How to Keep in Touch During Quarantine

During the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, it’s vital to practice social distancing by staying at home. [1] Even though this means that it isn't as easy to see your friends and family in person, there are still many ways that you can stay connected. There are even fun virtual activities you can all do together to pass the time and enjoy each other’s company. Maintaining your relationships with others is crucial for keeping up your mental health, so even just taking a few minutes once or twice a week to reach out to loved ones can really uplift and boost your mood! [2]

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Contacting Friends and Family

  1. Send text messages for the most convenient mode of communication. You can either send messages to someone individually or create group chats to reach multiple people at the same time. Ask your friends and family how they’re doing to make sure they’re doing alright. If you want to try something fun to do over text, try playing games like 20 Questions or Would You Rather to pass the time. [3]
    • You can also use apps like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or Kik to send messages using a wi-fi connection if you don’t have phone service.
    • Be sure to reach out to your friends and family who are more extroverted, since they may be having a harder time adjusting to the quarantine.
  2. Try calling your friends and family members to see if they answer, or send them a message to find out when they’re free to talk on the phone. When you get on the call, have a conversation about your days, talk about any hobbies you've developed during this time, or ask personal questions to learn more about the person. If you want to make your phone call more engaging, play a game like Would You Rather or I Spy. You can also try creative activities, like telling a story 1 sentence at a time, if you want to have fun while you pass the time. [4]
    • Many messaging apps, like Messenger and WhatsApp, also offer free voice-calling services. [5]
    • Keep your conversation casual rather than talking about the coronavirus since it could make someone stressed. [6]
    • If you’re worried about transmitting bacteria to and from your phone, use the speakerphone feature or wear headphones while you’re talking.
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  3. Even though you can’t see each other in person, you can always start a video call to spend time together. Simply sign up for a video-calling service, such as Skype or Zoom, so you can talk to each other. You can call your loved ones individually or start a conference call where everyone can join and talk with one another. While you’re on the call, have a dance party, play games, or just chat to catch up. [7]
    • Other common video-calling apps include Discord, Marco Polo, House Party, and FaceTime.
    • Look for a video camera icon on other messaging services like Messenger and WhatsApp to use their video chatting service.

    Variation: Try leaving your video chat running in the background during the day while you’re doing other things. Even if you aren’t actively talking to one another, hearing and seeing them can make it feel like someone is there with you so you don’t feel lonely.

  4. Post on social media to reach all your contacts. To keep your friends updated on your quarantine lifestyle, use applications such as Instagram or Facebook to inform them of what you're up to. You could post photos of your meals, any activities you're doing, a daily outfit, or even a funny meme to help cheer other people up. Be creative and have fun with it! You can also browse through your friends' posts to see what they're doing. [8]
    • Add pictures to your story on Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat so your friends can see what you’re up to.
    • If you have friends that you don’t see regularly, try reaching out to them on social media to see if they’re doing alright.
  5. Email your loved ones if you want to write longer messages. Sending an email is a great way to reach out to people that you work with or anyone without social media. You can send your email to an individual person or add many people if you want to share your message with others. Talk about things that you’ve been doing to stay busy, or share links, recipes, and other fun activities your friends and family can do while they’re home. [9]
    • If you don’t want everyone’s email address visible on the message, write all of their email addresses in the BCC section.
    • Avoid forwarding any chain emails since they may contain spam and your loved ones may not read them.
  6. Write letters if you want a more personal way to be in touch. Letters are considered to be more heartfelt and time-consuming than a text message, so if you would like to show someone how much you appreciate them, send them a letter! Try making a collaborative art project or writing a story together if you want to have fun sending your letters back and forth. Otherwise, you can just write about how you are and what activities you’ve done to stay busy. [10]
    • Include a stamp or postage with your original letter so your friends or family members are more likely to send you a letter back.
    • If you don’t know someone’s address, just ask them and let them know you want to send a letter. If you’d rather keep it a surprise, try looking up their name on social media or in a phone book to see if they have an address listed.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Planning Remote Activities Together

