How To Be Happy Outdoors While Staying Covid-Free

The first day when Modified ECQ was put in place, multitudes of people flocked to the streets and malls to see what's happening. Some say they terribly missed SM malls. A few of them were out to gladly report for work for the needed income. And most of them seemed totally unmindful about the deadly virus. In short, a lot of them wanted to enjoy the limited freedom made available. [Picture above from this site].

Parang me mga ka-ocho nga akong nakita sa news e. Isa ka ba dun? Hehe.

We can't blame people aching to go out after being locked down at home for some 3 months, more or less. But what we worry about is the probability of them ending up with the virus and spreading it all over, especially in their homes and barangays. Mas nakakatakot pag asymptomatic carrier ka. You will be spreading the virus without anyone knowing it.

But we all have the right to be happy. But then, this right might be the very thing that would get us in trouble and end up in the ICU or crematorium--not to mention the scary second wave scenario. So, how do we do it? How do we become happy outdoors again while staying Covid free? To many of us, happiness is roaming around or traveling. Sa totoo lang, happiness to Pinoys is malling and shopping. 

Pero wag naman tayong mamasyal ngayon or gumala-gala lang. Alis lang tayo ng bahay pag kelangan talaga. Yung pag-gala me katuturan at urgent talaga. Paano bang gumala ng di napepeligro ng Covid 19? Pwede kaya ito?

Here are some vital tips, aside from wearing masks, observing social distancing and always washing your hands:

1. Avoid crowds. Kung pupunta ka sa SM, piliin mo yung rutang hindi ma-tao. Medyo loner muna tayo. Umiwas sa mga tao. Better if you can walk to it. From Munoz to SM is only 15 minutes or less. Mag-payong ka. Magdala ka ng bottled water but DO NOT drink when exposed to the public or amid crowds. Choose a place where you are isolated and drink quickly there. DON'T touch the mouth of the bottle with your hands.

2. Don't touch. Kahit ano, don't touch hangga't maaari. Not even your face--lalo na your eyes, nose or lips. Don't touch handrails, doors, door knobs, or anything with your bare hands. So always bring tissue paper with you and use that to hold things, if you need to hold them--lalo na pag sasakay sa jeep or tricycle, or bababa. And always bring a small bottled and sprayable alcohol to clean your hands with, lalo na pag inaabot mo ang sukli. 

But even with hands sprayed with alcohol, don't touch your face.

3. Less Talk. If not necessary, don't talk with anyone. Remember, the virus can only travel if released from the mouth. When people talk they release tiny vapors from their mouths, and these vapors can float and travel some distance. So it's safe if we talk less with people. Bawal muna chikahan at chismisan. Yung chismis bawal talaga yan. Ayaw ni Lord. We can respond with a nod, a shake of the head, with eye movements or with hand signals. 

If you have to talk, maintain distance. NEVER go near to anyone. If you can't hear them, place a hand on your ear to signify that you can't hear them. 

4. Less Aircon. Avoid places with full air-conditioning. The virus travels better in enclosed places with air-conditioning. So big, super cool malls are not recommendable, really. Well, they have significantly reduced their air-cons na rin yata. Opt for small shops with few people inside. If you have to go to a big mall, choose less cooler places. And don't stay there too long. Bawal tambay. Tumambay ka sa bahay nyo. Unlimited.

5. Breathe well. Some experts say it's not healthy to have a mask on for long hours, definitely not the whole day. You might inhale your own carbon dioxide and that could be fatal. If you have to take a break to breathe deeply, get out of enclosed and air-conditioned places and breathe deeply outside where no one else is around. Make sure no one is within 20 feet from where you are. It's risky to inhale deeply where a guy 20 feet or less away just sneezed or coughed. 

6. Walk. Walk, walk, walk as long as this option is possible. It's safer to walk than ride in buses, jeeps or tricycle. Definitely not in cabs or grabs. Know were shortcut routes are, but always be mindful of safety. Don't take paths that are dark and prone to crimes. Iwas sa riding in tendem. Stay in major routes but avoid crowds. And don't walk on really hot times of the day to avoid heatstroke. 

7. PRAY. Last but not least, always ask God's covering and protection. The safest place on earth is in God's hands. So pray before you leave home, pray as you're out there, and pray when you get back home (pray that God disinfect you). To make sure your prayers are heard by God, you have to have a close relationship with HIM. How? Confess your sins to him, repent of them and receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, fully surrendering your life and life plans to him everyday. 

Suggestion lang naman yan. Kung iba paniniwala mo, OK lang. No problem. Stick with your belief. I respect that.

When Back Home

Now, when you're back home from the outside world, do this. Stay in a secluded part of your house, like your garage or porch or just at the main door, and rest there for a while. Don't touch anything and leave your shoes OUTSIDE for disinfecting later. Have everyone hide (hide talaga hehe) or stay away from you. After a 15-minute rest, go straight to the bathroom and bathe. 

After bathing, collect your used clothes and put them straight to your laundry basin. Let it soak there with water and soap for 10 to 15 minutes then wash. Don't let used clothes loiter in the dirty clothes basket for long. Baka me Covid yun kumalat pa. Wash them immediately. Then spray your shoes well with alcohol, especially the soles, and let them dry in a place far from people in your home. 

Pag ganito ugali natin araw-araw, pede tayong mag-saya at magpunta sa mga lugar na kelangan natin puntahan talaga. Pero the best option is STAY HOME pa rin. Wag gumala ng walang importanteng dahilan. 

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