Perhaps you keep hearing this again and again in many social media as well as mainstream media outlets as our fight against COVID - 19 continues. It's been 3 months, or even more for some of us, that we observe the new and more stringent health protocol due to the pandemic. Staying at home most of the time, working and studying from home, avoiding the crowd, cutting off all the traveling, and washing our hands frequently are some of the things we need to do lately.
The impact of the spread of COVID-19 is phenomenal. Well, although we have seen some positive development and changes that took place since the pandemic particularly to the environment, but still, there are many damaging impacts that need to be address properly in order to avoid more disastrous problems in the future.
And now, at this point, many have realized how we need to continue our lives and try to adjust (rather significantly) with the current situation. Countries have announced that they 'open up' gradually after implementing quarantine policies for almost 3 months. As fast responses and healthy facilities have been significantly improved, some So here comes the 'new normal'.
What is the 'new normal'?
The 'New Normal' might have different meaning and interpretation to some of us.
For me, the 'new normal' is they way we adapt to the prevailing condition where the spread of the virus is still rampant and vaccines are yet to discover, while at the same time we need to gradually go back to our activities.
Menurutku, New Normal atau kenormalan baru adalah cara kita beradaptasi dengan situasi pandemi virus Corona yang masih belum ada penawarnya, di mana kita harus menyesuaikan prilaku sehingga kita bisa beraktivitas seperti biasa.
Tentu saja, kenormalan baru ini tidak bisa diterapkan begitu saja diberbagai tempat, jika beberapa persyaratan tidak dipenuhi. Bahkan Organisasi Kesehatan Dunia atau WHO telah mengeluarkan beberapa persyaratan yang harus dipenuhi jika suatu negara akan membuka dan memperlakukan kenormalan baru. Simak informasinya di infografis di bawah ini.
Apakah ini sulit?
Is it difficult to implement it?
Well, to me, it requires self-awareness and discipline to stick to the health protocol in this 'new normal.' Some of them are actually good habits that we have done before, like washing your hands properly, covering your mouth while sneezing and coughing, and maintaining a well-balanced diet. Now, we just have to do everything ALL THE TIME. Again, ALL THE TIME.
Not when you just remember.
Not when you feel like doing it.
It means health protocol, no matter how basic it is, has to be properly and thoroughly understood!
It might be difficult in terms of adjusting and getting ourselves used to wearing mask all the time and keeping the distance with others wherever we go. Be it in the public transportation, at the office, at the mall, at the supermarket, at the park, at the gym, and any other public spaces. For the masks, nowadays there are so many masks which are comfortable and affordable enough to used for long hourse. We also have to stay away from hugging and kissing cheeks as we meet family and friends. Sometimes I still have to restrain myself from getting too close to someone else.
Mungkin banyak dari kita yang bertanya - tanya apa sih sebenarnya kenormalan baru ini.
Aku pribadi melihatnya sebagai kelanjutan dari berbagai kebiasaan baik yang kita lakukan untuk menjaga kesehatan. Kalau dulu kita menerapkannya hanya saat kita ingat, sekarang kita harus menerapkannya SETIAP SAAT. iya betul, SETIAP SAAT.
Banyak sekali kebiasaan sederhana yang terbukti bisa menyelematkan nyawa kita dan juga orang lain, terutama yang berada di sekitar kita, di saat pandemi seperti sekarang. Cuci tangan yang benar, menutup mulut saat bersin dan batuk, memakai masker, menjaga jarak, tetap rajin dan rutin olah raga dan menjalani hidup sehat.
Memang ada beberapa kebiasaan, yang walaupunt erlihat sederhana, namun ternyat kita kerap lupa atau alpa saat untuk menjalaninya. Seperti etika batuk dan bersin. Atau menjaga jarak satu sama lain, khususnya saat berdiri dan berada di tempat umum. Atau tidak cipika - cipiki or bersalaman saat bertemu keluarga, teman, kolega dan orang lain. Tapi seiring dengan waktu, dan dengan menyadari pentingnya untuk melakukan itu semua, mustinya kita semua bisa menjalankannya dengan baik.
What do we need to do to prepare the 'new normal'?
For me, one important thing we need to is EDUCATE OURSELVES.
