Covid-19 self-isolation: How to survive using tech

Your internet connection is going to be essential through all of this. You’ll want to ensure your network is robust enough to handle everyone in your home being online simultaneously.

• If you have a fibre connection, you’re in a good position. Fibre is more capable of handling multiple streams of high-speed data than ADSL or VDSL broadband.
• Find out how fast your network is. Use the websites Speedtest.net or Fast.com, the latter is optimised for measuring streaming video from Netflix. Anything over 5Mbps is good enough to stream video, but obviously the higher number the better.
• Place your router in the best position. Either in the centre of your house, to maximise coverage, or closest to your high-use devices – such as laptops, desktops, and TVs. If possible, connect those devices to your router via an ethernet cable rather than WiFi.
• Use the 5GHz WiFi band. Your router should have two signal bands – 2.4GHz and 5GHz (sometimes confusingly abbreviated to 2.4G and 5G). The latter is faster and so your important devices should be connected to that one. If you need more information on the exact settings for your router, check your router’s manual.
• Check your data. Being at home more means you’ll use lots more data. Spark, Vodafone and 2degrees have removed data caps until the end of June 2020 for home and business customers, and will waive late fees for those in financial hardship. Orcon doesn’t have data caps. If you have another provider check their website.

Video streaming

Streaming video services are a godsend at times like this. Services such as Netflix, Disney+ and Neon have loads of content you can binge while in isolation.

You can even watch streaming video with friends throughout the country either by coordinating start times and using video chat or using third-party programs, such as Netflix Party.

As most sporting events are cancelled or postponed, Spark Sport and Sky Sport Now are showing re-runs, highlights packages and other extras. Spark Sport is also free until the end of May.

Also trying to entice more viewers, Acorn TV (which streams British TV shows) has extended its free trial period for new users from seven days to one month. Use the code ACORNTVNZ30 to activate it.

Get your video game on

Video games are a good way to hang out with other people while staying indoors, with lots of multiplayer games having in-game chat features. There’s no need to go into a store, as most games are available via download. For consoles this is via their stores, and for PC games try sites such as Steam’s online store or Humble Bundle.

Xbox’s Game Pass service is also a good option, as you can get a lot of games for a single subscription fee. Apple Arcade is a similar service for Apple users. Note that the games are only playable if you have a current subscription and will require an internet connection.

Read and listen more

This is also a good time to support writers you enjoy by buying their books as e-books. And because concerts have been cancelled, you can support musicians instead by buying their music via sites that send profits directly to the artists (rather than streaming), such as Bandcamp.

Video calling your friends and family is one of the best ways to keep in social contact when physical contact is prohibited.

There are lots of free apps you can use such as Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Microsoft Teams and Facetime (Apple only). Some of these offer paid accounts, which have more options.

But you don’t need to just talk. Video chats can be a chance to play board games together, have a glass of wine, or almost any other type of social gathering while staying physically distant. You can also screen share, which allows you to show those on the call what you’re looking at.

Video streaming etiquette

If you’ve never video chatted before and want to know the etiquette. The basics are:

• Look at the camera, not yourself on screen.
• Try to keep the camera at your eye height, otherwise the view will be straight up your nose.
• Don’t have a bright light behind you, like a sunlit window.
• Don’t talk over others and turn your microphone off when you’re not talking.
• If possible, use headphones with a built in microphone.

Some programs offer “beautification” filters and customised background images to make things a bit more fun. However, if you find the video is lagging behind the audio or getting jittery, turn off the extras as they take more bandwidth and could be slowing everything down.

One thing we all need to do is eat.

Supermarkets are doing their best to fill online delivery orders. Remember the Government’s announcement and shop normally. This means no stockpiling and no “just in case” buys. Online deliveries may seem like an easier and safer option than queuing, but remember you may be taking a delivery slot from someone unable to get to the supermarket.

Even at times like this, awful people will be trying to scam you and your loved ones. Ignore any emails or communications mentioning Covid-19 that don’t come directly official sources, such as the Government or your registered medical centre.

These scams are preying on your fears to make you less aware of what you’re clicking on. Stay vigilant. Even during a global crisis, people will share inaccurate or outright fabricated stories on social media. Sharing fake information during a pandemic can cost lives.

These articles can easily fool people, so here are a few things to consider before you share it with others:

• Is the person posting the story an official or someone in a position to have information (such as a politician or journalist)?
• If they claim to be an expert, does the poster have credentials that can be easily verified?
• Is there a link to a reliable or verified source?
• Is the story hearsay? “I heard from a friend that …”
• If you’re unsure, check Snopes.com. It has a group of dedicated researchers and a long track record of debunking internet myths and false articles. Snopes should be your first port of call when you come across any story that doesn’t seem right.

If you make an online faux pas and share a fake story, act quickly. You may be embarrassed but admit it to everyone on your online networks and delete as much as you can, so the story doesn’t spread.