NEGATIVITY KILLS

Sometimes, we feel our life is turning miserably. Our negativity doesn't allow us to keep our eyes, ears - and, most important! -  our minds, hearts and souls opened. Were reaching our breaking point.

For many people around us, the "new normality" because of lock-down and so many more new restrictions results in physical and mental illnesses. 2020 - a year we never expected to be like this. And, it's not yet over ... .

As I said several years ago here: this breaking point can be the prelude to our strongest moment. It is when we reach our breaking point, that we discover our real strength. Allow me to ask you, my dear readers, "What happens to you or with you when you reach your breaking point?" Do you face it or do you run away?

I'll be giving you a very simple answer: If you face it - you break it. If you run away (and/or close your ears, eyes and mouth) - it surely breaks you!

Every day in quarantine - a dull reality! Many of us will answer this question with a big YES!  When boredom strikes ... . Actually we do like to cover a newborn day already with grey veil? Each day has a new face, but nowadays, we don't have the strength to watch its countenance. Of course, not every day has adventures and highlights.

But we enjoy quarreling and arguing. With other people and even with ourselves. Yes, we're all experiencing new normality.

Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that, at the same time, seemed especially desolating and painful with a particular satisfaction. Indeed, everything I have learned, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been through affliction and not through happiness.

If it ever were to be possible to eliminate affliction from your earthly existence, the result would not be make life delectable, but to make it too banal and trivial to be endurable.

By observation, we can feel that many of us need help to manage the everyday life. We need something that would keep us going as we journey through life. Many times we can also learn from other people and their experiences.

And here is one more thing: Affection is the humblest love - it gives itself no airs. It lives with humble and private things: soft slippers, old clothes, old jokes, and the thump of a sleepy dog's tail on the kitchen floor. The glory of affection, the disposition of mind, the good will and tender attachment, is that it can unite those who are not "made for one and another", people. Who, if not out down by fate in the same household or community, would have nothing to do with one and another.

For me life has been a thing of ups and downs in approximately equal measure. I don't have something sensational to report every day about my progress. Often, I wonder if fulfillment in life is necessarily tied to change for the better. Even now while experiencing "new normality" ... .

German Honorary Consulate in Davao City reopens

Please be informed that due to so many requests the German Honorary Consulate in Davao City for Mindanao is reopening starting next Tuesday May 26, 2020 following the strict health and hygiene measures. Personal appointments are limited to 3 clients per day and only after setting an appointment via 0915 219 9002 or 082 227 1761. NO WALK-INS ALLOWED! 

If you miss your scheduled appointment, you shall set up anew appointment because you'll be entertained on your scheduled appointment only. For your guidance.

A MOST DOWN-TO-EARTH BOOK

When tragedy strikes, it's easy to harden our hearts and cry out, "God, why did you let this happen?" Maybe then, we started praying. Before, when everything goes smooth, we would not even think a minute about praying... .

In times like now, while dealing with the corona virus and all the related circumstances, many of us might starting praying again. Each of us has concerns to fight with. Financial and  natural health problems - worries about our future - our businesses, education etc. etc. pp.

"To be a Christian without prayer, "said protestant Martin Luther, "is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." Prayer is the only way of becoming what God wants us to be. This is the reason, why Jesus spent many hours in praying.

Unquestionable, our daily needs bring us to a place of prayer. Confronted with danger, natural disasters or other  tragedies, as I mentioned earlier, we look for God's help. Difficult times always cause the hearts of men to turn to God into prayer.

Let me ask you: How long has it been since your're brought your burdens to God? Since when  did you ask His forgiveness for your shortcomings?

During my home office time, I spent a lot for hours in my library. I found a very interesting book:  "People in Prayer". The author Dr. John White reminds us that prayer is a divine-human interaction and it is always God who takes the initiative. White write: "God speaks and we respond. God is always speaking. To hear his voice is not usually a mystical experience. It consists merely of a willingness to pay heed to God who lays a claim to our lives."

Yes, God always speaks. It is up to us whether we will listen and respond to Him. Many think we are the ones who initiate prayer. But prayers begin and end with God.

There was a time, I wasn't in the mood to pray any more. It seemed that God didn't listen my prayer any more. I didn't get what I prayed for. Of course, not... ! That's not the meaning of praying to God. All my wishes will be granted? Heaven forbid!

Sometimes, after we have prayed, God's answers may puzzle us. But as time times goes by and as events unfold we see God's purpose in his answers. We might get a larger vision, what HE likes. Not what WE like... .

