The Sunny Side of Social Distancing
Published on April 1, 2020, at 6:51 p.m.
by Charlotte Arnold.
We are living in an unprecedented time. In the wake of COVID-19, people across the globe find themselves quarantined in their homes. Due to government mandates and moral reasons, people are social distancing to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
While people know that social distancing is bigger than themselves and is slowing the spread of the virus, it can be easy to harp on the personal hardships that the pandemic has caused. Some of the damaging effects of the coronavirus are fear of medical effects of the virus, canceled travel plans, job lay-offs, the downturned economy, pretty much everything being closed, no social events and many people having to work and do school from home, just to name a few.
The good news is that there is a silver lining to every situation. It may feel discouraging to be quarantined to your house, but modern technology allows us to stay connected like never before. We are not really alone, because the internet allows us to talk to people, access resources from across the globe and build relationships.
You would think that social distancing would tear people apart; however, in some ways, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought people together. Technology and a common goal of eradicating the virus remind us that we are not alone.
Technology allows us to communicate with just about anyone and everyone. It is an adjustment but also a blessing that technology can allow us to continue work and school remotely from home.
Social media, such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and other platforms, allow us to stay connected to our friends and others. For example, people are using Zoom, a videoconference platform, to hang out with their friends and family while maintaining distance.
One way that people are using social media to stay connected while social distancing is through daily sing-alongs. The people of Boston created a Facebook group to plan daily sing-alongs, where they pop their heads of their windows and sing a preselected song in
unison. Some of the songs that they have sung are “Dancing Queen,” “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Piano Man.” This is a beautiful example of how people are using humor to connect with others in trying times.
Social distancing has also allowed many people to have some extra time on their hands. That free time invites the opportunity to learn a new skill. Do not underestimate the power of YouTube; you can learn anything from guitar to chess to baking from watching tutorials. There are also other learning platforms, such as Udemy and LinkedIn Learning, where you can learn marketable skills like Excel, data analytics, etc.
Another bright side of social distancing is corporations involving social efforts. For example, Netflix introduced Netflix Party, which allows people to watch movies with their friends while maintaining social distance.
In isolation, where relationships are hard to maintain, relationship building is more important than ever. People are bored. People are scared. Companies need to remind their publics that they are not forgotten.
It is important to find a bright side in every situation. The future is uncertain, but one thing that we do have control over is our actions and attitudes today. Find comfort in the fact that the small sacrifice of staying home for a few weeks can save lives. Sure, canceled plans and isolating can be disappointing, but there is a bright side: We are in this together.
