Zero traffic, balcony concerts: Let’s focus on the silver linings of quarantine life
Yes, this is coronavirus crisis is bad. Probably the worst times many of us have ever gone through as a society. Quarantine is driving us all batty.
But there have to be a few bright spots amid all the misery.
In New York, they have the Cuomo brothers.
In Miami, we were able to find a couple, too. So we can’t enjoy our lustrous, endless beaches; lush, tropical parks; pulsating nightlife; or hip, sceney restaurants, most of which are owned by Dave Grutman (just think how he feels).
We have found appreciation for the other, finer things in life.
Empty roads
There’s.No.More.Traffic. Remember the endless complaining about the tragedy that is the Palmetto? Clueless, inconsiderate drivers who don’t use their turn signals? The ever fluctuating price of gas? All that is a distant memory now as your commute is 20 feet from your bed, or wherever you ended up sleeping the night before.
Kids around all the time
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019, working adults living in households where the youngest child was between the ages of 6 and 17 spent less 50 minutes per day providing primary childcare to household. These past few weeks? Your kids are permanently grounded, so the labor folks will need to be adjusting that figure.
Movies, books, art, etc.
Are you the only one of your friends who can’t discuss what brutal act of violence Leonardo DiCaprio perpetrated in the pool scene of “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood?” Now’s your chance to catch up on all the Oscar movies you missed in the pre-lockdown era. Perusing art, memorizing poetry or reading a few books wouldn’t hurt either. We recommend “The Great Influenza.”
Altruistic people
No matter how much time passes after this crisis is over (and it will be), anyone with a soul won’t be able to see a medical professional, teacher, first responder, delivery person, or janitor in the same way again. Appreciating what they do, day in and day out of this crisis is immeasurable. Nothing but mad respect.
Your talented neighbors
Bet you had no idea the guy two floors above you was a concert pianist. In high-rise life, balconies have become our new doorsteps, a bridge to the outside world. People you never even nodded to in the hallway are whom you are relying on for comfort in these surreal times. We’ve seen glow in the dark parties, a guy who did a pop-up Ultra on his terrace and a gorgeous violin concert at sunset with Coldplay on the playlist. What’s better than that?
This story was originally published April 7, 2020 at 5:27 PM.