Think about it for a moment: How does the idea that prayer begins and ends with God affect me now? Do I have the habit of listening to god? How do I respond to Him? How do I usually pray?

I confess that long time ago I have been trying to persuade God to change other people in my surroundings or circumstances. Nothing changed. Of course not, what a fatal attraction? I got confused because God never granted my requests. Meanwhile I got God's answers to my prayers. Maybe very simple: I was willing to let God change me... .This is how each one of us should start. Happy endings. Because I prayed according to His will... .

Talking about prayer, we also have to mention the probably most down-earth book in the bible which is  Proverbs. Its education prepares you for the street and the marketplace, not the schoolroom The book offers the warm advice you get by growing up in a good family. It covers small questions as well as large: talking too much, visiting neighbors to often, being unbearable cheerful to early in the morning. Proverbs simply tells how life works most of the time.

I always love to quote proverbs, which express truth about life in an elegant, witty kernel. You should not hunt through it for proverbs you might like. You should study the whole book to get its overall point of view. This takes time, for Proverbs covers dozens of subjects in the subtle detail.

Deutscher Kanzleramtschef: Keine Pflichtimpfung gegen Coronavirus.

In Deutschland soll es keine Impfpflicht gegen SARS-CoV-2 geben. Das sagte Kanzleramtschef Helge Braun den Zeitungen der Funke-Mediengruppe. Wenn es einen Impfstoff gebe, könne jeder sich freiwillig impfen lassen. Wer das nicht wolle, müsse das Risiko einer Infektion selbst tragen. Der CDU-Politiker äußerte die Hoffnung, dass es zwischen Anfang und Mitte nächsten Jahres einen Impfstoff für die breite Bevölkerung geben wird. Wenn sich dann möglichst viele Menschen immunisieren ließen, würde es keine Beschränkungen mehr geben, und Deutschland könne zum normalen Leben zurückkehren.

SP approves Anti Covid-19 Discrimination Ordinance

Davao de Oro Province--- As the human race continues to fight this dreaded disease, another  battle against stigma unfolds as some chose to discriminate others who were associated with the virus, but the golden province of Davao de Oro continues to fight in the spirit of “Bayanihan” and unity among its constituents.

Confirmed, probable and suspects of COVID-19 including our health workers and other front-liners were discriminated by others. Various reports of discrimination includes eviction from their homes, declined service in public transportation, markets, eateries, oppression due to fear of acquiring the infection and some were avoided from their place of origination.

As Davao de Oro prioritizes the good of all its constituents, the provincial government issued the Provincial Ordinance No. 68-2020. The ordinance is known as “Anti-Covid 19 Discrimination Ordinance of the Province of Davao de Oro” which will combat the widespread stigmatization on the basis of one’s medical condition and profession.

Bringing the entire province to its peak for years, the Provincial Government sees to it that normalcy and order will be brought to its land amidst the emerging crisis as well as protection of its constituents   from unjust discrimination from fear and panic by the public.

The Ordinance covers the protection of all front-liners and individuals who were Covid-patients that have recovered or the former PUIs and PUMs from acts of harassment, violence and discrimination; denying access to public services, programs, and facilities; denying access or admission to medical and other health services as well as private and public establishments and transportation services that are open for the general public. They are also protected from utterance and slanderous online post that provoke discrimination as well as physical and verbal harassment.

Individuals who were associated with the disease such as PUIs and PUMs together with probable, suspected and positive cases were also protected from discrimination and harassment and from unauthorized disclosure of their personal information to the public in any means. Respective families of these individuals were also protected in any forms of discrimination and harassment.

“Importante nga proteksyonan nato ang atuang mga front-liners, so naghimo kita pinaagi sa Provincial Ordinance No. 68 ug usa ka ordinansa nga gipasa sa atuang Sanggunian, diin nagabawal kita sa any act of discrimination sa atuang mga frontliners. Gina-dili pod nato ang pagbiay-biay including na gani sa mga discrimination acts sa mga probable, suspects, PUMS, PUIs ug positive nga na cleared from any medical authorities. Ginadili pod nato ang pag discriminate sa ilaha,” said Vice-Governor Maria Carmen Zamora.

