These are extraordinary times.  The whole world is dealing with the devastating effects of a severe pandemic called COVID-19.

 

It started in China and quickly spread like wildfire causing some countries to completely shut down or restrict border entries.

Many, like me, decided on a “self-imposed isolation” and cancel all out-of-our-home activities for at least the next 2 weeks – longer if needed.  Out we went to buy our supplies to tide us over.

Some went overboard buying toilet paper, hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes.  So much so that some stores stepped up and offered certain shopping hours to the elderly and the vulnerable. (Bravo to them)

Shame on the hoarders who bought up & bought out more supplies than they needed.  Double shame on the “Creeps & Crooks” as I call them who bought supplies to hold as ransom and charge double, triple times what they paid.

It started with uncertainty, then developed into concern and for some, panic as people wrestled with to go out or not to go out.  Businesses struggled with closing their doors or not.  Artists wrestled with cancelling their shows or not.

                                                          

One by one, doors started closing, concerts & tours cancelled, as people realized this virus is deadly to our seniors & health-compromised family members & neighbours & friends.  This virus spreads exponentially – it is NOT the flu – and you could endanger someone if you get/give it someone. 

So people slowly started to realize that they needed to self-impose isolation & at the very least, self-distance.  And then humanity started to spread and reach out across the world through the internet.  Free virtual tours, free educational programming, free concerts – humanity as its best.

We are all in this together.  When the going gets tough, the tough get going.  And it’s kind of sad that sometimes it takes a major crisis for the best in us to step up. 

Yet it happens again and again. 

And it gives us hope in our fellow human beings.  And the goodness in the world.

Here is a list of great websites with free virtual learning opportunities, museums, artwork – for the whole family:

Virtual Tour:  Vancouver, BC

 

Virtual  Tours – Ireland

Thank you, Pierce (STEAM Club) for suggesting this first virtual museum site:

https://www.bayut.com/mybayut/explore-dubai-museums-home/

https://upgradedpoints.com/best-virtual-museum-tours/

National Theatre

https://www.timeout.com/london/news/the-national-theatre-is-going-to-stream-a-free-play-every-thursday-night-032620?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&cid=%7Elondon%7Enatsoc%7Efacebook%7Eechobox&fbclid=IwAR3bYFxrq1dUb30fdNjEjSnNYaWSvtxdyS3ku7p2AbRaC6wHKKBQDa3IJas#Echobox=1585229560

Musicals & plays

http://filmedonstage.com/news/76-free-musicals-and-plays-you-can-now-stream-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak-updating-daily?fbclid=IwAR3kaodU7BiqRcZ5Db3p-jbSTijv0iGBwe4Qty4RDEN062AZEOfqA-NtBgU

Global Weirding by Katharine Hayhoe – Climate change explained to children

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi6RkdaEqgRVKi3AzidF4ow

Paris Museums

http://parismuseescollections.paris.fr/en

Virtual Museums

http://mcn.edu/a-guide-to-virtual-museum-resources/

Paris Museum Images

https://kottke.org/20/01/paris-museums-put-100000-images-online-for-unrestricted-public-use?fbclid=IwAR2eFSDTRmXy7imhv-DMBisk3k-_CVzmXK0vYR8dXc-9XHVwt0CDAdp_9Qk

Broadway Plays & Musicals

https://www.playbill.com/article/15-broadway-plays-and-musicals-you-can-watch-on-stage-from-home

Field Trips

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SvIdgTx9djKO6SjyvPDsoGlkgE3iExmi3qh2KRRku_w/mobilebasic?urp=gmail_link

Museums, Exhitits, Symphonies, Operas

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/all-the-museum-exhibits-symphonies-and-operas-you-can-enjoy-from-home?utm_medium=social&utm_brand=cnt&utm_social-type=owned&mbid=social_facebook&utm_source=facebook

Ivy League Courses Free Online

https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/here-are-380-ivy-league-courses-you-can-take-online-right-now-for-free-9b3ffcbd7b8c/

Educational Resources for Children

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1t3r618pd8MAi6V87dG2D66PtiKoHdHusBpjPKXgm36w/htmlview?urp=gmail_link#gid=0

Self Distancing Festival

https://www.socialdistancingfestival.com/?fbclid=IwAR2kvoBUVqyQesKcL4pjChx1AmAYs2e8MtLUarUn4–HaQ5P2X2OrwQsYAU

Virtual Field Trips for Kids

https://adventuresinfamilyhood.com/20-virtual-field-trips-to-take-with-your-kids.html?fbclid=IwAR0zE-px-cnaci2DneqsneRIbvcz5VBcHrjjkVartgGaEF_kZdOxD6jiK3k

