A New Portal to a New Normal

Two years since our fight with the pandemic has emerged, we were already submissive
with the system it had all drawn us in. While constant implementations of plans and procedures
to contain the virus are ongoing, some of the human activities we are engaging in before became
limited. The experiences capacitated people to adapt to a world of new norms and regulatory
measures.

Due to the lockdown, it was almost impossible to go out to buy something at a nearby
sari-sari store. Video calls and chats trended and replaced the hangouts that we used to have with
our friends before. Dining into our favorite fast-food chains like Jollibee, McDonald’s, and KFC
is also prohibited. However, it is undeniable that we’ve made friends-with delivery riders, the
birds in our backyards, and even pests inside our house. One thing for sure, we’ve already
memorized every detail of our homes. Furthermore, the moments when we used to breathe freely
are still fresh in our memories. Now that we have to wear face masks outside to filter the air we
inhale every day is sometimes a hassle.

As aforementioned, some of our plans have held over, but we can also look at the
alternatives. Instead of going outside to watch movies with friends, it is better to have a virtual
“Netflix and chill” kind of setup. It is also good that restaurants rely more on delivery to ensure
the safety of their staff and the citizens. While lockdown is still a trend, locking yourselves in
with the persons you love the most is not that bad after all.

Entering 2020 became the epitome of opening a portal towards a different dimension of
new norms. We became far neighbors responsible for each one’s health, and with responsibility
comes appropriate actions. Indeed, there are always choices when it comes to things that you
want to do. Yes, the old ways have gone. Nevertheless, we can treat this crisis as an opportunity,
an open door towards an improved and prosperous society.