Note: While local parks, shops, and events are beginning to reopen, Alberta Health Services is reminding individuals to monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. And if you’re not feeling well, they recommend staying home at this time. If you decide to go out, maintain the 6-feet physical distancing guidelines.
The pandemic has cancelled a lot of events, but don’t despair.
Between the vast amount of activities you can do at home, alongside some newly reopened activities, there is still plenty for Calgarians to do to get through this pandemic responsibly.
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Get out into nature
The Province of Alberta has reopened provincial parks for those craving a hike, and warmer weather means that many of Calgary’s outdoor areas have become ideal places to spend the day. Just make sure that you’re maintaining physical distancing between households when out and about, and try to avoid some of the most popular trails and spots!
Order local
Calgary’s pubs, bars, restaurants, and cafes have officially been given the go-ahead to reopen at half capacity as of today, and while that doesn’t mean they’ll all be opening their doors asap, many are offering takeout and delivery options as well. Show your fav restaurants some support by calling in an order.
Go for a bike ride
Calgary has one of North America’s most extensive bike networks, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to find a route that keeps you relatively secluded — just try to avoid the obvious go-tos, like Nose Hill Park, or Eau Claire Promenade, and you should be fine!
Hit up a golf course
Thanks to the province reopening some services and activities, the City of Calgary has decided to reopen a handful of city-owned golf courses.
Get a haircut
Hair salons and barbershops have been given the greenlight to reopen by the province as of May 25, so it’s finally time to fix up that quarantine do. Just make sure you abide by all public health measures and stay home if you are feeling sick — that haircut has waited three months, it can wait a little while longer!
Work on your mental health
What: It’s a strange time, and you might be feeling overwhelmed, scared, lost, or just unwell. Now’s a really good time to start cultivating good habits for your mental and physical health, so we’ve rounded up five really great apps for iOS and Android to help you do just that.
Dive into some webcomics
What: There’s no shortage of webcomics available to read, but finding a series that has a large archive is another story altogether.
We’ve put together a list of seven picks with deep, deep archives to keep you entertained for a few hours, days, or even weeks.
Check them out here.
Devour some free content on YouTube
What: If you don’t have any Netflix logins from your friends or family, you can still binge-watch to your heart’s content. We’ve listed 13 YouTube channels that range from cooking to learning about Disney theme-park history to random shenanigans filmed for the joy of others.
Quarantine N’ Chill with Kylee Roman
What: Virgin Radio’s Kylee Roman hosts a livestream with musical artists and local experts every weekday at 9 pm.
Where: Virgin Radio 98.5
When: 9 pm
Cost: Free
Cabaret Calgary Patreon
What: Calgary entertainment troupe Cabaret Calgary has set up a Patreon with different tiers allowing access to filmed routines, performance tips, NSFW photosets, and a weekly online show. You can also access archives of Top Marx with Karla Marx, a video talk show by the titular Calgary drag queen.
When: All week, check the Patreon for shows and times
Time: 2 pm
Where: Patreon
Cost: $5-$40
The Blue Jay Virtual Sessions
What: The Blue Jay sessions started as a pop-up music event last year and has pivoted to weekly virtual jam sessions during the pandemic. The 10th round of the ongoing series is on May 20, and features CBC Searchlight 2020 winner, Alberta’s Shawnee Music perform alongside Ontario’s Nicole Rayy, Saskatchewan’s JJ Voss and Justin LaBrash! Tips are encouraged and will be split between the performers each week.
When: Wednesday, May 20
Time: 2 pm
Where: Facebook Live
Cost: Free, but they do take tips and donations
Get into a podcast or three
What: If you need some background chatter while you work from home, it’s never too late to discover a favourite podcast. From true crime to just hanging out and joking around, we’ve found 22 podcasts to appeal to anyone with a set of headphones and time to kill.
When: Anytime
Cost: Free with streaming service
Binge watch some shows
What: There’s nothing but time these days, so it’s a perfect time to catch up on your must-watch list. We’ve put together a list of 17 shows to binge-watch on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus if you need some inspiration!
When: Anytime
Cost: $10 to $12 or a free trial
Browse Twitter
What: Twitter has a bad reputation as a messy, angry platform. That is partially deserved, but Twitter also has a wealth of inspiring, informative, and funny accounts. We’ve put together a list of 23 Twitter accounts that will tickle your funny bone while you sift through bread recipes.
Listen to free audiobooks
Calgary Public Library’s Overdrive program is a great way to stream or download a massive collection of audiobooks and ebooks. It can be done over a computer or even through the Overdrive app on both android and iOS.
Learn something new about the city, the world, or even the universe. All it takes is a library card.
Have a picnic in your car
Dine-ins and picnics in the park are now off-limits, but who says you can’t get take out and eat in your car? Find a secluded hill with a nice view of the Calgary skyline and enjoy your very own dining experience with a view.
Play some online Dungeons and Dragons
Failing being self-isolated with a group of roommates or the family, a lot of people will be looking for ways to pass the time and get some social contact beyond a phone call or a text thread.
Enter online Dungeons and Dragons.
Most people think D&D and picture a dining room table surrounded by people and covered with miniatures, and while in-person sessions are fun, there is an entire world of online D&D just waiting to be explored.
Here’s how to go about playing a game of Dungeons and Dragons while still physical distancing.
Remember, the times we stay at home are what we make of it. Stay home as much as possible, stay safe, and stay up to date with daily news on Daily Hive.