Got cabin fever? Embrace the virtual for vivacious conversation
Milford. Social isolation is beginning to take its toll on people as they do their part to stem the tide of COVID-19. Beat cabin fever by joining one or more of these local groups, where you'll get to see the faces of old friends, meet new people -- and maybe even learn how to grow shitake mushrooms!
Milford /
| 08 Apr 2020 | 12:25
Virtual Happy Hour "at" Bar Louis (
)
Do you have a fever? Cabin fever is another type of fever many people are experiencing because of social isolation from COVID-19. And it’s beginning to take its toll on people.
Symptoms of cabin fever have been described as total boredom, general nervousness, malaise, worry, loneliness, and sometimes even aggression. People have been known to think they’re losing their minds. They forget things, even how to spell. These symptoms are beginning to emerge all around us, whatever our age.
There are some remedies to help achieve “Covid Interruptus” --temporary relief from the effects of the shutdown of our favorite gathering places. Business owner Sean Strub has introduced virtual bars for 403 Broad Street and Bar Louis that give local patrons a chance to see each other and talk about things they would talk about if they were actually sitting at the bar. It’s a new way of communicating, with everyone on the Zoom platform, relaxed, often with their own drink in hand, talking from their kitchens or living rooms.
"I’m trying to avoid the phrase ‘social distancing’ because we can have ‘safe distancing’ while maintaining our social ties," Strub said.
Other local organizations have already started virtual get-togethers to help people maintain their social ties:
The Milford Garden Club
The Milford Garden Club has joined with the Pike County Master Gardeners to provide cyber meetings where members can interact on topics of interest to them. "The Garden Club has been a part of Milford for over 80 years and has a large, active membership," President Liz Steen says. "We hope in a small way, these online presentations help us to learn a new thing and focus on something more than our current situation."
Saturday, April 11, at 11 a.m. Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Ipd-6srDwtUaThMj5e-wsZqldChwNoLA
Wednesday, April 13, at 11 a.m. Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
zoom.us/meeting/register/uJAqcO-trj4j6w3IdG2JBBuEWAbDVKx9lw
Local churches
Some local churches are having online services. Among them, Milford Methodist Church (milfordmethodists.org), and St. Patrick’s Church (saintpatricksmilford.com).
Storytime for Children with the Milford Police Department
Milford Police Chief Matt McCormack and his team are working with Joe Dooley and Annette Haar, members of Milford’s Public Safety Committee, to host Storytime sessions for children ages 3 to 7 on Zoom. There will be an opportunity for the kids to ask questions of the officer reading the stories. Chief McCormack leads this first reading in series.
The first storytime will be held at 7:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 9. The login details will be posted on the Milford Covid Volunteer Task Force Facebook page and other Milford pages.
403 Broad and Bar Louis
Sean Strub says his bartenders "Bob, Jennifer, and Jason have each developed a clientele and friends at the bar in Bar Louis (Bob and Jenn) and 403 Broad (Jason) and this gives them a chance to stay in touch with each other as well as make new friends. It’s more about gathering online, checking in with each other and connecting than it is about drinking! But Bob, Jenn, and Jason all can make a mean quarantini... I’m just saying!”
● 403 Broad Virtual Happy Hour with Bartender Jason Emery
Wednesday, April 8, from 5 to 6 p.m.
zoom.us/j/599274938?pwd=Z1NrWVh1dWFCSGZlYWJ2VlVOQjJxdz09
Zoom Meeting ID: 599 274 938 Password:258903
● Bar Louis Virtual Happy Hour with Bartender Bob Grimm
Thursday April 9, from 5 to 6 p.m.
zoom.us/j/889711267?pwd=aHNWOEJ4Z3VwdmsrQU9NbXVQeUlBZz09
Meeting ID: 889 711 267 Password: 384431
● Bar Louis Virtual Happy Hour with Bartender Jenn Bockerstette
Thursday, April 16, from 5 to 6 p.m.
zoom.us/j/897233636?pwd=aTJzMTAzRDRjcU9NbmEwZTVMRzYzdz09
Meeting ID: 897 233 636 Password: 776234
● Bar Louis Virtual Happy Hour with Bartender Bob Grimm
Thursday, April 23, from 5 to 6 p.m.
zoom.us/j/942403140?pwd=VC8zSGhzeml5amVGTm8xVmhKVktrZz09
Meeting ID: 942 403 140 Password: 989343
Milford Covid Volunteer Task Force
As time passes and we feel the effects of the quarantine even more, there will be many other virtual events. For up-to-date information, visit the Milford Covid Volunteer Task Force Facebook page. It’s like having a big virtual hug from everyone in town.