Ivanka Trump leads with #TogetherApart, playtime ideas, learning guitar

“It made me want to contribute by amplifying acts of compassion and connectivity while encouraging healthy physical distance,” she told us. Thus, her #TogetherApart campaign began, bringing “all of those ideas and unifying messages to one place to share with the digital world.”

It started in mid-March with a few posts, such as this one on Instagram: “Share your family friendly ideas below with #TogetherApart! We’re in this together! #SocialDistancingWorks.”

And almost instantly, it went global, with thousands using #TogetherApart, including megastars such as Madonna, Kim Kardashian, football’s Herschel Walker, chef Jose Andres, baseball’s Mariano Rivera, and the Boston Celtics’s Marcus Smart, as well as several government officials and Kimberly Guilfoyle, brother Donald Trump Jr.’s girlfriend.

In his viral tweet, Walker wrote, “Let’s keep the faith! Just spoke with @realDonaldTrump, @IvankaTrump and members of @FitnessGov Council. @POTUS keeps leading against this hidden threat. Follow @CDCgov guidance and we can be Champions at defeating COVID-19. Let’s get creative in ways to stay #TogetherApart.”

On Instagram and Twitter, Ivanka Trump has pushed the campaign further, using her own family to share playtime and homeschooling ideas, such as having her three children sing their ABCs while washing their hands, a parenting trick to get the recommended 20 seconds of scrubbing in.

“I hope it reminds everyone that while we’re in an entirely unprecedented situation, Americans have and will always come together to support each other in times of hardship,” she said. “I wanted people to more easily find a way to see and share uplifting and hopeful moments with each other online. It won’t mitigate the fear and pain, but may foster some joy,” Trump added of her campaign.

Like many, the virus has disrupted her life and that of her husband Jared Kushner. “I work from home when I can, and go into the office when needed,” she said. In fact, she has continued her lobbying efforts for paid sick leave and is working with Small Business Administration officials to get relief to firms slammed by the virus.

“Our family and loved ones also feel the pressure that all Americans are feeling, but recognize that we are far more fortunate than most. Jared is working close to 24 hours a day so I have had to step up more at home. My kids are home from school and are growing more restless by the day! We’ve dusted off the board games and gone long on puzzles,” she said.

Music helps too. “I have also been listening to a lot of music in the early mornings and evenings; everything from Django Reinhardt to Neil Young, J.J. Cale to Leonard Cohen, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real to Nathaniel Rateliff,” said Trump.

And like lots of people, she’s used some of the at-home time for bettering herself, learning guitar and taking an online course.

“On the weekends and late at night, I am learning how to play the guitar. A friend is teaching me via video. I also signed up for a free Coursera Greek and Roman mythology class online. It has been a great escape and allows me to get away from work and the news for a few minutes of inspiration each day,” said Trump.

“Each day is going to be different — scary, hopeful, or beautiful in its own way. Take advantage of the time we have together. This has forced us all to break with the tight grip of normalcy, routine, and habit and assess that which really matters and all that we take for granted. Appreciate how precious life is and that no day is promised to us. We’re living through a historic moment, and our kids all feel that,” she said.

And as she has with her hashtag campaign, Trump sought to assure the public that the effort led by her father, President Trump, will work. “I truly believe that as a nation, we will emerge from this stronger and more unified than ever before and individually and collectively rise to greater heights,” she said.

Below is how the administration describes #TogetherAlone:

“The #TogetherApart hashtag campaign is one that families and individuals can use on their social media platforms or in their digital communities to support one another. The campaign aims to be a commonplace where people can share innovative ideas and content to support one another while maintaining healthy, physical distance. These collaborative ideas can be used to share all types of content, whether it be educational, music, fitness, or family activity ideas to entertain our children and each other. Since the world can use a bit of positivity right now, this campaign urges everyone to come together online to share enlightening ideas that can help create positive memories in an otherwise frightening moment.”