By: Rebecca Shimony
Unlike never before, our community has been quarantined to their homes for weeks as a result of a formerly unknown virus. COVID-19, a novel form of the coronavirus, has resulted in people and families across the world remaining socially distant from each other. Legally, people are unable to go to parks or even a nearby movie theater to fight their boredom from the pandemic. However, many companies and organizations are finding ways to help us fight this boredom!
Beginning with the Walt Disney Television Company, countless movies and tv shows have been released early on their own streaming platform, Disney+. For example, the movies Frozen II and Onward were supposed to be released on Disney + in June and September, respectively. However, as a result of COVID-19, both movies have been released earlier than expected. Frozen II was released on March 17, while Onward was released on April 3. These are just two of the many entertainment options available on Disney+. The intentions of the company’s actions were perfectly clear. The company wanted to help the general public fight quarantine boredom by providing them with plenty of new movies and TV shows to watch.
Another company helping us fight boredom is the iHeartRadio Broadcasting Group. As the first company to hold a living room concert, full of stars and hosted by Elton John from his home, families were able to come together for a night of unity through music. Together, people everywhere donated about $10 million. The goal of this live virtual concert was to not only entertain people, but to also give thanks to first responders everywhere who are risking their lives each day. By doing this, the country became united even though we had to stay at home. Performances from Billie Eilish with her brother Finneas to The Backstreet Boys and Lady Gaga let people know that if we come together by doing our part, we can be around others and have fun. The concert allowed us to fight the boredom by enjoying and appreciating listening to music from some of our favorite new and old artists. The Country Music Association and Disney soon followed iHeartRadio, offering their own versions of living room concerts to lift our spirits and offer a break from the quarantine boredom.
Although listening to music and watching new TV shows and movies is exciting, people eventually get bored of doing that too! Rather than staying inside 24/7, people can go on walks around their neighborhoods with their families and try to stay as far away from others as possible. People can also play games like Rummikub and Yahtzee with their family or host themed dinners where everyone can dress up and eat together in a fun way. A new popular idea is that people are making personal bingo cards based on people themselves, activities they love, or camps and teen tours they attend during the summer! Online, many puzzles are being sold out quickly because it gives people something to do in order to keep them busy, so if there are no puzzles left, it is a good idea to pick up a book or try something new, like cooking for yourself or meditating. Hopefully, this crisis ends soon, and we can all be together once again before the summer starts. In the meantime, stay safe, stay healthy, and find creative ways to have fun!
Photo courtesy of consumerreports.com
