You have plenty of reputable websites to educate yourself amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
In the midst of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), you can learn about anything online, for free. Other classes might be useful than the other, but a well-renowned institution offers a course that is applicable for everyone.
Yale University is offering its most popular class online for FREE. Amidst the crisis we are facing, Yale wants us to learn how to be happier. We all need it anyways.
“The Science of Well-Being” teaches us how to be happier and we can avail of this for free. This free online class is Yale’s most popular class in its history and has garnered national and international media attention.
The course covers the following topics in weekly instalments:
Misconceptions about happiness
Why our expectations are so bad
How we can overcome our biases
Stuff that really makes us happy
Putting strategies into practice
Psychology professor Laurie Santos is responsible for the happening of this useful course. Especially during this time of crisis, I know it’s hard to look for a silverlining.
You should consider booking this class for FREE or pay for a $49 for the certificate of completion.
That is in the case of famous singer songwriter, Ed Sheeran. He has no plan of backing down during this pandemic and donated more than £1M to charities near his home in Suffolk.
He has donated to various charities in his native Suffolk and these have gone to a string of good causes, including hospital wards in Ipswich.
“It is horrible time and Ed wants to do what he can to help,” said a source close to the singer. “He has split a seven-figure sum between local charities to try to ease the strain on his local community,” he added.
While he has donated some of his pounds to his native land, he is also busy working on new music while in lockdown. He is writing at least one song every day.
We could only hope and pray for more of Ed’s music to make waves so he could help more. Thanks, Ed!
COVID-19 Cebu
As the threat of the Coronavirus 2019 or COVID-19 rises every day, the Cebu province has taken a proactive approach and is pulling all stops in protecting the island. Here’s everything you need to know about COVID-19 and its symptoms: https://sugbo.ph/2020/corona-virus-in-cebu/
With this, an Executive Order was issued for the implementation of the drastic but necessary measures to avoid the spread of the virus. For more information, head on to: https://sugbo.ph/2020/cebu-implements-drastic-measures/
If you are sick and think you have symptoms of COVID-19, seek medical attention, call the local Coronavirus Health Information Line for advice: 0922-397-2334 / 0943-568-3298 / (032) 402-3091 / (032) 402-1269.
It has been told that even if the enhanced community quarantine is lifted. Social distancing should still be practiced and would be the new norm.
Well, it doesn’t hurt to have a little practice and while we’re at it, how about we make it a little creative and fun?
This is what the Carbon Public Market has done to properly observe social distancing. They have drawn circles on road surfaces equidistant to each other and maintaining enough distance from the vendors too.
It’s a clever way of following protocol since it’s sort of a game played in our childhood where people must stay on the circles at all times as they go around and shop inside the market.
The Carbon Market Complex have painted these circles already. We should all help each other during this crisis, follow the protocols and simple guidelines like staying in your circle.
Alex Sabandeja via Cebu City Market Operations Division
Alex Sabandeja via Cebu City Market Operations Division
Alex Sabandeja via Cebu City Market Operations Division
COVID-19 Cebu
As the threat of the Coronavirus 2019 or COVID-19 rises every day, the Cebu province has taken a proactive approach and is pulling all stops in protecting the island. Here’s everything you need to know about COVID-19 and its symptoms: https://sugbo.ph/2020/corona-virus-in-cebu/
With this, an Executive Order was issued for the implementation of the drastic but necessary measures to avoid the spread of the virus. For more information, head on to: https://sugbo.ph/2020/cebu-implements-drastic-measures/
If you are sick and think you have symptoms of COVID-19, seek medical attention, call the local Coronavirus Health Information Line for advice: 0922-397-2334 / 0943-568-3298 / (032) 402-3091 / (032) 402-1269.
Never let anyone or anything hinder you from learning.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more institutions have been offering free online courses. One good example is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge Massachusetts, Harvard University.
Harvard University offers 67 free online courses to everyone who would want to learn and master new skills and widen their knowledge during the enhanced community quarantine.
The courses being offered in duration is from a week to 15 weeks. Here are some topics available:
With the enhanced community quarantine being imposed in Cebu, certain adjustments are considered especially with regards to food.
