5 survival and preparedness tips courtesy of GMA News journalists

The COVID-19 pandemic has already changed our everyday lives, some of which we're not particularly ready or prepared for. 

In a Zoom interview with the press on Thursday, veteran GMA News journalists Winnie Mogsod, Kara David and Susan Enriquez shared some pandemic preparedness survival tips they have been working for themselves and their families. 

Under the banner "New Normal: Survival Guide," the three women journos will be hosting new shows on GMA News TV. 

Below are 5 pandemic preparedness tips we learned from them.

1. Be informed with the right information

All three journalists stressed the importance of being informed during a pandemic.

According to Monsod, people have to keep themselves informed to be able to make rational decisions in their everyday lives. In this way, it will help them become more cautious.

Enriquez meanwhile said getting facts from verified media outlets is important, especially since there has been a surge of fake news on the internet.

"Mas kailangan nilang manuod ngayon para to keep them informed dun sa mga totoong nangyayare sa paligid at ano yung mga dapat nilang gawing pag-iingat especially sa panahon ngayon na ang dami nating nakikita na babasahin mo akala mo totoo fake news pala," she said.

2. Wear a mask

Social distancing and frequent handwashing will only be more effective when you wear a mask, because it protects you and protects others. Wearing a mask is one of the most essential survival tips Monsod could give.

"Wear your mask. That's the only thing you can do: you're helping yourself and other people for survival," she said.

3. Don't be complacent

If there's any survival tip Kara would give, she said it would be for people to not become complacent or overconfident.

Kara said she always thought of herself as someone who has a strong immune system but because she lives with her father, who is a senior citizen she is being extra careful.

"Hindi pwedeng iisipin mo lang yung sarili mo. Kailangan iisipin mo lahat ng mga nakapaligid sayo kasi maaring ikaw ma-survive mo siya pero paano kung masururvive ba siya ng mga taong nasa paligid mo," she said.

Kara said one thing she has learned from the pandemic is that, "we're all connected with each other. So kung aalagaan mo yung sarili mo, wag lang sarili mo isipin mo, isipin  mo everybody in your household."

"Isa lang magkaron sa inyo ng infection lahat kayo ma-a-pektohan so wag kayo makakampante. You're doing it not just for yourself, but you're doing it for everyone around you as well," she added.

4. Plan things ahead

Meanwhile, Susan said one thing she's been doing amid the pandemic is planning things ahead.

Before going out to get necessities or to run errands, she would make a list, so she could move faster and minimize her time outside.

"Kung lalabas, planadong plando. Halimbawa, kailangan ko pumunta ng grocery or sa palengke dahil meron kang mga kailangan, lahat yan nakalista na," she said.

"Make sure na everything na kakailanganin mo nakalista na diyan at least good for a week or two weeks  para di ka masyado [lalabas]," she added. " Isang lakad tuhog lahat para minimized paglabas."

5. Get into gardening, learn how to cook  

For Kara, gardening and learning how to cook have become important life skills that could spell survival. COVID-19 and the lockdowns that ensued have highlighted the often overlooked issue of food security, she explained. 

Perhaps following the lead of the Department of Agriculture, the award-winning journalist has started to grow vegetables from food scraps.

"Nakakatakot eh yung food security natin so ayun, nagsimula na rin kaming magtanim-tanim," Kara said. "Meron kaming tanim na kangkong na pinapatubo ko lang sa mineral water bottle, meron kaming basil, meron kaming talong...All the things na madalling tumubo," she added.

Winnie, Kara, and Susan will be hosting new  GMA News TV shows under "New Normal: Survival Guide" to help Filipinos cope and adjust to the new normal amid the pandemic.

On Mondays, Winnie will host “Newsmakers” where she will cover serious topics on current affairs set to air on Mondays; Kara will be on “Bright Side” on Tuesdays where she will share inspiring stories to somehow ease the anxiety Filipinos have been experiencing  and Susan Enriquez will lead “Pera Paraan” Wednesdays to help people deal with their financial struggles amid the pandemic.

The series of shows will start premiering on July 20 on GMA News TV.