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A mere two weeks ago, The Wonder of Tech published a guest post entitled 3 Ways to Avoid Social Distance in the Age of Technology. During those two weeks, life has changed dramatically around the world due to the global Coronavirus pandemic (also known as COVID-19).
Now, with social distancing being the best defense against spreading the virus, we can look to tech tools to help us deal with our new lifestyle. Whether you’re in social quarantine, on lockdown, hunkering down, or otherwise trying to separate yourselves from others, you can enlist tech to help.
Contactless Payments
As you try to distance yourself from others, you’ll probably need to head to the grocery store, pharmacy, fuel station, or other retail establishments at some point. One way to avoid germs on a credit card terminal keypad is to use your phone and/or smartwatch to pay.
If you haven’t yet done so, set up Apple Pay (iPhone) or Google Pay (Android phones) by adding a credit or debit card. When you check out at a store, look for the contactless payment symbols so you can pay without ever touching a keypad.
Online Shopping/Local Delivery
Better yet, if your local stores offer delivery, take advantage to avoid being around crowds or waiting in long lines. Check stores’ websites as more stores have begun to offer delivery services during this outbreak. Or see if a local store has curbside pickup for items you can order in advance.
Consider ordering online for items that may have sold out in your local stores. Major retailers may still have supplies you need that aren’t available in your area.
Beware of online listings that promise false claims or engage in price-gouging to take advantage of others.
Video Chats
Replace in-person visits with video chats using Zoom, FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Skype, Echo Show, or other video chatting service. Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors with face-to-face contact using the Internet instead of in-person.
Fight social isolation by calling a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while to catch up and see how they’re doing during these challenging times.
Social Media
Connect with friends on social media, post updates to reassure others that you’re hanging in there. Share scientifically-based articles you think may help others understand the situation and cope.
Ask your friends what they’re doing to spend the time. If you’re new to working from home, ask others who have been doing it for a while about what tips they have for success.
Discovering Shows and Movies to Watch
If you’re stuck at home working, studying, and/or trying to keep cabin fever at bay, check out movies and TV shows you’ve been meaning to binge-watch. Ask your friends for recommendations, but be sure to specify which genre you’d prefer, uplifting vs. dystopian.
What’s the best thing to watch on Netflix or Amazon on a social distancing Saturday night? Want something uplifting and not violent.
— Karen Tumulty (@ktumulty) March 15, 2020
No need to spend money on subscription streaming services. Watch shows for free with Tubi and Redbox Free Live TV.
Learn more at => Tubi TV – Watch Movies and TV Shows for Free and Redbox Launches Free Live TV, No Subscription Needed
Museum Visits
Your local museums might be closed but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on fine art. Check out the new site The Paris Museum Collection with over 300,000 works of art available for you to view and/or download.
Check out Google Arts & Culture where you can enjoy virtual tours of museums and historic places without ever leaving home. Learn more about your favorite artists and discover new ones. Explore Pompeii, Versailles, Easter Island, and many more cultural and historic sites around the world.
Travel + Leisure compiled a list of 12 famous museums offering virtual tours: Stuck at Home? These 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take on Your Couch (Video)
Ebooks and Audiobooks
Your local library may be closed now but you still may be able to borrow ebooks, videos, and audiobooks using OverDrive. Available in dozens of countries around the world, OverDrive lets you borrow titles for free through your local library.
See => OverDrive: Get Free Ebooks and Audiobooks 24/7
If you’ve never tried ebooks before, now would be a good time to get started. No need to have an ebook reader to read an ebook. You can read ebooks on a computer, tablet, or even your phone.
Check out => How to Read a Kindle Book Without a Kindle
Try audiobooks so you can listen to a book while you do chores such as laundry, cooking, cleaning, and more.
See => Audible: My Favorite Way to Read a Book
Exercise Videos and Apps
Being stuck at home doesn’t mean you have to be a couch potato. Try exercise videos and apps to stay fit even when you’re away from the gym.
Check out the 7 Minute Workout to get exercise wherever you may be. No special gym equipment needed.
Learn more at => 7 Minute Workout – Everybody’s Got Time for That!
Games
Whether you’re trying to take a break from working at home, studying online, or boredom, try playing games to keep you sharp.
“Ask not what staying home on the couch can do for you, but what staying home on the couch can do for your country.”
— Kashana (@kashanacauley) March 15, 2020
Try word game apps such as Boggle, Words with Friends, or Monkey Wrench. Check out puzzle apps such as jigsaw puzzle apps, Sudoku apps, Tetris, or Montezuma.
See => 5 Fun and Addictive Game Apps to Keep You Sharp!
Create Photo Albums
Enjoy reliving fond memories of travel by creating photo albums of your favorite trips. Take time to edit your photos so they look their best. Order some prints or albums after you’re done to take advantage of your curation.
While you’re looking at your photos, clear them out by deleting ones you don’t want to keep, freeing up storage space for future photos.
Online Classes
If you or your children aren’t already engaged in online learning at home, you may want to check out online classes to exercise your brain while you’re stuck inside. Discover free online courses at Kahn Academy, edX, and openculture. Audible offers a Great Courses series for you to learn while you listen.
See => edX – Get Schooled by Top Universities for Free!
Scholastic is offering three hours of daily learning for free, to students stuck at home due to Coronavirus:
- PreK and Kindergarten
- Grades 1 and 2
- Grades 3-5
- Grades 6+
Check out, WAVY Scholastic releases free daily courses for kids stuck home amid coronavirus school closures
Online Religious Services
Your place of worship might be closed now, but you may still be able to view an online service. Check the website for your place of worship to see whether they are live-streaming their services now. You may also be able to view past services for inspiration.
