Online activities and virtual tour roundup: Explore and engage from indoors, while social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19
While much continues to change in the face of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, individuals, families, and businesses are finding ways to adjust to a strange new normal.
While more households turn to virtual content as a way to connect, relax, learn, and work, consumer-facing businesses are working to adjust. Museums are promoting virtual tours, organizations are turning more to live-stream opportunities, concerts are being broadcast over social media, and more
In Massachusetts, many workplaces are closed, events postponed, and schools in the state are shuttered until early May. On Monday, Governor Charlie Baker ordered all non-essential businesses to close their physical workplaces and facilities, and directed the Department of Public Health to issue a stay-at-home advisory outlining self-isolation and social distancing protocols, in effect until Tuesday, April 7.
“We also strongly advise people over the age of 70 and those with underlying health issues to stay home and limit their interactions with others as much as possible,” said Governor Baker in a press conference announcing the new orders. He added, “Acting now to prevent more person to person interaction and spreading the virus will buy us more time, so our health care system can better prepare for a challenge unlike any they’ve seen before.”
[Editor’s note: While this unprecedented situation continues to evolve, please monitor all local, state and federal guidance for the recommended guidelines in your region.]
For some, this marks the end of a third week working from home, or being out of school. Millions have turned to online sources of entertainment for a change of scenery, to supplement income, or to educate their children. As a result, internet usage has surged by as much as 50% in some parts of the world, according to the World Economic Forum, and could lead to a 60% increase in consuming content, according to figures from Nielsen.
Guidance from the City of Boston to manage anxiety during these unprecedented times includes taking breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, and practicing self-care including through stretching, eating healthy, and getting plenty of sleep. It also suggests making time to unwind, and finding ways to connect with others.
While more households turn to virtual content as a way to connect, relax, learn, and work, consumer-facing businesses are working to adjust. Museums are promoting virtual tours, organizations are turning more to live-stream opportunities, concerts are being broadcast over social media, and more. Locally, The Trustees of Reservations is rolling out a series of online events (being updated here and here), to take the place of programming while events are postponed, and properties are temporarily closed.
Ahead of the weekend, here is a roundup of some engaging virtual opportunities, for all ages:
Explore & Experience
Join Piers Park Sailing Center for Ocean Science After School! https://www.facebook.com/pierspark
Take a trip around Boston Common for the comfort of your own home!
Become a junior ranger from home, with Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2645216385767792
Take a moment for mindfulness and relaxation, with sunset from Fruitlands Museum in Harvard: https://www.facebook.com/Fruitlands/
The U.S.S. Constitution is running live tours on Facebook every day at 1 p.m.: https://www.facebook.com/ussconstitutionofficial/
Walk along Boston’s Black Heritage Trail, and explore the City’s free African American community of the nineteenth century: https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/the-black-heritage-trail-%C2%AE/wQJi32eLUZggIg
Arts & Culture
deCordova Voices—Enjoy a video series showcasing the artists, staff, colleagues, and supporters of the Museum and Sculpture Park in Lincoln: https://www.instagram.com/decordovaspandm
Explore The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, with virtual tours: https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/isabella-stewart-gardner-museum
Access free lecture videos from Harvard faculty and other scientists and naturalists, presented by the Harvard Museum of Natural History: https://hmnh.harvard.edu/past-lecture-videos
Learning & Engagement
Enjoy cooking demonstrations & barnyard story hours from The FARM Institute on Martha’s Vineyard: https://www.facebook.com/TheFARMInstitute/
The New England Aquarium offers virtual visits, with a series of videos and live events: https://www.neaq.org/visit/at-home-events-and-activities/
Farm story hour & barnyard tours have launched at Weir River Farm in Hingham: https://www.facebook.com/weirriverfarm/
Take part in a doodling session every weekday afternoon at 1 p.m. with Mo Williams, Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence: https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems/
ARTfull at home: Take part in story time with a follow-up activity, from deCordova Museum in Lincoln: https://www.facebook.com/decordovaSPandM/
Science Fridays with CSEP: Experience an introduction to marine invertebrates, oyster dissection, and an at-home activity, on Martha’s Vineyard: https://www.facebook.com/trusteesmv/
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Learn about what One Waterfront is doing to bring new publicly accessible, resilient open space to the City of Boston’s waterfront: https://onewaterfront.thetrustees.org/about