safety

Dec

2020

Holiday Travel During A Pandemic

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Are you thinking of traveling during this holiday season? Before you get all excited and begin packing your bags, you may want to reconsider your plans. While the holiday is really about reconnecting with family and loved ones, we are still in the middle of the pandemic. There has been a resurgence of cases in some areas. So, everyone should remain vigilant. Certain factors such as large gatherings increase the risk of infection. Traveling can also increase your chance of spreading and getting the disease. But if you really must go, here are things to consider in holiday travel during a pandemic.

1. Be Aware of the Health Condition of Your Loved Ones

Before you even begin contemplating on your travel, ask yourself. Are you in good physical condition? Is someone from your family sick? What is the health condition of your household? What about the family you are going to visit? If one of you is immunocompromised or has a comorbidity, it is best to just cancel or postpone your trip. Protecting yourself and others should be a priority.

2. Know the Situation of Your Destination

The next thing to do is to do some research. Are the cases high in the community of your destination? Aside from your destination, you should also consider the latest health development in your area. The higher the cases are in your point of origin and in your target destination, the higher the chance of you getting and spreading the virus.

3. Check Travel Restrictions

Whether you are planning on a road trip or booking a flight, if your destination is in another city, province or state; it is best to first check the travel restrictions. Various destinations have different travel restrictions in place. In addition, travel requirements are very volatile these days. They change frequently depending on the latest health developments. Thus, it is important to keep yourself updated before you travel.

4.Get Yourself Tested

If it is not a mandatory requirement for your travel, still, do consider to have yourself tested first. It is the only way to protect yourself and others from you.

5. Get Travel Insurance

Traveling these days is no longer that simple. Travelers are now more conscious of the added risks involved. Thus, in order to protect yourself from unplanned incidents, it is best to have insurance. Furthermore, many destinations now require travel insurance, especially if you are going overseas.

Typically, a travel insurance covers the person during the duration of the travel. However, during this time, it is best to get something that will cover you even before your travel that includes pandemic coverage. For example, someone from your family tested positive for the virus and you are forced to cancel your travel. If this happens, the insurance can reimburse your prepaid arrangements. Thus, it is wise to Invest in travel insurance during this time of uncertainty.

5. Follow the New Normal Protocols

Follow the new normal protocols wherever you go. Remember to always:

Wear mask.
Follow social distancing.
Wash your hands frequently.
Bring an alcohol or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol wherever you go.
Pack medicines and vitamins.

And lastly, always remember to strengthen your immune system by drinking lots of water, eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep.

Happy holidays!

Feature Image by Anna Shvets from Pexels

Jul

2020

Fashion Essentials in The New Normal

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The coronavirus pandemic has changed how we live our lives in many ways. It has also had a major impact in the way we dress and think. We now put more attention to comfort and safety in the clothes that we wear. What do you wear to an online meeting? What are the fashion essentials that we must consider in the new normal?

The basic fashion essentials have evolved to include items that focus on keeping us safe and healthy as we adapt to the new normal. Check to see if you have these items already. Add them to your wardrobe if you don’t have them yet.

Hand Sanitizer

This is not news but it’s necessary to emphasize this. A hand sanitizer is one of the basic fashion essentials in the new normal. It’s a must-have accessory that needs to be in your pocket or bag or hanging on your keychain at all times.

Some of us already have these in our daily purse or bag. It’s not just useful for keeping your hands clean, but also to keep your work areas clean. These are available in a variety of shapes and sizes to choose from. They also come in gel-type, foam-type and as a spray. Make sure to pick one that also has natural ingredients for moisturizing so you don’t end up with dry, cracked hands.

Face Mask

This is now a basic fashion must-have. Not having one on you when you go out could land you in a police station. Fortunately, this pandemic has sparked a lot of creativity in the design of this accessory. There are different colors and styles available to cater to unique personal preferences.

For those who prefer to go minimalist or neutral, there are face masks in cute, pastel colors. Of course, there’s also the go-to black face mask to match almost every style, for those who want the classic look. Go for washable ones that you can use multiple times so you can stay eco-friendly while looking stylish.

Face Shield

For those who want extra protection, there are face shields in designs that will complement your style. Face shields are generally transparent but some parts of it can be styled in different ways.

Just like the face mask, you also have many style choices for the face shield to suit your personal taste. If you don’t want to fuss too much about it, then just go for the basic, transparent one.

Meeting-Ready Top

Even though most of us have become comfortable working from home in our favorite personal outfits, we do need to make the effort to look presentable in our online meetings. Fortunately, most of us already have one, or several of these, as one of the fashion essentials in our wardrobe; it’s still very useful in the new normal.

