By Talitha Khanlari and Eda Bilen, Y12
The coronavirus is spreading fast. More and more restrictions are being put in place. Just yesterday, it was announced that everything must be closed at 11PM. All shops that are considered to be non-essential are shutting down. People can no longer go shopping after school or go to cafes. Groups can’t be larger than 10 people outdoors or be more than 5 people indoors. With the biting cold of winter arriving and rules upon rules of restrictions, what are some activities that we can still do to stay occupied?
If you prefer indoor activities, there are definitely easier ways to work around the restrictions. There can be up to five people in houses, and hanging out at someone’s house is a good way to relax with your close friends, provided you are both taking measures to ensure your safety and health. However, if you’re scared of inviting someone over due to the risks, you can use apps including FaceTime, House Party, and many other social media services to chat with your friends in real time. It is also a great way to include your friends who are in isolation or cheer up someone with COVID-19. Another streaming service called Netflix Party allows up to 50 people watching a movie or TV show at the same time – meaning everyone can enjoy a movie night from the comfort of their own homes! Baking is another fun indoor activity, either at a friend’s house, on FaceTime, or by yourself. Great recipes can be found on countless online baking blogs – you can find anything from seasonal desserts to gluten-free treats!
For those of you who would rather enjoy outdoor activities, there are still numerous things you can do. Now is a better time than ever to be more physically active. It’s totally safe to bike, hike, or skate, provided you are distanced from others. However, if sports don’t really interest you and the weather isn’t too bad you may consider spending a day in the park. This may be a better idea than going to someone’s house as you can be with more people, but again, since winter is on its way, it will be cold, so wrap up warmly.
Apart from these activities, remember that school is open, and it is still possible to socialize responsibly. School still being open gives you an opportunity to see your friends. The school also offers lots of activities that you can take part in. Some of these include joining clubs, for example, the LGB Express, the Eco Committee, the Medical Society, the Law Club, and so many more. (Make sure to check out the CAS@LGB site for more information). Remember, school can only stay open if we all do our part and continue to respect the guidelines. That means wearing masks at all times and distancing 1.5m when not mask wearing is not possible, as well as regularly sanitising your hands.
Although it would be easy under current circumstances to let yourself be lethargic, make the effort to keep connecting, and to avoid isolation while of course still respecting the rules.