  1. Find a few hours when you and your friends or family are free, and pick a video you can all easily stream online. Using services such as Netflix Party or Kast, you can binge-watch movies or a series depending on what you are your friends and family like! Otherwise, count down together so you hit play at the same time so you’re all watching the movie in sync. [11]
    • Other services you can use include Metastream, Uptime, Syncplay, and &chill.
    • You can also use Facebook Watch, but you’re limited to videos that have been uploaded to Facebook.
    • You may also have 1 person share their entire screen, but then you may not be able to see them on the video chat.
  2. Many board games have dedicated apps and websites where you can easily learn and play games online. If you want to talk to your friends and family while you play, go on a voice or video call while you play. Ask your friends what types of games they like to play, such as silly party games or deep strategy games, and choose one you can all agree on. [12]
    • You can also use services like Board Game Arena and Tabletopia for free to play other modern board games, but they may not provide the rulebooks so someone needs to know the rules well or have them on hand before you play.
    • You may also use a service like Roll20 for online roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons.
  3. Many online games have competitive and cooperative modes where you can play with friends. Choose a game that you all own and start a voice chat so you can talk while you’re playing. Make casual conversation and tell jokes to keep the mood light. You can also discuss the game you’re playing so you can strategize the way to win. [13]
    • Some games you can play online are Skribbl.io, Agar.io, Animal Crossing, Words with Friends, and Minecraft.
    • Even if you don’t do a voice chat, you can still game with each other online.
    • You may experience lag if you or your friends don’t have a strong Internet connection at home.
  4. Ask a few friends or family members if they want to start a workout routine together and determine how intensely you want to exercise. Set up a time where you all can get on a video call so you can go through the routine at the same time. Encourage one another to work as hard as they can to motivate them even more. After your workout, take some time to relax and stretch together. [14]
    • You can find many workout classes online so you can follow along with an instructor.
    • If you and your friends have smartwatches, you may be able to see and track each other’s fitness goals.
  5. Pick a recipe that doesn’t require a lot of unusual ingredients so everyone can make it. Start a video call on your phone or a laptop and keep it in your kitchen while you’re cooking. As you all cook, share cooking tips or tweaks you’re making to the recipe so your friends and family can try them too. When you’re finished making the meal, keep chatting while you eat so you can have a casual conversation. [15]
    • Avoid complicated meals that have a lot of ingredients or take a long time to make since it may be more difficult for other people to make them.

    Variation: You can also just order food from the same restaurant and video chat during your meal if you don’t feel like cooking.

  6. Start a video chat with the people you want to spend time with after you all finish work for the day. Grab your favorite drink and talk about your workdays like you normally would if you were out at a bar. Spend as long as you want on the video call, but be sure to drink responsibly. [16]
    • Don’t drink alcohol if you’re feeling sick since it can make your conditions worse.
  7. Ask your friends or family what hobbies or skills they’ve always wanted to learn, and pick something easy to do at home. Make sure you choose something everyone enjoys so you have fun together. Even if you don’t do the hobby together on video chat, you can still practice in your own free time. Every so often, call them to check up on their projects or skills to see how they’re doing. [17]
    • Some things you can try learning are coding, dancing, speaking a new language, performing magic tricks, or knitting.
    • There are two diagnostic tests to find active infection with COVID-19. They are the antigen and RT-PCR test.
    • The antigen test uses similar collection techniques to the RT-PCR but detects specific proteins on the virus surface.
    • The antigen test results are available in 15 minutes, but it does not have 99.8% accuracy like the RT-PCR test. Its accuracy is lower and ranges from 80% to 94%.
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Expert Q&A

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      Tips

      • Check in with your friends and family often to make sure they’re doing okay during social distancing. [18]
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      Warnings

      • Avoid getting together in person or in large groups, especially if anyone feels sick, since coronavirus can easily spread between people. [19]
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      • If you feel sadness, depression, or anxiety during quarantine, don’t hesitate to call 1-800-985-5990 for the Disaster Distress Helpline so you can talk to someone that can help you cope. [20]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html
      2. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html#community
      3. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html
      4. ↑ https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/blog/coronavirus-and-social-isolation/
      5. ↑ https://www.pocket-lint.com/apps/buyers-guides/131512-video-calling-apps
      6. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/03/smarter-living/conversation-starters-non-coronavirus.html
      7. ↑ https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/20/coronavirus-tips-for-protecting-your-mental-health-during-quarantine.html
      8. ↑ https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/blog/coronavirus-and-social-isolation/
      9. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-stay-connected-to-loved-ones-despite-social-distancing/
      1. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/children.html
      2. ↑ https://www.reviewgeek.com/2390/5-ways-to-watch-video-with-your-long-distance-friends/
      3. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/well/family/coronavirus-quarantine-board-games-videoconferencing.html
      4. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2020/03/16/if-youre-social-distancing-hang-out-with-friends-by-playing-video-games/#bfee521289bb
      5. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2020/03/21/how-smart-people-use-their-quarantine-time-to-self-improve-and-help-others/#5ccb0ae77cdf
      6. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/opinion/coronavirus-social-distancing.html
      7. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2020/03/15/the-coronavirus-has-brought-the-dawn-of-the-virtual-happy-hour/#efe897731727
      8. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2020/03/21/how-smart-people-use-their-quarantine-time-to-self-improve-and-help-others/#5ccb0ae77cdf
      9. ↑ https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/03/seniors-elderly-coronavirus-isolation/
      10. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html
      11. ↑ https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

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