A button down shirt is a basic fashion must-have that comes in handy for when you need to attend an online meeting. Just make sure it’s well-ironed and fits you comfortably so you look well put-together, especially if your meeting is recorded. It would be great to wear a matching pair for the bottom but if you’re just wearing shorts or your pajamas, just remind yourself to stay in your chair the whole meeting.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Some of us need serious protective gear. This is for medical workers but also for those who need to go back to working in their offices and need to interact with other people. While medical professionals require medical-grade PPEs, the fashion-forward need not worry as there are styles that offer the extra layer of protection without being too inconvenient to wear.

There are wrap-around PPE dresses in various colors and fabrics that you can layer over your regular clothes. If you’re the sporty type, then opt for the 2-piece PPE that combines a top jacket (usually with a hood) and bottom pants (some look like jogging pants) that look like a track suit when worn together. There are also one-piece PPEs that come in different styles and colors. Most of these are made with water-resistant fabric that makes them easy to clean.

Easy Clean Shoes

We now know that the coronavirus can survive on various surfaces for a number of hours and even days. That’s why we need to disinfect ourselves and our clothes before we enter our homes. Footwear is often overlooked as it is not easy to just throw them in the washing machine like our clothes. Thus, jelly shoes have made a comeback as they require no-fuss cleanup.

Jelly shoes are made of plastic materials that are designed to be comfortable to wear and easy to clean with just soap and water. You can wipe them clean with disinfectant wipes for daily use too. They come in various colors and designs to suit your style. Different brands also offer them in different price ranges to suit your budget.

For those who’d rather stay with their favorite shoes, there are also plastic shoe covers that you can wear over your favorite pair of footwear so they don’t get dirty. These come in different styles and are also washable so you can use them multiple times.

These are the basic fashion essentials that you need to consider as you go about your day in the new normal. With these items, you can still express your personal sense of style while keeping yourself protected at all times.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Bára Buri on Unsplash.

Jul

2020

Things to Consider Before Booking a Flight in The New Normal

Reading Time: 3 minutes

As we adapt to the new normal, travel opportunities are slowly opening up. However, expect some major changes as they intensified safety measures. Airline companies are now adapting to the new normal in air travel. Travelers also have things to consider before booking a flight in the new normal.

For both domestic travel and international travel, here are some factors that will impact your travel plans.

Reduced Destination Choices

Many countries have issued a “no travel” advisory for its citizens as well as for foreign visitors. Countries who have reopened their borders may sometimes decide to close them again when covid cases in their areas suddenly spike. Your travel destination may suddenly become unreachable even if you’ve already booked your ticket. Uncertainties such as these will be part of the travel experience for a while. Expect more cancelled flights due to your destination suddenly banning travel to their areas.

Now that there’s less of the world open to travel, you might need to adjust your dream of traveling the world for the time being. Exploring your own backyard through a road trip might be a good way to flex your travel muscles without dampening your wanderlust.

New Airline Routes

Due to the uncertainty in access to different destinations, airline routes will also be adjusted accordingly. Target destinations will be destinations that are least affected or have no reported covid cases. Some of these territories are not popular destinations. These include Kiribati, Marshal Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. All of these territories have no reported cases of covid.

If exploring new destinations is a good idea to you, then see if your favorite airline is already offering flights to these areas. Do your research too so you know whether these areas already allow foreign travel and what each place has to offer. Other destinations with less or reduced covid cases are also opening up for travel.

Rapid Testing in Airports

Airline companies are now conducting rapid tests for all of its staff before flights. Airline companies also require travelers to undergo the same test. You need to get to the airport even earlier than before. This may be a little inconvenient for some of us but it ensures the health and safety of everyone on board. We should be grateful for it instead.

Adjusted Baggage Standards

As part of the drive to encourage less contact and social distancing, passenger baggage standards have also been adjusted. Only 2kg are allowed for carry-on baggage from the original 7kg. The good news is, 5kg has been added to the free baggage allowance (FBA). Passengers are encouraged to carry as little on them as possible in-flight. This will also make it more convenient to carry out frequent disinfecting procedures in the cabin.

This means a change in how you pack your travel bags. Carefully consider what to pack on your carry-on bag. Some must-have items need to be relegated to your FBA instead. For carry-on essentials, carry only up to 10, 100ml bottles of sanitizers with up to 70% alcohol.

Pre-Flight and Post-Flight Requirements

Here are some more things that you need to consider before booking a flight in the new normal. Pre-flight online check-in is required. Face masks are required at all times. Cabin seating will follow social distancing standards. In-flight meals will be simplified. Meals in sealed packaging and beverages will be offered only on demand. However, hand sanitizers will always be available. Passengers will fill-out health forms to document travel/health history.

