Welcome to the Pandemic

02/05/2020

Please forgive my nervousness and the poor Facebook quality. If you’d like to see more videos from WTTP, let me know in the comments. Otherwise, enjoy this week’s post everyone!

https://welcometothepan.wordpress.com

29/04/2020

I finally did something I’ve always wanted to do: I made a video! This week’s post will be about putting things into perspective during the pandemic. Stay tuned for the full video, coming this Saturday! Until then, enjoy some bloopers of me messing up.

-nnd.

25/04/2020

~Mental Productivity.~
How do you manage your time at home right now?

It seems that most of us have become accustomed to staying home under quarantine measures. This doesn’t necessarily mean all of us are handling being home in the most productive way. Things can get in a way of your mental health, and lately there has been a lot to distract you. Consider the tips below to help keep your mind productive during the pandemic.

Routine

If you had a daily routine before the pandemic, stick to it. Whether you had every part of your day planned out, or even loosely stuck to a pattern of activities, maintaining those habits will help keep you motivated.

Make some adjustments if your situation has changed. For example, if you used to go to work from 9-5 but are now working from home, try your best to stay working within those hours. You don’t have to remain in work mode all day either; taking breaks every few hours is the key to staying productive while working.

What if your days are not structured around a 9-5 job, or you are a student recently finishing up the semester? Find other ways to work a routine into each day. During the weekdays, I make sure not to stay in my pyjamas all day. As tempting as it is to lounge around the house, changing into jeans is infinitely better for productivity than staying in sweatpants. One makes you feel like you should sit down to get some work done, while the other tells you not to.

Don’t be afraid to set some goals for yourself. Say you have a video game that you’ve been wanting to get better at. Now is your chance, my friend. Set aside a healthy amount of time to sit down and play everyday or every other day (I say “healthy amount” as I admit I’m guilty of spending all day playing the same game). Improving your gaming skills is a goal, but you can also set more practical goals.

Physical Activity

A good pair of shoes, some minor equipment, and a clear area is all you need to stay active at home. With all public fitness centres currently closed, you might find yourself slipping back into your pre-gym membership habits. Maintaining some activity throughout your week is not only good for your physical health, but its also beneficial for your mental health.

First of all, I am by no means a fitness expert; all of my knowledge comes from personal experience. I began going to the gym last year because of a change in my diet, and I wanted to make the best of that change. Over time, I noticed that both my body and my mind felt better the more active I was. That clarity is something we all need right now.

Being able to set some time away from the hectic world to focus on your health will do wonders. Start small. Do some stretches, or yoga. These are great ways to ease anxiety and tension. If you’re already an experienced gym buff, modify your workouts so you can do them at home. If you need some guidance, I recommend the Nike Training Club (NTC) app. This is the app I used when I first started working out, the one I still use today.

If you don’t have or want to upgrade your gym equipment, don’t forget that most retailers can still process online or curbside-pickup orders. It’s absolutely not necessary to go out and by a 6-in-1 workout machine either. A yoga mat, some dumbbells or weights, and a pack of durable resistance bands will get you a long way. Just keep in mind that staying active is essential for keeping your mind sharp.

Hobbies

Having extra time at home means it will be easier to succumb to boredom. Find something that will keep your mind busy while you try to stay positive during the pandemic. I mentioned video games earlier. This is a great hobby that keeps people busy for hours. If you’re not into video games but are still looking for something new, fear not. Finding a hobby that suits you is easier than it sounds—all you have to do is try one.

What do you have at your disposal right now? A camera? Take up photography. Some dollar store paint? Try your hand at art. Some scrap paper? Practice origami. Using what is around your house—with a little help from YouTube tutorials—is the simplest way to find something to keep yourself busy.

If you’re looking for something less art-oriented, make an activity out of something you already enjoy doing. If you’re an avid reader or film buff, venture out into territory you haven’t yet explored.

