The Current Quarantine Lets All of Us Appreciate the Things We Have

By Matt Martella

With pretty much the whole world stuck inside for the foreseeable future, we may be more dependent on household items for both entertainment and work now more than ever before. Items, whether they be tech or something else, that we take for granted every day now may be a necessary means to help us survive the mundanity and isolation that the current pandemic has enforced.

These are 10 things I use every day to help me get through quarantine

Bose SoundSport, Wireless Earbuds

As someone who loves to travel, this current quarantine is especially brutal. Pretty much the only adventurous opportunity I have now is to go for runs around my neighborhood. The Bose Wireless Earbuds have been helpful, no essential, because they let me listen to music while I run. The Bluetooth component of these earbuds is especially convenient because it gives runners more freedom from wires as they run.

These headphones are sweat and weather resistant so they are perfect for exercising with. They also have about six hours of battery life per charge.

Bose SoundSport, Wireless Earbuds are $129.00 on Amazon

Wireless Mouse with USB Nano Receiver

Now that school and work are done entirely online, this WISFOX wireless mouse has relieved stress on my hand and arm now that I am working on my laptop so much more. The mouse is designed for comfort with Anti-Slip Y-shape rubber provide you with a more secure grip. Ergonomic contoured shape keeps your hand comfortable even after long hours.

The wireless computer mouse with Nano receiver well compatible with Windows 7/8/10/XP, Vista 7/8 and Linux, etc. Fits for desktop, laptop, PC, Macbook and other devices; and there is a power switch, you can switch the power off when you leave.

Wireless Mouse, WISFOX 2.4G Wireless Optical Laptop Mouse  $16.99

808 Canz Plus Bluetooth Wireless Speaker 

This wireless Bluetooth speaker works great for playing music while I’m at home. Whether I’m working, exercising, or just chilling out, I like to listen to music on this Canz speaker because it has great sound quality. If you don’t like the speaker-quality of your phone and you’re sick of always using earbuds or headphones for listening, then this speaker is a must-have.

The speaker is also small and easily transferrable. Every charge gives you several hours of life too.

808 Canz Bluetooth Wireless Speaker $29.99

HP – Pavilion Touch-Screen Laptop

Even before the outbreak, most of my school and real work were done on my laptop. Now, I need my laptop to do all of my work, attend my classes, and to see my friends and family who I can’t visit in-person anymore.

Most of the tech equipment listed in this article would be useless without my Pavillion laptop. For the time being, it is my primary connection to the outside world.

The Pavilion x360 has 360° flip-and-fold design, 4GB RAM , 128GB Solid State Drive, Intel UHD Graphics 605, and 11.6″ touch screen.

HP – Pavilion x360 Touch-Screen Laptop $320.00

Vive Recumbent Exercise Bike – Stationary Cycle Device

Now that gyms are closed, this exercise bike is one of the best ways to get a good workout while indoors. This bike is just as good as any you will see at a gym, with eight resistance levels, a multi-functional display that measures heart rate, distance, time, and more, and cushioned seating.

Easy on both the back and knees, the Vive recumbent bike provides low-impact cardiovascular exercise that also supports the spine to minimize fatigue in the back, shoulders, and neck. It is adjustable for those who are five-feet, two-inches and taller.

The Vive Recumbent Exercise Bike $279.99

Yamaha 6 String Series Acoustic-Electric Guitar

As a guitar player for 10 years, my Yamaha Acoustic-Electric guitar is my favorite guitar that I’ve ever owned. It is a fun guitar to play and the sounds, whether they are on an amp or not, are smooth a beautiful to hear. Now that I have more time to play, I’ve been enjoying learning new songs online. If you’ve ever been interested in playing guitar, now is the time and the Yamaha Cutaway is your guitar!

This guitar has solid Sitka Spruce top with scalloped bracing for a louder, richer acoustic sound and a high comfort satin mahogany neck with a slim taper profile.

Yamaha 6 Strong Series AC1R Small Body Cutaway Acoustic-Electric guitar $649.99

Creative Home 77008 Horizon Porcelain Steel Whistling Tea Kettle 

Like with the Pavilion Laptop, I was dependent on my tea kettle long before the quarantine. Typically I have two cups of tea each day, and I usually drink it while I do work. This tea kettle is an important part of my daily routine, and it is always reliable.

This tea kettle has a 2.5 Quart capacity porcelain enamel on steel tea whistling kettle heats up quickly and retains heat well. It is also easy to clean and fits perfectly on most cooktops.

Creative Home 77008 Horizon Porcelain Steel Whistling Tea Kettle $33.72

Kindle Paperwhite ebook Reader

With bookstores and libraries closed down, buying books on my kindle has become a necessity for me. As someone who loves to read and has been afforded more time to read while in quarantine, my Kindle Paperwhite has helped the long days indoors fly by.

This Kindle is the thinnest and lightest Kindle yet. The Kindle Paperwhite is waterproof, contains 8GB storage, and uses Audible. The battery on a Kindle Paperwhite lasts WEEKS, not hours.

The Kindle Paperwhite $129.99

PlayStation 4 Console – 1TB Slim Edition

Although most of us can’t physically leave home, it is possible to virtually leave it. The Playstation 4 can be the perfect escape from life in solitary quarantine, as it lets you travel to thousands of places (both real and fictional) without leaving your home.

Best of all, you can buy games on the virtual Playstation store, so if you need some entertainment fast, you don’t have to risk going out to buy a videogame in a store and you won’t have to wait a couple of days for a package to deliver. Also, the Playstation can play Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and live television.

PlayStation 4 Console – 1TB Slim Edition $389.99

Webcam with Microphone with Noise-Reducing Mic

Now that most communication with anyone outside your house is done online through Skype or Zoom, this webcam and microphone are very helpful for facilitating interactions between you and the person you are talking with online.

Full HD widescreen video calling: Logitech Lens C270 lets you make widescreen video calls in HD 720p at 30fps, noise-reducing mic, automatic light adjustment, and a universal clip that can attach to a screen.

Webcam with Microphone, USB 720p HD WebCam $99.98