Yesterday, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte enforced a Luzon-wide “enhanced community quarantine,” which aims to restrict movement of people and limit it to supply runs. This means that people are expected to stay at home to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
However, staying at home doesn’t apply to several frontliners (eg. health workers and media) and employees whose companies didn’t implement a work-from-home (WFH) scheme. The urban poor also can’t afford to stay at home because they need to earn a living. But that’s a different discussion altogether—mostly about holding the government accountable. (We have a story about this too.)
If you’re fortunate enough to work and stay at home, please don’t go out unless you really need to. If your main complaint is that you’re bored and don’t know what to do until the quarantine ends in April, here are some activities to keep you busy.
Disinfect your home
This is the perfect time to clean every room in your house to make sure that it won’t turn into a breeding ground for any virus. Start wiping surfaces, washing plates and utensils, throw your dirty clothes and sheets in the wash and leave your outside shoes at the door. Of course, don’t forget to wash your hands and disinfect your phones and laptops as well.
Home workouts
Before the enhanced community quarantine began, my friends still insisted on going to the gym, promising that they would disinfect equipment before and after use. I even asked them if it was okay for me to jog at the nearby park. Obviously, we won’t be able to do that for the time being so the best solution is to work out at home. If you already have a set routine, that’s great—perhaps you can even share it with your friends and family. If not, there are fitness apps and YouTube videos available. (Check this thread for more suggestions.)
Paint your nails
One of the preventive tips given by the World Health Organization (WHO) is to not touch your face, especially if your hands are unclean. If you’re someone who can’t avoid touching your face or biting your nails, we suggest giving yourself an at-home manicure and put on nail polish. Don’t have nail polish? Then just make sure your nails beds are clean.
Read, read, read
Do you have a book backlog that you haven’t touched because of how busy you are? This is the perfect time to start going through them.
Play board games with your family
If you live with your family and want to do something else other than watch the news, then bust out the board games. It’s a great way to kill time and bond at home.
Virtual drinking with friends
Ever since the community quarantine began, my friends and I have used Google Hangouts to catch up and play games while drinking. This was inspired by the Japanese’s practice of “on-nomi” or online drinking while they’re on quarantine in their country. Just remember to do this when you and your friends are done working for the day.
Watch party
Aside from online drinking, you can also host a watch party with friends. One site you can use is &chill, where you can create a room and stream Netflix and YouTube series and films. You can also watch existing livestreams on the site.
(Side note: We also understand that not everyone has access to the internet, so we’re certainly not telling people to just sit on the couch and watch Netflix—unlike some people.)
Masturbate
Hey, sexual health is important too. And with social distancing being strictly implemented, many of us won’t be able to see our partners or go on Tinder dates. If you have sex toys at home, use them.
Art by Tricia Guevara
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Related stories:
#MMQuarantine day 2: Catriona Gray prays for our workers and government
What you need to know about the Metro Manila community quarantine
Things pregnant women should know about COVID-19
Is the COVID-19 advice you read real or fake? A discussion