Lifestyle Tips for the COVID-19 Pandemic | Part Three: Connecting Online While Sheltering at Home

Sheltering at home is pretty much the standard across the country, with Federal and Local Governments trying to keep people in their homes and avoiding the social contact that can lead to the further spread of COVID-19. The curve is flattening in many areas and it looks like the plan just might be working. Of course, staying home and staying inside for days and nights in a row can get tedious, and lonely. It is easy to feel disconnected from the rest of humanity. The good news is: there’s ways around it!

Embrace telecommunication and socialize digitally

Start hosting video conference parties with your friends. Set them up as a cocktail hour, or crazy hat day, or whatever theme you want. Host a sing-a-long if you want; there’s videos out there already showing choirs giving performances over video conferences (since they couldn’t perform the concert in person).

Access unique content

There’s also a HUGE world of content out there that is being created live and fresh from the comfort of people’s homes. Celebrities, writers, dancers, musicians, and everyday people are putting content out into the worlds of social media to help humans stay in, stay safe, and feel more connected with one another. Sir Patrick Stewart is reading one Shakespeare sonnet a day, “Jurassic Park” actor Sam Neill performs covers of famous songs on his ukulele and occasionally reads poetry and drinks wine, Chrissy Teigen keeps things real and wacky on her social feed- including trading banana bread for lettuce, and Madonna has been posting a series of very interesting quarantine diaries. There are a host of celebrities reading stories for children or hosting karaoke style live feeds and sing-a-longs; and the list just seems to keep growing day by day. Of course, that’s just scratching the surface, but the point is there are a HUGE collection of celebs staying home and encouraging others to do so as well. We’re all in this together.

Go back to school

During the early period of people being put under “safe at home” orders, award-winning comic book writer Gail Simone created an online Comic School that involved a 5-day course. Absolutely anyone was invited to participate and the attendees were given a shortened course on what it is like to work in the comic book industry. The school was such a success that many of today’s top creators are continuing to put out new content for fans new and old alike as we all stay in.

Take part in special same-time around-the-world viewings

Russell T. Davies and Stephen Moffat, two show runners who have been an integral part of “Doctor Who” since it returned television screens in 2005, joined Twitter for special “Who” themed live events and created new readable content that was available as well as new video content. Both the text and the videos were available the days/ nights of the worldwide episode viewings and are still on the BBC website. There are more episode viewings coming up with more additional newly created bonus content, all you have to do is follow the show runners on Instagram and they post the time and dates.

Watch new versions of your favorite talk shows

Rosie O’Donnel hosted a special at home revival of the “Rosie O’Donnell Show” that was a benefit for The Actors Fund to support members of the entertainment industry in need during the COVID-19. The special lasted over 3 hours, and can still be viewed on YouTube.

Late Night Hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and James Corden are all doing various forms of broadcast from home shows. The guests are interviewed via video conferencing, and everyone is still able to participate from the comfort of their homes. Corden hosted a “Homefest” special that had a myriad of music and celebrity guests, again all conferencing from their homes.

Break a sweat

And if you’re looking for something more physical, Mark Kanemura (a former Lady Gaga backup dancer who has become a social media celebrity with his crazy and fantastic dance videos) has been hosting live dance parties. Kanemura encourages everyone to drop their inhibitions and cut loose, and it certainly looks like a good way to burn off stress and connect with others in a truly unique way!

So many people are coming up with very creative and fun content to keep you feeling connect with the rest of the world during these difficult times; it’s just up to you to connect and engage. Dance with a free-spirit, enjoy live readings and music, and host video conferences with your friends. It’s your social distancing experience, but it doesn’t have to be a lonely one.