Happy April! This will be a quick post.

In case you’re not yet sick and tired of Googling, Tweeting, discussing, or hearing the phrase social distancing, I thought I would weigh in on the global conversation. If you’re sick of it, that’s okay. Hear me out anyway.

Did you know that the World Health Organization (WHO) has used the phrase social distancing as early as 2003? Their definition of the term:

. . . keeping at least an arm’s length distance from others, [and] minimizing gatherings.

“Pandemic influenza prevention and mitigation in low resource communities” (PDF). World Health Organization. 2009-05-02. Retrieved 2020-03-29.

It’s only been a few weeks, but at times it’s gotten very difficult to isolate myself at home. However, here are my favorite things to do to connect with others while still, you know, being together alone (Sick of that phrase yet?).

• Go for a secluded walk in your neighborhood while talking on the phone. At least you won’t feel guilty for crossing the street when you see someone coming the other direction.
• Watch a movie with your bestie or honey. I just installed the Netflix Party extension on Chrome, and I can’t wait to use it.
• Schedule a Skype or Zoom lunch with a co-worker. I did this last week with a good friend from work, and we both needed it.

Since I’m very introverted, I enjoy my solitude. But even I get bummed out from excessive alone time. Here’s how I’m making my quarantine more tolerable:

• If you have a library card, download the Libby app from the App Store or Google Play if you haven’t done so already. This is my go-to app for utilizing my local library.
• Take a virtual tour of the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian.
• Speaking of the Smithsonian, they recently launched their Open Access archive of images and 3D models.
• Keep practicing that foreign language you say you’re trying to learn. The free Duolingo app has done wonders for my German and Spanish.

A Final Word

Please, please, PLEASE continue to practice common sense during this challenging time. I won’t repeat all the public safety stuff you’ve heard six million times. But if you need a reminder, go to CDC.gov for tips and the latest news.