The Royal City is finding new ways to stay connected amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Councillors and the mayor have turned on phone cameras to give critical updates on social media and held the first-ever digital Council meeting on Monday.
MPP Mike Schreiner, Mayor Cam Guthrie and Coun. James Gordon have taken an light approach with scheduled bedtime stories on Facebook Live.
Families are keeping in touch by FaceTime, Skype and other video-calling services to bridge the gap that social distancing has created across the country.
Klaus Becker is keeping tabs on his son who is working on the front lines of the pandemic as a doctor in Germany by Skype calling regularly.
Becker, 77, and his 69-year-old wife decided to take strong measures to protect their health by self-isolating two weeks ago when cases were first beginning to rise in Canada.
The couple go out only for 20 minutes daily to walk their dog and they have groceries delivered by friends.
Becker, who used to run an auto repair shop prior to retirement, explained that the consistent video calls have helped his mental health and gave him and his wife peace of mind knowing they “are not in the dark and we don’t feel helpless.”
West end resident and community organizer Indu Arora said her children have been keeping in touch with their friends by Apple’s video service.
“It has been a great way to boost morale, see their friends and do activities over FaceTime,” Arora explained.
On social media, residents are staying connected by Facebook groups. One group, “Caremongering Guelph,” has enabled the community to share news and resources.
For Adam Rodway, a resident of the Metal Works development downtown, a large part of staying connected is donning a headset and turning on a game console.
“(Video games are) serving as the perfect escape in the midst of this self-isolation situation,” the 23-year-old told the Mercury Tribune, referring to the recently released “Animal Crossing.”
“Animal Crossing: New Horizons” drops players onto an island with nothing and from there it is up to the one’s imagination to build up an in-game life. It has a multiplayer element that allows people to connect in a world without a pandemic or social distancing rules.
A nurse who works with children and adults that have a range of physical and mental disabilities told the Mercury Tribune video games are a great way to keep in contact with the outside world during a time when visitors are scarce.
“(Video games) can definitely have a positive impact on patients by knocking down that barrier separating them,” Jennifer Rivera said.
Rivera, who lives in Guelph but works at an institution just outside of the city, said that video games offer not only a way to connect but also a method of escape from her work schedule made all the more hectic by the coronavirus.
“It’s always something to look forward to when a new game comes along and it makes this whole quarantine experience so much easier to handle, even though I am still working and doing what I usually do, it takes away all the negativity going around in the world.”
A PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo system is not necessary to get in on the gaming. Online board games like “Ticket to Ride” can be played on a laptop or on a phone.
Screens and buzzing phones are often derided as a distraction but during uncertain times they have provided a sense of connection for a city full of residents cut off from each other.