Aside from these procedures, you may be required to undergo rapid testing at the airport of your destination. Expect more stringent safety and health measures in your travel destinations.

More Expensive But Safer Travel

With all these changes to how we travel, one thing is certain. Airline companies will have to make-up for investing in new safety measures. At the same time, they need to reduce their passenger capacities and flight destinations. Ultimately this will result in more expensive tickets. Travel will still be safer than before. However, you may have to categorize it as a luxury item in your budget from now on. Expect hotels to follow the same trend. They will be more expensive but they will be intensifying their safety and health measures to ensure the safety of their customers.

The pandemic has transformed how we go about travel. These are some of the things you need to consider before booking a flight in the new normal. While it will feel inconvenient at times; it’s these little things that make travel safe for everyone. Remember to do your part too. If everyone cooperates, our travel experience will be safe and enjoyable.

Once you’re off the plane, don’t forget some travel rules that you need to observe. Travel is an important experience that we all need to indulge in from time to time. It helps us see the world from a different perspective. It also helps transforms us for the better as well.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels.

Jul

2020

Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home in The New Normal

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The corona virus pandemic has drastically changed how we go about our daily lives. The issue of health and safety has been a major highlight in all of this. Cleaning and disinfecting protocols are being implemented in hospitals, commercial establishments and public spaces. Cleaning and disinfecting your home in the new normal is an important part of your household routine too.

While we prepare our household essentials to deal with an emergency; we also need to modify our way of keeping our homes clean and safe. We suggest that you try to declutter your home first. This would help you get rid of old stuff that you don’t use anymore so you end up with having less things to clean. Then, use these helpful guidelines to keep you on track in cleaning and disinfecting your home in the new normal.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

Cleaning and disinfecting may seem the same but they are 2 different processes. It is recommended that you disinfect after cleaning your home.

Cleaning means removing germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces. It only removes germs but it does not kill germs. It still lowers the number of germs, thereby lowering the chances of spreading them.

Disinfecting is usually done after cleaning. This is the process of using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces.

Be sure to wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting. Observe proper hand-washing right after.

Target High-Touch Surfaces

The corona virus can live on cardboard for 24 hours and 2-3 days on plastic and stainless steel. Make high-touch surfaces in your home a priority when cleaning and disinfecting to limit the possibility of exposure. You should be cleaning and disinfecting these daily or after every use.

High-touch surfaces include the following:

Door knobs
Table tops
Dining chars (seat, back, arms)
Light switches
Refrigerator, microwave and oven doors
Drawer pulls
Kitchen counters
Bathroom counters
Faucets and faucet knobs
Toilets (seat and handle)
Light switches
TV remote controls
Game controllers
Personal computers (monitor, CPU)
Laptops
Mouse and mouse pads
Keyboards
Mobile phones and tablets
Toys

Clean the surfaces by wiping them with a wet hand towel or the appropriate cleaning spray. Then apply the designated disinfectant. This can be a disinfecting wipe or spray. Alcohol-based wipes or sprays with 70% alcohol can also be used for disinfecting. Leave on for a few minutes and wipe with a dry towel. Dry surfaces thoroughly to avoid pooling of stagnant liquid.

Hard (Non-porous) Surfaces

Common hard surface materials include stainless steel, laminate, porcelain, tile, granite and various types of plastic materials.

Clean the surface with water and soap or detergent. Disinfect by wiping the surface with the appropriate household disinfectant. Leave on for a few minutes and wipe with a dry towel.

Soft (Porous) Surfaces

Soft surfaces include carpets, rugs and drapes. Wash these items according to their instructions using designated cleaners for each material. Use the warm setting on the washing machine if possible and dry them completely.

If having these washed in a laundry shop, make sure to disinfect the room and floor where you unpack these items before storing them away or using them again.

Laundry Items

Don’t forget to wear disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry. As much as possible, do not shake dirty laundry to minimize the risk of dispersing the virus through the air.

Curtains, linens, bed sheets and pillow cases should be changed and washed regularly.

Curtains – every 3 to 6 months
Pillows – at least once a week
Bed sheets – once every 1-2 weeks
Hand towels – every 2 uses
Bathroom towels – every 3-4 uses or once a week
Kitchen towels – every day

Wash items according to manufacturer instructions. Use the warmest possible setting if possible. Dry them completely. Clean and disinfect clothes hampers and hangers afterwards. You can also place a disposable bag liner or a washable one on your clothes hamper.

