Gizmos & Gadgets: The Technology Available to Us to Make Social Distancing Tolerable in the Age of Pandemic

June 24, 2020 – Welcome back Uma Campbell who is a frequent guest writer for 21stcentech.com. Her topic today is particularly relevant to those of us living in lockdown situations in our homes. The pandemic has brought out some of the best traits in humanity with younger neighbours in our building helping older apartment dwellers. Our computers, smartphones, and tablets have become lifelines that allow us to shop online, ordering groceries and medical prescriptions. Even appointments with the doctor are virtual. And meetings have become multiple screen experiences. Amazon and other online suppliers are reaping the rewards of being virtual stores. You may recognize yourself as Uma describes how she and others are coping through COVID-19.

The current COVID-19 pandemic is forcing millions of people to socially distance and remain at home as much as possible. Governments around the world are calling on their citizens to follow local requirements and recommendations to keep communities safe. While the results of social distancing and home quarantine are essential to keep the disease from spreading unchecked, it is not always easy to follow local health recommendations. Not going to work, not seeing your friends, or not going to your typical businesses is a sacrifice, and staying home most of the time can drive almost anyone stir crazy. Thankfully, modern technology has given us a slew of different gadgets to make social distancing more tolerable and more comfortable to endure so we can all do our part to slow the spread of the virus.

Escape with Audio

Whether you live alone or with housemates, sometimes it is nice to escape to another world even for a bit. Tune out your housemates or sounds from outside your house and relax with a pair of wireless headphones. Noise-canceling headphones are a nice plus, but any wireless headset will do the job without the hassle of wires. Put on your favorite music or an audio podcast to forget about the world. Listening to music while working or exercising can help you focus and give you an energy boost. Pick the right genre for your task at hand and let music make your life more enjoyable while you are in quarantine at home. 

More WiFi

Most homes in North America these days have WiFi connections, but one router may not be enough to broadcast a signal across the entire space. There are many oMany things can disrupt or prevent your WiFi from reaching every corner of your home, but walls and distance are the most common issues. Your WiFi signal can only reach so far, which can leave you with dead zones with no WiFi. To solve this problem, add a WiFi booster or repeater that can extend your signal and eliminate dead zones. Place your WiFi repeater halfway between your router and the dead zone to extend your signal coverage; you have the option of either a desktop repeater just like your router or a wall plug-in for a stealthy WiFi boost. 

Embrace Gaming

Music and other audio lets you escape the world for a bit, but there are different ways you can escape. Social distancing has kept friends and family from seeing each other in person, but gaming lets you stay connected in the virtual world. There are a plethora of different online games you can play with your friends to socialize and have fun. Grab a gaming headset for voice chat and jump into your favorite digital world. Don’t be fooled by popular gaming commercials; there are more options than just games with guns. There is a gaming genre for every taste, from role-playing games and educational games to life-like simulations and action games. 

You don’t have to buy an exp[ensive new computer or gaming console to game either. Mobile games have come a long way since Candy Crush, and there are full storied games available on mobile. Most laptops can also handle popular games, but you may have to mess with settings to achieve optimal performance, depending on your laptop. The next generation of gaming consoles, namely the PS5 and Xbox Series X, is coming out at the end of 2020, so if you do want to snag a console, now is a great time to get a console for a lower price. 

Workout Gadgets

Social distancing generally means not going to the gym, and you will have to find new ways to work out. Working out at home doesn’t have to be boring as there are many workout programs you can view online that don’t require equipment. There are undoubtedly online programs or routines that will make use of it if you have exercise gear at home. Fitness trackers are one of the most informative and straightforward pieces of workout gear. Use a fitness tracker like the famous Fitbit to monitor your heart rate, calories burned, and more depending on the model. Most fitness trackers have accompanying apps that help you track your fitness journey so you can use data to ensure you are moving in the right direction. 

Social distancing isn’t ideal for most people. Staying home and not seeing your friends or family can be hard, but you can use technology to make your time at home more bearable. Use audio for escapism, boost your WiFi to eliminate dead zones, embrace gaming as a way to connect with friends or jump into a virtual world, and use online programs with your fitness tracker to stay fit at home.