Create a list of things you want to read or watch and set a goal to cross one thing off that list every week or so. You can even do this as an activity to stay in touch with friends or relatives; all of you can sit down to read or watch the same thing, but in your respective homes.

Stay Connected

Just because we aren’t able to visit friends and family right now doesn’t mean we can’t still keep in touch. Maintaining communication with those you would see regularly is a reminder that you are not alone, especially if you’re cooped up indoors. Everyone has to make the same adjustments because of quarantine measures, so take the time to learn together.

This is the chance to explore new platforms of communication. Skype, Zoom, and FaceTime on iOS devices are often used for video chats. WhatsApp is a great all-in-one messaging, phone and video call app, and it’s widely available on nearly all smartphones. I’m sure many people already have multiple group chats to keep track of. This is a common feature on a lot of platforms and you can use them to easily connect with groups of people.

Find games that you can play with other people. Whether they’re video games, an app, or a Facebook game, this is still a form of communication. A lot of games have the option to play with more than one other person. This can be an alternative form of a group chat. Games are a little more fun than a phone call or a text, especially if that’s not how you like to connect with loved ones.

In terms of productiveness, staying in contact with people you don’t live with will keep your relationships healthy. Checking in on others will be doubly beneficial both for yourself and those you reach out to; who doesn’t like knowing others are making sure they’re doing well? The physical distance doesn’t have to mean digital distance as well. If you’re interested, check out my previous article about staying digitally productive for a more in-depth discussion on this topic.

The Bottom Line

When it comes down to being in quarantine, it’s important to not distract yourself from what matters: your at-home health should be a priority. Managing your mental productivity is in some ways the first step to conquering life as we know it right now. Take the time to explore other avenues or modify my suggestions to see what works for you.

Stay safe. Stay well.
-nnd.

https://welcometothepan.wordpress.com/2020/04/25/mental-productivity/

How do you manage your time at home right now? It seems that most of us have become accustomed to staying home under quarantine measures. This doesn’t necessarily mean all of us are handling being …

18/04/2020

Hello everyone, and welcome to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a page and blog dedicated to providing people with an update on what life is like during the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot ignore what is happening in the world, but we can certainly try to stay positive about it. Although my perspective is just one amongst billions, it is here to help you if you need it.

All content on this page—and more—can also be found on the blog site (link attached below).

Stay safe. Stay well.
-nnd.

welcometothepan.wordpress.com

This is reality. WelcometothePandemic is a blog site dedicated to providing people with an update on what life is like during the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot ignore what is happening in the world , but we can certainly try to help stay positive about it. Although my perspective is just one amongst....

18/04/2020

~Digital Productivity~
How do you make the most of your daily screen time?

It is clear that, with more of us staying home, people are spending more time each day with their devices. Although it is very important to be aware of developments on the pandemic, it is equally important to not spend all your screen time pouring over news updates. Balance your daily media check-ins with things that will keep you digitally productive while at home. Here are some tips to help.

Pick your news sources.

No matter which social media site you prefer, select a few news stations that you trust and follow them for updates. Narrowing your sources will also limit the amount of incorrect information that is delivered to you, and increase more accurate briefings.

I was only following the CTV News and CTV London pages on Facebook before the pandemic, but have since added CP24 (Toronto’s Breaking News) and the World Health Organization to my list. These four sources provide me with a healthy blend of local, national, and global news coverage on my social media.

There is no harm in following more than four pages, or reading reports from sources not on your list. It comes down to what you think is a reliable source, especially if you plan on sharing information from that source. Use your judgement.

News apps.

If you prefer reading in-depth articles over scrolling through updates on Facebook, find a news app that works for you. All-in-one news apps feature complied collections of reliable publications for readers.

iOS users might be familiar with ‘Apple News‘ on their devices. This app—a personal favourite of mine—will recommend trending articles from popular news outlets. You can follow many of your preferred publishers for free, or upgrade to the paid subscription for Apple News+ for exclusive access.

