Preparations for the New

People and government has been talking about letting people going back to work when the ECQ is lifted and replaced by the GCQ on the 15th of May. The economy has to be restarted. To the small businesses, especially in the food sector, a number of the food services and it’s associated support establishments hasn’t really stopped.

But the move to get out of quarantine and start work in earnest is present and they want to begin efforts after the 15th. I am looking forward to a return to some form of normalcy concerning work but I am a little anxious about physically going to work. The virus is still around and there is still no vaccine to be seen in the immediate future. All we have are tests to see if we have contracted the virus or not. But the statistics also tell me that is that we do not perform enough of these tests. The the data so far gathered tell me that if one does get the virus, the chance of it being fatal is very minimal — 3.4% by WHO’s estimates — but no one wants to be included in that number.

I see myself going to the office soon after ECQ has been lifted or a few days after so either way I would have to really prepare for it.

Hello May

8:36a:
Its the start of a new month. May 2020. There has always been this hope at the turn of a new decade or new year or new month that there is some new development will arrive or something positive will come. I certainly hope it’s is positive because the world needs one right now.

10:28a:
I read this news that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is or will be promoting the use of bicycles and personal mobility devices when we go into the general community quarantine (GCQ). This is good news and on any other time it would be most welcome. And it is still welcome but this time it has become a necessity. It’s back to basics.

7:47p:
I just noticed that he rate of getting results is more or less constant. Well it hasn’t gone over 300 except of April 2, 3, and 6. Most are between 200 – 300. Not the spike I was dreading but it also makes me think that our processing of tests is being the bottleneck. Maybe we need more processing centers or newer and faster test kits that give the results in hours.

covid days : 30 April + upgrades

6:30a:
Last working day of the month and WordPress releases an update. I have developed this little anxiety about updates. I have always believed that if you’re going to update or upgrade something that you should be physically present in case something goes south and you’d be there to fix it. With this extended quarantine you’re stuck at home or some other place and you cannot be physically present. That’s where the anxiety starts.

9:48p:
And it has been a long day. People had unconsciously shown me how they behave in stressful situations. This pandemic has shown me the hidden in people. Some are good. Some more bad than others. There are no concrete conclusions but there have been decisions I have made mostly for my consumption. Good bye April.

covid days : 29 April + some things

4:36a:
I realized or maybe confirmed that I think in English or mostly in English and some smattering of Tagalog. I dream in English.

I also realize that people want to feel kilig — that state of kinikilig — constantly. Well, maybe not constantly but they want that feeling to be there. I don’t know if there’s a direct translation of kilig to English.

6:11a:
Looking over the news I thought to myself that we should have stockpiles of supplies especially medical supplies and we as a nation shouldn’t be reliant on other countries for this as much as possible. I’m talking about the basic stuff first — facemasks, personal protective equipment, etc. Those things do not spoil or rot if packaged properly.

I also see each household to be connected to the internet especially if one of the targets is to de-congest Metro Manila. You have to admit there’s a lot of people compacted in the area. The older people — the boomers and maybe some late bloomers — may have difficulties in adapting to a sudden digital life.

6:24p:
Yeah, twelve hours since the last update. Work and house chores has been keeping me busy. I have also thought that for the next 12 to 18 months people will have to keep their distance from one another. That’s another form of isolation I suppose. I haven’t felt somebody else’s touch in a while and meaningful ones for far longer. I am used to it. Kind of.

covid days : 28 April + encryption

4:33a:
I have refreshed / updated my encryption keys and the the public key is in the about page, should you be interested.

7:13a:
I’m starting work early so I have more time with home things. But we have two webinars scheduled for today so it’s still going to be a busy day.

2:25p:
Two webinars on what may happen after the ECQ is lifted and suggested strategies that can be taken so life resumes with as little kinks as possible. It is not going to be like 2019 normal but a more cautious and careful 2020 normal. So more soap, more 70% alcohol and more disinfectants will take a good chunk of the household budget — if I still have money to budget.

8:02p:
The day’s work is done and two more days to go. I think I worked too long today. Exercise tomorrow.