What Will Life Under a ‘New Normal’ Look Like?

As more people stay at home than outdoors, gated villages like this will look like ghost towns most of the time.

Streets are nearly empty amid the lockdowns, but traffic may soon return as cities transition to more relaxed quarantine measures.

Only one passenger is allowed for every tricycle. A tricycle driver in this terminal in Pasig tells us the local government gave them these plastic shields to separate them from their passengers.

Bicycles may become the new primary mode of transportation, as people veer away from close contact with each other. This bike shop seems to be getting an unusual load of customers.

While humanity struggles to survive, Earth is healing. Air quality has improved globally since lockdowns were enforced and travel was suspended. With clearer skies free of air pollutants, one can now see distant mountains that were not visible in the past.

Trash will need to be properly segregated to avoid spreading any virus or sickness. Garbage collectors who also serve as frontliners have to wear protective gear as they go from village to village.

Businesses will have to reinvent their establishments and their operations in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus. This pharmacy, for instance, has placed a plastic divider between customers and their staff.

Will salons and barber shops finally be allowed to reopen?

“Please wear your face mask,” “Always observe social distancing.” Signs like these will become more prominent in public places.

To those who live in shabby shelters, it is a necessity to spend some time outside to refresh. And with masks covering our faces, we can only guess what one feels during this uncertain time.

Those who say that the coronavirus is a great equalizer are misinformed. In every crisis, it’s always the poor and the marginalized who are most vulnerable. To these people, it is not coronavirus but hunger that will most likely kill them.

“Stay home to save lives.” That is the most popular catchphrase today, as authorities encourage people to avoid catching the virus from going outside.