Sunday Best: Bursting the quarantine bubble

How to navigate the ambiguous space between lockdown and normalcy.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story May 31, 2020 I’m Shannon and I have the pleasure of writing this newsletter for the next few months while Alexandra is on maternity leave. I’m based in Toronto, and as lockdowns slowly relax here and for my colleagues in the United States, I’m surprised to find myself feeling more anxious about the pandemic than ever. The early guidance from officials to “Stay home. Stay safe,” felt clear and unambiguous. I now find myself dwelling on how to navigate this new world of expanded quarantine bubbles. My octogenarian grandmother stopped by this week to drop off some plants for my garden, and in the spirit of expanded bubbles, she stayed for a socially distanced dinner on our deck. It was our first in-person visit since March and I loved it. After failing to discuss anything other than the stark realities of the coronavirus, I instinctively — accidentally — hugged her goodbye. I’ve been fixated on that mistake since, and now suspect that similar stress-inducing moments will be a defining characteristic of our gradual return to normalcy. Despite this, dinner with my grandmother reminded me of how good it feels to be with family. I hope you’re able to safely spend time with someone important to you this weekend. — Shannon Busta Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT The Morgue Trucks of New York City Children riding bikes near a morgue truck in Greenwich Village.Caitlin Ochs Hundreds of trucks normally used to transport groceries have found semi-permanent homes on the streets of New York City. These mobile morgues that house the bodies of Covid-19 victims serve as eerie backdrops — visible from street corners and parks where children play — and are a constant reminder of the pandemic’s impact. In Defense of Not Skilling Up During the Pandemic Lily Snowden-Fine Rather than baking the perfect loaf of sourdough or finishing that Russian novel, we should do more things aimlessly, embracing the benefits of leisure. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT It’s Not Obesity. It’s Slavery. People waiting for a distribution of masks and food in Harlem, New York City.Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press “The cultural narrative that black people’s weight is a harbinger of disease and death has long served as a dangerous distraction from the real sources of inequality, and it’s happening again.” 54 Ways Coronavirus Has Changed Our World Unemployment: Up. Global greenhouse gas emissions: Down. Appreciation of health care workers: Up. Health care worker pay: Down. Coronavirus has changed a lot of things. Here are some aspects of our lives that have trended up or down — or both — as a result of the pandemic. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Why You Should Care About Joe Rogan’s $100 Million Spotify Deal Joe Rogan during an appearance at The Ice House Comedy Club in Pasadena, Calif., on April 17, 2019Michael S. Schwartz/Getty Images “The timing of Rogan’s rise and the Old Guard’s disintegration is not coincidental. His success was made possible, at least in part, by legacy media’s blind spots.” The Times is providing free access to much of our coronavirus coverage; this newsletter, as well as our Coronavirus Briefing newsletter, are free. Please consider supporting our journalism with a subscription. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Sunday Best from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The Times |Get The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your Email|Privacy Policy|Contact Us The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018