Tag: COVID-19

When things get hard, we look to our most fundamental relationships. This is the story of a son, a father, a camper van, a pandemic, and the ties that bind.

“A friend who teaches at another university tells me that a new Yiddish word has been invented: oysgezoomt, ‘over-exposed to Zoom,’ as in ‘Ich bin azoy oysgezoomt!’ (‘I’m so done with Zoom!’)”

In the wake of their parents’ deaths, three siblings struggle to get through the day-to-day.

A meditation on the nature of grief, at a time when the whole world seems to be grieving.

“She continued to write me, though she presumably risked retribution: more time in solitary, more nutraloaf, additional restrictions.”

The soft-focus Britain of Downton Abbey bears little resemblance to the real Britain collapsing under the weight of racism, austerity, and COVID-19. As Brexit plods on, it’s time for an honest reckoning of the history and future of this outsize little island.

“From the moment my mother died, I haven’t stopped thinking about how I could have saved her.”

“And yet, even though this health crisis reflects our nation’s political, social, and civic infrastructure, this plague has no consideration for morality. “

The remaining residents face isolation, and the challenges of preserving their history while enduring the present.

Bernice L. McFadden ruminates on all the things her mother has endured only to find herself spending her golden years in the midst of a deadly plague and state-sanctioned racism.

What will England be like with fewer music magazines?

“Everything about the way we work has been transformed.” Gavin Francis talks about life as a Scottish doctor during COVID-19.

Edging, or extending the time leading up to an orgasm, is almost a character of its own in Normal People, Run, and Portrait of a Lady on Fire. It also has a lot to teach us about sexuality and consent.

Those of us who live for musical performances must find other ways to temporarily live without them.

China maintains its swift, open response to coronavirus bought time for the world. Journalists, had their stories not been deleted, will tell you otherwise.

After separating from her husband and entering quarantine, Anne Liu Kellor faces her ongoing desire for a partner and the necessity of loving herself.

“If we’re lucky enough to be able to shelter in place and we’re not using that time to launch podcasts and personal projects and life-hack our way to some cargo-cult pastiche of normality, are we somehow letting the side down?”

In isolation, Stephanie Land finds surprising relief from PTSD — and discovers she is able to write again.

“So yes, I admit it. I subscribed to Disney+ on the pretext of occupying my kids, but of course – of course – I actually bought it for myself.”

“I present some of my more bizarre self-isolation activities. You can do some of them at home. Though perhaps you won’t wish to.”

You don’t know what day it is, do you? Robert Burke Warren digs into ‘the Oddball Effect’ and fascinating brain data that may help explain why.

All the good habits and self-optimization in the world don’t give you real control over your body. Back away from the bread starter.

“The photographer hopes his brief visits…can help break the oppressive monotony of a seemingly endless day, stretching on without distractions from the outside world.”

Under self-quarantine, Aaron Gilbreath ‘moves’ freely with the help of Rambalac’s video travelogues.

Witches we need you. Now more than ever. In the time of COVID-19 we can find respite in place-based reverence, plant magic and the divine feminine. So writes Lisa Richardson, who came to witchiness with nothing but white hetero straight-lacedness and a crush on a yoga teacher.

When the only way to be a real community is to be apart, it quickly becomes obvious who is out for themselves.

“Whatever it is, coronavirus has made the mighty kneel and brought the world to a halt like nothing else could.”

Coronavirus inspires Sari Botton to reach out to family and friends she’s fallen out with.

With physical distancing the order of the day as COVID-19 spreads, cultural locales — sites for communal experiences, like museums and theaters — are emptying out. What are we sharing if we’re not sharing these spaces? And were we really sharing them to begin with?

In the midst of a pandemic, nature reminds Susan Krawitz that miracles are possible.