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These days we’re bombarded with information on TV news stations, in written publications and online on our computers, phones and tablets about the coronavirus. In fact, it seems to be COVID-19 all day, all the time, except when we’re sleeping.   And the information that we’re hearing and reading is duplicitous. It’s become a confused blend--like a more complex, well-rounded wine--of health guidance, protest and partisan politics. For example, someone says the latest study from a top-ranked scientist reports that it’s essential to keep at least 6 feet from anybody unless you’re isolating with that person. Should it be more...

As we each shelter alone in our homes, socially distant from each other, we can think more about our coronavirus time capsules and pause. We have extra time on our hands when not working, cooking--everything from banana and zucchini breads to crinkly chocolate cookies, spaghetti and meatballs and chicken piccata, Zoom schmoozing, taking walks and finishing crossword and jigsaw puzzles.  We’ve spent some of that time listening and questioning ourselves—and others—about where we are now in our lives to answer some Proustian-like questions, which we also shared with family, friends and you, our readers. It’s tough at times to laugh,...

Every cloud has a silver lining. Corny and a cliché but true. We’ve long tried to look on the bright side when dark tidings hover like a cursor on a computer screen we haven’t clicked on.  We’ve had lots of practice climbing out of miserable places such as finding ourselves suddenly single after years of happy marital bliss. We learned to live alone which, at first, was alarming when late at night we’d walk into a dark house alone or attend an event with no one on our arm. Singleness, ironically, turned out to be OK. It offered us the...

By Margot Schulman These are some crazy times we are living through now. Could anyone possibly disagree? We are all facing stress and struggles for which we are quite unprepared. Whether you are quarantined alone or with a spouse, partner and any other family members or pets, the strain of the situation is intense and can be overwhelming.  In our isolation, it’s easy to spend an entire day watching the news, talking about the rising numbers of Covid-19 cases and letting yourself over-steep in panic, worry, anxiety and fear. Unfortunately, our human brains are strongly attracted to stories and situations that...

Feel isolated? Miss a social life? Of course, you do even if you’re an introvert or recluse. We all crave human interaction, and preferably face-to-face. We can’t now in most cases, so Zoom has become the new schmooze and a venue in this era of social distancing for connecting. In fact, people who used to get competitive about the number of dates, parties or happy hours they were invited to are now bragging about all their Zoom meetings.     When the pandemic hit and stay at home was ordered for New York state, our shared territory, we knew as WFH...