Inspiring things people are doing during #StayHome and social distancing

A big part of succeeding against this unknown nasty virus will be not going crazy for however long it takes. And while we have plenty to worry about, life goes on …. and didn’t you just KNOW it would happen?? Amid all the crazy concerns, people are coming up with wonderful contributions to each other and society. Check these out.

1. Father-daughter dance challenge

From Chris Starkey & daughter Brooklyn, in Denver, this appeared last Monday. It has 11 million views in its first week, for good reason. (To hear all the audio you may have to click through and and see it on Facebook.) (Some email subscribers may need to click the headline to see the videos.)

They’re dancing to Low Low Low by Flo Rida. But wait, they’re not doing the moves in that official video – where did the choreo come from?? … Oh, dad’s Facebook page says “Worked at Freelance Actor, Director, Teacher and Choreographer“!

He’s a partner at event production company Imprint Group – I knew he wasn’t some random dad. And it turns out doing good works isn’t an anomaly for him – his friend Betsy posted:

“Check this out, especially Event Industry peeps… this guy has been giving back to those in need (in so many ways) in several states while dealing with his own Event company struggles… and now his family brings this positive energy to FB. ❤️ this! Thank you Chris Starkey for all you are doing!!!  ❤️”

Today they did a sequel, and IMO this time daughter Brooklyn kinda kicks his butt, on JLo’s epic Let’s Get Loud:

Watching Chris dance (at age 72, or 51, or whatever he is) gave me thoughts about what it would take to do that. And that leads to …

2. YMCA “Beyond Our Walls” online programs

I’ve benefitted a lot from being a member of the Nashua-Merrimack YMCA. That’s where I took the DPP Diabetes Prevention Program that helped me lose 30 pounds and beat my pre-diabetes diagnosis, then become a runner at age 65, losing another 10; it’s where I got into my first-ever fitness class, Enhance Fitness; and recently I started the next level, MX4 Active. So when lockdown came, I was bummed: I don’t want to backslide!

But look: almost immediately my Y started offering classes online:

(Includes links to some things that I think you could sneak into, if you want … shhh)

How terrific is that? p.s. I love that my Medicare plan includes Silver Sneakers, which gives me a free gym membership. So the Y is now costing me nothing. (When you shop for a Medicare supplement, look for that. Not all programs have it.)

3. Silver Sneakers

Speaking of Silver Sneakers – don’t tell anyone, but anyone can do the free exercise programs they too are posting on Facebook. Some are live sessions, which I greatly prefer, but the replays work too:

4. #ChalkYourWalk:

I was out for a walk ten days ago (safe distancing of course) and came across this. I came back and posted photos on my Facebook page:

Then I discovered that #ChalkYourWalk is a thing! Check it out on Twitter. My favorite is from my friend Liz in Sacramento, who’s the social media whiz for the OpenNotes project, encouraging patient access to their medical records. And look at the great idea she had – create a “public square” in her driveway, six feet on a side, for safe socializing.

https://twitter.com/TheLizArmy/status/1241879658741657606

Ain’t humans amazing?

What inspiring things have you found, online or off? Tell me in a comment.