WHILE we are still on the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and another extension until May 15 (for some areas as already announced by President Rodrigo Duterte) due to the fact that the threat on the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is still extant, we cant help to long to be in the aftermath of this pandemic. No one would not want to end this crisis.
Let's imagine what would life be in the aftemath of the Covid-19 and perhaps see the effects of the virus to mankind and to other things in this world. We can see changes this early on how we shall live day-to-day our lives which we have proven to be not invincible to threats like the virus and to other health concerns.
When we had the first taste of the pandemic in the country, alcohol, sanitizers, chlorine-based cleansers and other antiseptic or germicidal liquids became much more important than gasoline or diesel fuel. Rubbing alcohol particularly the 70 percent isopropyl kind became a trend in every corners of the world as it eliminates the virus instantly. Alcohol came by the gallons until its supply went scarce that drugstores, supermarkets and convenience stores ran out of their stocks.
In the aftermath, alcohols and sanitizers in handy bottles would become regular items in bags and pockets of people, always available when necessary.
Face masks and face shields of various kinds are now mandatory in the province for anyone while outside homes. The N-95 became popular but scarce too. The enterprising meanwhile manufactured masks made of cloth and are now peddled in public markets. Although authorities alleged that masks are not the perfect protection on this pandemic, it is much better and wiser to wear one than having no protection at all.
Ascorbic acid, better known as Vitamin C would become candies of the future. Other immune system boosters would become in-demand with or without Covid-19. People would become health-conscious too as healthy bodies are needed to fight viruses or any sickness caused by such.
Mass gatherings or activities would become lesser as people will avoid getting infected of any virus or the same ilk that causes sickness. We cannot see viruses and many people who were found positive with the Covid-19 were asymptomatic or having no sign of contracting it.
It is expected that there would be more on-line purchases and business transactions so people may avoid personal contacts. People would prefer to transact business in the comfort and safety of their homes or offices.
Households would have more stocks of food and other survival essentials as we would not know (God forbid) that there might be other waves of virus attacks. Viruses mutate. They too improve their versions. Its better to have stocks especially food to survive in cases of lockdowns.
Except for the hard-headed, curfew hours would become normal. After more than a month of the ECQ, we have been used to in going home early. The presence of checkpoints even if it is not election period would become ordinary activities of law enforcement agencies.
Disinfecting homes and offices would become more routinary. People would become more conscious on hygiene and protecting oneself from getting infected of any disease as deadly as the Covid-19.
Medical personnel would become more in-demand here and in other countries. With the number of Covid-19 deaths however, young students and their parents too would think twice whether getting into the medical field is worth it or not.
Watching Netflix, using Facebook, doing Tiktok videos interacting through the internet and the like would be the more popular activities by this generation and the younger ones. We are indeed in the digital age.
After this pandemic, people would be more aware that we are all susceptible to sickness and that human life is very precious and that we have to deal with any eventuality, thus we need to prepare. While it is not armageddon yet, we need to ready ourselves for anything after the Covid-19. These are some of the effects the virus has brought us and there would be "new normals" that we expect to come, to do or will happen.
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