It can be rough spending time away from your loved ones. With many cities still experiencing self-quarantines, business shutdowns, and festival closures, many of us are feeling isolated. While absence does make the heart grow fonder, enough is enough already! So, how can you arrange a much-needed reunion with friends without risking exposure to Covid-19? Well, we have been hearing this term thrown around- social distance- hangouts! Yep, the ultimate way to show affection without showing affection.
The idea is to get together and maintain a six foot or longer distance from one another to avoid spreading the virus through touch or bodily fluids. Of course, you will want to do this in an outside environment, or it defeats the purpose. Make sure to wear a mask and gloves when sharing items or touching someone else’s phone.
Parks and Forests
It is so important to keep our mental health up in these times. Spending some time with a loved one can really contribute to a positive mindset. Go to an open space like a park and bring some take out. If you are more active, go on a hike with your friends. You can easily keep a safe distance, and to top it off, exercise promotes better moods and reduces stress. If you are feeling a little down, grab a friend, some snacks, and embark upon a magical journey into the forest, or a local walking path!
Drive-Thru Movies
While sit-down movie theaters are said to be closed for a while, some businesses have decided to begin drive-thru movies! Take your significant other out on a nice date or meetup with a couple friends while you safely social distance within your respective vehicles. Everyone will be in their own cars and you can enjoy a movie, some snacks, and catch up on life without ever setting foot outside your car. This is the ultimate social distance hang out.
Video Chat
Another great way to get in some socializing is to organize for your group of friends to get together via video chat. There are a lot of apps out there for this. We suggest trying out Zoom or HouseParty. With Zoom, you can screen share whatever juicy information and photos you have been dying to tell your friend Linda about. You can also invite up to 100 friends to join you. If you choose HouseParty, you can have up to 8 friends at a time, however you can play multiple interactive games. They offer: Heads Up!, Trivia, Chips and Guac, Quick Draw!, and Word Racers currently. It is a great way to have fun while looking at your closest confidants’ faces!
Eureka, no more restlessly waiting for the demolition of quarantine. You now have all the tools to assert your freedom- from a distance!
Contributor, designer & admin for JohnHart Gazette.