The usual market activities will not work since social distancing is an integral part in an effort to stop the spread of the novel corona virus.
This is why the provincial and city government have decided to turn the now empty Cebu South Bus Terminal and North Bus Terminal as the “Bagsakan” for seafood and vegetables coming from the towns.
Thus, limiting the interaction since wholesalers will no longer have to go to the Carbon and Pasil Markets.
* North Bus Terminal will serve as the Pasil Fish Market
– Seafood and fresh catch from north of Cebu
* Cebu South Bus Terminal will stand for Carbon Public Market
– Farm produce from the south
Though these two major “bagsakan centers” are strictly for wholesalers only and not for retail purposes.
“Dili ni para sa retail. Ato ning klarohon nga wholesale ra gyud ni. Kay kon mag-retail, aw mura lang ta’g nagbuhat og laing Carbon,”
Quarantine measures across the nation are necessary to combat the global pandemic. But while they are necessary for our fight, they can also very much help on our mental, emotional, and physical health. However, with the mandatory implementation of the 1-meter social distancing, we couldn’t get as much comfort as we could, especially the powerful hugs.
Fret not though because Facebook has been rolling out a new “hug” post reaction so you could digitally send your support, comfort, and love for anyone.
Currently available Facebook post reactions:
Angry
Haha (Laugh Out Loud)
Sad
Wow
Like (Thumbs Up)
Hug
The new hug reaction looks like a smiling emoji hugging a heart. If you’re using Messenger, you can also toggle the reaction on the message to a vibrating heart too.
“This idea of a hug reaction came back consistently as one of the emotions and feelings that were missing from reactions. So that’s something that was always on our minds,”
Fidji Simo, head of the Facebook APp
“And with the crisis that we are going through right now, there is no doubt that people need more compassion, more support.”
We’re launching new Care reactions on @facebookapp and @Messenger as a way for people to share their support with one another during this unprecedented time.
The threat of the increasing number of confirmed cases of the novel corona virus in Cebu have prompted the leaders of the three main cities of Cebu — Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City — to take drastic measures.
Starting on April 20, 2020, the two bridges connecting the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue will be closed.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan said that individuals will not be allowed to use the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge (old bridge) and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge (new bridge) until further notice.
This means that working situations will be adjusted. People should live in the city where they work.
“Nauyonan sa tulo ka syudad, ang Cebu, Mandaue ug Lapu-Lapu, nga kung asa ka nagtrabaho, kinahanglan nga didto pod ka magpuyo. Kung ikaw taga-Lapu-Lapu unya sa Mandaue ka nagtrabaho, kinahanglan nga mohatag ang inyung kompanya og kapuy-an. Ang kompanya maoy moshoulder sa gasto. Mao usab ang sitwasyon kung nagpuyo ka sa laing lugar unya sa Lapu-Lapu ka nagtrabaho,”
– Mayor Chan
Exemptions:
Personnel bringing essential goods to the city
Frontliners
Emergency situations
Needs to undergo medical treatment.
Meanwhile, the three cities have also implemented a vehicle coding scheme that’s also effective starting on April 20, 2020.
Mon, Wed, Fri
Tue, Thu, Sat
Sun
Cebu City
Ending in: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 (ODD)
Ending in: 2, 4, 6, 8, 0 (EVEN)
No Vehicles & Motorcycles Allowed
Mandaue City
Ending in: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 (ODD)
Ending in: 2, 4, 6, 8, 0 (EVEN)
12:00AM-11:59AM (ODD) 12:00NN-11:59PM (EVEN)
Lapu-Lapu City
Ending in: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 (ODD)
Ending in: 2, 4, 6, 8, 0 (EVEN)
5:01AM-11:59AM (ODD) 12:00NN-9:59PM (EVEN)
NOTE: Numbers above refer to the last number of the vehicle’s plate number.
The three highly urbanized cities of Cebu — Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City — agreed to create a uniform number coding scheme to regulate the number of vehicles in the city streets and public roads.
For your easy reference, we have summarized the vehicle coding scheme of these cities.
NOTE: Numbers below refer to the last number of the vehicle’s plate number.
