Binge-watching in a pandemic? Here’s how to ‘Netflix and social distance’ with friends

The current coronavirus outbreak prompted U.S. health officials to encourage ”social-distancing” in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.

By definition, it can get pretty lonely.

There’s only so much binge-watching a person can do alone without going a little bonkers. That’s why Google Chrome offers a “Netflix Party” extension that allows you to enjoy a virtual watch-party with friends.

While the tool has been around for years, Google released an updated version this month, according to the Chrome Web Store. “Netflix Party” is surging in popularity amid the coronavirus pandemic, Business Insider reported.

The extension lets Netflix users chat with friends while watching the same program simultaneously, according to its description on Chrome Web Store. One user will pick what to watch and then send a link to friends to invite them to watch it together.

There were nearly 5,900 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States as of Tuesday afternoon, with at least 97 dead from the contagious virus, according to Johns Hopkins University. There were more than 196,000 cases globally with just under 8,000 dead.

Esta historia fue publicada originalmente el 17 de marzo de 2020, 5:19 p. m. with the headline "Binge-watching in a pandemic? Here’s how to ‘Netflix and social distance’ with friends."