A few weeks ago, the phrase "social distancing" didn't mean much to most folks. These days, you hear it frequently. It's all about flattening the curve by physically staying away from other people to ensure that our hospitals have enough room for those who need it in the wake of the novel coronavirus. (And yes, it's really that important.)
Sheltering in place and keeping to yourself is enough to drive anyone a little stir-crazy. If you're missing your friends and family, we've rounded up some apps, services, and ideas that can make your isolation feel a bit less lonely. We also have advice on how to be quarantined with someone without permanently damaging your relationship.
The WIRED team has put together a myriad of handy tips for navigating your time in the wake of Covid-19. Check out some of the best songs, videogames, and movies if you're craving some new media.
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Netflix and Chill, Virtually!
You might not be able to plop on a couch next to your best friend and rewatch all of Parks and Recreation, but you both can plop on your respective couches and watch together. Now's a great time to stream those things you've been meaning to get to forever (Firefly, anyone?) or binge some so-bad, it's-good content. Tremors 6, here we come.
- Netflix Party: This Google Chrome extension requires both parties to be using Chrome on desktop, but it works pretty well. First up, you and your binge-watching pals will need to install the extension. Head to Netflix, queue up an episode or a movie, and click the little NP icon in your extension bar. It'll spit out a link that you can send to your friends. Everyone will watch the episode together, synced up, and there's a built-in chat interface so you all can LOL in harmony.
- Kast: Kast is similar to Netflix Party, but it allows you to share whatever's on your screen. That means games, shows, and videos are all fair game here. The interface is a little wonky, but the benefit of Kast is that it works on computers as well as phones and tablets.
- Or, Just Use Your Phone: You don't need a fancy service to watch shows and movies with your friends. Just agree on something to watch, and agree on a time to start it. For maximum feels, chat on the phone simultaneously. You might be off by a few seconds, and you may have to synchronize pausing, but we're willing to bet the laughs that ensue will make any technology woes worthwhile.
Video Chatting
Social distancing gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "I miss your face." Case in point: I, Louryn, hadn't seen my best friend in so long due to the coronavirus, I didn't even know she'd gotten bangs. Enough is enough! Show off your kids to grandma or show off your cat to your pet-less pals using one of these video services.
- Google Hangouts: Hangouts is relatively easy to use for anyone with a Google account (most people). You can use it for text chatting, but it has a video chat feature that works across devices.
- Zoom: The WIRED staff uses Zoom for meetings every day. It's free and it's easy to use. The service works with up to 100 people per meeting on a free account, so it can be a good tool for creators or teachers to continue offering classes and seminars remotely. Just install the app on your phone or computer, share your code (or an invitation link) with your friends, and off you go.
- WhatsApp: WhatsApp works around the globe, making it great for keeping in touch with people, no matter how far away they live. It also uses end-to-end encryption, meaning your chats, phone calls, and video sessions are private.
More Ways to Socialize Online
If you get creative, there are plenty of ways to party with your pals remotely. The WIRED staff has taken to weekly happy hour sessions via teleconference—it's like a BYOB bash, only with 40-plus people laughing with and talking over one another. It's a blast. Below are a few more ideas for bridging the physical gap with your loved ones.
- Make Spotify Playlists Together: Have a song that you can't get out of your head? Did a new album drop that your friends need to hear? Take advantage of Spotify's collaborative playlist feature. We at WIRED have a collaborative "Work From Home playlist" full of all sorts of good music that we've been listening to for the past few weeks. Simply create a new playlist and hit the three dots to access the menu. Click Collaborative Playlist and then copy the playlist link within the same menu. Send it to your pals and they'll be able to add tracks using their own Spotify accounts.
- Send Some Snail Mail Cards: Put all of that pent-up isolation energy into creating greeting cards or writing letters to your friends and family. You can even get the kids in on it. The recipient will probably love the gesture, and getting creative is a good use of your time. It might even keep the kiddos distracted long enough for you to have a moment of alone time. No stamps on hand? You can order some online.
- Start a Book Club: You might not be able to sit down and visit face-to-face, but your social circle can still read together. Pick out a new ebook and set a date to discuss the details. We like the Kindle app since it's free to use on computers and smartphones. For inspiration, here's what we've been reading.
- Phone a Friend: Nope, this isn't some fancy new app or must-visit website. Pick up your phone and give someone you're missing a call. If you're not used to talking on the phone, it might be a little awkward, but we think hearing someone's voice is the next-best thing to hanging out in person. Not sure what to talk about? Throw it back to college orientation. This Reddit thread is full of some hilarious (and thoughtful) icebreakers.
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