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Our picks

Our complete list of ways to support local, maintain social connections, and stay engaged in your community.

We know – its tough out there. Physical distancing is the most effective way to stop the spread of COVID-19, but it also increases social isolation. Fear not, we’re here for you (from a safe distance, of course). Here is our full list of recommendations for ways to stay socially connected while physically distancing.

Living room

Play a game

Our game shelf is a CultureHouse staple, and you don’t have to stop engaging your friends in some healthy competitions while we’re closed. Pogo and the Board Game Arena are two websites that allow you to invite your friends to play games with you remotely. Here’s some suggestions:

Watch something together

Movies and TV are a lot more fun when there’s people to laugh with, and that doesn’t have to stop. There’s plenty of websites that allow you to stream videos with your friends. Here’s some options:

  • Twoseven allows you to synchronize Youtube, Netflix, and Vimeo as well as videos saved on your computer, all with built in text and video chatting. 
  • Plug.dj allows you to share music videos and Youtube clips with your friends in a private chat room.
  • MyCircleTV is a synchronized video player with built-in voice chat, so you can talk with your friends straight from their site. 
  • Netflix Party is a Chrome extension that allows you to synchronize Netflix playback.

Need something to watch? Check out Coolidge Corner Theatre’s Virtual Screening Room as well as The Brattle’s #BreakYourAlgorithm picks.

Visit a virtual museum

Collect some friends and family and take a virtual trip to the museum. Here are some options:

Visit the eLibrary

Cambridge and many other cities allow you to get eBooks, Audiobooks, and more online.

Bar

Shopping local is always important, but your favorite local businesses are especially vulnerable to the changing habits of social distancing. Keep reading for some ways to support local.

Food and drinks

You can still patronize your local restaurants by ordering delivery or take out, and you can stock up on essentials from local producers.

Books and games

If you’re going to be in self-isolation for a while, you might as well read a new book, play a new game, or learn a new craft. Luckily, there’s plenty of local business owners ready to help you out – and in turn, you’ll help them stay afloat. 

Art and crafts

Gift cards

You can also support local by buying gift cards to use in the future. As Josh Cook of Porter Square Books tweeted, “Think of this as a no-interest loan that will give the store income when they need it, that you collect on later.”  Support Your Spot, Rally for Restaurants, and Nift all sell gift cards to your favorite local businesses. 

Everything else

You can have almost anything delivered to your house through Localisity, but instead of supporting a megacorporation, you’re buying from a local business.

Bulletin

While we’re all going to feel the effects of the pandemic, it’s going to be hardest for our most vulnerable neighbors. As Alissa Walker from Curbed writes, “What we should be doing now is opening our front doors to take stock of our communities.” Here are some ways you can support community members in need during this difficult time.

Volunteer

Donate

Join a mutual aid network

In uncertain times, it’s especially important to create and maintain neighbor-to-neighbor networks of care. Find and join a mutual aid network in your area.

This is a living page that will be updated regularly. Know of something that should be added? Email allie@culturehouse.cc.