Free resources for reading, watching movies, or listening to music

Life looks radically different these days as the country hunkers down in an attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus. As companies issue work-from-home directives, schools announce closures, and restrictions are placed on dining in at restaurants and bars, it’s clear that social distancing is in full effect. And even though staying inside is the best thing we can do, being stuck at home is taking a toll on many people—not just mentally, but also physically and financially.

Read (or listen) to books

  • Scribd, an e-book and audiobook subscription service, is offering a free 30-day trial that gives you access to more than a million titles.
  • New and returning readers will receive a two-month free subscription to Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited, which has a library stocked with more than a million free titles.

Stream movies and television for free

  • Shudder, a streaming site dedicated to thriller, suspense, and horror movies, is offering 30 days of free access to its titles with the promo code SHUTIN.
  • Movies Anywhere has added Screen Pass, a new feature that will allow members to lend digital movies to their friends and family. Members can share up to three movies a month, and recipients will have two weeks to watch (and re-watch) a film.
  • Through May 31, the NFL is extending complimentary access to NFL Game Pass, which offers a library full of football programing and game replays. We anticipate this being a hit in Kansas City in particular.
  • Download the Google Chrome extension Netflix Party for free to watch movies simultaneously with your friends as you engage in social distancing.
  • Sling TV is offering free access to select on-demand movies, television shows, and ABC News Live.

Listen to live music (or make it)

  • The New York City–based Metropolitan Opera launched Nightly Met Opera Streams, which, as the name suggests, is a nightly series of free, live opera performances that anyone can tune in to.
  • Musicians like John Legend, Keith Urban, and Chris Martin of Coldplay have been live-streaming mini concerts on Instagram and Facebook. Keep an eye on your favorite musician’s social media pages to catch them in action.
  • The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is live-streaming its performances on YouTube while it’s closed to the Australian public through April 13.
  • Berliner Philharmoniker, the German orchestra based in Berlin, has brought its performances to the digital concert hall for the next 30 days, offering its library of more than 600 performances for free when you use the code BERLINPHIL.
  • iKaossilator for iOS and Kaossilator for Android, apps that let you create music with a single finger, are free to download from Korg through March 31 and March 20, respectively.
  • The Minimoog Model D, an iOS app that allows you to turn your device into a synthesizer, is free to download from Moog Music until further notice.

For more ideas look at https://thewirecutter.com/blog/free-services-coronavirus/

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