The coronavirus outbreak has all of us on edge, but one thing that has been difficult for many of us to grasp is the social distancing protocols that have been enacted. We all would much rather be hanging out with our friends than being holed up in our rooms, and sometimes a simple FaceTime call just doesn't cut it. However, there are still ways to stay connected and have a good time without putting yourselves at risk by meeting up, so here are some tricks to do just that while keeping both you and your friends safe and healthy!
1. Binge-Watch A New Show Together
Who says you can't Netflix and chill during a quarantine? By downloading the Netflix Party extension for Google Chrome, you can watch whatever you want on Netflix with anyone you want, complete with a text chat so you can freak out together over that huge plot twist you just finished watching.
2. Play A Tabletop Game
Board game nights can still be a thing thanks to Tabletop Simulator! Purchase this game on Steam so you and your friends can still meet up and enjoy a tabletop game together, from Uno to Clue. Just hope you won't be at each other's throats by the end of a particularly heated round of Monopoly.
3. Virtually Meet Up On "Animal Crossing"
On March 20, "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" was finally released for the Nintendo Switch, so why not order or download a copy so you can pay each other a visit? Up to eight players can live on the same island at a time, which means the whole squad can take advantage of the Deserted Island Getaway Package. And let's face it, we all could use a getaway right now.
Whatever method you prefer, whether it's on this list or not, just remember to do your best to stay connected. This is a stressful time, so it's important to seek out distractions whenever you can and, most importantly, keep the people you love close regardless of how far away they may seem.