A fine ranging from Three Thousand Pesos (Php 3,000) to Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000) will be imposed to persons who will commit any of the acts and/or imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the court.(Jasteen Abella, ID DAVAO DE ORO)

From the Office of the City Mayor Davao

Auswärtiges Amt: Aktuelle Reisewarnungen Philippinen

Letzte Änderungen:
Aktuelles (Taifunwarnung, COVID-19)

Aktuelles

Ab dem 14. Mai 2020 soll der Taifun Vong Fong/Ambo auf Ost-Visayas treffen und bis 16. Mai 2020 in Richtung Norden und Luzon ziehen. Der Taifun kann heftige Regenfälle und Winde mit sich bringen, die zu Überschwemmungen und Beeinträchtigungen der Infrastruktur in der Stromversorgung und bei Verkehrswegen führen können.

• Beachten Sie Wettervorhersagen und insbesondere Taifunwarnungen wie beim Joint Typhoon Warning Center oder beim philippinischen Wetterdienst „Pagasa“ .
• Beachten Sie bei einer Sturmwarnung die Hinweise zu Wirbelstürmen im Ausland bzw. die Hinweise des Bundesamts für Bevölkerungsschutz und Katastrophenhilfe.
• Vermeiden Sie Aufenthalte in den möglicherweise von dem Taifun betroffene Gebiete.
• Folgen Sie stets den Anweisungen lokaler Behörden, auch im Fall von Evakuierungen.

Zur Eindämmung der COVID-19-Erkrankung ist derzeit bis auf weiteres Ausländern die Einreise in die Philippinen landesweit verboten; erteilte philippinische Einreise-Visa wurden für ungültig erklärt. Ausnahmen gelten ausschließlich für Flugzeugbesatzungen, für Familienangehörige (Ehegatten, Kinder) von philippinischen Staatsangehörigen sowie für Diplomaten und Angehörige internationaler Organisationen, die in den Philippinen akkreditiert sind. Diese unterliegen jedoch nach Einreise einer 14-tägigen Quarantänepflicht.

Eine Ausreise ist Ausländern, die sich im Land aufhalten, jederzeit erlaubt. Es bestehen aber keine regulären Verkehrsverbindungen zwischen den Inseln des Landes. Ausländern, die sich auf Luzon aufhalten, ist es aber möglich, sich auf dem Landweg nach Manila zur Ausreise über den internationalen Flughafen zu begeben, wenn sie ein Flugticket mit sich führen und die Ausreise innerhalb der nächsten 24 Stunden bevorsteht oder sie eine Hotelbuchung bis zum Abflug nachweisen können.

Seit dem 17. März 2020 gelten bis vorerst zum 31. Mai 2020 für die philippinische Hauptinsel Luzon und die anderen Ballungsgebiete um Cebu und Davao strenge Quarantänemaßnahmen, die nur kurze Einkäufe und für wenige ausgenommene unerlässliche Wege zur Arbeit erlauben. Es gilt eine nächtliche Ausgangssperre (20.00 Uhr bis 05.00 Uhr). Für den Großraum Manila (Metro Manila) gelten seit dem 15. März 2020 Ein- und Ausreisesperren auf dem Land-, See- und Luftweg. Ungeachtet einer leichten Ausweitung der Ausnahmen vom generellen Ausgangsverbot innerhalb der von Metro Manila ab dem 16. Mai 2020 sind für einzelne Gemeinden dort zusätzliche Beschränkungen wie zum Beispiel Verbote, das Gemeindegebiet zu verlassen in Kraft oder können kurzfristig erlassen werden.

Für die Philippinen wurde eine Rückholaktion für deutsche gestrandete Reisende durchgeführt.

• Wenn Sie zurzeit zu Gast in den Philippinen sind, prüfen Sie Rückreiseoptionen und nutzen Sie vorhandene Ausreisemöglichkeiten. Die Reisemöglichkeiten aus den Philippinen sind zurzeit beschränkt, jedoch werden weiterhin einige Verbindungen angeboten, die Ausländer nutzen können.
• Verfolgen Sie die lokalen Medien und folgen Sie den Anweisungen der Behörden.
• Informieren Sie sich auf der Internetseite der Deutschen Botschaft Manila, auf Facebook und auf Instagram.
• Bitte beachten Sie unsere fortlaufend aktualisierten Informationen zu COVID-19/Coronavirus, insbesondere die derzeitige Reisewarnung vor nicht notwendigen, touristischen Reisen.

Sicherheit - Teilreisewarnung
Vor Reisen in folgende Regionen oder Gebiete gewarnt:
- Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX)
- Northern Mindanao (Region X)
- Davao-Region (Region XI) mit Ausnahme des Stadtgebietes von Davao City
- Soccsksargen (Region XII)
- Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
- Inseln des Sulu-Archipels
- Süd-Palawan mit Ausnahme von Puerto Princesa
Von nicht erforderlichen Reisen in andere Regionen von Mindanao und in der Mindanao-See wird abgeraten.

