COVID-19 and Social
Interaction
Raegan Bruce, Clarsey Hawkins, Tausif
Siddiqui, Demarco Smith, and Gabrielle
Tolliver, Kellis Carter

Abstract
This report will explore the rise of virtual interaction in
relation to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the impact it
has made on many Institutions around the world. We will
analyze how online platforms have grown and transformed
prior, during, and after the spread of COVID-19. This will
also show how technology has increased drastically. This
paper will explore the typical aspects of individuals'
everyday lives that have been shifted to an online ZOOM
platform, therefore being the primary mechanism for
communication. Online platforms like Zoom, have shifted
education, many careers, and the lives of everyday people to
a virtual setting.
Key words
1. Virtual interaction- Social
Exchange over electronic
platforms.
2. Mobile computing- Technology
that allows for the transfer of
data, video, and voice.
3. Zoom- Online communications
technology utilizes video and
chat services via cloud platforms.
4. COVID-19 - An illness caused by
a virus that can spread from
person to person.
5. In person interaction- Social
exchange in a face to face setting

Introduction
COVID-19, a pandemic that has caused many health related effects, thus impacting a multitude of individuals worldwide.
With the continual increase of COVID-19 health effects, many systematic structures were forced to move to an online
platform. Thus, this has caused chaos in moving a large amount of everyday aspects into an online setting. One of the
major fields that have been moved to an online platform is Academia. For example, a large number of colleges and
universities are making substantial changes to how to provide education, with many closing campuses and moving to
online classes. Before the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, social interaction was highly valued. Nowadays, due to the
Covid-19, social interactions have been forced to drastically change. Generally, in person gatherings are no longer
probable, in efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In future, social distancing will be inscribed into society, unless
other interventions such as vaccines, drug therapies and aggressive quarantine measures can be put into place.

Social Interactions Before COVID-19
In person interaction before COVID-19
● Human interaction was valued and expected.
● In person gatherings were encouraged
● Individuals in systematic Institutions were able to
continue their daily routines.
● Education provided full access to schools and
Universities.
● Classrooms remained the primary source of learning.
● Many careers remained open and allowed flexibility.
● Virtual platforms were utilized for everyday
communications, but did not replace face-to-face
interaction.
Online Interaction before COVID-19
● Normality has changed forcing individuals to
accommodate the new changes.
● Education- allowed for online access (online
classes etc), but online education was not the
dominant form.
● Discussion boards, chatrooms, and email
platforms were the main online features for
online education.
● Zoom and other platforms like it, were typically
utilized for work meetings, international calls, and
for interactions with friends/family.
● The usage reports for these companies were low.

Social Interactions During COVID-19
Although we are aware that drastic changes have to be made to maintain the health
and overall control of the coronavirus, In what ways are we fighting to maintain the
human needs and social interactions during the pandemic?
● Students continue online classes via Zoom with hopes of reopening of
institutions in the fall.
● Necessary stores remain open such as, grocery stores and emergency services.
To prevent the spread of the virus, masks are required and a limited number of
people are allowed within essential stores at a time.
● Other than Zoom, social media applications have also expanded and are now
opening new application to help maintain small business.

What to do as a result of
limited face to face
interaction?
Online communication and
various platforms affected
- In person gatherings are
improbable or limited to a
small number of participants
- Protective gear has to be
worn when interacting with
others
- Shift to technology based
communication
- Popular platforms during
COVID-19
- COVID-19 = Black Hacker’s
field day

Social Interactions Post
COVID-19
For a while, the effects that COVID-19
has had on the daily routine of
humans will be upheld. The way we
think toward social interaction will
forever be shadowed by the
coronavirus pandemic of 2020. How
often we clean and wash our hands,
the amount of time we spend on
social media, our familiarity with
online purchasing, and our
connection to technology will all
continue to grow to become a norm.

Tableau

Conclusion
The outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic has tremendously impacted our lives and has changed our perception of our world and our everyday lives.
Before the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, social interaction was highly valued. Individuals in academia and in the workforce went along with
their daily routine, with no idea of a pandemic forcing the closure of many institutions. Nowadays, due to the Covid-19, social interactions have
been forced to drastically change. Generally, in person gatherings are no longer able to be had, in efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
However with the current situation, many individuals have been more cautious with the pattern of the transmission of the virus. Individuals are
encouraged to stay home and only engage in social meetings during trips to essential businesses. These measurements have aided communities with
safety measures which have been put in place to contain the spread of the virus. such as social interaction by refraining from human-to-human direct
contact. One such social interaction measure is academia and other online platforms. Schools, colleges, universities and many systematic Institutions
around the world have been closed with no given date of reopening. Instead, students continue to utilize online interphases as their main source of
education, while many careers have both moved to an online platform. In future, social distancing will be inscribed into society, unless other
interventions such as vaccines, drug therapies and aggressive quarantine measures can be put into place. Given the new subsequent changes that the
world is currently facing, virtual interaction will continue to dominate in the everyday lives of individuals, thus becoming the new normal.