Good Afternoon! I meant to post this entry on Wednesday but I was sidetracked with my clients’ assignments (btw, if you are in need of writing assistance for essays, research papers, term papers, etc. email angelacherai@gmail.com so I can help you out!) but I definitely wanted to touch on this topic because so many of us are used to communicating with friends, family and even coworkers on a regular basis but social distancing makes communication tougher but not impossible. When talking on the phone isn’t enough, here are a few apps that have made this social distancing this a bit easier!
FaceTime (only for Apple product users)
Since I am a self-proclaimed Apple junkie, (I have an iPhone, iPad, MacBook Air and Apple Watch lol) I love video chatting via FaceTime. I haven’t been able to see my boyfriend in a few weeks but we FaceTime everyday which has made it a bit easier to deal with not seeing him on a regular basis. I also have group FaceTime chats with my friends who I met at my first real job (shoutout to BL crew) which is always entertaining to say the least. FaceTime is the easiest way to keep in contact with those you care about since its free and is included on all Apple products.
Google Hangouts/Zoom/Duo/In The House (can be used regardless of what type of device you have)
For those of you who don’t own any Apple products, (I don’t get it but whatever!) there are apps such as Google Hangouts, Zoom, Duo and one my girl Steffie just put me on to called In the House app. These apps are free and although Zoom has time restrictions for users who choose to use a free account, they allow easy communication with multiple people at once. I haven’t tried In The House yet but I prefer using Zoom with someone who has a premium account! I have been to 2 virtual birthday parties and a girls catchup chat and had sooooo much fun! Make sure your phone/internet connection is strong because these apps can use a lot of bandwidth and you want to be able to see and hear everyone clearly!
Instagram and Facebook live (features are available on all Instagram and Facebook apps)
I don’t usually go live on Instagram of Facebook myself but I love joining live sessions that my friends and influencers/celebs/notable individuals have. Ciara and Russell Wilson went on IG live a couple of weeks ago discussing their first date and what makes their relationship work and I was so enamored with them that I sat through the whole chat which is something that I rarely do lol. My hairstylist Regina Pearl went on IG live last week to discuss how to use the product kits she was selling to maintain your hair during this quarantine (smart idea right!) Various celebrities such as Neyo, Lil Jon and T-Pain have been doing battles that have been nostalgic and enjoyable. I also like to keep up to date with what’s going on in surrounding communities by watching the mayors of nearby cities discuss Coronavirus rules and regulations for their respective cities. Whether I watch Instagram/Facebook live to be entertained, educated or informed, Instagram and Facebook live have been helpful in ensuring that I am kept in the loop and keeps me occupied.
Regardless of whatever method you choose to stay connected, remember that the situation we all have been placed in is only temporary and life will go back to business as usual. This is the best way to eliminate unnecessary direct contact while still maintaining a sense of normalcy. Continue to follow CDC sanitary guidelines as well as the rules set forth by your city and state officials. We will get through this together and if you have any blog topic ideas, suggestions or just want to chat, comment below and I will be sure to get back at you:) Thanks for reading and always remember to love and live luxuriously!