Simple doables during ECQ

May 15 is the latest announced quarantine extension date here in Cebu City as well as other places throughout the country. Is it correct to say that since the March 15 quarantine, many of you have managed to creatively cope with your time at home?

Please allow us to share some suggestions, some doables during the Expanded Community Quarantine (ECQ) for those interested. These are culled from suggestions posted and shared by others as well.

One, why not share positive, joyful messages to others through social media? May I share two beautiful inspiring posts I read which I have also shared in turn? From long-time friend Ruben Habito, this message:

“NOT EVERYTHING IS CANCELLED! : Sunshine is not cancelled, spring is not cancelled, love is not cancelled, relationships are not cancelled, reading is not cancelled, naps are not cancelled, devotion is not cancelled, music is not cancelled, dancing is not cancelled, imagination is not cancelled, kindness is not cancelled, conversations are not cancelled. HOPE is not cancelled (#keeplookingup SimpleStencils.com).

With a beautiful background decked with colorful birds, butterflies flowers, and hearts, comes this prayer of Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, love to complete your life.”

Two, why not be a prayer warrior and join in lifting posted prayer requests? There are so many asking for prayers for frontliners, for their family members, for the truly needy left unaided and more. Why not do online collective prayer, invoking God’s words in Matthew 18:20:- “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

Fr. Philip Kemmy, a priest in Ireland, is asking all interested to “commit to praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet each day to spiritually place ourselves beside one of the poor unfortunate men and women who are dying alone in hospitals all over the world because of this virus.”

Three, why not be a green or an eco-warrior as well?

Raise your own home garden or practice then share to all your contacts the following COVID-19 Safe Waste Management at Home guidelines: posted by #WayPlastikayCebu from breakfreefromplastic and other eco-partners:

1.) Avoid food wastage; 2.) Compost your biodegradable waste; 3.) Use reusable face masks and shield to go out. Disinfect and dry under the sun after use; 4.) Reduce plastic waste. Bring reusable bags to the market or grocery; 5.) Put used face masks, gloves, and medical waste in clearly-labeled bags to inform waste workers; and, 6.) Do not burn medical waste or mix with ordinary waste.

Or please send to your LGUs this 7-point COVID-19 local governments safe waste management guidelines: 1.) Intensify awareness about the proper use of disinfectants and safe waste management; 2.) Continue implementing ecological solid waste management programs; 3.) Protect community waste collectors and waste workers with PPEs (personal protection equipment); 4.) Put dedicated waste bins for COVID-19 waste in community quarantine facilities; 5.) Do not mix COVID-19-related waste with other general waste; 6.) Have accredited infection control officer or sanitation officers supervise quarantine facilities, and 7.) Do not burn or incinerate waste. COVID-19 waste must be disinfected, sterilized, or collected by a registered TSD facility.

As we all still need to stay home to stay safe and to keep all else safe, enjoy, keep busy and productive!

Would you also like to share your ECQ doables?