As people around the globe self-quarantine in the wake of the coronavirus, they are trying to make it something more than a forced period of working from home.
People are focusing on having quarantine-centric fun that is a little more lighthearted than a constant discussion of the disease sweeping the nation. This has caused “quarantine life” to trend on Twitter.
Here, for example, is a video of a sock puppet swallowing up cars that has been viewed more than 45 million times.
Quarantine day 6. pic.twitter.com/er652Oy3Ki
— jamie (@gnuman1979) March 16, 2020
Or stand-up comedian Pete Dominick, who built what he is calling his “survival garden,” which is a positive spin on a negative outlook, the idea of people resorting to farming their own food to survive.
Survival Garden ! #stayhomechallenge #QuarentineLife pic.twitter.com/pP9j8jsth4
— Pete Dominick (@PeteDominick) March 19, 2020
Some other people took time to enjoy the little things, like this little girl dancing with her dog — an animal that goes beyond what people normally categorize as “fluffy.”
In case you need to smile…my daughter dancing with our pup Otis pic.twitter.com/rhNwP1H6gW
— carrie levan (@LevanCarrie) March 17, 2020
Several celebrities have also been making videos encouraging people to stay home, rather than go outside where they might spread the disease. Among those urging people to stay home was actor Kevin Bacon, who made this video:
Hey everybody, now it’s so important to STAY HOME and keep our distance from others. Join me and post a video or photo with a sign like this, with #IStayHomeFor, telling who you are staying home for, & tag 6 friends. Let's work together to stay home and keep each other safe. pic.twitter.com/ybv63bE42t
— Kevin Bacon (@kevinbacon) March 18, 2020
While most Americans are not yet required to stay indoors, plenty of them are being asked to. To pass the time and to try to keep spirits up, people have been taking part in a lot of things, like these New Yorkers, who sang the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” to each other through their windows.
As coronavirus restrictions went into effect in New York City, neighbors spread joy by singing The Beatles' "Yellow Submarine" with one another from their apartment windows. https://t.co/ymYEbiEnDQ pic.twitter.com/S4SHH5RyCw
— ABC News (@ABC) March 19, 2020
One positive of this unexpected time is Americans may reflect on this crisis as a time that brought them closer together.