Practical tips

A senator recently confirmed in social media that he tested positive for COVID-19, and that he is in stable condition and will continue to fight the disease because “it’s just COVID.” Tactless netizens, ever ready with a wisecrack, commented “Stay positive, sir!”

Levity aside, how does one stay positive during these COVID times?

Some choose to pin their hopes on vaccines being developed at unprecedented pace in advanced countries. Russia President Vladimir Putin may have been bluffing about his country’s SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. The Russian vaccine still has to undergo Phase 3 trials. In fact, pharmaceutical laboratories in China and the US are weeks ahead of Russia in launching Phase 3 trials. But Putin’s premature announcement signals the intense race to have such a vaccine available in the market soon.

Better yet, forget the vaccine. You can be happier by keeping mind that the war against the virus can be won by the simplest tools at our disposal; a mental shift. Simply make it a routine to wash your hands, wear face masks, maintain physical distancing, and avoid crowded places or enclosed spaces with poor ventilation. We keep on repeating this like an old record, but stay home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out. I’ll give you some practical advice on how to avoid going out. (Do still get your daily sun and outdoor exercise, away from people, preferably at the backyard.)

On financial transactions, insist on cashless payments, either through bank deposit or online transfer. The banks have made it easier to transfer funds and they don’t charge you with most transactions. There is also GCash e-wallet which I use often because many people I know use it.

What about transacting with the still many people who find it difficult or don’t bother to adapt to technology? I experienced this with a cousin in the province who became suddenly jobless because of the pandemic and requested emergency relief. She was one of the many Filipinos who are familiar with money express remittance services (Palawan Express, MLhuillier, etc.) as the only convenient way to send and receive money.

Luckily, I found a way to transfer money online which can then be paid out at any branch of the remittance service. I used the Coins.ph app on my phone. PayMaya offers the same service, but it kept on denying my request for identity verification. Apparently, either it uses poor AI or bots technology to screen scanned IDs, or its human evaluators have poor eyesight. It keeps responding that the name in my driver’s license does not match the name I gave.

For essential supplies, many grocery stores, pharmacies and even hardware shops have already adapted to the new normal by adding concierge services. Just search for the Facebook pages of those shops near your place. There you’ll find details on how you could send your orders through SMS, Viber or Facebook Messenger, and have them picked up by technology-based courier services like Lalamove and Angkas. Availing of such service is also one way of helping employ many people who have lost their jobs or business during this pandemic. A former neighbor who had to close his restaurant business is now making good income as a Lalamove driver.

Some people use online shops like Lazada and Shopee to order essential items. My experience with them is that the items are ultimately more expensive because of the delivery charges. It will also take several days or sometimes even weeks before the items reach you. It almost cost me a fortune to simply get hold of different plumbing accessories for household repairs. Good thing I discovered that the large hardware store a few blocks from where I live now has an online presence and offers concierge service.

If you own a car and its regular maintenance is overdue, try calling your car dealer or maintenance center. Chances are they can provide you with a driver who will pick up your car at the garage in the morning, bring it to the car maintenance center, and bring it back to you later in the afternoon with a new lease on mileage.

Yesterday, I read in the news that the Land Transportation Office in Subangdaku, Mandaue City, has been offering drive-through vehicle registration renewal since July 6. You still need to leave home with your car, but at least you don’t need to go out of the comfort of your vehicle. This is a praiseworthy innovation by LTO-7 led by its director Victor Caindec.