Uncertainty is Certain

We've been experiencing covid news fatigue. While I still check the daily statistics in our city, I stopped paying attention to the nationwide tally. They seem to be manipulating the numbers to suit whatever narrative they wish to feed the citizenry. (There was a time when the new cases per day was pegged at 200+ for so long. Now, 3000 + is the new 200+.) It's harder to do that at the local level since you're working with a smaller population, where someone with knowledge could blab should a case go unreported. 

Biking is 'in'. Even for kids and teens.

The Philippines seems to be set on becoming the Guiness Book of World Records' country with the longest time on lockdown. I sometimes think that that was their only plan, ride out the pandemic by making people stay indoors. We're on GCQ now but the meaning/specific guidelines of each CQs are lost to us especially as it seems that those guidelines are not set in stone. We went to MECQ last month and yet tricycles still plied the roads. Went back to GCQ but local businesses remained closed on Sundays until just recently. What remains clear is that no matter the CQ, the virus is still around. 

We're still doing what we've been doing since the third week of March. We've also taken to wearing face shields when we leave the street for work or errands because it is required. If I can, I still walk than take public transport. We have bikes but roads outside the subdivision are not safe for bikers. 

Contrary to what a lot of people think, we are not that well-off and growing up, we were poor. We just seem like we have more because we budget our funds and put away some for rainy days. Had we been like people who spend their earnings to the last centavo immediately after they get them, we wouldn't have extra cash. One should see the run down state of our house before. We were so afraid of our future that we would use everything to the last drop. We don't give up on tools, gadgets and appliances until they give out on us before buying a new one. It's a trait that I mostly carry until now.  

So really, going through this pandemic is somewhat like when we were growing up. We had practice. We make do with what we have. We put away what we can. Can't dine out or sight see? We're introverts, staying put is not a problem. Can't go to the salon for a haircut? Mom is pretty good at cutting hair. In need of pampering? Resort to DIYs. But while we were taught and are largely capable of doing our nails, I still have shaky hands and the difference of having someone else give me a manicure is evident.

As it is, going out has become tedious what with all the disinfecting when one gets home. I guess that is one more reason why we'd rather stay put. But the primary reason would be covid.