Staying Connected during COVID-19
During this isolating time, it’s important to prioritize connection to maintain a good balance in your life. It might seem scary or difficult to get together with your loved ones, but there are a lot of ways to have a more fulfilling social life while minimizing risk.
The two essentials you’re going to need are comfortable masks and hand sanitizer to-go. Utilizing these will allow you to be a lot more social. Outdoor spaces where you can maintain distance are a great place to go with friends or family, especially with the beautiful weather we’ve been having. It’s easy to maintain distance from strangers, and also from friends who may have been isolating less seriously than you if you’re outside. Alberta beach, Elk Island National Park and Sylvan lake are a few locations you can explore. If you use any public washrooms, be sure to utilize your hand sanitizer.
If you have a large backyard, you could have a small lawn party. Encourage people to bring their own chairs and drinks or food. Be sure to supply hand sanitizer, especially if your guests will be using your washroom or any other areas in your home. During the day, your friends could bring some towels and you can all lay out on the grass with some music.
Activities like escape rooms are a great activity for a small group. They sanitize everything in the room between groups, and your group will be entirely isolated from strangers while you enjoy solving puzzles together. It’s a nice way to have some normalcy and “escape” from the outside world.
Don’t forget that virtual socializing is always an option if you feel the need to connect with someone, but are not sure where they’ve been. Don’t be afraid to suggest or insist upon virtual coffee instead of in-person.
It’s important to remember that just because we need to physically isolate, we don’t have to also socially isolate. Dealing with a pandemic is difficult enough on its own, there’s no need to cut ourselves off unnecessarily out of fear. Following simple precautions can allow you to feel connected with your loved ones while keeping everyone safe.
Jessica Dubauskas