Amid a federal issuance of social distancing guidelines and orders across many cities for residents to “shelter in place,” people are having to quickly adjust to our new (thankfully temporary) normal. No more gatherings, picnics, playdates or dinners out for the time being.
Yet, while our physical connection is severely curtailed, communities are finding creative ways to remain virtually connected.
Not surprisingly, people are taking advantage of the internet (90% of adults in the U.S. use the web) and a multitude of apps and platforms to connect with their family, friends, and neighbors—even if they’re right next door. Here’s how communities are connecting while social distancing.
Feeling Chatty
Facetime, Skype, and WhatsApp video are among the go-to’s for video-enabled mobile chatting. For larger gatherings, web-based Google Hangouts, Zoom and others fit the bill. All these allow users to connect virtually, even if they live in different states or countries. For families with members who must self-isolate for safety, web and mobile chats allow close family time without the risk of exposure.
Finding Each Other on Facebook
Like online chatting, Facebook is connecting families and friends now more than ever. But it also offers people the ability to reach much larger audiences and communities.
In Holbrook, Massachusetts, firefighters are using the platform to record videos of themselves reading bedtime stories and share them for parents to play for their children. Libraries are taking storytime and education online, and zoos and aquariums are bringing their animals to people’s living rooms via live streams on Facebook Live and YouTube channels.
Facebook Groups are another way that people are creating tailored communities around a specific cause, topic or interest. On the safety front, many news organizations and local authorities are using the platform to keep their communities informed and up to date on COVID-19.
Checking in Near and Far
For those who are separated from friends or family in another country, WhatsApp is a free messaging app that can help them stay in touch across oceans or continents. On the other end of the spectrum is Nextdoor, a hyperlocal platform that helps neighbors post and share information relevant to their neighborhood.
Dance Parties & PSAs
Who says people have to be in the same room to dance together? Tiktok, a new platform for creating short dance, comedy and lip-sync videos, has seen an explosion of friendly dance challenges in a time of social distancing. Families, co-workers and friends alike are using the app to break out their moves. In Louisville, Kentucky, a father and his two grown sons held a dance competition on the platform—it went viral and got almost 10 million views.
Halfway across the world, in Vietnam, TikTok users helped spread a government PSA about handwashing to many millions by turning the catchy tune into a global dance challenge. It’s gotten more than 20 million views, proving that creativity and community can help spread the word on steps we all must take to protect ourselves and each other.
By taking advantage of remote tools and technology—and adding some fun and creativity—we can stay connected to family, friends and our community while adhering to social distancing guidelines that will help flatten the curve and keep everyone safer.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Our world has changed seemingly overnight. As we deal with the immediate crisis—and learn behaviors that ensure the safety and well-being of ourselves and others—we all have an opportunity to make our world a kinder and more generous one.
Here are 8 ways to be a good neighbor during trying times.
Stay safe, stay home
Across the country, various forms of shelter-in-place and social distancing orders have gone into effect. Stay up to date on your city’s instructions and follow the orders and advice of local officials. By slowing and limiting the spread of infection, we can “flatten the curve”—protecting vulnerable community members and preventing local hospitals and emergency services from overwhelm.
Check-in
For the elderly, immunocompromised or otherwise vulnerable, these are especially scary times. Reach out to those neighbors and friends (on the phone, email, through a closed door) and see if there’s anything you can do for them. A grocery run, food pickup or dog walk could make a huge difference. Let them know you’re there for them. If you yourself are in the vulnerable cohort, make it easy for others to know how they can help—there are plenty who want to help but don’t know how.
Donate blood
In the midst of coronavirus anxiety, blood drives have been canceled and donations have dropped. However, maintaining our nation’s blood supply is still critical: Every 2 seconds, a patient needs a blood transfusion. If you’re healthy, consider giving blood. Donation centers are skilled in infection control practices and adhere to strict safety procedures.
