New normal

Today starts a ‘new normal’ as some parts of the country will make a transition from the Enhanced Community Quarantine to General Community Quarantine. In Cebu, governor Gwen Garcia remains skeptical on the GCQ and is still ironing out the guidelines for its implementation. The municipality of Consolacion headed by Mayor Joyjoy Alegado shares the same sentiment.

Under the GCQ, outdoor exercises are allowed such as walking, running and biking but social distancing must be strictly observed still. The question now is it safe to exercise while wearing a face mask?

First, if you don’t wear a face mask you risk yourself of getting infected from the virus. Worse, you’re also at risk of being apprehended by authorities because it is mandatory to wear one when you are outside your house. Second, the risk is higher when you exercise because one is breathing heavily plus the wind factor outdoors. Remember that when you exercise, it increases the rate of your heartbeat and volume of breathing, therefore, it increases risk the spreading droplets farther. I have tried exercising with a face mask for 30 minutes and it is not easy especially if your are pushing yourself harder during the workout. The first 4 to 5 minutes were bearable but as the workout gets longer and your effort increases, then you feel lightheaded and start to get dizzy. When you inhale, the cloth or the surgical mask get sucked in your mouth and nose and it blocks the circulation. I have to rest in between and face the electric fan to recover from the dizziness for about 10 to 20 seconds. People with health conditions such as asthma or bronchitis or those with cardiovascular issuer or pulmonary disorder should talk to their doctors first. But if one really needs to exercise outdoors, he or she should be aware of the surroundings. If you are running alone and there’s no one around then maybe you can your mask off once in a while.For elite athletes, they can use an exercise contraption called the Elevation Training Mask (ETM). In theory, the mask simulates high altitude training by restricting air intake. The limited oxygen helps the athlete train harder. But according to studies, the benefits of using the ETM is the same as the result without using the ETM during high intensity interval training. Although both groups have increased the fitness level, there’s no significant difference of wearing one. For better results, one has to wear it not only during the exercise period but throughout the day to simulate athletes living in high altitude places wherein its 24/7. The other thing you must be wary of is that when you put on these ETM, you will look stupid and sound like Bane, the evil nemesis of Batman. You should bring along a surgical mask when you train outdoors as these ETMs don’t have the same protection efficiency compared to a surgical or N95 mask against virus, bacteria, dust and pollen.

Back to the ‘new normal’, we are still waiting for detailed guidelines from our provincial government. The public must be extra patient on everything.  Stay home and save lives. The battle is not yet over, this is just the beginning. This is the NEW NORMAL.   

SIDELINE: Congratulations to Jojo Redoble, Jose Fransico Gathchalian, Hipolito Nacua, and Jonaz Jaby Bensi for being the first to share their all-time NBA greats from each decade. They are Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul Jabar, Julius Erving, James Worthy, and Bernard King (1980s). Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, Akeem Olaijuwon, Clyde Drexler, Penny Hardaway, Isiah Thomas, Grant Hill and Karl Malone (1990s), Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Williams, and Kevin Garnet (2000-2010), and Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Klay Thompson, and Anthony Davis from 2011 up to present. You will each receive a basketball courtesy of Durabend and Sunsport.