Monica Garcia-Perez
The Coronavirus crisis has arrived like a cold shower. Regardless of how much was already circulating about COVID-19 cases in Europe and Asia, by the time we were leaving for our 2020 Spring Break, we were mostly aware of it, but not cautious about the possible consequences, nor believing that it would reach the current situation. Much less, we weren’t expecting not seeing our family, friends, colleagues, students, professors, staff, again until further notice. For some, this has meant canceling plans to visit family and friends living in other cities or far away. Our lives have been disrupted, and we are all together experiencing the same.
As an immigrant, I am used to seeing my family and overseas friends virtually. However, the disruption after COVID-19 in my life is still dramatic and real. We have all needed to change the way we connect to the most important people in our lives and also to communicate with the people who were part of our day-to-day routine. When I think about Staying Connected, I think about the importance of staying connected with my family and friends, with my community, and with myself. Here are some ways I’m trying to do that in my life.
I have three favorite resources I consistently use to stay connected to family and friends.
- Whatsapp: This app has been a savior for me. I have been in contact with family and friends for over 6 years in a more natural way, thanks to Whatsapp. Because it is connected to people’s phone numbers, it is more private than social media. Allows for video calls for up to 4 people and the app can be easily installed on a smartphone.
- Zoom: It was supposed to be mostly for business use, but as we got into social distancing, it has been the go-to for book clubs, getting in touch with other people, general meetings and classes. Virtual happy hours are also useful in this zoom environment. This app is my go-to tool for connecting with people professionally. I also have casual chats with friends.
- Facebook Messenger, Messenger for Kids and Facebook Watch Party: I keep my family and friends connected to my Facebook account. This is my go-to for personal connections. I use the kids’ version of messenger for my kids. In the kids’ version, you can control who can connect with your kids, and they can have that one-on-one conversation with grandparents and older family members, instead of only having those big gathering video calls. Watch Party on Facebook is something new that I have been using lately. Several live concerts are going on FB live. You can invite other friends to your Watch Party and chat during the show.
To Stay Connected to the community, local and national, I follow the social media of the organizations that match my interests. But more importantly, I follow the ones that were part of my life and routine before COVID-19. I mostly use Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. In my case, I joined all the Facebook and Instagram pages of my local gym and centers that I used to visit before the crisis. The group has been a support community to stay healthy with live group workout classes, challenges, tips about nutrition, and encouragement. This has been my special place for keeping my physical health.
To Stay Connected to St. Cloud State community, I recommend following the Facebook pages, Instagram pages, and Twitter accounts of the St. Cloud State organizations. The need to keep that group of friends that you made during college will keep you inspired in your academic work. But also, it will strengthen those friendships that will last your lifetime. College is a time when many people form their long-lasting relationships. Further, the university has many resources to offer you to bring up your Huskies Pride. We are all on this together. Huskies are all on this together.
Instagram: @stcloudstate @scsufitness @scsusopa @scsu_involvement @healthyhuskiesscsu
Facebook: Healthy Huskies SCSU, St. Cloud State University
To Stay Connected with yourself, find a moment of zero-screen time, zero interaction, when you can listen to your breath, and practice relaxation. Those moments of active calm are essential. The only tool needed is you and your breath. I generally go for a short walk alone listening to my most upbeat songs or take a moment of silence and breathing exercise at night after kids’ bedtime. The regularity of these activities depends on how busy the day is. However, to ensure I do it I put a reminder on my phone. I always feel good after it. I keep a short journal of the day where sometimes I add gratitude notes or sometimes I simply write notes about the day.
We might be physically distanced, but we can work to stay social in solidarity. Stay Connected with one another, with your community and with yourself. We can Keep Living! For more ways to Stay Connected, visit St. Cloud State’s Keep Living page.
This essay was inspired by articles from the University of Maryland and Baylor University
Dr. Monica Garcia-Perez is a professor in the Department of Economics at St. Cloud State University whose research concentrates on topics of labor economics, immigration and health economics. She is also working on wealth inequality across race and ethnicity and the impact of health shocks.