General Community Quarantine in Davao City

The City Government of Davao released on Thursday morning a DRAFT of the executive order on the specific guidelines IF the city will officially shift to GENERAL COMMUNITY QUARANTINE.


EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. __
Series of 2020

AN ORDER PROVIDING FOR A GENERAL COMMUNITY QUARANTINE TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN DAVAO CITY ON 00:01 16 MAY 2020 TO 11:59 PM 31 MAY 2020 UNLESS FURTHER EXTENDED, MODIFIED OR WITHDRAWN

SECTION 2. GUIDELINES. The following guidelines of the GCQ:

1. OMNIBUS GUIDELINES. The Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of the Community Quarantine in the Philippines is hereby adopted for the implementation of the GCQ in the city.

2. QUARANTINE. No one can come out of their house except those using a Food and Medicine pass (FM pass) or those allowed to work under GCQ;

3. GCQ EXEMPTED WORK. Department of Trade and Industry Memorandum Circular 20-22 series of 2020 and its Annex is hereby adopted to enumerate all the offices, establishments and industries allowed to operate during GCQ.

4. GCQ NOT EXEMPTED WORK. All private offices and business establishments who are GCQ exempted, whenever needed, may operate a home office or work from home system for their employees. They shall not be allowed to open to the public or accept clients or customers in their houses.

5. VULNERABLE SECTOR. Any person below twenty-one (21) years old, those who are sixty (60) years old and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, or other health risks, and pregnant women, including any person who reside with the aforementioned, shall be required to remain in their residences at all times, except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in permitted industries and offices. (Omnibus Guidelines Sec. 3 No.2)

6. INDISPENSABLE DEFINITION. Sec. 3 (7) OF THE Omnibus Guidelines provide that individuals below the age of 21 years old and those 60 years and above may enter malls only when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining goods and essential services or for work. Indispensable shall mean necessary because of peculiar circumstances, e.g. senior living alone, emergency, doctor’s clinic inside mall, etc.

7. FM PASS. The Food and Medicine pass (FM pass) shall be used to buy food, medicines or go to the hospital. Two (2) individuals can be named on the pass but only one (1) named person therein can use it at any given time. The FM pass must be used with a valid ID to verify the name indicated therein;

a. FM pass with last digit 1,3,5,7,9 can only be used on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, FM pass with last digit 0,2,4,6,8 can only be used on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, FM pass can only be used from the hours of 5:00AM to 9:00PM. The FM pass cannot be used on a Sunday.

b. Groceries, supermarket, wet market, pharmacy, drugstore must require the presentation of a GCQ exempted workers ID or FM pass and valid ID before entering the store. The establishment can refuse entry if the person is found to violating the rules on the use of the FM pass;

c. The establishment can implement reasonable rules within their premises during the GCQ to protect their employees;

8. CLUSTERING. The clustering of barangays in a district for the purposes of travel is hereby lifted. However, for the protection of the public and to control the spread within a specific community only, everyone is advised to avoid the areas identified to be Very High Risk and Medium Risk based on the risk assessment made. This list shall be published in a separate document.

9. TRANSPORTATION.

a. The schedule of the ban of trucks along the highways is hereby lifted;
b. All vehicles must implement physical distancing inside their units;
c. Jeepneys shall set-up the approved physical distancing seating arrangement with barriers;
d. Private vehicles and Taxis with 1 driver and 1 passenger in front and 1 at the back, observing physical distancing;
e. Tricycle with 1 driver and 1 passenger in front and 1 at the back, observing distancing;
f. Single rider motorcycle or bicycle;
g. Free bus rides from the government;
h. All passengers must present a GCQ exempted employee ID or FM pass whenever required to do so by the driver or law enforcement;
i. Privately employed drivers shall present an employee ID or a certification from his employer and a xerox copy or mobile phone picture of the employer’s ID;

10. SELF-PROTECTION MEASURES. Everyone shall wear face masks in all public places even when inside offices and establishments and must observe at least one (1) meter physical distance from other individuals. Regular handwashing with soap and water should be strictly followed by the employees. Alcohol stations must be available for clients and customers.

