Living through a pandemic makes it easy to become trapped by the negatives of the situation. However, technology has provided an avenue of escapism in the era of COVID-19. At the beginning of the quarantine period, the new game Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released. Through this game, people were able to create a peaceful environment for them to enjoy during a troubling time.
During the COVID-19 pandemic there was an increase in awareness surrounding mental health and concern that the pandemic would have a negative effect on a person’s individual mental health. Companies, the government and people began to focus on mental health, a part of one’s overall health that has generally been neglected by society, causing detrimental effects such as increased stress and suicide. Because of the nature of the pandemic, it was also crucial to determine ways to help each other's mental health with limited physical contact.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic movie theaters have closed since they are not able to allow for a safe viewing experience, in turn this has prevented many movie studios from releasing their movies or even put a stop to the production of these big budget films. While COVID-19 has affected how movies are being filmed, streaming services have greatly benefited from the quarantine as there is a greater push to release digitally. Subscriptions to streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ have spiked as a result of the pandemic, these streaming services allow people to watch their favorite shows with their families and loved ones during this difficult time.
The COVID-19 Pandemic has greatly affected the use of social media by the world’s population. This includes spreading valid information, learning new skills or simply distracting individuals from the horrors of the pandemic through internet memes. Social media has also allowed small businesses to emerge, by increasing promotion and allowing others to shop. From having themed video chat parties, children’s birthdays, or simply using Facetime far more than usual, individuals found themselves alternative ways to stay connected while forced apart. Not only did the downloading of these applications skyrocket, but people got creative in ways they would not have come up with before.
Online games that connected through our phones while on video chat was something that got many individuals through the loneliness of isolation, even forming connections with people they had not thought to connect with before. Usually, vaccines take years to develop and have to go through many levels of testing before being open to the public. With COVID-19 there is an immediate need for a vaccine, which is forcing innovation in the medical community to streamline the process with as few shortcuts as possible.