Fun things to do during the Stay-at-Home Order
As many of you know, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has issued Maryland residents to Stay-at-Home, imposing stricter controls on people's movements as a means to further curb the spread of the coronavirus. This, of course, prohibits residents from making trips considered non-essential, but still are able to leave their homes for food and medical care. Work for some still continues, but others may be coming at a crossroads with little to do during this time. However, there are some great ways to stay active and connected while avoiding cabin fever:
1) Netflix Party
Netflix Party is a new way to watch Netflix with your friends online. Netflix Party synchronizes video playback and adds group chat to your favorite Netflix shows. Join over 1,000,000 people and use Netflix Party to link up with friends and host long distance movie nights and TV watch parties today!
2) Zoom
Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars. If you haven't gotten the chance to virtually meet with PI's or colleagues, chat with a group of friends to catch-up, have virtual happy hours and more, Zoom is a great platform to do so.
3) Online Gaming
For all the gamers out there, there are many ways to connect with friends and play your favorite board, card, or virtual games. Check out the best online games that will enable you to connect with others during this time of social distancing. There's even a virual Cards Against Humanity, simply create your own virtual room via a link you can pass to your pals, where everyone can see the game in real time and join in!
4) Workout Videos
Exercise serves as a daily activity or outlet for most of us, and there are ways to keep this in ones schedule despite the fact that gyms are closed currently. Outdoor activities like running and hiking are still allowed according to the stay at home order, but if you're uncomfortable with the potential exposure of other people there are ways to circumvent this. Many videos on youtube can be searched for any specific workout you're looking for, and they can keep you occupied for the duration of the pandemic. For those that enjoy classes and use social media, trainers from all over have set up live classes that can accessed on a daily basis. Check out several platforms that can be used to identify a specific workout or class you're interested in.
5) Foster a Pet from BARCS
The Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter have opened the opportunity for people to apply and foster pets in their homes during the outbreak. This can be something worthwhile to avoid having cabin fever. Visit BARC's page for more information about volunteering.
6) Thank-You Card Campaign
Do you want to help health care workers on the front lines of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic without leaving the house? Have your kids (or you!) create thank-you cards for our nurses, doctors, nurse’s aides, techs, cafeteria workers, therapists, and everyone else working every day to keep the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) running and to help save lives during this crisis. They are the true heroes who are worried about not having protective gear to wear, not having enough blood for people who need it, and leaving their families at home while they head into work. To help prevent the spread of germs into the hospital, email a picture of your card to cards@umaryland.edu and they will compile the photos into a thank-you video for UMMC staff.