In the Kitchen

The kitchen is where we unpack our grocery items and where we stay to prepare food. Make sure to wipe the counters clean after every use. Wash utensils with soapy water and soak in hot water if appropriate. Soak the dish sponge in hot water after use and dry completely.

Throw grocery bags coming from outside or soak them in soapy water and dry in the sun if you want to reuse them. Empty your trash can daily to keep your kitchen and your whole house clean.

How and Where to Clean

Ideally, you should clean the areas with the least foot traffic first. You can start from the bedroom and tackle the bathroom last.

When wiping surfaces, do so in an “S” motion so you cover the whole area without much overlap. Use disposable gloves as you clean and disinfect and wash your hands afterwards.

You can also designate an area near your front door where the whole family can leave their shoes, bags, keys and other items that they need to carry with them whenever they need to go out to work or run errands. This way, you can limit spreading the virus to other parts of the house.

Cleaning and disinfecting your home in the new normal isn’t as difficult as it sounds. It does require consistency and vigilance so we can keep our homes the safest and healthiest place for our loved ones to be. A clean home helps keep you healthy in mind and body too so you can keep pursuing your goals and transforming your life for the better.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash.

Jul

2020

The New Normal in Air Travel

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Many countries are slowly opening up their economies. Soon, air travel will be possible for us who are itching to be in a new environment. However, the new normal in air travel may not be as convenient as before. Safety precautions will surely intensify in order to prevent spreading the virus. Strict measures for cleanliness are already implemented. Expect temperature checks to be part of the routine too.

Our world is continually changing. We need to adapt. Transportation and travel in general will never be the same. Going to the airpot and flying a plane will be a much different experience from now on. Several guidelines can keep travelers stay healthy and safe throughout the experience. Here are some ways on how it will change.

Attracting Customers

The airline industry has been in a slump due to the pandemic. Only major airline companies will be able to survive in these conditions. But staying in business remains a challenge if they don’t attract customers to fly again.

Many travelers are still hesitant to pursue air travel. Customer confidence can be boost through cheap fares and passenger safety measures. Those bored or brave enough may take advantage of low fares. However, these offers may not last long. The implementation of more measures to ensure customer safety in airports and the airplane itself will mean added costs for airline companies.

Stricter Airport Safety Measures

Expect strict moderation of airport activity in the new normal. This is to ensure cleanliness and personal safety of all passengers. Here are some changes that you can expect when you arrive at the airport:

Waiting areas outside the airport
No mask, no entrance policy
Face masks are required at all times
Temperature checks at entrances (thermal scans)
Hand sanitizers at interaction points (e.g., ticket counter, baggage counter, etc.) and public places
Checkpoints will have transparent barriers (e.g., baggage counters, check-in/check-out counters, etc.)
Except for very small or light bags, baggage check-ins will be encouraged
Regular disinfecting schedules
Social distancing signages and monitoring
Lounges may remain closed to avoid people gathering closely
Quarantine area (for further testing of persons who have higher temperatures)
Social distancing in shuttle buses

To lessen contact, digital boarding passes thru online check-in will be encouraged. Expect everyone to be wearing face masks and maybe even full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Masks and protective gear is part of the new normal for air travel.
Photo by Camila Perez on Unsplash.

Inflight Safety Measures

Air travel safety measures will surely be amped up. Expect these changes when you board your plane.

Medical evaluation before and after flight assignments for all crew members
Flight crew in full PPE (masks, face shields, gloves and PPE uniforms)
No mask, no fly policy will be imposed
Passengers will walk through a disinfection tent/mats when boarding the plane
Thermal scans and social distancing procedures will be observed
All passengers should keep their face masks on during the flight
Hand washing practices will be strictly observed
Meals will be served in secure packaging to minimize contact
Passengers will be seated one seat apart from each other
Scheduled disinfection, especially for longer flights

All these measures may make you feel like you are sitting in a hospital instead of in an airplane. It is better to be extra careful than to suffer dire consequences.

Cabin Safety & Cleanliness

One of the reasons why we may opt out of air travel is cabin cleanliness. This issue is now on top of the industry’s agenda as one way to ensure safety and attract customers to fly once more.

Airplanes are equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that remove particulate and bacterial contamination. These deliver the same air quality as a hospital operating room. They utilize 50% filtered air and 50% outside air in continuous circulation around the cabin. That amounts to about 20-30 air changes in the cabin per hour or air changes every 3-4 minutes. The direction of air flow is also from top-down. This limits the spread of the virus.

Having gaps in between passengers ensures minimal contact. For economy class passengers, this will feel like being in business class. The high seat back also gives added protection. Plus, with your mask on for added safety, airplanes will be relatively safe to travel in.

