Author J.K. Rowling has launched a Harry Potter At Home hub for fans who are stuck in quarantine. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, people all over the globe are staying at home, either because of governmental restrictions or their own desire to help stop the spread. The goal is to "flatten the curve" and keep the coronavirus from spreading at a rapid pace. This has led to countless public places being shut down, including movie theaters, schools, and restaurants. As of right now, it's unclear when things will get back to normal, leading to a great deal of uncertainty.
As people are cooped up at home, they're looking for new forms of entertainment. Streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ have seen increased numbers, and films studios have sent several of their newest releases to on-demand months earlier than normal. Universal began the practice with movies like The Invisible Man, The Hunt, and Emma., while Trolls World Tour will skip a traditional theatrical run and go straight to on-demand. These actions have been met with positive responses from those at home, though they continue to seek out new things to do.
Now there's a new at-home activity available to fans, courtesy of Rowling and WizardingWorld.com. Prior to this, Rowling and her team had already made all seven Harry Potter books available for teachers carrying out online classes. Now the online Harry Potter resources have grown, with the first book being made available for free on Audible and OverDrive. Additionally, Rowling has established the Harry Potter At Home Hub, an online resource available for fans looking for something to do.
The Harry Potter At Home hub is available on WizardingWorld.com and features an assortment of things, from special activity kits to craft videos. Also included are articles, quizzes, and puzzles for anyone to enjoy. Additional activities will be added in the future. As the official announcement declared, "We’re casting a Banishing Charm on boredom."
The Wizarding World has long been a place for fans to escape to whenever they wanted, and the Harry Potter At Home hub seems like an excellent way to keep people distracted and occupied during this trying time. Some of the activities seem a bit more geared towards younger fans, but it's likely that people of all ages will find some amusement in the hub. Between rewatching all eight movies, rereading all seven books, and exploring the At Home hub, it sounds like Potterheads will find plenty of things to keep them busy while carrying out their quarantines.
Source: WizardingWorld.com