WE all have started to hear Christmas carols being played in malls since start of this month. For me, however, the decors at the Araneta Center have always signified that big start of my holiday season since I was around five years old. Today, it’s really nice to see all the bright and colorful Christmas decorations seen in the streets of Cubao.
Still looking for affordable decors that will bring the Pinoy Christmas spirit to your room, office space, or residence? Score a bargain and head over to Parolan, the one-stop bazaar for yuletide decors and ornaments in Araneta City.
Located at Farmers Market Parking Area (just beside Farmers Garden), Parolan offers an array of decor needs for the holiday. It has everything you need to dress up your home or office for the season—colorful giant lanterns made from local materials, It’s fun to see Christmas lights blinking to the tune of your favorite carols.
Apart from retail stalls, there are food stalls where families and barkadas may have a taste of Filipino street food and all-time favorite holiday delicacies such as puto bumbong and bibingka. It is open daily from 5 am to 11 pm. It is just a few blocks away from the variety of shopping malls in Araneta City—Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, Farmers Plaza, and SM Araneta City.
But as we jumpstart the “ber” months celebrations, it is still very important to be preventive. With this year’s flu season being accompanied by again rising Covid-19 cases, experts remind us that staving off the flu virus typically begins with common practices that families can do at home (“Practice Good Health Habits,” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
“It’s important to ensure that our personal spaces are free of transmissible diseases like the flu. Contrary to popular belief, the flu is caused by a virus different from the common cold so symptoms tend to last longer and are more severe,” says Dr. Gyneth Bibera, country medical director of GSK Philippines. “Patients will experience the typical runny nose, coughing, headaches, fever and fatigue, but the severity can often lead to the inability to do daily tasks, the need for doctor consultations, or even hospitalizations,” she adds.
Here are five things you can do to prevent flu:
Disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Influenza viruses can survive outside the body and generally stay active longer on steel, plastic and harder surfaces than on fabric and softer materials. They have been known to survive for 24 to 48 hours on hard non-porous surfaces, and 8 to 12 hours on cloth, paper and tissues, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Regularly disinfecting these surfaces with a household cleaner containing soap or detergent will help stop the spread of the virus, more so if someone is or has been recently infected at home. Focus on areas that are frequently touched, such as door handles, light switches, faucets, stair rails, or tables.
Toss your trash everyday. Many communities have weekly or biweekly garbage collections, but it’s worth making a point to dispose of trash everyday. Keep a wastebasket outside of the home, in a garage, or by the front gate.
Laundry your linens regularly. Sheets, blankets, or pillowcases that are used daily may become infected by viruses. This is especially true if an infected member of the household recently used the linens. Changing and washing sheets on a weekly basis with hot water, can kill flu viruses that are present. This is because flu viruses are killed by heat above 75° C, according to the CDC.
Practice good hygiene. Personal hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent the flu. This includes washing hands frequently, particularly after coughing or sneezing, after using the bathroom, before and after handling food, or after coming in contact with someone sick. It also includes not sharing personal items such as pillows, towels, utensils, and the like. Of course, covering the mouth when coughing, taking regular showers, and other basic hygiene practices are also necessary (CDC).
Get your flu vaccines. The World Health Organization recommends that flu shots be administered once every year, which is applicable for both adults and even children when they reach six months old. Getting annual flu vaccines significantly reduces the risk of contracting the flu virus.
Alongside practicing proper health measures and being mindful of the environment to protect one’s home from the virus, having updated flu vaccines is the best way to keep oneself safe. Advanced Happy Halloween, everyone.