11. NEW NORMAL RULES. All offices, schools, institutions, establishments, farm, factories, work site and places of worship must create their New Normal (NN) rules in preparation for the lifting of the quarantine. NN rules shall be implemented until vaccine or medicine becomes available for the public or until lifted by the government. NN rules should institute infection control measures which shall include wearing of face masks, at least 1-meter physical distancing, regular handwashing, regular disinfection of premises and all other no touch/ no contact rules that can be implemented;

12. MASS GATHERING. All public and private mass gatherings are prohibited. Any gathering of more than 10 individuals is considered a mass gathering. Government aid distribution must strictly follow physical distancing.

13. RELIGIOUS CEREMONY. All religious ceremonies, meetings, prayers and gatherings are prohibited. All faith-based groups are requested to make available online ceremonies for their members;

14. GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND NGO/FOUNDATION. All Government offices must be on full operation despite the shifting schedule, work from home arrangements and other work arrangements;

15. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. All private and public educational institutions can implement a skeletal workforce to prepare for online enrollment procedures or any other system that will not create mass gathering and violate physical distancing rules. All institutions should prepare for online classes, distance learning, take home modules, home school program and other programs which do not require students to come to class until face to face classroom instruction may be allowed. The Department of Education Order 007, Series of 2020 dated 11 May 2020 is hereby adopted;

16. LAW ENFORCEMENT RANDOM INSPECTION OR CHECKPOINT. All individuals on the streets or in vehicles whenever asked by law enforcement or barangay checkpoints, must present their GCQ exempted employee ID card or Food and Medicine pass with valid ID whichever is applicable;

a. GCQ and curfew exempted workers need an FM pass to buy food or medicine;

17. LIQUOR BAN. No liquor, alcohol or any other intoxicating drink shall be sold, served or consumed in public until after the quarantine is lifted. Liquor ban shall be 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

18. CURFEW AND EXEMPTION. The curfew hours shall be from 9:00PM to 5:00AM. Within the curfew hours, people cannot go out of their houses, except if cases of emergencies or if going to work in the exempted sectors/frontline offices. The workers in offices, establishments and industries allowed to operate under DTI MC 20-22 series of 2022 are exempted from curfew;

19. SARI-SARI STORE. Sari-sari stores shall be closed from 6:00PM – 6:00AM. They shall not allow people to stay or loiter around the premises;

20. WET MARKET. All wet markets/palengkes shall be closed everyday at 5:00PM for daily disinfection;

a. Residents from other clusters are prohibited to visit the markets in high risk areas such as Bangkerohan Market, Piapi Market and Agdao Market for their own protection;
b. All wet markets/palengkes must have an entrance, exit and one-way direction for people to go through. People cannot turn around and go back and cannot roam around the wet market/palengke;

21. MOBILE PALENGKE OR ROLLING STORE. Mobile Palengke, rolling store, grocery on wheels, or ambulant food vendors who are using different modes of transportation to sell basic food commodities in the barangays shall be allowed. Basic food commodities shall mean rice, bread, meat, poultry, fish, fruits and vegetables, cooking oil and other food condiments. There must be a maximum of 2 workers, 1 driver and 1 assistant who shall wear face masks and shall implement proper food handling;

22. WAKE UP AND BURIAL. Funeral Parlors, private and public cemeteries are mandated to impose a “family members only” wake and burial and at all times demand compliance and observance of (1) meter distance between family members, wearing of face masks and frequent hand washing with soap and water;

23. TELEPHONE MEDICINE. 911 shall operate a telemedicine project in coordination with volunteer doctors:

a. Pharmacies and drugstores must accept prescriptions that are in form of text messages wherein the sender is 911 to cater to patients who are accommodated by volunteer doctors conducting telemedicine in the city in coordination with 911;
b. In the absence of a doctor’s prescription, pharmacies and drugstores must allow citizens of their duly authorized representatives to avail of their senior citizen’s discount with the presentation of only their purchase orders/booklets and senior citizen ID;

24. EMERGENCY. There is no need for any ID or pass in the event of an emergency;

25. EXERCISE. Individuals are allowed to exercise or go out in the sun or get some fresh air provided that they are within a few meters from their houses.

SOURCE: City Government of Davao

#CTTO

“Balik Dde Oro” for stranded Davao de Oro residents

Davao de Oro Province--- On account of COVID-19’s effect worldwide, fear continues to coat everyone’s heart. Daily activities were no longer the same as it was before and outside activities were being limited. Families wanted to be with each other as humanity continue to fight this dreaded disease.

As the Golden Province of Davao de Oro prioritizes the welfare of all Dabawenyos, a Return Home Special Program and humanitarian initiative called “Balik Dde Oro” was initiated by the Provincial Government.  The program intends to help residents and constituents of Davao de Oro who were currently stranded outside the province due to the different community quarantine policies implemented nation-wide to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus infection.

