Staying Connected

03-21-20:  Staying Connected

Just as recently as early March 2020 it would have been a very common occurrence for a local couple to get together with one or two other couples for lunch, cocktails, dinner, or a card game, etc.  Relatives and friends from out of town would have been welcomed with open arms, without so much as a second thought.  However, circumstances have made doing these kinds of things just about impossible now.  
But wait, can at least some of that activity still actually happen without putting ourselves at significant risk of exposure to Covid-19?  

The answer from The Villages Computer Club (VCC) and The Villages Computers Plus Club (VCP) is YES it can still happen.  But it has to be done virtually.  Humans are social beings and it is very important that people continue these social interactions.  Friends and families should stay connected, grandchildren need to have contact with their grandparents, and children should be able to get an online real time indication of how their parents are doing.  Our objective here is to remind seniors living in The Villages and in the Nextdoor communities that options for video conferencing are readily available, and fairly easy to use.

How do we do this?  For those who have a PC, or an Android tablet or an iPad, they can connect to family and friends by using Skype or Zoom Meeting on a Windows PC, or FaceTime when connecting an Apple device to an Apple device, or Google's video chat app called Duo, when connecting an Android tablet to another Android tablet or to an iPad.  Other software exists that can also be used; just ask your grandchildren for a recommendation.  And, of course, a compatible device & software will be required on the other end.  You will have to do your own homework in order to find out how to implement the technology that is compatible with both sides of your connectivity equation (questions? Use Google to find answers).  If you are a technophobe, or a friend/relative does not have the required compatible hardware/software – remember there is always the telephone.  Just do whatever you can to stay connected – it’s really important to reach out on a regular basis.

Stay healthy, stay safe, and please stay six feet away from each other.
Thank you.
Peter Cronas
VCC, President
VCP, Chief Facilitator