Survival Kit

March 13, 2020

With schools closing, sports events canceling, travel being interrupted, and TV shows going dark, what are you going to do? This is an unmitigated disaster. You don’t have to be self-quarantined to go crazy. Many of you will not survive, not because of the coronavirus, but because of boredom. Here is my survival kit.

You could actually start talking to each other rather than keeping your collective noses stuck in iPhones and social media. You might learn something about your friends, your colleagues, your family, and yourself. You will learn who the real Trumpies are.

You could go outside, and start on that New Year’s resolution you made about getting some exercise. The President is morbidly obese. You don’t have to be also.

You can get a jump on Spring cleaning. You could Kondo your surroundings, and get rid of all of the things that do not bring you joy. Hopefully, that includes Donald Trump.

You can’t travel, but you can still work on learning that foreign language you said you were going to learn before your trip. Hopefully, Americans will still be welcome.

You can cook at home rather than go out to fast food restaurants like the President. It’s healthier, cheaper, and more satisfying. Invite some friends or neighbors over. See above about talking.

You can stop being a spectator, and start being a participant. Participate in the political process.

You can read a book during what was once TV time. You can make yourself more knowledgeable about what a disaster the Trump administration is. Read “A Very Stable Genius” or “Commander-in-Cheat.”

You now have time to write a letter. Send one to your Congressman or Senator complaining about Trump’s response to the coronavirus. It is a lot harder than an e-mail or a Tweet, but it will be much more appreciated by the recipient. Use complete prose. Do not use text-speak.

You could learn to play bridge. Nah!