Living Amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic

As of this writing, the World Health Organization declared corona virus as pandemic.  This means, the virus has already infected a lot of countries.

Here in the Philippines, specifically here in Metro Manila area, the number of infected individuals started to rise this week which prompted the government to cancel all classes starting last Tuesday, March 10, 2020 until Saturday.  My children's school even declared the end of this school year.  Last periodical exams were waived and student's need not go to school.  So officially, it is already my children's summer vacation.  Well, I think it is a good move so as not to risk our children's health.

There are no work suspension, so business as usual.  In our office, hand sanitizers and alcohols are located in all access points and temperature check is being done on all employees upon entering the building.  Door handles and elevator push buttons are being sanitized regularly.  A lot of employees are wearing masks but I'm not really comfortable with that and besides it's really hard to buy face masks nowadays.  Anyway, I don't have any symptoms of flu, so better give the priority to use the face masks to those who have symptoms and to all our hard working medical personnel who are very much in close contact with this virus.

Here in our place of residence, elevator push buttons were covered with plastic and sanitized every 30 minutes and temperature check is being done to all residents and visitors entering the premises.  All social gatherings including regular fitness activities were cancelled.
     

Elevator buttons covered with plastic and sanitized every 30 minutes.

Late this afternoon, a lot of information regarding possible lockdown of Metro Manila was spreading and the result is ... panic buying.  I went to our local grocery store, just near our place and there was a lot of people.  Grocery carts were all used up, others are using plastic containers being sold by the store ... I think they will also buy that.  Common grocery items inside each grocer's cart are rice, canned goods, milk and alcohols.  I just went home after seeing a lot of people inside ,,, anyway we still have some food supplies at home.  As long as we have rice, we won't starve. 
       

Scene at our local grocery store this afternoon

In times like this, I think we need to calm down and not to worry so much.  Too much worrying will stress us that without knowing it, our immune system is becoming weaker and we are getting more susceptible to corona virus.

For now, we just need to follow what the authorities are implementing.  If not really needed, stay away from crowded area, stay at home, practice good hygiene.  Boost our immune system by eating nutritious food, get our natural vitamin D from the early morning sun and get enough rest.  Most of all, don't forget to pray so that God will guide everyone so that this virus will be contained and not spread anymore.

God bless the Philippines.

God bless the world.