Google News provides a similar platform to Apple News. They have a homepage you can access here. Many broadcast networks, newspapers, and magazines also have either own apps that you can download as an alternative to all-in-one news apps.

Take a virtual tour.

There are still ways to see the world if you are practicing social distancing or isolation. Numerous organizations across the globe are offering virtual tours of museums, tourist attractions, and even individual pieces of artwork that you can view right on your phone.

While reading an article from Travel + Leisure, I discovered Google Arts and Culture. This is a free app that offers people the chance to intimately explore the world from the comfort of their own homes. You can learn about your favourite artists, walk through the streets of a European city, or get a closer look at some of your favourite pieces of art like I did.

In the slideshow above (click on the link below to see the slideshow) are personal screenshots of a pedimental group of sculptures from The British Museum, an unsuccessful attempt to hold the “Mona Lisa” in the palm of my hand, and two details from Sandro Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus”.

Practice normalcy.

You do not have to check the news every time you turn on your TV or look at your phone. Too much information can become an overload; do not let hearing the latest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases become an obsession.

Carry about your business as usual. Chat with your friends, take a Buzzfeed quiz, watch cooking videos on YouTube. The only way to not be overwhelmed by your time at home is to do the things you would regularly do. If you have a daily routine, stick to it.

You can also try something new, like podcasts. This media platform has grown in popularity over the last few years, and there is one out there for you. I have been listening to My Brother, My Brother and Me (MBMBaM), a self-proclaimed “advice show for the modern era”, every week for the last four years. The show is a unique blend of comedy driven by three brothers who always make the best of any situation.

MBMBaM is part of a larger podcast network called the Maximum Fun Network, which is host to podcasts about parenting, LGBTQ+, film reviews, etiquette, medical history, and so much more. The McElroy brothers of MBMBaM, along with their father, even do a Dungeons and Dragons fan-cast called The Adventure Zone.

Stay productive.

Just because you have to stay at home does not mean you have to be unproductive. If anything, protecting yourself against COVID-19 gives you the chance to indulge more in productive tasks from home. Although this list does not include absolutely everything you can do, it is certainly somewhere you can start.

Take these tips into consideration, and think about what else you can do to boost your digital productivity during the pandemic. Share your own recommendations below.

Stay safe. Stay well.
-nnd.

https://welcometothepan.wordpress.com/2020/03/29/digital-productivity/

How do you make the most of your daily screen time? It is clear that, with more of us staying home, people are spending more time each day with their devices. Although it is very important to be aw…

18/04/2020

~True Colours~
Who is responsible for the future?

Right now, all of us are. COVID-19 is putting the world to the test: can people still rely on each other as the virus continues to spread? This pandemic should not be faced alone, although fear is already getting the best of society. People are concerned about their food supply, and it is showing.

Stockpiling goods leaves gaps in the shelves of our local supermarkets, which has become the normal thing to see. People have been panic-buying for weeks now, worrying that essential businesses will eventually shut down and the production of goods will have to come to a halt. How much panic-buying can the world sustain? I am afraid that the answer is not for much longer.

Yes, food, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and medication are all essentials right now, but they are essentials for everyone. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports that there is currently no shortage of food supply. However, if the virus continues to spread, there could be a disruption in the supply chain to countries who need their help the most as soon as April or May.

What does this mean for you? Canada is not in an emergency state of hunger because of the coronavirus pandemic. The country is able to maintain the production of food on its own, and stores will continue to have stocked shelves so long as people stop panic-buying. Health Canada advises Canadians to have an adequate supply of food and resources, but encourages people to “gradually build up their household stores”. Supermarkets are having to put limits on high demand items, but this can also be stopped with smaller purchases. In other words, buy what you need for now, not what you need for later.

