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Having to live virtually stinks. But not having virtual life would be worse.

Now that many people around the world are weeks or months into staying home as much as possible, the flaws of working, schooling and socializing through screens are starting to grate.

Some of my friends are even starting to complain that the video game “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” has flipped from a charming distraction to a nagging time-suck.

But for those of us who can access and afford fast internet connections and services, I’m glad we have technologies that let us video chat with colleagues and get coached through home haircuts. Imperfect as these technologies are, they help us make the best of our more physically isolated lives.