Expect More Adjustments

Airline companies will be constantly observing and evaluating these procedures. Expect to find new modifications to these procedures and requirements for safer air travel as the industry tries to adapt to the new normal. If you are not ready for air travel yet, a road trip is a good option for a change of scenery.

In the meantime, do your part to ensure your own health and safety. Don’t forget to prepare safety and health care essentials for your household. Whenever you are out and about, continue wearing your mask, use your hand sanitizer to disinfect and practice proper hand washing.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Ross Parmly on Unsplash.

Jun

2020

5 Tips to Plan the Best Road Trip

Reading Time: 4 minutes

After being cooped up indoors, we all want to take a break and get away from it all. Traveling is a good way to get a break and recharge. Before you start planning for that quick getaway, here are some tips to keep in mind. These tips will ensure that you get the most fun, stay safe, and keep stress away during your road trip.

1. Plan Your Route and Stop Overs

The first part of a plan for any road trip is to pick a destination. Once you’ve made your choice, check the maps and research online for the quickest route to get there. Check what stop overs you will be making on your way there and on your way back home. Stop overs usually include any checkpoints, toll gates, food places and gas stations. You should be prepared with the necessary items you need to go through these locations more quickly.

Take into consideration who you will be bringing with you on your road trip. For example, if you will be traveling with older people or kids; plan a route along roads with several locations where you can take toilet breaks.

Make sure to allocate ample time for whatever you will be doing for each stop over. Check the weather and traffic situation on the days of your trip. This means that you will be able to enjoy each stop over as much as you want to.

2. Allow for Spontaneity

You need to plan your road trip carefully but still have fun during the journey. Make sure you have ample time for other interesting stop overs and activities that you might encounter along the way. You might find that the locals have a better suggestion for a stop over than the one you originally intended. It is better to have a plan before hand on how you will decide for these kinds of situations.

If your destination is not a popular travel spot, information about it might not be updated; so be prepared for surprises. For example, that tranquil beach you saw online might now be a resort where locals flock to. If this happens, try to look at the bright side of the situation instead of dwelling on your disappointment.

3. Allocate Your Budget

A solid budget plan is important for any road trip so think about your budget carefully. Calculate and write down the total budget for the entire trip and break down of where the budget will go. Budget for what food to bring with you and other extra items you need to buy during the trip. Do the same for your personal budget so you include items such as local delicacies and souvenirs, for example.

Be sure to include required personal safety items such as face masks and sanitizers. Have a budget for safety items too in case your car breaks down before you arrive at your destination.

Your budget should also include entrance fees, gas and other extra expenses that you might incur along the way. Don’t forget to prepare actual cash on hand. There might not be ATMs or debit and credit cards are not accepted as payments in your destination. This is especially true for most mom and pop food places and souvenir stores in the provinces.

4. Prepare Your Electronics and Entertainment

A plan is good but the actual road trip will take several hours. Ample entertainment is key to keeping the atmosphere fun and enjoyable all thru the trip. You might pass some areas with poor Internet connectivity. Be prepared by loading your mobile device or tablet with enough music and/or movies to entertain you along the way.

Charge your electronic gadgets to full and prepare extra batteries. Make sure your power banks and digital devices are fully charged so you won’t run low on entertainment and energy. Bring emergency power supplies too, like a fully charged flash light. Also prepare your IDs and travel documents if you need to go through check points.

5. Clean, Prep and Pack the Car Properly

Make sure that your car is in top shape when you plan for the road trip. Have your car thoroughly cleaned. Make sure that all the scheduled, preventive maintenance is completed so your car doesn’t break down during the trip. Ensure that safety precautions have also been installed properly. You don’t want to get flagged for failing to comply with personal safety and travel guidelines.

Don’t forget to bring a spare tire and some tools for any mishaps. You might need to troubleshoot along the way. If your engine is prone to over heating, bring water for the car as well.

Last but not the least, plan how to pack everything you need in the space that your car allows. Decide which items you need to bring with you and what you can just buy on the road. Try to pack only what you will need.

You will need to pack light if you have travel buddies and your car is smaller. Plan what you can put in the back of the car. Decide what each person can bring with them in their bags. This way you can all enjoy the trip comfortably and safely.

These are just some of the things you need to consider when planning your road trip. Be well prepared so you can stay comfortable and safe and have fun on the trip. Don’t forget to be open to new adventures along the way.

Got more tips for a road trip? We would love to hear them.

If you’re planning to go abroad, be sure to observe proper travel etiquette so you enjoy your trip. Of course, you should observe these during your local travels too. For first time travelers, here are some worthy travel goals to inspire you.

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living 2019.07.19.
Feature Image: Original Photo by William Christen on Unsplash.