Entertainment remains despite concerts, films, sports cancellations

International student shares book, sports, media recommendations during shelter-in-place

Despite U.S. cases of COVID-19 increasing daily and all public gatherings larger than 10 people cancelled, there are still entertainment options available for those who adhering to the shelter-in-place mandate while seeking support and emotional help from their cohorts or via online.

[/media-credit] Students discover alternative methods of entertainment despite the cancelling of sports events, films and concerts.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are 186,101 and counting, total COVID-19 cases in the US and currently 3,603 total deaths, as of March 31. The disease was named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), defined as the pandemic of respiratory disease by the World Health Organization, March 11.

The CDC defines a pandemic disease as a global outbreak. According to the CDC website, “Pandemics happen when a new virus emerges to infect people and can spread between people sustainably. Because there is little to no pre-existing immunity against the new virus, it spreads worldwide.”

Because the disease is spreading worldwide, staying home to starve the virus remains the best method of protection before scientists develop a vaccine for the disease.

Staying home is not only protecting individuals from the disease, but also removes chances for it to spread to the elderly and sick. It’s possible for a healthy person to carry the disease for weeks and be contagious, yet asymptomatic.

On March 4, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency. Considering student and teacher safety, Fresno Christian Schools closed the campus beginning March 16 and continued learning online through WebEx by Cisco. FCS plans to resume on-campus learning after spring break, April 13, or when otherwise notified.

In the following tweet, the County of Fresno Dept. of Behavioral Health establishes a COVID-19 “Warm Line” to offer emergency emotional support to community members.

The County of Fresno Dept. of Behavioral Health has established a COVID-19 “Warm Line” to provide non-emergency emotional and coping support to community members.

DBH COVID-19 Warm Line:
● 559-600-WARM (9276)
● Monday – Friday, 8:00AM to 5:00PM pic.twitter.com/FDQB8Kl1q8

— County of Fresno (@FresnoCountyCA) March 30, 2020

While learning at home and adapting the new learning method, students find ways to stay active emotionally, physically, mentally and academically. Below is a list of resources collected for students who may be interested in a new method of entertainment:

Sports

Sports play an active role in thousands of peoples’ lives, but with all major sporting events, aside from UFC, canceled or postponed, many are taking to the internet to find their competition fixes. Below is an accumulation of classic games, highlights and documentaries students can can view or revisit. Relive your favorite sports moment and us se Google to find it.

Twitter has a host of sports feeds that post multiple times per day past sporting moments for followers to clink on to keep them engaged, including this following post from @SpectrumSN.

Catch LeBron’s best games from this #Lakers season on our ?????? ???????? marathon today starting at 1 PM. pic.twitter.com/zmgj7xtZSC

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 2, 2020

Entertainment

For entertainers, many may feel cheated or disappointed by canceled concerts and festivals, closed theaters or postponed movie showings. With all public gatherings closed since March 23, people are taking to the internet once again. Here are some songs, comedy shows, talk shows, movies, vlogs and TV shows to enjoy despite the lack of entertainment being produced.

For those who prefer active participation in cooking, readers might check out The @FoodNetwork’s feed as shown in the following tweet.

Recipe of the Day: Pork Saltimbocca with Peas?

Save the recipe on your @fnkitchen app today: https://t.co/CZWCiX5X0G! #WeCook pic.twitter.com/U65n2rs9Ve

— Food Network (@FoodNetwork) April 2, 2020

Activity

Students might have trouble avoiding physical stagnation while stuck at home, with bottled-up energy or slipping fitness goals. Here are some physical fitness videos and information for students to keep their body active while quarantine.

There are so many health and fitness websites, Instagram and Twitter feeds. The following @LonelyPlanet tweet has tips on how to improve well-being while at home.

7 ways to boost your health and fitness at home – https://t.co/3tGdaLAkvl pic.twitter.com/4d9meArJOL

— Lonely Planet (@lonelyplanet) March 31, 2020

Books

A study conducted by The Reading Agency shows that reading for pleasure increases “empathy, improved relationships with others, reductions in the symptoms of depression and dementia, and improved wellbeing.” While most classic novels would be a great start to your library, many people find peace in reading books; here are some book ideas.

For those who need help picking a book for kids or young adults, @SchoolReading has a recommended classic book each day on their Twitter feed.

The Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green – Robin Hood, champion of the poor and oppressed, stands against the cruel power of Prince John and the brutal Sheriff of Nottingham – today’s classic book of the day #readingforpleasure #kidsbook https://t.co/tMqDAdonlr pic.twitter.com/WJncqGjNVT

— School Reading List (@SchoolReading) April 2, 2020

Despite the pandemic, students still find ways to entertain themselves and relax. How has your time staying home been? Share your experience at home in the comments below and if you have some other ways of staying active while away from school.

For more articles, read COLUMN: Toryn Triplitt shares loss of grandfather, advice for others grieving and COLUMN: Online platforms, teachers, community powers FCS connections.

Kenneth Hu can be reached via email.