Co-Existing with Co-vid

In these uncertain times, it’s easy to get frustrated while trying to deal with the lockdown, having nothing beyond the internet and people in your immediate vicinity to share your time with. Social distancing has become a norm and it has got us to rethink the way we connect and socialize. From using social media to talking with friends and loved ones over the phone, it appears we can’t do much to change the situation at the moment. So the most we can do is adapt and find ways to work with the current rules and constraints. Here are a few ways we can beat the situation, mindfully.

Exercising mindfully

This has been quite a challenge during the lockdown. From those who have tried working out at home to those who have fearlessly got out onto the streets, walking, or running, it’s not been an easy task, especially with masks on. Most of the regulars end up taking their masks off eventually during the course of their exercise routine, as practically it is tough to work out with the mask on. A good alternative would be to use a face shield as opposed to a mask.

You can to know more about face shields and how to make one of your own in the following link: https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2020/shields-compared-to-masks.html

Recreation

Getting back to basic recreation may be a tough call, but the need to get out, socialize and see new things is inherent in almost all of us as humans. A great example of this would be @thehubbengaluru, who took the initiative of hosting a party during the time of “relaxed lockdown”. The pictures below would give you a better idea about how it was hosted, taking into consideration social norms to be followed during this period.

Countries across the globe are taking measures to work out how socializing and basic recreation can continue.

Designers have been looking at creating practical design solutions to allow the #newnormal.

Physical bonding

During these times, we think twice about going to a relative’s or friend’s place. Mostly because we don’t want to spread the virus that might be dormant in our bodies. A good way to meet your loved ones is to first make sure that they are comfortable with the idea and secondly, take precautions, from carrying a bottle of sanitizer to wearing masks during the course of the visit. If you want to take a breather during the visit, move away from the gathering at an ear’s distance, take off your mask for a breather, place it back on once done and move back to the gathering. It’s also a good idea to take a shower post these gatherings and put your clothes for a wash immediately as an extra precaution.

Sport

Sporting activities like swimming, tennis, badminton, etc. are slowly getting back into the picture. This is mainly because these services are taken as paid memberships and many people intend to make use of these services as they are paying for them. You are encouraged to have a look at the VIDEO on the following page which provides a set of rules to be followed by pool authorities that would allow the public to swim without fear: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/parks-rec/aquatic-venues.html.

Sports that already involve the players to be at a distance like tennis, table tennis, badminton, etc. are encouraged, while wearing protective mouth gear. Team activities like basketball, soccer, etc. are to be avoided until we figure out how to work them.

Travel

Now, this is a far-fetched dream at the moment, but we should also account for travel in the distant future where enough precautionary measures are taken, which still allows us to enjoy the experience. After talking to a lot of avid travelers about this, there was one conclusion that almost all of them came to which was that solo trips would probably start rising once travel is open again. This gives us the freedom to socially distance ourselves and be more mindful about the places we choose to visit.

Major destinations might not be famous cities or landmarks anymore, but possibly remote villages that are culturally significant. Local exploration and getting to know more about great travel spots in the city and the immediate outskirts would be encouraged as opposed to direct overseas travel. The popularity of Homestays would come to a rise. For major cities, ‘health and sanitation standards’ at hotels and restaurants would have to be established, in accordance with which people would choose places to dine and stay.

A lot of travelers also talked of ‘camping’ as the new travel game or a new trend of “BYOT” — “Bring your own tent”, which would allow a more solo mode of travel that would ensure safety when it comes to staying and social contact.

A lot of people are getting into blogging as a way of sharing their experiences with others and living experiences through words or online tours. A great example of this would be “Air BnB” which started allowing people to host online experiences as a way of keeping the experience factor alive.

Stay safe everyone and let’s start working the #newnormal!

Divya is an Artist and Educator who loves to write during her free time. You can follow Divya @idea_alchemist. Aditya is a Graphic Designer by profession who loves to do personal projects during his free time. You can follow Aditya @adidhotre.