There are so many references, be it infographic, explanations or audio files that can help us understand more about the pandemic, the do's and the don'ts during the pandemic, and how to cope with it. More importantly, we also need to know and understand what to do once we were infected by the virus.
I guess I don't have to repeat but we all know where to get the valid and reliable information when it come to the pandemic.
WHO website is indeed important, while in Indonesia we have covid19.go.id | Ministry of Health | as well as BNPB or Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana - National Disaster Management Agency.
They have been rampantly distributing all the necessary information, including the educational materials for many different professions in order to fight COVID-19.
Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) or National Disaster Management Agency in Indonesia has also been working extra hard to ensure the dissemination of information regarding the pandemic, efforts taken to address it, as well as awareness raising and public education in order to curb the spread of the virus as well to address the situation. They help coordinated the zones in Indonesia based on their risk levels. They have one hell of a job indeed!
Second, BE DISCIPLINE!
Remember, we are not only responsible to take care of our safety and health, but OTHERS as well! Discipline is the key.
At my office, we have strictly implemented measures to ensure the safety of the staff. Some of the measures taken, among others, are:
- regulating the new normal SOP and disseminating it to all staff
- arranging free Rapid Test, as well as swab test who those who have reactive results.
- allowing only those who have taken Rapid Test with non - reactive result to come to the office
- adjusting the working hours (9 AM to 3 PM)
- maximizing the digital platforms (e-disposition, e-meeting, e-office)
- ensuring physical distancing at the office (rooms, meeting rooms, lifts, mosque, etc)
- adjusting the work schedule to ensure the office is not too crowded
- providing all the necessary equipments and facilities required to fully observe the health protocol (hand wash corners, hand sanitizers, masks, disinfectants etc)
- providing shuttles from particular spots where most of the staff are residing
- checking the temperature of everyone entering the premises
- minimizing contact from public deliveries
- and many more.
We also have prepared booths with safe disinfectant liquid from Dettol to help clean the surface. I was wondering whether it is safe but the staff handling it informed me in details that it is safe.Lifts are frequently cleaned and space - distancing marks are clearly displayed. this is important as people tend to crown in the lift. Now we have to be patient and wait until it has enough room for designated people.
Our public facilities, like canteen, are also observing the strict protocol. More and more information about things we need to do and important protocols are also displayed in many areas. Again, we need to be reminded all the time. Well, we sincerely hope everyone will be discipline enough to take care of oneself.
Third, GET OURSELVES USED TO THE NEW NORMAL.
Sometimes, the toughest part of adjusting the new changes is the start. The beginning of the new process and changes will require extra efforts from all of us. Instead of taking things for granted, which is very dangerous, we better get ourselves used to the new normal.
Masa - masa penyesuaian memang selalu sulit ya. Mengubah kebiasaan atau membiasakan diri untuk melakukan kebiasaan baik memang tidak selalu mudah.
Kita kerap lupa, alpa, atau lalai. Satu hal yang pasti, jangan pernah menyepelekan virus ini. Bukan apa - apa. Kita seringkali merasa sehat, fit, tanpa gejala dan baik - baik saja sehingga 'ngeyel' dan merasa ngga perlu untuk mengikuti semua protokol kesehatan. Terus, BANG...ternyata positive terkena virus Corona dan bukan tidak mungkin sudah menularkan banyak orang.
So, please, please, please, kita ikuti yaaa. Daripada ngomel - ngomel ngga jelas karena kesal dan depresi (Aren't we all), lebih baik kita ikuti peraturan yang ada dengan niat baik agar semuanya kembali normal dan kita bisa menjalani hidup yang lebih baik.
Forth, STAY POSITIVE!
Finally, we all need to remain positive during this trying times. Not that easy at all but we have to! I know the pandemic has significantly changed our lives. Many times we hit the ceiling and feel so sad and depressed because of this situation. Well, I can't blame you for feeling it because I do feel the same way as well sometimes.
But again, I know that feeling dreadful all the time will not help improving the situation. I don't want to get caught in this vicious cycle of despair while I can actually do many positive things along the way. So keep the spirit high. Pray to the Almighty to give us strength in fighting these problems and keep us safe and sound. Together we can support one another towards a better future.
I believe with with discipline, solemn praying, and perseverance, we can definitely make it!
So are you ready for the new normal?
I certainly hope so!
Stay safe, happy and healthy, everyone!
♥