Mon, Wed, Fri
Tue, Thu, Sat
Sun
Cebu City
Ending in: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 (ODD)
Ending in: 2, 4, 6, 8, 0 (EVEN)
No Vehicles & Motorcycles Allowed
Mandaue City
Ending in: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 (ODD)
Ending in: 2, 4, 6, 8, 0 (EVEN)
12:00AM-11:59AM (ODD) 12:00NN-11:59PM (EVEN)
Lapu-Lapu City
Ending in: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 (ODD)
Ending in: 2, 4, 6, 8, 0 (EVEN)
5:01AM-11:59AM (ODD) 12:00NN-9:59PM (EVEN)
NOTE: Numbers above refer to the last number of the vehicle’s plate number.
Exemptions:
Employees from Exempt Establishments With Private Vehicles
Delivery Vehicles of Essential Goods
Individuals Undergoing Medical Check-ups / Treatment
Company Shuttle / Vehicles of Exempt Establishments
Most of us grew up watching the beloved anime series Pokemon, and probably each of us has their own favorite Pokemon. But surely, Pikachu is definitely one of the cutest, being the main Pokemon featured throughout the show along with his trainer Ash.
Ever since the show aired, different memorabilia are being sold themed with the show. Recently, Razer jumped aboard the train when they released the Pikachu Special Edition of its Hammerhead True Wireless, as spotted by Gizmodo, a technology media website.
Fans are absolutely delighted as the earpieces and stems are both Pikachu yellow, the same shade used in the series. The outer end of the bud also sports a picture of everyone’s favorite furry electric rodent.
What makes the product more exciting is that the wireless charging case is none other than a Pokeball. Yes, a Pokeball, making Pokemon geeks’ jaws drop out of excitement. It would seriously be a crime if the charging case isn’t a Pokeball.
More than that, the center of the ball is LED indicating the charging status of the earbuds. In terms of specs, the earbuds include 13mm drivers, passive noise reduction and about four hours of battery life on a single charge, very similar with that of the regular Hammerhead True Wireless buds.
The only catch with the product is that currently, it is only slated to be released in China as of the moment. Future announcements are still being expected for a worldwide release.
Feeling bored because you have nothing to do right now? Do you have a PlayStation 4 in the house and have already played and completed all its games? Sony has a treat for all gamers during these hard times of self-isolation: they re giving out two free games on the PlayStation 4 after an announcement in their blog.
“As a thank you to all who are doing their part to lessen the impact of this pandemic, Sony Interactive Entertainment is pleased to announce the Play At Home initiative. Play At Home has two components: first, providing free games to help keep the PlayStation community entertained at home; and finally, establishing a fund to help smaller independent game studios who may be experiencing financial difficulties continue building great experiences for all gamers.”
– Sony Interactive Entertainment
What are the games being given, you ask? Some of them are:
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection is a collection of three games from Naughty Dog’s Uncharted series: Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune; Uncharted 2: Among Thieves; and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. These games were originally release for the PlayStation 3, but now is remastered for PS4.
Uncharted is an action-adventure game series following the main protagonist, Nathan Drake, who is a worldwide treasure hunter who discovers the many secrets of history. “We can’t imagine a better time for globe-trotting adventures with Nathan Drake, an iconic cast of characters, and thrilling treasure-hunting action gameplay,” Sony says.
Journey
Journey is indeed a journey you will not regret taking. It is an indie-adventure game by Santa Monica Studio about travelling the boundless desert to reach the mysterious mountain reaching above the clouds. It is a wordless story, but the stunning visual art justifies its lack of words. You play as a lone robed figure who goes on his journey to the mountain, yet you can meet other players with the same journey as you; then again, you cannot talk.
According to Sony, it is, “…A beautiful, celebrated adventure that is as moving as it is mysterious. The game’s life-affirming message is timeless, and perhaps more important now than ever before.”
How to avial?
You can get these games through digitally downloading it at the PlayStation Store, and you do not even need a PlayStation Plus subscription to get it! Just search for it in the store and it will be there waiting for you to download them.
Be careful though, because this offer is only available from April 15 to May 5, but once you have already downloaded them, then it is yours forever! Truly a noble move for Sony (and hopefully, Nintendo will follow with a free Switch game).
