Pandemic

Photo: ShutterstockWhether you come from a family that proudly displays their coat of arms in the foyer, or knows very little about where they came from, you may have some questions about your background. Being stuck at home thanks to the coronavirus pandemic means that we may have more time…

Photo: ShutterstockThe COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in so many ways, including how we get around. This is especially true for people who don’t have a car and rely on public transit. Four months ago, we may have taken the subway to run errands, or Amtrak for a quick…

Photo: ShutterstockAs of mid-March, all of the Disney theme parks and resorts around the world have been closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as some states begin the process of reopening, Walt Disney World in Florida has announced its plans to welcome people back to the Happiest Place on…

Photo: ShutterstockIt’s 2020, so naturally, the mail has become politicized. Specifically, the president has insisted the push to make it easier to vote by mail during the pandemic is an attempt to fix the election because doing so is prone to fraud—a claim for which there is no actual evidence.…

Photo: ShutterstockIf your pet has been acting odd lately, you are not alone. Pandemic era pet owners have reported an array of strange new behaviors in their cats and dogs. Unusual hissing and growling, clinginess and disruptive behaviors such as attacking furniture, spinning, excessive grooming, increased vocalizing and scratching seem…

Gif: Xinhua/YouTubeChinese state news outlet Xinhua has introduced a new social media character in an effort to counter criticism of China in English-language media during the coronavirus pandemic. The cartoon character is called Terry-cotta, who explains that using face masks during a pandemic is good, that China isn’t hoarding PPE,…

Photo: ShutterstockOne of the most wide-reaching side effects of COVID-19 has been its impact on mental health. Understandably, a global pandemic has people dealing with more anxiety and depression than usual—not to mention the additional difficulties it’s causing for people with other conditions like obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress…

Photo: ShutterstockIf there’s one thing parents have learned during the pandemic, it’s this: Little kids suck at video chatting. Maybe we already suspected this based on the occasional, disastrous FaceTime or Skype call with out-of-town family. But then we were thrust into this all-online-all-the-time reality, in which video chats feel so…

Show notes This week, we welcome acclaimed singer/songwriter Whitney Rose, who has been lauded by Rolling Stone, Paste, and others as one of the top young talents in Americana. She and Mike chat about how the pandemic is affecting her creativity and career, including the sadness of not being able…

Image copyright EPA Image caption Portugal's PM Antonio Costa (R) has been out and about hinting at normality The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way people around the world live and work.From lockdowns to social distancing, most countries have enforced some form of restriction to help prevent the spread of…