“Balik Dde Oro” partners with the 11 Municipal Local Government Units of the province. The program started its operation on May 4, 2020 and catered calls, text messages and online applications from Dabawenyos who wanted to get back home.  Hotline numbers coming from the municipal and provincial hub caters applications and served as the call center operation center and were operated by the municipal and provincial officers as well as volunteers from the scholars of the Compostela Valley Scholarship Program (CVSP).

The program includes guidelines and conditions for all applicants who intend to get back to their respective families in the province. The initiative was also made possible through the partnership with Smart Telecommunications who donated sim-cards for the Emergency Operations Center and "Balik Dde Oro" Operations Center.

To date, since it started its operation, it already received and catered a total of 389 applicants via call in the provincial hotlines. Stranded applicants were categorized into three (3): DDO residents stranded within Davao Region (Form 1), stranded outside Davao Region (Form 2) and Non-DDO residents stranded within our province (Form 3). There 183 applicants under Form 1; 188 applicants in Form 2 and 18 applicants in Form 3.

These individuals will still have to be verified and validated before being qualified to avail in the program. Each application will undergo validations such as: verification of residency from the municipal and barangay level, coordination with its respective family, submission of requirements such as health or quarantine certificate if there are any and if the applicant will abide to the terms and conditions of the program.

The conditions of the program includes undergoing a standard screening protocol and must be willing to undergo a 14-day quarantine period in the Barangay Isolation Unit (BIU) before going home, family of the applicant must provide them with food during the quarantine period provided that they will observe social distancing measures and wearing of protective gears during visits. The program is not applicable to those who will be going out of the province and does not cover the return trip and stranded passengers coming from “Lockdown” areas will automatically be declined.

According to Christine Dompor, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer IV of Davao de Oro, deadline of application was on May 7, 2020. For the upcoming days, dissemination and coordination to concerned EOCs will take place including the planning for the logistics. Schedules for the pick-up and transport for all qualified passengers will be posted on the official facebook page of the province after the arrangement of the logistics and coordination with EOCs from other provinces. Transport operations will start on May 16 onwards.

Davao de Oro continues to live with the spirit of “Bayanihan”, prioritizing the good of all its constituents leaving no one behind. (Jasteen Abella, ID DAVAO DE ORO)

Home Office

My column in Mindanao Daily, BusinessWeek Mindanao and Metro Cagayan Times

IN times of Covid-19 and ECQ or even GCQ, many of us are lucky working at home. For me it's a double-edged sword. I love to stay at my home office - on the other side, I miss my teaching and meeting people. Working at home - does this productivity come naturally, or can you learn it?

For some, working from home is a gift – a remarkable opportunity to focus and be hyper-productive, all the while finding time to play with the dogs and even exercise in short pants. For others – well, the transition isn’t quite as seamless. Some find all they’ve done with their eight hours is answer two or three emails, dream about a having a drink or discover their ‘cheese hour’.

It’s true, what British writer Meredith Turits said:  some people simply have dispositions and personality traits that enable them to better adjust to the new world of remote work than others. However, it’s not so black and white. You’re not necessarily destined to be good or bad at working remotely – some may just have to put in more effort than others.

Procrastination is never easier than when your superior isn’t looking over your shoulder. As long as the status light on your communication app is green, it’s easy to rush to the fridge and try to get something to eat or drink, or get into a YouTube hole, with no one any the wiser.

If it feels easier to procrastinate at home than in the office, it is for most: tele work is a “weak situation” with murkier expectations about behavior, says Timothy Pychyl, associate psychology professor at Carleton University in Ontario. In contrast, he points to a common situation: “In an elevator, we all typically ‘act elevator’, for example avoid eye contact with others, and keep our distance as [much as] possible …. The office is more of a strong situation with expectations for many things such as dress codes, arrival and departure times [and] time spent on or off task.” Weaker cues and lower accountability may make procrastination more likely at home.

And without the strong situation of an office, it’s quite a bit easier to dismiss unpleasant tasks and meetings with not very much welcome people. . When there’s a task on your plate you don’t want to dive into, or you’re banging your head against a wall with a tech problem, you’re testing your ‘frustration tolerance’, says Pychyl. Those who have a lower frustration tolerance are much more likely to procrastinate – they’re the people who get up from their desk and find a distraction.

I don't know how you my dear readers "survive" these times. Anyway, my very best wishes at the end: stay safe and healthy.