In the past 24 hours, my husband and I have received texts and emails from friends and family in Seoul, Beijing, New York and Rome about how social distancing is affecting everything from “talking shop” to stress eating. Here are the best:
From our son Dan in New York City: “In our neighborhood last night at 5 p.m. as I was walking the dogs, I saw three high schoolers on bikes stop, congregate, then hand-sanitize before passing around a joint.”
From a friend in Seoul: “A little social distancing is not that bad at all. I actually feel clear headed and healthier because of the slowdown. You have more time to think, work out and eat healthier, drink less (no socializing).”
From a friend in Beijing: “Since I don’t ever go out to eat, I have become a much better cook. With people I used to talk shop we now exchange recipes and coach each other on cooking.”
From a newly expatriate friend in Rome: “Good thing I squished a big-ass bag of Cheetohs into my already overstuffed suitcase when I left California. Who knew they’d come in so handy for my stress snacking!!!
And from Ken Madeleine, whose Detroit-area gig playing Irish tunes on St. Patrick’s Day was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, a picture of him sheltering in place and hoisting a glass of green beer at his kitchen table with the text: “Let this virus scare ruin my day? ‘No, Nay, Never!’”
Anita's Way 
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