While healthcare providers, government agencies, and health centers like SNAHC are encouraging our communities to practice social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19, it’s important to stay connected with your friends and family. Socializing is a core part of human nature, and it’s vital that while there may be physical distance between us, we keep in touch, socializing from afar. Luckily, we live in a digital world where staying in touch without physically being together is easier than ever before.
First of all, what is social distancing?
Social distancing means not only temporarily suspending schools, working from home (when possible), and avoiding group gatherings and public events, but it is also making daily choices to minimize contact with others. It’s a pretty big change from how we normally live our lives. And, if we all can distance ourselves from each other for the time being, it can make a big impact on the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We recommend that you find ways to stay at home when you can and reduce exposure to others, whether they seem sick or not. If you have to go into public spaces, maintain a distance of approximately 6 feet from others whenever possible.
How do I stay in touch with others?
While you’re isolating at home, try these fun things to keep interacting with your loved ones and lift up each other’s moods:
- Use FaceTime, Google Duo, or Skype with your friends and family, especially your elders who may be living alone.
- Call your elders, if they don’t have video calling capabilities.
- Download the Netflix Party extension from chrome to watch Netflix with your friends wherever they are in the world! Netflix Party synchronizes video playback and adds group chat to your favorite Netflix shows.
- Want to throw a party? Get everyone together over Zoom!
- Or make fun videos on your phone and send them back and forth to one another.
- Live with others? Maybe take a moment to step back from digital communication and play some old fashioned board games.
At the end of the day, remember this: We will get through this together.
