An online pledge, spreading awareness of COVID-19, has been circling through gaming circles quickly, urging players to practice Social Distancing by staying inside and chilling out with some video games. This pledge is being passed around with the intention of spreading awareness of the Coronavirus and ensuring that everyone does their part to stop the spread of the virus that has had a huge impact on both the gaming industry as well as the overall public health of the world.
The pledge comes from a group of gamers and medical professionals who are dedicated to "flattening the curve" of COVID-19, which is the current strategy that major government and medical offices are using to fight the spread of the virus. Some companies have been focusing on these practices during the outbreak, such as the recent Cinemark shutdown that has closed the company's theaters across the country.
The pledge asks gamers to do their part in containing COVID-19 by self-quarantining and with a somewhat laid back approach, telling anyone who joins the pledge to stay at home and chill. However, there are a few stipulations to the agreement, namely that players should agree to enjoy their favorite past-time with a positive attitude and be kind to others that they meet online. Overall, this is a call to action for gamers to come together in a sense, by staying separate and playing games during quarantine as a way to make sure that the virus can't spread and that people protect the most vulnerable among us.
The website where the pledge is being hosted also contains information for anyone who may not be fully aware of what COVID-19 is, or what they should be doing to stay safe and keep their loved ones protected. There is a lot of information to go through for those who may not have researched it before, but the most important thing to understand is that keeping isolated for as long as possible is the best course of action as more and more people are diagnosed with the virus. That being said, this does not mean that players can't leave their homes at all, but instead to not head out unless it is necessary for health reasons or to retrieve necessary supplies.
It should be noted that while this outbreak is a serious issue, COVID-19 is something less to be worried about, and more something to be aware of. Everyone should be aware of their hygiene and make space for others if they decide to venture outside. There is an important middle ground, where it's best both not to panic, or follow examples like GameStop's and ignore the seriousness of the situation.
Find the Pledge and additional information: here