The ‘new normal’ work attire after the COVID-19 pandemic
Right now, many parts of the world are still following directives to stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Only leaving your home for important items such as shopping for groceries and picking up medicines has become the new normal, and many people are still scared to leave their homes in fear of contracting the virus.
This new strain of coronavirus is deadly for some, and has taken thousands of lives all across the globe. And it looks likely that we’ll need to get used to a different way of life for a while, as we wait for a COVID-19 vaccine to be available.
Find out how you can protect yourself if you need to go out for work or errands at this time.
Wear a mask to safeguard yourself
The very first item on your checklist before you head out the door these days is likely to be a face mask, as many are wearing them outside, in shops and on public transport.
As the demand for disposable masks is high, it’s become hard sometimes to get your hands on an N95 mask or a surgical mask. Instead, it is recommended to use a customised reusable face mask as it comes with an adjustable nose bridge and earloops for the perfect fit.
It has a dual-hole inside pocket layer for easy insertion and removal of filtration paper for added protection. You can also change the filtration paper every one to three days, depending on your use.
Masks are worn when you’re in public as they act as a barrier to help protect you and others from bacteria and viruses. Some people infect each other unknowingly spreading the virus while not wearing a mask.
Companies are now providing more flexible working conditions and work from home arrangements due to COVID-19. However, it is not possible for everyone to work from home, especially those in frontline jobs, such as healthcare professionals and people working in the basic necessities industry, like food.
The issue of what to wear to work would not be an inarguable topic if we are in the ‘old normal’. Often professional jobs like these would have a dress code policy, and uniforms are expected for many others who work in customer service fields. However, as we live in a different world now, you need to take precautions to protect yourself.
How is it possible to prevent the spread of the virus?
Being well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the infection it causes, and how it spreads is the best way to avoid and slow down transmission.
Safeguard yourself and many others from the deadly virus by washing your hands or using alcohol-based sanitizers frequently, and not touching your face.
The COVID-19 virus is spreading mainly through the droplets of saliva or discharge from the nostrils when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it is crucial that you also practice good respiratory manners, such as coughing into a flexed elbow.
Some people are concerned that it can be caught from food, but it is highly unlikely that people will be able to contract COVID-19 from food or packaging.
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and the primary path of transmission is through person to person interaction, and direct contact with respiratory droplets produced when an infected person is coughing or sneezing.
To date, there is no evidence of viruses that cause respiratory diseases to be transferred via food or food packaging. Coronaviruses can’t replicate in food since they have to replicate by a human or animal source.
New customs and procedures
COVID-19 has also heavily impacted livelihoods, local industries, and the economy overall. Governments worldwide have imposed strict initiatives such as travel bans, and restricted movements to try to control the virus.
We may skip the gestures of shaking hands to say hello, for a while, and instead elbow bumps and a friendly nod will be the new way of greeting.
Ideally, hand washing thoroughly, not touching our faces, keeping the hand sanitizer handy, and deeply cleaning commonly used areas will remain in our habits.
Until a COVID-19 vaccine exists, we’ll probably be advised to continue wearing masks or face coverings over our mouth and nose, keep our distance from others, avoid busy places, and adapt to temperature inspection.
These safety procedures may well remain essential, especially as some carriers of coronavirus do not show any symptoms. If you are leaving your home for groceries or employment, it’s wise to take the right precautions.
And try to limit trips to the shops to prevent unnecessary exposure. Try to buy as much as you can afford and handle in one go if you are going to the supermarket, and plan ahead so you don’t forget anything.
Roughly four million people have become diagnosed with the deadly new coronavirus, taking over 400,000 lives with it, according to statistics. The pandemic of COVID-19 has dramatically affected the way people live their lives.
Because of the epidemic, people and companies are forced into accepting the ‘new normal.’ Governments in each country are discussing how to prevent a new wave of growing case, and whether it’s okay to go back to schools and offices while trying to flatten the curve.
And the general advice seems to be to wear wear a mask, keep your social distance, and practice frequent hand washing.
Photo by Thomas de LUZE
