THE novel coronavirus pandemic has greatly disrupted our lives since it arrived on Jamaica’s shores in March 2020. On March 18, 2022 the Government of Jamaica withdrew all measures in place under the Disaster Risk Management Act. Some of the measures that are no longer in place include mask-wearing, physical distancing, and daily curfews.

Since then, many may feel like life has virtually resumed to a state of “normal”, which is similar, but different, to pre-pandemic times. A “new normal” is how it’s often described. What does this mean for us? How do we get back to normal when the virus has not completely gone away?

Here are a few tips that can help you as we collectively transition into a new normal.

1. Continue maintaining good hygiene. This does not only help with the novel coronavirus but it also helps with your general health. Continuing to pay attention to your hygiene will ensure you avoid any other illnesses. Washing your hands frequently, taking regular showers, and sanitising your hands when you don’t have access to water are important practices to maintain, even with a lessened threat of of contracting the virus.

2. Get vaccinated. If you are not yet vaccinated, you may be thinking that, since everything has gone back to normal, you no longer need to get your shot. It is still highly recommended that you receive all doses of your COVID-19 vaccination as well as any required booster shots to protect you in case you are infected. While life has mostly gone back to normal and people have got more relaxed, COVID-19 still exists and you still may get infected from the virus. It’s important that you protect yourself with the resources available to you, especially as they are now far easier to access in comparison to earlier days of the pandemic.

3. If you do contract the novel coronavirus, do not be too hard on yourself. The virus still exists, even if everything seems relatively normal. If you do happen to contract the virus, whether for the first time or you are reinfected, understand that this is not something to be ashamed of. Continue to follow required isolation guidelines to ensure you don’t pass on the virus to others. If you do feel like you need medical treatment, telemedicine platforms such as MDLink allow you to get a consultation with a doctor online while you are still in isolation. You will be able to get prescriptions and advice on whether your symptoms may be emergent and you need to be admitted to the hospital.

4. Pay attention to advice from health-care professionals. We know a lot more about the novel coronavirus today. Trusting the experts can help you to better understand where we are at this point in the pandemic. This may include paying attention to the advisories sent out by the Ministry of Health and Wellness as well as ensuring you pay attention to when the case numbers spike. In addition, if you’re unsure with the transition and want more advice from your physician, you can discuss with them via telemedicine platforms. This platform will allow you to speak with your physician via text, phone, or video call and speak on any of your concerns. The benefit of this platform for the purpose of getting medical advice is you don’t have to be sick to reach out to them nor do you have to sit in a waiting room to get access to them.

5. Be patient as you transition back to normal. It’s okay if you feel like life is not completely normal. When the pandemic began, taking up new habits was hard for us to adjust to. After two years of this new lifestyle, it may be just as hard to go back normal. This may include a change in routine for your work, school, and/or social lives. Follow your own pace and don’t feel pressured by society to adjust to anything you aren’t comfortable with. This may include continuing to wear your mask and avoiding crowded areas, even though these are no longer law. Most of us have never been in a pandemic before, so being anxious about adjusting to normality is normal. However, if you are feeling an intense or unmanageable amount of stress, you may consider speaking with your doctor or a therapist to get some guidance on how you can manage this transition. These resources are available to you via telemedicine platforms which can facilitate you getting treatment and advice while continuing to be in the comfort of your personal space.

In the same way when the pandemic started we were all in it together, our transition back to normal should also be viewed as a collective shift. Understand that you are not alone, and there are several resources available to you to help make this transition as smooth as possible.

Dr Ché Bowen, a digital health entrepreneur and family physician, is the CEO and founder of MDLink, a digital health company that provides telemedicine options. Check out the company’s website at www.theMDLink.com. You can also contact him at drchebowen@themdlink.com.