In the past couple of months, we have mastered the art of adjusting to the changes. Everything in our lives has changed almost completely. Now, even though the virus is slowly dying out in most parts of the world, our lives can't go back to the way they were before the pandemic. Due to the pandemic, many people changed the way they live, work, shop and function. While still being cautious about our health, we need to learn to adapt to the new normal after the virus.
Words: Jasmine Anderson
Image: Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash
1. Shopping and Cafes
Image: Gerson Cifuentes on Unsplash
Not being able to leave the house for months means that we didn’t have an opportunity to shop nor go to coffee shops and restaurants. Now, most of them are ready to open, but you must follow the safety measures to enter the premises.
Most shops allow up to three customers inside, under the condition that they are wearing gloves and face masks. Cafes and restaurants are usually open to more people. However, you need to sit at the safe distance from other patrons. That means that every other table should be left empty. More space and more privacy can't hurt.
2. Travelling
Before you board that plane, you might want to think twice about travelling. If it's absolutely necessary, make sure that the place you're travelling to is safe and the borders are open for the foreigners. Some countries still require negative COVID-19 test results to enter the country. Others have a mandatory quarantine period. Always follow the safety measures. You can never be too safe.
3. Work
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When the pandemic started, the first thing we needed to get used to was working from home. With all the rattle and noise going on in your house, this was definitely one of the hardest things to acclimate to. Now that the virus is almost gone, it might be the time to get back to the office.
If the company you work for is ready to open again, you need to renew the old routine you had. That can be hard for those who got used to sleeping until noon in the quarantine. Besides that, you need to follow all the safety measures. You need to have a mask, gloves and disinfect your hands every time you enter the building.
4. Taking Care of Our Health
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During the pandemic, our "normal" lives were put on hold. That doesn't mean that we stopped living, only that we adjusted to a different kind of everyday life. However, most of our health-related problems were set aside so the health system and hospitals can fight off the virus.
That’s why we’ve ‘postponed’ regular check-ups, such as going to the dentist. Now that the pandemic is going away, we can get back to the usual care for our bodies. Schedule an appointment at a reliable dental clinic and have your teeth checked and fixed by professionals. These experts can make this unpleasant visit, one of the most relaxed and supportive check-ups you’ve experienced.
5. Socialisation
Image: Lennon Cheng on Unsplash
The way we connect and socialise has definitely changed during the last couple of months. Even though we're now allowed to see our loved ones in public, some sort of distance is still necessary. We still don’t know when things will be back to the way they were before. At least you can show off your post-pandemic fashion outfit and your friends can admire you from a safe distance.
For now, we have to be patient when it comes to going to the cinema, theatre and concerts. Luckily, we have the internet where we can watch and experience the atmosphere from the comfort of our home. Things we enjoy can be just one click away.
Even though things are far from being the way they were before, we can easily adapt to the new normal. Safety measures are your friend, so do follow them.