According to the Government of Canada, have extra stores of:
- pet food
- toilet paper
- facial tissue
- feminine hygiene products
- diapers (if you have children who use them)

Add a few extras of these items to your cart each time you shop:
- dried pasta and sauce
- prepared canned soups
- canned vegetables and beans

I admit, it is tempting to buy as much food as possible to ensure that your household will be okay for the future. Parents are concerned for their children’s well being now more than ever. Speaking as someone with dietary restrictions myself, I understand the need to buy the food you can actually eat before it is all gone. In spite of all these fears though, this is not the mentality we should have at the moment. The goal while shopping for groceries right now should be to have enough food for the time being, not to stockpile goods.

Leave some for the others; it is as simple as that. If the world can take the time to slow down—to understand that everyone needs the essentials—then our future may just look different. It is not just you against this pandemic, for we are all responsible for the future of our food supply during these hard times.

Do not let fear motivate you. Let your humanity bring out your true colours.

-nnd.

https://welcometothepan.wordpress.com/2020/03/25/true-colours/

Who is responsible for the future? Right now, all of us are. COVID-19 is putting the world to the test: can people still rely on each other as the virus continues to spread? This pandemic should no…

17/04/2020

~Welcome to the Pandemic~
We are all scared.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that COVID-19 had become a pandemic. Deaths at that time were nearing 4300, and the total for confirmed cases in the world was 118, 000. These numbers have since been on the incline, and they are not stopping.

The announcement sent people around the globe into a frenzy. Grocery stores are being wiped cleaned of soap, hand sanitizer, and non-perishable foods. People are waiting up to hours in line just to get into some stores. Toilet paper has even become a scarce resource in my hometown. It is clear to see that the panic has set in. We are all scared.

The world has already begun to take action to reduce the transmission of the virus. In Canada, various institutions announced closures and alterations to long term plans as soon as the day after WHO’s announcement. Non-essential businesses were ordered to close, and retailers that must remain open have reduced their hours in an attempt to limit exposure between customers and employees. The Government of Canada has begun to roll out financial aid programs to support people who have lost their sources of income to the virus. All of this is done in the name of ‘social distancing’.

Keep your distance. It is a simple statement, but one that can save lives. Even those who are fortunate enough to not be compromised by the virus have chosen to completely self-isolate as a precautionary measure. Limiting the spread of diseases seems to be in the hands of the public, the community, and you. Each member of society is involved in this disease movement. Each member of society has the right to be safe, and everyone else has a duty to respect that right.

This practice is not a walk in the park, and has left its mark on countless individuals. Students and teachers, for example, have to face the reality that the 2019-2020 school year will have to be severely reconfigured. Many universities are now holding courses and upcoming exams online for the remainder of the term. On a personal note, the graduation I was looking forward to will likely be canceled due to the risk of having hundreds of people gathered in one area. Does all this mean that all hope is lost?

No. In times of high stress and anxiety, it is important to remember that not every news report carries a negative message; there are glimmers of hope out there, they just take a little effort to find. While the world braces for lockdowns across the board, understand that society has as much of a duty to protect its mental health as it does its physical health. There is no need to block out all media coverage, or cut off the entire outside world while social-distancing. Instead, practice caution when it comes to daily activities involving leaving your house, know your community’s response to treating COVID-19 patients, and exercise healthy habits that will reduce anxiety rather than induce it. Let these habits be the infection that everyone catches.

If you are afraid, you are not alone. These first few months of 2020 have undoubtedly been cause for fear, but do not forget that you are a vital part of fighting this disease. Leaders all over the world are relying on their citizens to maintain as much order as they can under the given circumstances. Progress will come, no matter how slow. If you need a reminder, this is it: keep social distancing, keep washing your hands, keep your loved ones safe, and keep an eye out for the developments on the frontlines of this battle.

This is reality now—welcome to the pandemic.

-nnd.

https://welcometothepan.wordpress.com/2020/03/21/welcome-to-the-pandemic