Is it me, or are people reaching out to each other more? I have always been a letter-writing person. I write a letter each week to a different friend, but with all of the uncertainty going on, I have taken a break from it, just because I don’t want to take any chances with spreading this virus (I doubt it would travel via paper, but I don’t want to be the cause of someone getting sick in any way, shape, or form).

I have started checking in with a different friend each day. This can be via text, FB messenger, Google Hangouts, email, etc. You get the picture. It is important to keep up your connections as we are all in isolation, quarantine, shelter in place, whatever you want to call it. As much as you love your family, you need to be able to reach out and have those other interactions. Yes, I am a huge introvert, but I understand the necessity of being social.

At the end of last week, I was checking in with my cousins in Ireland and England, and we have agreed to get our parents online, either FaceBook or gmail. My dad and his two sisters are now learning how to use smartphones or iPads, and have used FaceTime and FB messenger to video chat with each other. They are having a hoot being able to see each other on the screen, and we youngsters are loving filling each other in on the behind the scenes fun that ensues as the old ones get used to using the technology.

I have talked about MeWe in the past, and I have to say, it is so refreshing to be on that social media platform. There is a lot to say about FaceBook, especially having joined back in late 2004 (Lord am I old), but FB is full of fear-mongering and I’m tired of it all. Over on MeWe, my connections are sharing their everyday lives, what projects they are working on, etc. There is the occasional discussion on how our mental health is doing, but for the most part, we are trying to avoid the non-stop COVID-19 coverage.

How are you keeping up your communication and social interactions in these times of isolation? What solutions have you found to reach out to those you care about?