Stay home, stay well: Use online services to learn new things

Self-isolation and social distancing are effective in slowing the spread of Covid-19.  While staying home without any knowledge on exactly when the situation will improve, one can nurture a hobby and students can engage in extra-curricular activities with the aid of online materials.

Eminent reciter Hasan Arif said staying home without doing anything is impossible. But by engaging in creative activities, people can have a great time and connect with friends and family members.

"I took an initiative. I took this opportunity to teach people how to recite. People like singers can teach the basics of popular songs or can sing to an online audience and be involved with people," he said.

Most of his online students are boy scouts and girl guides, he said, adding that his aim is to make young kids love poetry.

In such trying times online activists can create awareness in social media, he said and urged carriers to offer free internet to people.

"Many university students do house tutoring. But that has stopped due to coronavirus. As many people's income has reduced, they are struggling to pay for mobile data."

He also urged folk musicians to create awareness on the dangers of coronavirus online.

"Folk artistes are having a hard time. So online programmes can be arranged for them and mobile data can be made free for them to use on social media."

People can spend their valuable time in the virtual world in a meaningful way. There are thousands of online courses in music, computer literacy, dancing, cooking and many other things that can be of interest to people.

"People can start the online classes and enrich themselves."

Arif, also a renowned online activist, said due to the coronavirus outbreak, all cultural programmes have been suspended, but many singers are performing live on their verified pages in social media. "So, people can listen to them."

Many Bangladeshi people love gossiping. Since staying home is currently the best way to stay away from the virus, people can chat in groups or participate in video conferences.