Website helps connect people looking for a friend during the pandemic

Summary

Amid the pandemic, two college students created a unique matchmaking website called 'Quarantine Buddy' to help people find friends instead of partners. The site has connected over 30,000 users from 127 countries, fostering virtual friendships during isolation. The story highlights the bond between Sheldon, a 21-year-old from New York, and Pam, a 77-year-old widow, who found comfort and support through their connection. With activities like virtual hangouts and shared interests, the platform continues to alleviate loneliness and promote human connection, even as the world begins to reopen.

Takeaways

• 😀 Quarantine Buddy is a website created by college students to help people make friends during the pandemic instead of seeking romantic partners.
• 😀 The website currently has over 30,000 users from 127 countries worldwide, connecting people based on shared interests.
• 😀 Sheldon Brown, a 21-year-old from Chappaqua, New York, and Pam Silverstein, a 77-year-old widow from Ithaca, New York, formed an unlikely friendship through the site.
• 😀 The website matches users using a simple questionnaire that helps pair individuals with similar interests and experiences.
• 😀 Virtual hangouts are hosted each week, including happy hours, discussions, cooking classes, and more, to help users connect.
• 😀 Pam helped Sheldon by sending his mother a face shield for her hospital work, further strengthening their bond.
• 😀 The creators of Quarantine Buddy, Em Brickman and Jordan Gold, wanted to help alleviate feelings of isolation during the pandemic.
• 😀 Despite the pandemic easing, people are still signing up for the website, indicating ongoing interest in virtual connections.
• 😀 The site fosters connections where race, age, or background do not define relationships; instead, shared humanity and experiences bring people together.
• 😀 Quarantine Buddy aims to make the world a better place by encouraging inclusivity and equality among its users.
• 😀 The story of Pam and Sheldon exemplifies how Quarantine Buddy provides not just a friend but a virtual family member, offering emotional support in a socially distant world.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the 'Quarantine Buddy' website?

The primary purpose of the 'Quarantine Buddy' website is to help people socialize and connect with others, not for finding romantic partners, but for making new friendships, especially during the isolation caused by the pandemic.

How many users have signed up for the 'Quarantine Buddy' website?

The website has over 30,000 users from 127 different countries.

How does the 'Quarantine Buddy' matching system work?

The site uses a questionnaire to match people with similar interests, helping them connect through shared activities such as music, dance, or other experiences.

What kind of virtual events are hosted on the 'Quarantine Buddy' platform?

The platform hosts virtual events like happy hours, discussions, cooking classes, and other social gatherings aimed at fostering connections among users.

Who were the creators of the 'Quarantine Buddy' website and what motivated them?

The creators of the website are college students Am Brickman and Jordan Gold, who were motivated by a desire to help people feel less isolated during the pandemic.

What is the relationship between Sheldon Brown and Pam Silverstein?

Sheldon Brown, a 21-year-old from Chappaqua, New York, and Pam Silverstein, a 77-year-old widow from Ithaca, New York, were matched through the 'Quarantine Buddy' website. They developed a strong friendship and even supported each other through personal challenges.

What role did Pam Silverstein play in Sheldon Brown's life?

Pam Silverstein helped Sheldon Brown with finding an internship and even sent his mother a face shield to use in the hospital, showing the deep support they provided each other.

How did the 'Quarantine Buddy' website impact people like Sheldon and Pam?

The website provided a platform for people like Sheldon and Pam to form meaningful friendships, alleviating feelings of isolation and bringing comfort, especially during difficult times.

What is the broader social message highlighted by the 'Quarantine Buddy' platform?

The broader social message emphasizes human connection beyond superficial factors like race or age. It focuses on empathy, understanding, and making the world a better place through virtual friendships.

How have people continued to use the 'Quarantine Buddy' website even after the pandemic?

Even as the country has started reopening, people continue to sign up for the website, indicating that the need for connection and combating loneliness remains relevant beyond the pandemic.