Staying Healthy Amidst The New Normal

This viral pandemic we are experiencing here and around the world is definitely changing the way we live our daily lives.  Without a safe vaccine or a cure to treat this new virus in the near future, everyone might have to accept this as the “new normal.”

What’s a new normal?  It is something that we did not normally do before but is rapidly becoming a common thing.  An example of a new normal is the home quarantine. Due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine, we are all confined in our homes. We work from home.  We can’t go to malls.  And we can only go out to buy essentials. No leisure time, no going to the gym, no travel—local and abroad—no two ways about it, we are stuck at home.

The world doesn’t stop for anything, even for pandemics. Due to this, these are several other “new normals” that we will be seeing in the horizon as a response to the home quarantine.

INTERNET-CESSARY

We will be using the internet more than ever.  Not only will it be used for connecting on social media, gaming and watching your favorite celebrity vlog or viral videos, we will be using it to work, communicate, and shop not only for clothes but for food, groceries, and other essentials.

Experts see a boom in e-commerce with more businesses transitioning into the online landscape. More companies now are considering to lessen actual office staff, reducing the chances of infection, in the office and continue to have more people work-from-home by communicating through virtual conference calls, instant messaging, and emails.  Kids might also be getting their diplomas online as more schools and universities are starting to consider offering online courses to avoid children getting infected at schools.  Going to the doctor will also be done at home since the hospitals are packed with confirmed cases of the virus. Doctors are now online to see their “other” patients for check-ups and consultations.

FASHION GOES VIRAL

Protective fashion will be the next “in” thing.  The “face mask” and gloves will soon become a stylish part of our OOTD or outfit of the day.  Some people are already personalizing their facemasks to give it a trendier look.  Soon we will have designer or brand facemasks and gloves to go with our latest fashion.  Plus, we might also be seeing celebrity-scented hand sanitizers and perfumed rubbing alcohol in the future.

PEDAL POWER

We don’t know when public transport will be running again and when they do, many might not want to wait for hours in line since public transport will be limiting passengers per trip to enforce social distancing in the trains, buses and jeepneys.  We might see more bicycles and motorcycles on the road as a more affordable and even healthier means of travel.

HOME HEALTHY

With the gyms closed, many are now exercising at home.  Health is no longer a fad or a lifestyle choice for those who want to have slim waists, toned muscles and beach-ready bods.  Exercise is a means to achieve a healthier body and a healthier body means a stronger immunity system.

VACCI-NATION

This global pandemic is also reminding us of the importance of vaccination in the Philippines.  Although a vaccine for this virus has yet to be produced, getting sick with a vaccination-preventable disease would only compromise our immune system, making us more vulnerable to virus infection.

In the Philippines, the World Health Organization reported that there are at least 2.9 million children who remain unvaccinated.  In 2019, the DOH declared measles, polio and dengue outbreaks in various areas of the country.  Fear of the vaccine effects and vaccine hesitation are some of the main factors for a decline in vaccinations in the past few years, causing several outbreaks.

This April, the World Health Organization celebrates the 2020 World Immunization Week with the theme #VaccinesWork, focused on reassuring the public of the safety and effectivity of vaccines.  The WHO encourages everyone to vaccinate their children and even update their own vaccination profile to keep our immune system strong against several diseases.

In the Philippines, standard vaccinations for diseases that are preventable are for Polio, MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella), TDAP (Tetanus- Diphtheria-Pertussis), Chicken Pox, Pneumonia, Influenza, Shingles, and Meningitis.  There are also vaccinations specific for certain people and outbreaks in a region like Dengue, Malaria, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies and Hepatitis A & B.

However, given the limited mobility due to ECQ, it may be difficult to get vaccinated now.  You should consult your family doctor or barangay health worker about the vaccination schedule as soon as the ECQ regulations eases up.  Most of these vaccinations are administered free of charge by the Department of Health.

But for now, another new normal should be to strengthen our immunity and heighten our hygiene practices, as much as possible, by:

1. Exercising at least 30 minutes a day;
2. Maintaining nutritious eating habits with more fruits and vegetables and keeping ourselves hydrated;
3. Limiting or quitting drinking alcohol and smoking; and
4. Always washing your hands, sanitizing your belongings, staying at home and observing proper social distancing if you have to go out of the house.

During this time of quarantine, Generika Drugstore adapts to the new normal by opening its doors every day to serve the public and offering affordable, quality generic medicines, vitamins and food supplements to keep you healthy.  Our dedicated store frontliners, pharmacists and staff, are always ready to assist you in getting the health essentials you need.

As much as we hope our lives are going to go back to normal immediately, we might have to accept that it may never be the same again.  We are now at the dawn of “new normals”.  Staying at home has become a must, protective gear is our new fashion, and staying healthy has become not just for yourself but for your loved ones as well.  We can get through this and Generika Drugstore will be right beside you dahil sa Generika, may K ka!