, I know that everyone is as worried about the new normals and at the same time you are happy to welcome back your students. Be safe always! 😉
So much going on, huh?
Hi Jen, this is just a few of the stories around the world. How about you? How are you coping? Hope you are doing well and good.
Here in the southern US people are not taking it seriously and fight about wearing a face mask. Even at the schools it’s not required in my county. So we are doing digital learning at my house and I am so glad to be able to work from home. This is really something to be careful of, I don’t want to risk getting the Covid.
This is really something I cannot understand why they refuse to wear masks. It is proven that it stops virus transmissions and we all know how deadly this is. I’m glad that you chose distant learning, it is never worth the risk. Even when you are a COVID survivor, the body condition is still being studied still we don’t know the future impacts. Thanks for sharing your new normal. Take care and Be safe!
Awesome read! I’m in the US and it’s always interesting to read perspectives from the other side of the world.
You are always welcome Alexis! Hope you are doing well and good. Take care always and make us happy with your articles 😉
We can’t believe how much the world has changed.
Yes, and there will be a lot more changes…
Hi Vinn. A very interesting, if concerning, summary of where we are in terms of dealing with the pandemic.
I know that many governments around the world have been criticised for what they have done, or not done, and whether they did things quickly enough or not. However, I think the biggest risk, in every country, is people who ignore the guidelines. As I see it, they are either stupid or selfish (possibly both). Here in the UK there are regular reports of mass parties with hundreds of (maskless) people gathering in confined areas or on the beaches. Why? It’s absolute lunacy!
I just wish that the virus only targeted these people – unfortunately it doesn’t work that way.
I think just by looking at the rise of cases, simply because of transmissions; it is sad to say that this is a lack of discipline. It is somehow what the society is mirroring and now we see clearly as we are battling this pandemic. This is just one of the realities, a behavioral problem. What we can do is protect ourselves as much as we can. I feel the frustration too. Thanks for sharing Ritchie. Be safe!
Thanks for sharing your insights! I’d personally like all of us to skip this year!
Yeah like can we just delete 2020? But personally, it is a test of time and I hope for the day that I will be looking back 2020 and say, Thank God we made it!
Very interesting article. I’m shocked by how high some of those numbers are around the world. I live in Queensland, Australia, and we’re pretty much cut off from the rest of the world. Our borders are closed with huge fines for people who breach them. Our numbers are still low, with minimal clusters breaking out. I was in hospital last week and the staff wear masks and shields. No visitors allowed. People have been cut off from their families for months. My family lives an hour away but visiting them is impossible. I’m tired of this pandemic and hope the end is in sight
We just live each day hoping that it will be over. I wish that there is a miracle and one day this virus is gone. Thanks for sharing what’s happening there. Hold on and keep the faith. Be safe!
I think my new normal isn’t so very different from pre-COVID. I just wear masks in public and wash my hands more. As a remote worker, I’m one of the lucky ones, I guess. Stay safe, Vinn x
Take care always Lisa and thank you for wearing masks 😉
This was such an insightful look into how other countries are adapting to the new normal. I was surprised to find out how many people are not wearing masks. In the UK, it’s mandatory on public transport and in shops and supermarkets. Hopefully we can continue to keep each other safe. After all, who knows when this will end? Thanks for the valuable content!
Hi, thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts. I hope people will be more conscious of their actions and minimize the spread of the virus. Be safe always!
It’s such a shame that people won’t do the simple task of wearing masks. Here in the US most people where I am are generally good about it, but you still see people going into scores with no face covering. It’s such a shame and disheartening when so many others are taking the necessary precautions!
It just baffles me if they have truly understood the dangers and the effects of COVID 19. I’m sure they are experiencing the downsides of this pandemic…. Sigh…
You’ve done an amazing job covering all the key topics here – so much controversy surrounding many of them. I just wish we wouldfind a vaccine….
Hi Lisa, thanks for the kind feedback. I wish I can cover every representative in the society. There’s more to this and others are really suffering now. Hoping the vaccine will be ready soon.
Interesting post, we are meant to wear masks etc here and most people do which is good, however from the news today it sounds like they are going to be increasing restrictions again! Thankfully we both still have jobs and are working away but as you say, who knows what the long term impact will be on the economy!
Hello! I am glad that people are taking the precautions in your area. The future may seem bleak, but there is always hope. I’m facing this positively and maybe things will turn around in our favor. Who knows right? Let’s just keep going.
It’s all we can do!
I went from Austria to Croatia, to my family. Everything is normal here, except that we have to wear masks when we go to the store.
Hi Didi! Thanks for sharing what’s happening in Austria and Croatia. Air travel is increasing nowadays. Airline companies and transport companies are doing their best to implement guidelines to make everyone safe. Take care always 😉
I’m definitely taking it one day at a time, especially as the rules in the UK are constantly changing. We were one of the last to enforce face masks! My new normal is pretty much working from home and limiting the amount of socialising and eating out I’d usually do.
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Thank you Anika for sharing your new normals. Be safe always 😉
We live in such a strange and uncertain time. COVID-19 definitely made us live a different lifestyle. Thank you for sharing this! It is easy to only focus on what is going on in our own countries and not what is going in other places.
