COVID-19: It’s time to come together — virtually

Mar 16, 2020 | Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Comments (26)

COVID-19 woman connecting virtually with others

In these rapidly changing times, you may feel uncertain and anxious with the COVID-19 virus looming. At the same time, our society is more fragmented than ever before. You may be cut off from some of your normal support systems, with businesses closing or directing employees to remote work, mass gatherings no longer occurring and activities cancelled. Recognizing that these conditions can easily produce social isolation — and perhaps a degree of loneliness and fear — the Mayo Clinic Connect community is here to offer you virtual support and interaction, through online community discussion.

It’s time to come together, virtually, to talk about anything that’s affecting you related to COVID-19, with a brand new Connect group, simply called COVID-19. This is a space to talk about topics such as:

Closings in your community and how it affects you
What you are doing to cope
Whether keeping up your book club or running group makes sense
How you can pass the time
Housekeeping and disinfecting your home
How to deal with your own or your children’s fears
Being helpful to others in a challenging time

It’s also a space to congregate and be socially active. You can:

Join the virtual walking group
Tour virtual museums together
Share art, music and books
Find daily escapes and inspirations

Additionally, Mayo Clinic Connect would like to point you to reliable sources of COVID-19:

Mayo Clinic News Network’s up-to-date news and information https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/category/covid-19/
Recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
The World Health Organization’s updates and resources https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

You can stay informed and also socially connected by chatting with others on Mayo Clinic Connect about COVID-19 and any other health issue concerning you right now. You can continue to connect with your Connect friends in the groups you already follow. And you can also get inspiration and information, and talk with others in the new COVID-19 Support Group.

How might connecting virtually help you stay socially active? What topic would you like to start?

Interested in more newsfeed posts like this? Go to the About Connect: Who, What & Why blog.

win sturgeon | @cobweb | Mar 19, 2020

I bike even though its only 40 degrees. Plus read the WSJ and tape some programs of interest. To old to reproduce.

MGMolly | @Erinmfs | Mar 19, 2020

In reply to @sto "What do you do to pass the time. I am bored stiff and don’t know what..." + (show)

I clean things, like I cleaned the range hood , replaced the light bulb. Clean something you've been avoiding. My church is putting events online, I also do bible studies. It's raining so not wanting to go for a walk. I also write letters, on paper, walk to the mailbox and mail, to a relative in a nursing home.

lioness | @lioness | Mar 19, 2020

In reply to @sto "What do you do to pass the time. I am bored stiff and don’t know what..." + (show)

@sto There are a lot of things people have posted on here . Travelogue on the computer just pick a country . DVD,s that you like , art work free handed or get an adult coloring book there are a lot of challeging pictures in there I don't know your sex so if crocheting is or working with fabric you like, Any kind of craft you may have or like to do or maybe something in the past you forgot about . Join our virtual walking exercise .

sto | @sto | Mar 19, 2020

In reply to @cobweb "I bike even though its only 40 degrees. Plus read the WSJ and tape some programs..." + (show)

Good idea, I may have to get the old bike out. Thanks.

sto | @sto | Mar 19, 2020

In reply to @lioness "@sto There are a lot of things people have posted on here . Travelogue on the..." + (show)

Thanks. I am a male. How do you join the virtual walking exercise? New to all this technology.

lioness | @lioness | Mar 19, 2020

In reply to @sto "Thanks. I am a male. How do you join the virtual walking exercise? New to all..." + (show)

@sto . Send an email to @becsbuddy that you want to join She,ll help you Glad to have you aboard

JK | @contentandwell | Mar 19, 2020

@sto I think @lioness means a private message, but it's easier to just post a message here too. Just go to that group and put in a response.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lets-go-walking-join-me-for-a-virtual-walking-support-group/

Anytime you want to find something, like "walking" you can go to the little magnifying glass near the top of the page, and put in the word that will identify what you are looking for. That will show you the discussions where that word is used. I put in "walking" to get to the right discussion.
JK

sto | @sto | Mar 19, 2020

In reply to @contentandwell "@sto I think @lioness means a private message, but it's easier to just post a message..." + (show)

Thanks, will try it.

sto | @sto | Mar 19, 2020

In reply to @contentandwell "@sto I think @lioness means a private message, but it's easier to just post a message..." + (show)

What do you do after you put in the proper. Word?

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Mar 19, 2020

In reply to @sto "What do you do after you put in the proper. Word?" + (show)

Hi, @sto.
If you want to join the Walking group that @contentandwell shared, Here is what to do -
-Click on the blue live link https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lets-go-walking-join-me-for-a-virtual-walking-support-group/
and you will taken to the walking group discussion.
- You can scroll down until you see a REPLY box, Enter your message,
- Click on POST REPLY,

Sto, Here are some step-by-step directions to help you get started. (You are always welcome to ask for help, too)
- Click this blue live link - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/aboutconnect/
- You will see - How to Get Started and a blue step-by-step guide
- Click on the blue step-by-step guide. and you will see a list help guides to choose from.

I hope this helps you to feel a bit more comfortable on Connect. If you need more help. I'm here.