While we all sit around, waiting for word on when it will be safe to resume our lives, it’s nice to know that many are stepping up to assist those affected by social distancing. Not only are companies making it easier for those affected by reduced working hours and pay to keep their utilities active, but many are helping with education and mental well-being.  Here are just a few examples, and if you know of more examples, please feel free to mention them in the comments.

Education:

Scholastic - Scholastic has launched a website to help people continue education at home for free.  Visit their website to see some of their entertaining educational ideas.

https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html

Libraries - While many libraries have closed their doors to the public, most do offer online e-book rentals and even movie rentals.  Check your local library’s website to see if you are eligible to check out books or stream movies for free via Kanopy.

https://www.kanopy.com/

Metropolita Opera - The Met is going to be offering live streams of several performance’s, like Carmen and La Bohème, each night starting Monday, March 16th.  For more info, click here.

https://www.metopera.org/about/press-releases/met-to-launch-nightly-met-opera-streams-a-free-series-of-encore-live-in-hd-presentations-streamed-on-the-company-website-during-the-coronavirus-closure/

Museums - Many great museums offer virtual tours, year round.  Now is a perfect time to partake.

British Museum - https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/

Guggenheim via Google Street View - https://artsandculture.google.com/streetview/solomon-r-guggenheim-museum-interior-streetview/jAHfbv3JGM2KaQ?hl=en&sv_lng=-73.95902634325634&sv_lat=40.78285751667664&sv_h=30.75703204567916&sv_p=0.06928383072430222&sv_pid=MfnUmHRyOSzMtY3vtYU05g&sv_z=0.9645743015259163

National Gallery of Art - https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/national-gallery-of-art-washington-dc?hl=en

More Museums - https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

Resources:

And if you are in need of some resources, here are some options:

Free Internet - Comcast, AT&T and Spectrum are offering their National WiFi hotspots for free for the next 60 days.  Just search for WiFi hotspots while you are on the go and connect!

Charter is offering free internet to students K-12 and college: https://corporate.charter.com/newsroom/charter-to-offer-free-access-to-spectrum-broadband-and-wifi-for-60-days-for-new-K12-and-college-student-households-and-more

Help if you can’t pay - Several businesses have announced that they will be waiving late fees for either the next 30 or 60 days and/or not terminating services if you can’t afford to pay immediately.  Check with your service providers to see if they apply to you. Some who have announced:

Sprint - https://newsroom.sprint.com/covid-19-updates-sprint-responds.htm

AT&T - https://about.att.com/pages/COVID-19.html

T-Mobile - https://www.t-mobile.com/news/t-mobile-update-on-covid-19-response

Verizon - https://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-help-customers-and-small-businesses

Local Utilities - Many local utilities have vowed not to shut off lights or water.  Check your local provider for details.