See => How to Watch a Live Stream Church Service
Your Thoughts
Are you holed up, hunkered down, and/or self-quarantining now? Are you using tech to help with social distancing? Do you have any tech tools you’d add to this list?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
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*Woman in Window image courtesy of StockSnap via Pixabay and Creative Commons
**Apple Pay image courtesy of iphonedigital via Flickr and Creative Commons
***Shopping Online image courtesy of Elaine Smith via Flickr and Creative Commons
****Video calls image courtesy of Ben R. Alexander via Pixabay and Creative Commons
*****Social media image courtesy of Gerd Altmann via Pixabay and Creative Commons
******7 Minute Workout image courtesy of Underway in Ireland via Flickr and Creative Commons
This is definitely a scary time. At the same time, we are so lucky for the technology that we have, and the many ways we can still keep in touch with people. Even 10 years ago it would not have been the same.
Hi Suchot, Excellent point. Imagine if we were facing this pandemic before many of the tech innovations we are enjoying today.
You’re right, it is a scary time for everyone. Be sure to reach out to others with video chats so you can support your friends and family during this challenging time in our lives.
Hello,
Now This Days As We Know COVID-19 is spreading fastly, Social distancing is the best way to stop the virus. peoples can be in touch with each other on their respective social handles. in this way they did not come in physical contact with each other and this can stop the spreading virus. Thank you for sharing this post this can definately protect peoples Health.
Hi Neha, You’re right, social distancing is the best way to avoid becoming infected and it’s within our power to do that. These tech tools can help with social distancing and make our lives more bearable as we isolate ourselves from Coronavirus.
Hi Carolyn
There is for sure a lot of things technology can help us with in these days where we have to keep distance to each other. In Denmark all schools are closed and most people are working from home. The Children are participating school education from home on PC and tablets and many people are working from home, including myself. I have had a tons and meetings on Skype and MS Teams this week.
What should we have done without Internet connectivity and smart software that can brings us all together from the distance 🙂
Hi Thomas, Good point. While we may be frustrated at having to stay at home to avoid infection from Coronavirus, we do have many tech tools to help us. We can stay informed about important news, stay connected with others, shop online, learn, and even be entertained through tech.
Imagine if we didn’t have tech to keep us connected, how much more challenging this pandemic would be.
Technology is growing too fast day by day. Online shopping, Online payments, Online teaching, work from home jobs , etc and we need to make good use of the technology to master it. Just sticking to old ways will not help in the future. We need to move along with evolving technology & make use of every element.
Hi Appu, Yes, tech is evolving rapidly, and it’s during times like these that we can appreciate how useful tech is in our daily lives. I hope you’re able to stay safe during this pandemic, Appu, and that tech can help you as you isolate from the virus.
Hi Carolyn
Never thought I’ll experience something like this in my life . Its something nobody have ever imagined. Thanks to the technology atleast we have some ways of getting few things done with our finger tips without actually stepping out which is the “call of the hour”.
Hi Nicki, Exactly, by staying home we are not only keeping ourselves safer, but we are also helping to prevent the spread of the virus which keeps others safe and reduces the strain on medical systems. Technology can help keep us connected, informed, and entertained so we don’t feel as isolated at home.
Hi
Now a Days Covid 19 is growing rapidly. No one is come out side of the homes.
So every one us socially distanced each other
so in this time social media and technology will must help them like daily payments and day to day needs
Hi Sathish, Yes, during these tough pandemic times, we can be grateful for the technology that can keep us connected to others and perhaps a bit safer from the virus. I hope you and your family are able to stay safe, Satish.
Social distancing is the only method we could practice until the vaccine is prepared!!
Alas!!
Hi Manmohan, You’re right, we don’t have many defenses against Coronavirus now. There is no vaccine nor cure yet. So the only defense we really have is to practice social distancing.
Stay home and stay safe, Manmohan!
First of all thank you for such a wonderful write up Carolyn.
Social distancing is must in these days due to the COVID-19, since there is no cure yet and it affects our lungs badly.
Here in India there is countrywide complete lockdown from last 6-7 days, for 21 days. I am living with my family in home quarantine to stay safe. But sometime I feel bad because I am seeing still many people are taking it lightly and roaming here and there, playing cricket in streets. I wish they would understand the severity soon.
Coming to the Tech part I must say India is doing very good. There was a time of demonetization in 2016 and after that we have been witnessing exponential growth in digital payments.
Also you might have heard about UPI payment method (introduced by state run company NPCI) which enabled payment apps to allow users to send and receive money between 2 bank accounts instantly without any additional charges. Personally I have been using UPI enabled apps like GooglePay, Phone, Paytm everyday for the online shopping, grocery buying at offline stores and what not. Before I used to get cash from ATM but now most of the vendors offer these digital payment options we are dealing with cashless transactions more than before.
Now due to the corona’s effects we need to maintain social distancing and touch less conversations and transactions everywhere again there is sudden rise in digital payment transactions in India.
Apart from this we are using Zoom for vitrual meetings, Indydesk CRM tools for remote work and project management, Teramind for employee activity monitoring tools.
You might had noticed that we saw such a great startups during the 2008 recession. So I hope now again we are going to see innovative tech solutions all around the world which will be solving our problems using latest technologies specially in Bio tech, remote work and investment sectors.
What about you, what are you expecting from Tech world ?
And let’s just pray, stay strong, and positive to past this bad situation too. 🙂
Hi Riya, That’s great you’re able to use so many tech tools to make your time in lockdown more bearable. Contactless payments can help keep us away from germs and other tech to help you deal with this unique situation. In the last pandemic, over a century ago, people didn’t have these tech tools to help them communicate and keep social distance.
I hope our efforts help to flatten the curve and make life better as we try to ride this out at home.