Sam Brickman and Jordyn Goldzweig were juniors studying computer science at Cornell University when their campus first shut down because of Covid-19. As they returned to their respective homes in New York and New Jersey, the two friends witnessed many people struggling. “We realized how lonely and isolated everyone was as a result of the pandemic,” Brickman, now 21, says. So they launched Quarantine Buddy, a free website that connects people all over the world for virtual discussions and hangouts. Users fill out a survey about their interests and are matched with somebody new to chat with. There are also virtual events, such as book club meetings and mental health talks. The site has since taken off, with people of all ages from more than 100 countries signing up. There have been all sorts of pairings: college students forming virtual bands, parents discussing the challenges of remote learning, young people getting to know senior citizens. And many participants have expressed interest in using the site even when life returns to normal. “This isn’t really a pandemic problem,” Goldzweig, 21, says, pointing out that people felt lonely long before Covid-19 showed up. “We’re just so incredibly happy that we’ve been able to channel all this negativity into something positive.”