THE STREETS LOOK EMPTY, SCHOOLS ARE CLOSING, PEOPLE STOPPED WORKING, BUT THE QUESTION IS, WHO DOES ALL THIS AFFECT THE MOST? WHICH GROUP OF PEOPLE DOES THE SOCIAL DISTANCING AFFECT THE MOST?
NO GATHERING
Effect On People
We have to stay six feet away from each other, so that means no gathering of any sort with more than ten people. Social distancing is hard on everyone. Kids do not get to go to school. Seniors find this hard to process the most because it means no graduation and no prom. Both things every student waits forever to experience. Some adults are not working because they are not "essential" workers. Unfortunately, a funeral might take place during this time. A funeral is a time a family can't come together to celebrate what a great life that person has had, but we can't celebrate anything without being at risk of getting the coronavirus. We have to avoid being physically social with each other.
"How do we get used to all this social distancing? Who does all this social distancing really effect? Which group of people does social distancing affect the most?"
These are questions many people might be asking.
NO VISITING
We can not visit anyone at assistant living homes or the "old folks home". People now have to find a new way to connect with their loved ones. The separation from their families is painful. The people in the homes are at high risk. It is possible for them to be put at a higher risk of coronavirus if people are visiting them. Some of the people placed in the homes might wonder why they aren't being visited, why they can't see their sons or daughter, their grandchildren. Social distancing is something that is effecting everybody, in many different ways. It is no surprise to us that the virus is more dangerous to older people, but the social distancing of it all can affect the younger ones more.
STRUGGLES AT HOME
Parents
Parents might find it hard to help their kids stay productive while not being able to go anywhere. Slowly easing your child into social distancing is very important. Watching movies and too much screentime can become addicting and affect a child in a negative way. Finding different things to do every day can be helpful and many social places have reached out to make this time of the year less difficult for kids.
COMMUNITY HELP
Boston Public Library
Boston Public library has decided to create a few challenges for young kids, one of them being a fort challenge. "Kids grab an old blanket and build your own fort," they said. The challenge was posted on Facebook by one of the library staff. This challenge has been called the "creative kids challenge" and included that a new challenge will be posted each week to keep kids busy.
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Above is a logo representing the Boston public library. They love working with young kids from all over Boston. Their goal is to ease kids into the quick transition of quarantine. Social changes during the pandemic are very new for most people. It seems to mostly affect young people, who aren't really sure of what is happening. The challenge "The creative kid's challenge" is a weekly updated challenge that helps kids stay productive through this time period. Click the hyperlink below to join and stay connected with their weekly updates.
WHY FORTS?
Fort making was one of the many ways to help young kids fight their isolation at home. For kids who might be feeling powerless and bored, it can also be really exciting to have something they’ve made shared on such a wide platform.
Kids might start to feel worried, and confused about what is happening worldwide, but the blanket forts are able to make them feel safe in uncertain times. After the fort is built, kids can climb in with whatever they want. Favorite book, favorite food, or family member. They'll feel comfortable rather than feel that they are just stuck inside their homes with nothing to do.
CELEBRATIONS
Birthdays
Many kids expect to go out on their birthday. Others invite friends and families to come over and cut a cake. Others might travel from states to amusement parks. With all these plans people might have, they all have one thing in common. They are all great examples of what social distancing is not. During this month and maybe a few months to come we have all been asked to socially distance ourselves. Kids find it the hardest to do so especially those who might have birthdays coming up. They are so used to playing with their friends with party hats, sucking on lollipops, or jumping in a blown-up house.
Distant Birthday
Macklin Boyd a young boy who was expecting to celebrate is his fifth birthday with friends and family had to cancel his plans. His fifth birthday party was supposed to be a Transformers themed. A cookout with a bouncy house filled with his friends who he can play and laugh with. But the party has to be canceled in order to be safe and healthy.
Macklin’s family came up with a birthday surprise that was both special and safe. It kept everyone at a distance away from each other protecting everyone's health.
A firetruck and a race car drove by his house. Other cars followed behind them carrying his friends and signs with messages from “Happy birthday!’’ to “Can’t wait to see you!’’ Kids find it the hardest to stay socially distant from each other. They are so used to see each other every day, whether it being school or daycare. Macklin's story is a great example of how serious it is to find new ways to socialize and still enjoy that special day.
MACKLIN'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE
To know more about Macklin's birthday at a distant story, the hyperlink below directs you to a Boston Globe article with more details. Hopefully, Macklin's birthday at a distant story inspires you and your family to find different ways to celebrate different things at a distance for the safety of us all.
SOCIAL DISTANCING IMPACTING YOUNG KIDS
How are kids still connected with their friends while being housebound
For many young elementary kids it is really challenging to stay housebound. However, many families are still making sure their kids are still connected somehow to their friends.
Kids are keeping themselves occupied by talking to each other on zoom. There are some activities that they can do when they are bored like playing board games and watching television.
Staying connected is important to adolescent minds.
When you are going out make sure you wear gloves and a mask or only go out if it is necessary.
WE HOPE YOU ARE STAYING SAFE!
OUR LOGO!
Coronavirus, it's getting real!
At Social Changes During Pandemic, we sincerely care about your well-being. Since creating this website to show how much of an effect this pandemic is having on all of us, we want to end it off with a big thank you for taking your time to read it and watch the video included. In order to provide the readers with exactly what they need to look and read is information gathered from numerous articles, and other sites providing essential information. Social Changes During the Pandemic can affect many people negatively, but we are all in this together!
CITATIONS
1. Marquard, Bryan. “‘Social distancing is not emotional distancing’: Funerals, funeral homes, and graveside. services evolve quickly to a new reality.” The Boston Globe. March 19, 2020 April 17, 2020. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/03/19/nation/new-norm-funerals-coronavirus-age/
2. Weisman, Robert. “Families deem ‘no visits’ edict essential, painful with facilities enforcing a strict ‘no visits’ policy, family members are scrambling to find ways to stay in touch with loved ones.”Boston Globe. March 23, 2020. April 17, 2020. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/03/23/metro/families-struggle-with-no-visits-edict-senior-homes/
3. Enos, Caroline. “A birthday surprise, at a distance.” Boston Globe. Updated April
1st, 2020, 2:32 p.m April 17, 2019. <https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/01/metro/five-year-old- foxborough-boy-surprised-with-birthday-parade/>
4. Annear, Steve. “For kids at home, BPL advises to build a fort.” Boston Globe. Updated March 30, 2020, 2:48 p.m. April 17, 2019. <https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/03/30/nation/coronavirus-keeping-kids-home-until- may-boston-public-library-thinks-you-should-build-fort/>
5. Goldstein Meredith. “Are you ready for your close up.” Boston Globe. April 17, 2020.
6. Baskin, Kara. “How to keep kids connected with friends, even when they’re
Housebound Here are some high- and low-tech ideas for keeping elementary-
schoolers connected and engaged with their pals, even from afar.” Boston Globe. March 29, 2020. April 17, 2020. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/03/30/nation/how-keep-kids-connected-with-friends-even- when-theyre-housebound/