When we can freely breathe again?

We’re living in a different time now. Gone are the days we could breathe freely.

Today, breathing freely even in seclusion or even in nature, such as in the empty parks or the empty tree-lined streets of our neighborhoods within the cities during quarantine, can be damaging to our health. Lately, local health authorities suggest wearing a mask even at home as the number of those infected with COVID-19 surges closer and closer to 10,000 daily.

This new reality is drastically changing our lives. No wonder, technology companies are leveling up their games to cope with the new demands. Last year, there was a clamor for air purifier, from life size to portable to wearable.

This demand for air filters inspired tech companies to innovate their products. Recently, Samsung digital appliances unveiled its newest air-conditioner line equipped with air purifier and anti-bacterial filters. All this to help consumers to feel more at ease, knowing that they are breathing clean air at least at home. According to the company, the air purifiers can sterilize up to 99 percent of dust, bacteria, and other harmful substances in the air.

Since our movements are limited, many of us, especially those locked down in the urban centers, no longer have the access to fresh air. To have that sense of nature’s feel and breeze while stuck at home, others are also turning to essential oils.

According to Tina de Guzman, founder of the Oil Natural Project, the right amount and combination of essential oils can also help sanitize spaces, appliances, tools, furniture and furnishings, as well as linens and pillows.

Breathing is one of life’s greatest miracles and it should be for free—but not today, not these days. The war on COVID-19 is far from over, at least for us Filipinos.

As if all of these new sanitation and filtration protocols are not yet enough, another appliance company, LG, has dropped a face mask with a built-in air purifier. This wearable air purifier mask comes with H13 HEPA filters to make sure that the air the users are breathing is clean and danger-proof.

These innovations and development are designed to help protect us. But come to think of it, all of this comes with a price, a hefty price to be exact, especially for the minimum wage earners.

Breathing is one of life’s greatest miracles and it should be for free—but not today, not these days. The war on COVID-19 is far from over, at least for us Filipinos. Our path is full of uncertainties and, for now, wearing a mask with or without air purifier is our best weapon against the invisible yet pervasive enemy. Filtering the air even in our own homes is the only way we can take a break from the mask and breathe freely.