Life certainly isn't the same anymore. The usual things we used to enjoy — like hugs and high-fives — have suddenly been placed in the no-go zone as ways to stem the spread of COVID-19.
If you miss your daily dose of physical affection or just general affirmation, Facebook's new features might help just a teensy bit. The social media platform will be rolling out "Care reactions": a hug emoji on Facebook's reaction panel and a pulsating purple heart on Messenger.
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"We hope these reactions give people additional ways to show their support during the #COVID19 crisis," announced Alexandru Voica, a spokesperson for Facebook on Twitter.
On Facebook, we will launch a seventh Reaction alongside the existing six. The new Care Reaction will start rolling out next week globally and you can use it to react to posts, comments, images, videos, or other content on the app and https://t.co/t0PZL74vjg pic.twitter.com/PkpbCoPc4F
— Alexandru Voica (@alexvoica) April 17, 2020
The Hug emoji will pop up on your Facebook feed "next week," added Voica. (He tweeted this on April 17, 2020 so we expect to see the new members of Facebook reactions this week.) You can send a virtual hug to your faraway loved ones by tapping on their posts of social distancing and community quarantine — and anything else — and choosing the cutesy emoji clutching a heart.
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It's been around five years since the reaction panel was last updated. It was in 2016 when more reactions were added to the Like button, according to a CNET report.
Messenger is rolling out a pulsating heart Reaction today so people can show extra love and care to their friends and family.
— Alexandru Voica (@alexvoica) April 17, 2020
To update the reaction, you can press and hold down the heart reaction to view the new one. To change it back, press and hold the new Reaction again. pic.twitter.com/PufyOsm7zU
On Messenger, you can also send an amped-up heart reaction. Just press down on the current red heart reaction to switch to the new purple one, explains Voica. The new heart is animated to look like it's beating, adding some authenticity to your feels.
The Philippines is currently under varying degrees of quarantine nationwide. The Luzon enhanced community quarantine has been extended to April 30, which means all possible ways to curb cabin fever is definitely welcome. Stay safe and sane, guys!
Main image from Oziel Gómez / Unsplash and Facebook, for illustrative purposes only
For the latest COVID-19 cases, check out our reportr COVID-19 case tracker.
For the latest news and updates on COVID-19, check out reportr.world/covid-19.
This story originally appeared on Spot.ph.
*Minor edits have been made by the SmartParenting.com.ph editors.
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