To slow the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, the CDC recommends that Americans practice “social distancing.” Proper social distancing means keeping at least six feet away from other people. However, being socially responsible doesn’t have to be boring. Here are five ways to stay happy and healthy while practicing social distancing:
1. Enjoy the outdoors
Hiking, camping, bird-watching; getting outside and enjoying nature is a great way to make the most of the next few weeks. The National Park Service announced in mid-March that all entrance fees will be waived during the coronavirus crisis, although nature centers and privies will be closed to eliminate transmission between visitors and park workers. Connecticut has a wealth of nature trails, public gardens, and parks to safely explore.
2. Video calls with friends and family
Because of age, illness, or distance, some of us may need to avoid direct contact with friends and family. While challenging, self-quarantine doesn’t mean total isolation. With a little ingenuity (and the right tech), you can see close friends and family every day. Video chat apps like Zoom, Google Hangouts, and Apple’s Facetime allow you to talk with your loved ones at a safe distance. Even Facebook has a video chat option. You can even get the grandkids involved with any number of fun video chat activities.
3. Work on your baking/cooking skills
Along with toilet paper and bottled water, the national shortage of baker’s yeast has been one of the pandemic’s more puzzling side effects. Americans, it seems, are using this unprecedented national pause to brush up on their baking skills. Luckily, there is an endless number of recipes you can experiment with that don’t require yeast (and for the ones that do, here’s how you can make active yeast at home).
4. Home improvement
Now that you’re spending most of your time at home, why not tackle that home improvement project you’ve been meaning to start since the last national crisis? Ideally, you’ll want to choose a project that doesn’t require outside help from landscapers or contractors. It could be regular maintenance like power washing a patio, cleaning out the gutters, or something more ambitious like planting a victory garden.
5. Golf, badminton, tennis and more!
Although close contact sports like basketball might be off the table, there are still plenty of sports you can play without getting too close to others. As long as you ride your golf cart alone and avoid the clubhouse, golf can be social-distancing friendly. The same is true of singles tennis, singles badminton, hunting, and fishing, all of which can be enjoyed without breaking the six-foot rule.
Sara McKinney
saractag@gmail.com
As Cowen Tax Advisory Group’s Digital Content Marketing Specialist, Sara provides in-house copywriting and manages the company’s electronic records system, email marketing, and blog.
