We Baby Boomers are known for our ingenuity. We are problem solvers. That’s why it should come as no surprise that Boomers have found a way to still enjoy happy hour without violating coronavirus social distancing constraints.
Welcome to the “virtual happy hour.” Now that everyone is feeling comfortable with online solutions which allow face-to-face interaction over the Internet, Baby Boomers have quickly realized these tools also offer the opportunity for virtual social gatherings.
My fellow Boomers and I meeting several times weekly around 5PM for a happy hour. Not in person. Nope, that’s not allowed. Instead, we use Zoom to have a virtual BYOB meeting.
With Zoom, everyone can see everyone else in their own little window, sipping on the wine or the hard stuff of their choice. It’s a creative way of overcoming the social isolation instilled by coronavirus “stay at home” restrictions. And a big morale lifter.
Technically-inclined Boomers can even “cast” their laptop display to a big screen TV for more realism, an operation that can also be easily accomplished with a HDMI cable.
The major drawback – or is it? – is that only one person can talk at a time in these virtual meetings. Actually, people can jabber simultaneously but the display and sound gets weird.
So, feeling lonely and isolated during the COVID-19 shutdown? Download Zoom (or Apple FaceTime, Google Duo, Skype, etc.) for free, then get online with others. Pop a brew, uncork a wine, or stir up something more potent. It’s Boomer happy hour, a time to mellow out and virtually kickback with friends!