Educational Shows on Netflix

https://homeschoolhideout.com/educational-shows-on-netflix/?fbclid=IwAR2g4OinB-sCgRdrvXvT8BTSUzdKcjtckOUaaXoZzEZUJH-RLDEKIWVn5tc

Museums & Galleries virtual Tour

https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=social-share-article&utm_content=20200313&fbclid=IwAR2kcFk1SZTx99RBh2iHtiOoqgQdcr6L0JbGD1jOhsDZjNc_E6CdYcfW2DM

Dance choreography

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B3pFxsYPLgU

10 Short Medieval Poems Everyone Should Read – Interesting Literature

https://interestingliterature.com/2015/01/10-short-medieval-poems-everyone-should-read/

Artist Music Licensing

https://artlist.io/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=acq_ca3-10&utm_medium=ca3-10_nature&campaign_id=6160441197947&adset_id=6160441201347&ad_id=6160441202747&placement=Facebook_Desktop_Feed&fbclid=IwAR0Jlo_zvmU6BJ8V8SXvt3KOfQ2Rek-cUvlQo1ree2u3l0g_o_JbC3b5RQY

Billboard Live Stream & Virtual Concerts

https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9335531/coronavirus-quarantine-music-events-online-streams?fbclid=IwAR2F2NaW0YbS-v9w_Zlt8ZTup3x7M-pVht99-wowvdk1vakGwTk7vgmaI5w

Astronauts Reading from Space

Nasa Media Library

University Art Classes – free

https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-10-university-art-classes-free-online?utm_medium=email&utm_source=19760185-newsletter-editorial-daily-03-18-20&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_content=st-S&fbclid=IwAR3aJkaRjoJV_kwOaV33JWNHzlqJA9LNyJIvsgIYETDjZIUY5zV7-W-sUo4

Zoos & Aquariums Live Stream

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-zoos-aquariums-live-stream-animals-isolation-quarantine/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab6i&linkId=84572750&fbclid=IwAR1FcJ-i9bFEiLLijjtKFe-kVhz5tH9bYUvvIfQxhJFB74hNFj4c7aaM3z8

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

https://www.narcity.com/things-to-do/ca/on/toronto/toronto-ripleys-aquarium-shark-cam-takes-you-right-inside-the-tanks?fbclid=IwAR1bUg6HFE7xXvCbXuT3QyW7Rt9PfUhC-iMT4IsUjM2NYPuyzLmRsQliZ2w

Museum & Theme Parks

https://www.insider.com/museums-theme-parks-offer-virtual-tours-ideal-for-social-distancing-2020-3?fbclid=IwAR0V51h5LpfZKlMdDXFNqMOLx_PmRjPI_eSjbmoc73CGrJZynFDczcgBfHE#several-exhibits-in-the-national-museum-of-natural-history-in-washington-dc-can-be-toured-virtually-11

Turn your Kids into Math Aces with card games

National Film Board

https://www.princegeorgematters.com/local-news/on-our-radar-national-film-board-of-canada-has-4000-titles-to-stream-for-free-2177872

Metropolitan Opera

https://mymodernmet.com/metropolitan-opera-free-live-streams/

Craft Ideas for Children

https://www.smartschoolhouse.com/diy-crafts/ideas-for-kids?fbclid=IwAR3UHw07DE72o85LLP1YciiTviJ5ZsxivmV34GwTte1ngCRzgniuJHuuEU0

Tour Monet’s Garden

https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/gardening/g31746949/gardens-you-can-virtually-tour/?utm_campaign=socialflowFBHBU&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-media&fbclid=IwAR1lL0XRS0jl8eD9kc-p4k96spinHK7T0xlOtoGJ7Bg1ubmk9nTk8h8HJno&fbclid=IwAR3agfeGAFMIRQxpk5RUIQmHP7mvJg2qhrElMQHTXi9yyDiStxukLvjRnI4

Wonderland Virtual Rides

https://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2020/03/canadas-wonderland-now-doing-virtual-roller-coaster-rides-you-can-take-home/?fbclid=IwAR1R55Z4ZGD50VXObJ_UQcJcJGeMysoBPx-stg3EoojcyqzXt0pqqNm9610

Historical Children’s Books – 6000 digitized

http://www.openculture.com/2016/08/enter-an-archive-of-6000-historical-childrens-books-all-digitized-and-free-to-read-online.html?fbclid=IwAR2nN6rCcOydfZAUu70JiGPX9DpP_2JrHX6MMiECIQj1EN5FZ5sLpk8dlUE

Top 100 Documentaries to change the world

https://www.filmsforaction.org/articles/the-top-100-films-for-action/?fbclid=IwAR2UXEaJu4ZjRbcEGAspXxIw7gtB9EJn-HyYOW4nE3tYyHII_AUjV_T5WT8#.XnLdyjDlVKc.facebook