As I drove to my workplace, I heard the DJ on the radio ask: "Are you ready for the new normal?" He explained this means having online meetings, mobile transactions, less people going out, and the like. All of these are what we are experiencing now under Enhanced Community Quarantine. Our actions have been limited because of the need to distance ourselves from others in hopes of cutting the transmission of COVID-19. Cebu City has the highest number of cases to date among the other areas in Region 7.
But the numbers here are better than in other places. Unlike Luzon where numbers continue to rise, I'd have to say the new normal being implemented by the government is working here in Central Visayas. Although there are still some areas that need to be taught about physical distancing, the surge of cases on a daily basis isn’t that high. But we have to be on our guard always, to make sure that we will be safe against this virus.
However, I'm not sure how long I can savor the new normal. I miss my friends who live in other cities and other parts of the province. I long to travel around the country to unwind. This is all driving us nuts. Where I live, in a small two-bedroom house, there’s barely any privacy to even take a phone call. I miss space, the liberty of having to go out wherever I want to be.
I'm scared that we might get used so much to being dependent on the online world for most of our transactions that we forget our social relationships. We might reach a point where we won't be longing for physical affection and touch because we are satisfied with cheesy memes sent to us or the nightly video calls. Relationships can also morph into a different being too. Even the way we go to church is now done in the comfort of our homes, in our pajamas, making it difficult to actually meditate on the word of God. I found this hard over the weekend with people moving around me, I couldn't even find time to be in the stillness of worship.
I don't like the new normal and neither will I get the hang of it. Sure, I can adjust for the time being but it cannot be my life. People can call me backward, but nothing beats the outdoors, the face-to-face conversations and the spirit of being with other human beings. We are a social people, by nature. The longer it is taking for this quarantine to be lifted, the more some of our brains are getting fried. Mine included.
If we want to go back and say hello to the old normal. Do your part; stay at home.