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A8 PEOPLE & ARTS
Monday 23 March 2020

Blessings to all and for Everyone to Stay Safe!

Quarantinis anyone? Happy hours go virtual amid virus crisis

By ALANNA D. RICHER delivery and takeout and ing pneumonia. The vast er week of the Coronapoc- get up in the morning?
Associated Press banned large gatherings majority of people recover alypse" with a "quarantini." How many days did it take
BOSTON (AP) — The hottest "On a good day, a lot of before you stopped wear-
new bar's dress code? Your moms feel isolated, partic- ing makeup?" they asked
sweatpants. And you don't ularly new moms ... So now, each other, according to
even have to leave your more than ever, moms Stallard, who lives in New
couch. need one another's sup- York City.
With bars shuttered and port and camaraderie," In Montclair, New Jersey,
stressed-out workers stuck Anderson, founder of Mom a group of more than a
at home, companies and Crew, said in an email. dozen neighbors is taking a
friend groups across the U.S. Even book clubs, game different approach with a
are holding happy hours nights and support groups nightly happy hour in front
over video chat to commis- are going virtual. of their homes. It started
erate and keep spirits high Brian Koppelman, co-cre- with a text suggesting they
amid the new coronavirus ator of the Showtime series all come outside one night
pandemic. In one commu- "Billions," said he and his and share a drink from afar,
nity, neighbors are toasting friends played their weekly said Gail Stocks.
to one another every night poker game using an app While each family stays
from the ends of their drive- and chatting over Zoom in their own yard, they've
ways to unwind — while video conferencing. sang happy birthday to
keeping a safe distance, of "It was a pretty great way those whose celebrations
course. to stay connected despite were spoiled by the virus
"Let's be honest, we could the distancing," he tweet- and toast "to better times,
all use a break and a drink In this March 16, 2020 photo provided by Jamie Lee Finch, a ed. For others, it's been a but never better neigh-
right now," said Nick Minerd, laptop on a desk in Nashville, Tenn., showing people gathered way to check in on friends bors," Stocks said. They plan
who recently took part in a together online for a virtual happy hour is shown. who live across the country to keep the tradition going
virtual cocktail hour with Associated Press and share tips about how until their lives go back to
more than 30 of his home- to stay sane while staying normal to give everyone a
bound colleagues with in an attempt to slow the from the new virus. at home. chance to get away from
Hendersonville, Tennessee- spread of COVID-19. Emily Anderson, who runs Tracy Stallard said a group their computers for a bit
based STR, which provides For most people, the virus an organization that con- of her friends from high and a reason to smile, she
data and analytics for the causes only mild or moder- nects moms in New York school caught up over said.
hospitality industry. ate symptoms, such as fe- City, was forced to cancel drinks via video chat and "It's keeping everyone's spir-
Video chat happy hours ver and cough. For some, all of her events because of talked about their new nor- its up," Stocks said. "I was
have popped up all over especially older adults and the virus. Now she planning mal. feeling very down around
social media as commu- people with existing health to host weekly video chat "Have you been going out the late afternoon... And
nities have closed bars problems, it can cause happy hours to help moms and taking a walk? Do you by the time I came in the
and restaurants to all but more severe illness, includ- "celebrate surviving anoth- wear real pants when you whole blues had lifted."q