Positive things gained from Covid-19?

[cypher1]

With all the up and downs for news going on around the world, what are little things you've learned or appreciated?

Like 2009ish era, just grateful to work and be healthy. The first thing has been to not waste food, as I've been guilty in the past of the buying too much produce and not using up in enough time. I've been doing smaller grocery trips each week, and not hoarding items.

Easily the biggest thing I miss is the gym, while i can do certain workouts at home, unlike other friends with no equipment. As well as miss not being outside, even though I'm not a big outdoor person.

Family and friends have always been my priority. I've been keeping in more contact with them via text and calls (especially the ones laid off already), and asking if they need anything for supplies/food. I can tell which one's are more worried or concerned, and I think just listening to them goes a long way to ease their concern. Last night I got my parents (in early 70s) toilet paper and paper towels, verified all their prescriptions are filled before our stay-in order kicks in. The elderly and disabled are the ones I'm most concerned with.

[disneysteve]

I posted on Facebook last week that if anybody would like to connect virtually to let me know. Since then, I've had Facebook video or Zoom conversations with 5 different friends, all of whom I haven't seen for years or even decades.

I've been really impressed and humbled by the outpouring of support for healthcare workers. I can only imagine that it is somewhat akin to what first responders got after 9/11. So many online posts, emails, and personal messages thanking me for what I do. One local supermarket chain is now having special shopping hours for healthcare workers. Starbucks and Wawa are both now serving free coffee to HCWs.

Last night our Facebook bourbon group did a Zoom meet up. We all had a drink "together" and talked about whiskey stuff for about an hour.

I, too, miss the gym. I'm exercising some at home but not nearly the same as what I do at the gym. The 3 of us have taken a couple of really nice family walks, something we haven't done since DD was little. We were going to do another yesterday but it rained. I did a nice long walk/run on Tuesday when it was really nice out.

My daughter has actually started exercising, which is a sure sign of the apocalypse . On Tuesday she did some squats and lunges. Yesterday, she actually let me show her a few other exercises to do with the dumbbells we have and she was going to write up a routine for herself to do. I'm totally shocked and proud of her for taking that initiative. I guess she's used to being in a swimming pool 5 hours a day now so all the sitting around is getting to her.

[moneybags]

My daughter has actually started exercising, which is a sure sign of the apocalypse . On Tuesday she did some squats and lunges. Yesterday, she actually let me show her a few other exercises to do with the dumbbells we have and she was going to write up a routine for herself to do. I'm totally shocked and proud of her for taking that initiative. I guess she's used to being in a swimming pool 5 hours a day now so all the sitting around is getting to her.

I've been doing yoga using youtube. I am pretty new to it, and I am enjoying it. If she's interested, try SarahBethYoga - she's free and there are a lot of options in terms of ability and length of workout.

[TexasHusker]

I took up smoking Swisher Sweets.

[Fishindude77]

People are actually learning to do their own cooking and having sit down meals with their families. Many have also become much more conscious regarding personal hygiene and cleaning.

[disneysteve]

People are actually learning to do their own cooking and having sit down meals with their families. Many have also become much more conscious regarding personal hygiene and cleaning.

It will be very interesting to see how this episode shapes future behavior. The longer this drags on, the more likely it will have a lasting impact on a generation of people, just as the Depression did in the 1930s. My mother, who is now 89, still functions with that Depression-era mentality in all she does.

Some stuff, like the family meals, will probably disappear as soon as everyone is back to work, school, and activities. Hopefully. though, some of the new-found habits will stick around, like doing more cooking, getting out for walks and bike rides, and washing hands regularly.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

just happy to have work, money to provide for the family. I get the feeling a lot of people I talk to feel that way.

[kork13]

People are actually learning to do their own cooking and having sit down meals with their families.

This is actually my favorite bit about all of this. I love to cook, and do so often. But with the extra time, I've been able to experiment more. Last night I made homemade falafel, I've gotten back to making homemade sourdough bread, etc... And generally, I've just been able to do alot more cooking. LOVE IT!

ETA: The other notable for cooking is that I've had more time to cook slowly, and thus able to involve my 2y/o & 4y/o boys into it more to help start brainwashing/teaching them to cook. With the COVID mess, our favorite local pizza joint is selling pizza kits with prepped dough, sauce, toppings, etc. for families to do together at home... we're picking one up this afternoon and my boys will love building/baking the pizza.

[~bs]

Some of our clerical workers are partial unemployed because of lack of hours. They'll be glad to find out once the unemployment checks start rolling in that they'll be making more money than when they were employed!

[disneysteve]

Some of our clerical workers are partial unemployed because of lack of hours. They'll be glad to find out once the unemployment checks start rolling in that they'll be making more money than when they were employed!

We're waiting to see how much DD gets. I haven't read all of the terms of the deal but it is possible that she could be among those who get more than they were making. She doesn't care though. She'd much rather be working and the instant she can go back, she will.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

life seems slower and more relaxing. There is a less frentic pace because we can't do anything. I can't find myself bothered by it either.

[disneysteve]

life seems slower and more relaxing. There is a less frentic pace because we can't do anything. I can't find myself bothered by it either.

Very true. Honestly, it will probably be a little hard to adjust again once life ramps back up.

[~bs]

reminds me of the old hawaii-nei! a slower and more peaceful time.

[Nutria]

The longer this drags on, the more likely it will have a lasting impact on a generation of people, just as the Depression did in the 1930s. My mother, who is now 89, still functions with that Depression-era mentality in all she does.

But the Depression was 10+ years, followed immediately by war rationing. And there wasn't consumerist advertising flooding your senses 24x365, convincing you that you-- damn the consequences -- deserve to spend money.

[cypher1]

People are actually learning to do their own cooking and having sit down meals with their families.

My buddy has his own business and since he's been able to get caught up at his shop, he's now able to have dinner with his wife and kids on a week night. He flat out admitted its weird for all of them to sit down together (besides on the weekend), and almost awkward.

Speaking of cooking, does anyone have an air fryer, and how do you like it? I've been debating about getting the Ninja one, as I finally got to use one at a friend's on my last trip.