Do a virtual food drive
You can deliver needed groceries to families and community members right from your computer. Check the websites of your local food banks, city or city health departments or non-profits that focus on food insecurity. You can sign up as an individual or as a group. For the latter, get creative and launch a drive with friends, family, colleagues or neighbors.
Volunteer
Check with local non-profits, charities or your city for volunteer needs. Many neighborhoods are also forming their own emergency response teams. Volunteers can sign up for a range of activities or projects. If you have the gift of health and security, volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to pay it forward.
Shop local
Local businesses are hurting, and some may not recover. Patronage right now is more crucial than ever. Place orders online; buy gift cards; keep up your membership. Many restaurants are staying afloat by offering take-out and delivery—if you can afford it, mix up your in-home creations with local cuisine. And if you can be generous in tipping your delivery drivers, you’ll be helping them through a rough time.
Donate
Public health crises spotlight the gaps in our communities and this crisis is no different. Many hospitals are in need of gloves, goggles, N95 masks, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, gowns, and other PPE. Look through your closets and garage and see if you’ve got extras (new and unused) you can donate to local hospitals. Also check in with your favorite charities, causes or non-profits and see how you can help.
Spread kindness
These are stressful times, and a little kindness goes a long way. For those workers on the front lines (who themselves are at increased risk), receiving some patience, kindness, and compassion from customers will buoy their spirits. Be generous where you can. Remember too, that just as with the oxygen mask in the airplane, you can only take care of others after taking care of yourself. So, find ways to make self-care and mental health a priority.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
As more and more schools close their doors and suspend classes for the year, many parents are faced with the difficult duty of continuing their child’s education from home.
For working adults that are busy continuing to adjust to their new work-from-home lifestyle, it can be a lot to try and juggle. So, many parents have turned to social media to ask homeschooling parents for advice on how to go about teaching their kids.
Their number one piece of advice? Structure.
Emotions are already running high, due to COVID-19 and the anxiety it brings. So, it is important to keep your child’s day as routine and “school-like” as possible. That means it is up to parents to create a studious environment for their kids. Give them a corner in your home that they can designate as their desk, somewhere that they can keep their supplies and do their homework. This will help them distinguish between home-time and school-time.
You should also create a daily homeschooling schedule. Kids are used to having their days completely planned out for them, and much like adults, can get easily frustrated when their daily routine is thrown off. Sit down as a family and discuss what they were learning in school before the shutdown and what time they had different subjects. Together you can build a schedule that works for everyone.
You can download a free Daily Homeschool Schedule developed and used by a Teacher & current Homeschooling Parent below OR use it as a template to create your own!
PRO TIP: When creating a school schedule, make sure to put harder subjects at the beginning of the day before kids get tired and their minds start to wonder.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Looking for resources to help entertain your kids while they are at home this spring?
You don’t have to create complex projects and lesson plans, there are thousands of Virtual Field Trips your kids can take right from your living room.
Discover the magical world of Disney with Virtual Disney World Rides. Thanks to filming park-goers, kids stuck at home can sit back and enjoy their Virtual Field Trip at the park. All for free!
So, strap yourself in tight, and enjoy the wonders of Disney World below.
To find other high-quality Virtual Disney World Rides try searching, “POV rides” on Youtube or visit the iThemePark Youtube page. They are notorious for filming virtual point of view rides from parks across the country like Disney and Universal.
If you would like to make a whole lesson plan, or feel like it needs to be a bit more, “educational” check out these free Walt Disney Teaching Resources that you can use to go along with your kid’s Disney World Virtual Field Trip.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Just because your kids are home, doesn’t mean they have to sit inside bored (or run rampage on your house). We’ve compiled a list of the best indoor activities designed to help your children burn off that extra energy!
Want a little more variety? We’ve got you covered. We have all of these indoor activities and more on our “Indoor Activities for Kids” board on Pinterest, check it out by clicking here. And don’t forget to give us a follow at California Casualty to stay up to date on every new tip, trick, and gift we discover! Scan our Pincode with your Pinterest camera to follow:
