One of the biggest effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is that most people have been confined in their homes for months. The measure is necessary to stop the spread of the disease, but it has also caused a huge disruption in people’s usual routines.
Thankfully, with the help of technology, many of the usual chores and tasks that used to require going out can now be done at home. In fact, even before the pandemic, many of these chores were already possible to do online. Below are just a few examples:
Shopping
Over the last few years, e-commerce has enjoyed steady growth. Online marketplaces continue to thrive, and more and more Filipinos are finding new ways to offer their products and services digitally. When quarantine measures were implemented, even shops that didn’t sell online began developing their e-commerce websites.
Today, you can shop for anything on the internet. First and perhaps most importantly, there are now online groceries and supermarkets where you can get fresh produce, pantry staples, and other home needs. You can even find niche stores that sell specific products, such as rice, organic products, as well as fruits and vegetables from indigenous farmers.
You can also find online drugstores and pharmacies for prescription medicines, vitamins and supplements, as well as medical supplies like masks and alcohol. For non-OTC medication and maintenance drugs, drugstores usually require a photo or scanned copy of a medical prescription. Usually, these are referred to as “e-reseta.”
Of course, lifestyle shopping remains strong. From clothes and shoes to housewares and appliances, you name it, you can find it online. There are even dedicated shops for personal hygiene and makeup, as well as gadgets like smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Photo: pexels.com @ketut-subiyanto
Buying Mobile Load
Now, more than ever, it’s important to stay in touch. Luckily, it’s easier than ever to buy mobile load online. One of the best ways to do this is by using e-wallet apps. All you have to do is input the mobile number and then select the denomination you want to load.
What’s even better is that these mobile load options are discounted, so you’ll get more value for money. In addition, you can purchase mobile load for any telco network using just one app. This adds another layer of convenience.
Aside from regular mobile load and call-and-text promos, you can also purchase mobile data packages. This way, you can always go online to keep yourself informed. You can also use mobile data to keep in touch with your friends and family in more interactive ways, as well as to keep yourself entertained through gaming or streaming.
Paying Bills
Thanks to the above-mentioned e-wallet apps, as well as mobile and internet banking, Filipino consumers can now settle their bills online. These include the most crucial utilities: water and electricity, along with telephone and internet.
More and more billers have also started accepting payments made through e-wallets and online banking. Insurance, government agencies, credit cards, as well as some schools and hospitals are just a few examples. You can also donate money to charitable institutions through these apps.
Sending Money
Another important task that you can do at home using an e-wallet or banking app is sending money. With just a few taps, you can send money to anyone in the country in real-time. This is particularly important if the recipient needs the money for emergencies.
Depending on the kind of transaction you’re going to make, using either a banking app or an e-wallet might be better. If you’re sending money to the same bank, it’s ideal to use that bank’s own app or website. However, if you’re transferring to a different bank, e-wallets are easier to use and often have lower transaction fees. You can also send money directly to another e-wallet account through the respective app.
Studying and Learning
To be fair, studying is not exactly a chore. Still, it’s something that has been severely affected by COVID-19. Only a few years back, studying used to require being in a classroom. Today and even before the pandemic struck, students now have the option to study and learn from home. Do note that there are some educational models with a purely online structure, while there are those that combine online learning and physical modules.
Photo: pexels.com @ketut-subiyanto
Of course, studying and learning isn’t only for students of school age. This is also applicable to people of any age who want to learn new things. Universities and training academies from all over the world are now offering online courses that can be completed in just a few days. There are even certain courses where you can choose whether to watch video lessons or if you want to read and learn on your own.
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Afterwards, you can take an online examination and receive a certification for a new skill.
These are only a few of the chores and activities that are now possible to conduct partially or purely online. What’s more, you can expect that doing these tasks online will remain to be the norm even after the pandemic has subsided. With the convenience and safety that come with online transactions and processes, it’s easy to see why this will inevitably be the case.