Knowing how others are coping broadens our thinking with this pandemic. Also, I think it can encourage anyone to keep going and not to focus on negativities. We are all coping one way or another. Thanks for sharing. 😉
I still don’t understand why people don’t wear masks, but that happens here in the US as well. My family is following social distance guidelines, wearing masks, and working and schooling at home.
And it is ridiculous when they go out in the streets, draw crowds and protest, without masks… Best bet for us to take all precautions and consider anyone as a possible virus carrier. Thanks for observing safety guidelines all the time! Be safe. 😉
It’s required to wear a mask here in Singapore. It’s the law. And I think it’s effective. I don’t what know what’s up with people who think they’re rights are being threatened when they have to wear a mask. WTF is that kind of thinking.
It really helps when guidelines are implemented with a huge fine. It works for us here in Cyprus. What I observe during this pandemic is that culture, type of government, and demographics can influence how society faces this issue.
This is a fantastic post, one of the best I’ve read recently. So much to think about here. Thank you for sharing!
Hello! Thank you so much for the kind words. Several issues we can ponder about the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Take care always and stay safe. 😉
Where I live in the UK I’ve seen a mix of people wearing and not wearing masks. It’s supposed to be mandatory to wear masks on public transport here but I’ve got the train a few times and only seen one other person wearing a mask (as well as me). It’s frustrating to see for sure!
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I can feel the frustration as well, simple rules, right? But they make this complicated for so many reasons. Let’s just do our part and follow the protocols. Thanks! 😉
That is a very detailed article! My new normal here in the southeastern US is slowly getting back to normal… we can go to the stores but we have to wear masks & of course try to be 6 feet apart at all times. It’s not as hard as it was in the beginning. As with all things we adjust & we get used to it.
Hi Helen, glad that things are back to normal with the new normal. Yes, we are also getting used to wearing masks, sanitizing, and social distancing. Thanks for dropping by! 😉
Absolutely
Now I wonder how it will feel when we don’t have to wear masks anymore. Will it be liberating or will there be an adjustment period?
I think it will feel a bit strange not wearing masks anymore, and at the same time liberating?!?
It will indeed be a strange mix of emotions. but then again, these are not normal times. 🙂
It is so interesting seeing how this pandemic is having an impact in different countries, isn’t it? It is totally a new normal, isn’t it? I have been wearing PPE from the start of all this because I work in healthcare, and I get why people hate wearing the masks out and about, but they should really try wearing it on a boiling hot ward for 8-12 hours straight ?
Thanks for sharing!
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy’s Antics
Certainly new normals around the world and interesting to know how everyone is coping having different cultures and policies from the government. I can feel a little bit of discomfort wearing masks all the time. And I often wonder how medical frontliners go through wearing PPEs. Kudos to all of you for your dedication and sacrifices. One way of respecting medical frontliners is to follow safety precautions. I have you in my prayers every day.
I’m getting to the point where I don’t feel normal without my mask. It’s great reading how things work in different places during the pandemic though.
Now it becomes a habit, like making sure your doors are locked. Thank you Portia 😉
My new normal is different like everyone else’s. I have now adapted to distance teaching so I had to tweak some things. On the plus side I get to spend more time home and spend more time learning something new. The pandemic is going to be here for a while and we need to do everything in our power to stay safe and adapt. The article was so interesting to read. Thank you all for sharing.
Hello Darina! Thanks for sharing your new normal. Educators and students are adapting to distance teaching, making things work and there will be a lot of improvements. Glad you are doing well. Take care always! 😉
Loved getting a look at what your new normal is like. Here, in the US, my hometown high and elementary and middle schools are going all virtual for the safety, primarily, of the teachers. Places are reopening and I see people wearing masks, people not wearing masks. Some of my friends have gone to a secluded beach to enjoy some ocean air.
At the end of the day, I wear my mask and mostly stay home, as I always did. I think it is about doing what you are comfortable with and enjoying it!
Hello!Thanks for sharing your new normals and following safety precautions. Take care always!
This is really interesting and so well put together. This has been and continues to be such a difficult time, and like you I worry about the long term effects on people. I worry especially about those of us who have preexisting mental health challenges. This pandemic has made my anxiety so much worse and in some ways it feels like I have taken a backwards step. But, I keep reminding myself, that how I am feeling is normal, and understandable. We must be gentle with ourselves. Adapting to this new normal is so hard, as it changes all the time doesnt it! Thank you for a really great and insightful post.
Hello, appreciate sharing your thoughts on this. Now I’m learning more about mental health issues and this saddens me that this situation has affected so many personal lives. More and more people are slowly falling to depression. What I can do is just take time to reach out and I really hope that there will be programs in the society to these issues. If we are feeling so down, we should not hesitate to call for help. Take care always.
I really don’t understand the issue people have with face masks. Here in Canada, most people do wear them, but some people don’t. It’s such a simple thing to protect yourself and others.
It is very frustrating, now cases spike up again. ‘Coz some just neglect to wear maska and or just get tired of wearing it, and yet the virus still around… When will they learn?
Reading it all back like that from the perspective of another person and country is kind of crazy!
This shed some light on what’s happening around the world, which we don’t normally hear from international news!
Here we are still required to wear face mask. Schools in certain parts if the country have been opened with very few students attending since parents are too scared to send their children due to the increasing covid cases.
Hi Nisha, thanks for letting us know what’s going on in your area. Schools have reopened here too, with infections still around several classes are suspended due to quarantine. Take care and be safe always 😉