Here are fun resources to use to beat the boredom while practicing social distancing.
The daily routines of many people in Los Angeles have come to a stop because of COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean people still can’t have fun.
Even though people are staying home and following the rules of quarantine as a community, the internet allows them to stay connected.
-Houseparty
Social media apps such as Houseparty have become the new ways for family members and friends to reunite and hang out. Houseparty helps you connect with anyone you want, anywhere and at any time you’d like.
In Houseparty’s latest update, CEO and co-founder Sima Sistani stated that Houseparty had become the normal routine for everyone in the past few weeks.
“We’re humbled to bring people together during this unprecedented time for everyone around the world,” Sima Sistani said in a blog post. “As we physically distance ourselves for the common good, online human connections are more important than ever before. It’s a challenging time, but we are committed to ensuring the best possible experience for our customers, fans, and supporters.”
-Netflix Party
Netflix is partnering with Google Chrome so that groups of people can stream and chat about series or movies together, at the same time, without having to be in the same room. The Netflix and Google Chrome extension synchronizes video playback and adds group chats for friendly commentary.
Visit the National Historical Museums of LA County Virtually
-Even though the National Historical Museums (NHM) of LA County are closed, the museum is uploading videos onto their website for the public to explore exhibits. They are inviting people to learn about natural and cultural wonders safely from the comfort of their homes.
This month the NHM is putting the spotlight on Earth.
The latest entry is about the discovery of the smallest dinosaur to date named Oculudentavis, or eye-tooth-bird, for its strange features of having large eyes and many teeth. The dinosaur’s body is preserved in 99-million-year-old amber from Myanmar.
-Learn a new language for free through Babbel
There is no better time to learn a new language than right now or to brush up on a language one already knows.
Babbel, a subscription-based language learning app and online learning platform, has announced that they will let students K-12 and college students use their services free for three months.
Babbel stated in their company blog that while nothing can replace the environment of being in a live language classroom, they have created courses made by native language speakers and language teachers. The purpose of these courses is to improve reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
“As a learning company, we figured the best way we could help our community right now is to open up our entire stash of online language learning content to students who are looking for some continuity (or just a way to stay busy) while they’re stuck at home,” Babbel said on their blog.
-Disinfect your home
During the coronavirus pandemic, a huge emphasis has been placed on washing our hands and cleaning our homes to make sure everything is disinfected. Whilst you’re sat in your house all day, why not visit a website like https://grumdahlgroup.com/how-to-disinfect-your-minnesota-home/ and learn how to disinfect your home properly? Your immune system might thank you for it!
-Here’s how one Pierce College Student is dealing with her boredom
Raisa Esmeral, a Kinesiology major, said through email correspondence that going through the COVID-19 pandemic has made her focus on personal art.
“Being the type of person I am when bored, I feel I have to do something creative with my time and energy,” Esmeral said. “It helps a lot, and I personally think it heals us mentally as well.”
Esmeral is currently using art programs on her computer such as Clip Art Studio and Photoshop to pass the time. On Adobe’s website, there is a list of helpful sources they provide to help people stay creative and productive during the crisis.
Adobe has also recently announced that students K-12 and higher education institutions will provide Creative Cloud access to students through on-campus labs.
Esmeral is not only occupying her time with digital art but also learning how to crochet. Crochet is the process of creating textiles by using a crochet hook to interlock loops of yarn, thread or strands of other materials. Esmeral already has a Harry Potter crochet kit ready to go, that was a gift from her sister.
Like any other person stuck at home, she is also streaming shows and movies online through streaming platforms such as Netflix and Crunchyroll to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
She has been streaming the latest popular documentary “Tiger King,” on Netflix, and the anime “My Hero Academia” on Crunchyroll.
“Art in media like shows and animations helps me out too, it can be fun to find a new show or movie,” Esmeral said.