4 minute read
Quarantine Timeline
by UF Prism
a timeline quarantine trends:
march
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Zoom
Although Zoom is commonplace now, in early March, many people had never heard about it before. Due to the need for social distancing, the platform became popular not only to help workplaces and schools continue but also to help family and friends communicate and stay in touch. People found creative ways to spend time together online which are still being used today.
Fostering Pets
Early in the pandemic, animal shelters across the United States worked on finding homes for the animals they were housing. With everyone stuck at home, many people began to foster pets. Not only did some individuals find more time to take care of a pet thanks to quarantine, but some also found themselves wanting company while quarantining alone.
On March 20th, Netflix released “Tiger King,” a documentary series revolving around the lives of those involved in the big cat industry. Most notably, the show focused on a man named Joe Exotic, a controversial figure in the commercial big cat industry, and Carole Baskin, another controversial figure who supports the protection of big cats. The show drew in many fans thanks to the various twists in the series and the eccentricity of the people involved. 16 Fall 2020
TikTok
TikTok has been a popular platform for a few years now; however, it has gained even more popularity since the beginning of the pandemic. The platform is made up of short videos, reminiscent of apps like Vine. Around August, the app was rumored to be shut down due to its connection with China. Still, the app survives and millions continue to use it.
Bread Baking
Whether it is baking regular bread, banana bread, or sourdough (for the more adventurous), bread baking found its way into the lives of people with more free time than they knew what to do with. In mid-March, as many cities across the United States and around the world faced lockdowns, almost everyone seemed to find ways to relieve their stress through baking.
Animal Crossing
Also on March 20th, the Nintendo video game known as “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” was released. The game lets you establish and grow your own island with a variety of animal villagers. You can also visit islands that others have made. With all the restrictions placed on travel, this game continues to provide a virtual escape for many to this day.
Virtual Concerts
In March, several artists cancelled their scheduled shows, sometimes months in advance. Due to the fact that live shows in public were now virtually impossible, they became possible virtually. Several organizations hosted concerts with a wide variety of musicians, and some artists held online shows themselves. For safety reasons, online concerts are still being hosted.
When the world radically changed in mid-March of this year, people developed new pastimes to keep sane and entertained while they had to stay inside their homes. As the months have passed, COVID-19 remains a very serious threat to people around the world; however, that has not put a stop to the creation of new popular trends. Here is a brief look back at a few trends that have become popular during quarantine:
may
Story by Gina Crespo Design by Emily Miller Illustrations by Emily Miller
Zoom Table Reads and Reunions
Around May, virtual table reads and reunions over Zoom started appearing on YouTube. The casts of shows like Community or movies like Lord of the Rings filmed their own reunions to help entertain those stuck at home.
Among Us
The video game known as “Among Us” has been around for a few years; however, it spiked in popularity in early September due to the fact that well-known Twitch streamers were playing the game. Simply put, “Among Us” is a mystery game set in space. The crewmates must complete tasks and try to find out who is an impostor.
october
The first episode of “The Mandalorian” season 2 was released on Disney + on October 30th. The show revolves around the journeys of a bounty hunter and his relationship with an alien known as “The Child.” Star Wars fans were excited for the return of Baby Yoda (The Child) and the continuation of the series.
april
Fluffy Coffee
The “fluffy coffee” trend was born on TikTok. The beverage is more accurately known as Dalgona coffee, but the recipe has been around for years in places around the world such as India and Greece. The coffee is made by whipping together instant coffee, water, and sugar, and then pouring the mixture over milk.
july
A movie version of the Broadway musical “Hamilton” created by Lin-Manuel Miranda was released on Disney + on July 3. The release reanimated established fans and became even more popular, as it had been inaccessible for many around the world.
september
Cottagecore
The aesthetic known as “cottagecore” romanticizes the idea of living away from a city in a cottage. With all the uncertainty and hardship the world has faced, the idea of a simple life has become appealing. On July 24th, Taylor Swift released an album titled “folklore” which has been connected to the cottagecore aesthetic by fans.
Borat
On October 23th, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm was released on Amazon Prime. The movie is a mockumentary filled with jokes at the expense of politicians and popular figures in the United States.
Fall 2020
