Our Life After COVID-19 — What Happens Next?
8 important steps to consider so you can have a safe restart.
So, what happens after this?
That’s a question I’m pretty sure is lingering constantly in our minds.
Looking back, the 2019 coronavirus was truly an unforeseen catastrophe.
When 2020 rolled around, everybody celebrated the new year with renewed goals, dreams, and ambitions only to have them dashed inadvertently without warning.
Nobody anticipated the hard blow they would receive when the effects of the virus began to ripple like aftershocks following an earthquake.
Immediately after that, the entire world quickly spiraled into a mass hysterical panic.
With everything that has happened in just a few months — the onslaught of millions of positive cases worldwide, an alarmingly overwhelmed healthcare system, citywide lockdowns, conspiracy theories that framed the ongoing spread of the virus, political conflicts between nations, brawls in supermarkets over wearing facemasks and hoarding essential goods, and many other bad tidings that were broadcasted on the news— it’s a wonder how many still managed to keep up with all the insanity.
Not only that, but certain countries had to brace for the impact of natural disasters in the midst of this crisis.
If you look at it from a different perspective, this entire phenomenon is like an apocalyptic movie; one with ominous domination that’s leaving the world in ruins and ready to annihilate us to our impending doom.
On the bright side, Mother Nature did take her well-deserved rest and the earth peacefully recovered from all of human exploits and toils.
It’s refreshing to know that there’s still a pinch of silver lining amid the looming darkness.
However, it is still important to remember that this battle with the coronavirus is one that’s going to rage on for a long time.
Sure, we’re all probably going to look back in history and say that we overcame the battle and that a vaccine is underway in its process of passing human trials, but let’s not forget the massive pain of losing so many while trying to fight an enemy that we cannot see.
There is no doubt we will continue to ask ourselves every day if life will ever be the same again.
As we open our doors and begin life outside our homes to work and perform our general duties, there will always be uncertainties about how far our limitations can go.
So, the main question is:
How do we go back to our regular routines while still on the premise of staying safe?
Here are 8 essential steps to consider to help you cope as lockdown restrictions are slowly being lifted:
1. Continue social distancing practices.
We all know by now that the virus is spread through airborne droplets.
Close proximity with a person who is a possible carrier of the virus will most likely infect you as well once these droplets are released through their saliva or bodily fluids.
To prevent this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has strongly advised that people should avoid being in close contact with each other and have also recommended standing at least 6 feet away from each other.
2. Wear facemasks and protective face covering at all times when going out.
You’ve probably heard of this medical adage time and time again, “prevention is better than cure”. Until today, that saying still stands true to its meaning.
Several scientific studies have already proven how effective wearing masks are in preventing the rapid spread of the virus.
Face masks and other protective face shields prevent the droplets from being released into the air, preventing surface contamination, as well as infecting others.
3. Maintain home and personal disinfection.
Basically anything we touch around us can potentially be contaminated by the virus through the airborne droplets.
So, it is crucial that we keep our homes and surroundings clean at all times.
With that in mind, make sure that the items and surfaces that we commonly touch like doorknobs, light switch, tables, countertops, handles, phones, toilets, sinks, and more are wiped clean with disinfectants.
4. Practice basic hygiene and healthy habits.
Even as kids, we were taught that washing our hands thoroughly with soap and water was a basic life skill.
Whether or not a deadly virus is on the rampage, it is still important to always keep our hands clean since they carry millions of bacteria that can easily pass on to our nose and eyes whenever we touch our face.
Since the coronavirus directly affects our respiratory system, it is important to avoid touching our faces especially when our hands are unwashed.
So, this goes without saying that it’s key to have soap in handy so you can properly wash your hands. But if not, always have a bottle of rubbing alcohol and sanitizer handy.
5. Avoid large crowds and gatherings of more than 10 people.
Sure, the quarantine period made personal interactions with friends and family challenging since all forms of communication had to be done virtually.
And yes, we do miss having gatherings, parties, get-togethers with the people we care about.
Unfortunately, many healthy individuals have suddenly become sick as they had gotten infected after some cities implemented ease of restrictions prematurely and allowed gatherings.
Not only that but other countries that allowed school reopening has resulted in several children getting sick as well.
The WHO has firmly advised against being in large crowds as that would expedite the spread of the virus instead of flattening the curve.
That being said, it’s probably a good idea to settle with online video calls for now while a solution to stop the virus is still in progress.
6. Create a disinfecting routine for you and your family when returning home.
Even as things return to normal, our routine going to and from work and other places outside should not change at all. The stress of worrying about the virus can often be overwhelming that all we want to do is just relax and sit with a cup of soothing tea.
However, for the safety of others living with you in the same roof, it is important to continue disinfecting yourself first the moment you get home.
Make a list of precautionary steps that you and your family can visibly look at by the time they reach home.
For instance, remove your shoes outside the house and place them inside a bag. Once you enter the house, make sure to remove all pieces of clothing and place them immediately in the laundry. Lastly, give yourself a good, clean, and warm shower before hugging and touching your family members.
Again, it pays to be safe. You can never tell if you’re a carrier of the virus or not.
7. Conduct self-isolation and quarantine for 14 days after traveling.
As travel restrictions are being lifted, it is important to take crucial steps when returning home from a flight. When infected, it can take up to 14 days for a person to show symptoms of the virus.
Make sure to self-isolate and be in a quarantine state for the entire 14 days upon returning from your travels. Doing so can effectively reduce the chances of the virus being spread to others around you.
As soon as the 14 days are over and you did not show any signs of being infected, you can continue with your life normally while taking the necessary precautions.
8. Always remain calm and take care of yourself.
With the burden of not knowing what lies ahead and the constant paranoia of getting unknowingly infected by the virus, it is easy to fall into a miserable cycle of depression and mental breakdowns.
The idea of stepping out of the safety of our homes after months of isolation is going to provide a lot of strange, new feelings for us.
However, it is important to accept that what we are feeling is normal. The best thing we can do is adapt to the new way of life while continuing to take safety measures.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that you are not fighting this battle alone.
Millions of people around the world are affected tremendously not just with their health, but living status as well. Economies are sinking and a lot of people are forced to be laid off from their jobs and are left unemployed.
Yes, the struggle is real.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and at loss with coping, it is a good idea to talk to someone you trust about how you feel.
It’s not easy for all of us to embrace this abrupt ‘new normal’ and for the most part, feel terrified at the same time.
However, it is important to continue to believe in yourself, take safety measures, and above all else, prioritize your health.
