There's no going back to normal

I actually looked like this kitty already

41 days and counting. When you are at home that long, you lose track of the days. Life has become unstructured, almost a blur. I’d often find myself asking, “What day of the week is it now?” even if I should know as I am still working from home.

The government announced last week that the lockdown will be extended until May 15 which means 18 more days of ennui for me. The thing is, there’s no point in waiting because, who am I fooling? There’s no going back to normal after all this.

At a videoconference last Friday with colleagues and managers, we — the ones who are in WFH arrangement — will not go back to the office even when the lockdown is lifted. We have to remain working remotely for the time being, so we’ll no longer be included in the total headcount that will utilize office space. Management is very keen about observing social-distancing moving forward and is now painstakingly planning shift patterns and staggered schedules so workstations wouldn’t be as maximized as before.

This means that even if they reopen the office, I will continue to accomplish my office tasks in our living room indefinitely. Meanwhile, for my colleagues who will have to return to the office once the lockdown is over, the routine we all have gotten used to will change so much. The new normal office life will mean lesser people, mandatory wearing of face masks, almost empty office spaces, no going to restrooms or office pantry in groups, no getting inside crowded elevators, no cubicle gossip or face-to-face interactions, etc.

What’s more, due to the reduction in business volume, working hours are also reduced by half and lesser people will be in the office at a given time or day. It was incredibly tough how we’d get less of what we all normally receive, but I’m very much aware that the company only did so to avoid letting go of employees.

I have mixed feelings, really. As I’ve said, working at home is not for me but I also know very well that going back to the office immediately after ECQ is risky as it can trigger a new wave of outbreaks. I wouldn’t want to be in the middle of a crowded public transport with the likelihood to contract coronavirus and bringing it home.

It would be such a shame to get the virus after the lockdown is lifted. It will make all my sacrifices and all stay-at-home measures for more than a month, pointless.

So yeah, if I need to put up with the WFH nuisance I’ve mentioned on my previous post, I’ll continue to sniff my laptop keys, thankyouverymuch.