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Samantha Mathis, Self-Isolating Downtown Samantha Mathis, Self-Isolating Downtown
(3 days later)
The actor Samantha Mathis departed Los Angeles on a trial basis a decade ago, to see if she could make a life for herself in New York City. Or perhaps more to the point, to see if she could make a life for herself in the theater.The actor Samantha Mathis departed Los Angeles on a trial basis a decade ago, to see if she could make a life for herself in New York City. Or perhaps more to the point, to see if she could make a life for herself in the theater.
In short order, Ms. Mathis was cast as Jane Fonda’s daughter in the drama “33 Variations,” which ran for a few months on Broadway in 2009. The experience was validating. She had arrived, and she was sticking around.In short order, Ms. Mathis was cast as Jane Fonda’s daughter in the drama “33 Variations,” which ran for a few months on Broadway in 2009. The experience was validating. She had arrived, and she was sticking around.
A few years later, to underscore the point, she sold her house in the Hollywood Hills. “So now I’m really a New Yorker,” said Ms. Mathis, 49, who made her feature film debut in “Pump Up the Volume” and whose credits include the 1994 version of “Little Women” and “American Pastoral.” She has a recurring role as Sara Hammon, the chief operating officer of Taylor Mason Capital on the Showtime series “Billions.”A few years later, to underscore the point, she sold her house in the Hollywood Hills. “So now I’m really a New Yorker,” said Ms. Mathis, 49, who made her feature film debut in “Pump Up the Volume” and whose credits include the 1994 version of “Little Women” and “American Pastoral.” She has a recurring role as Sara Hammon, the chief operating officer of Taylor Mason Capital on the Showtime series “Billions.”
Reflexively, Ms. Mathis settled downtown (although there was a brief detour to the Upper West Side), moving from rental to rental, mostly — but not currently — on 10th Street.Reflexively, Ms. Mathis settled downtown (although there was a brief detour to the Upper West Side), moving from rental to rental, mostly — but not currently — on 10th Street.
“It’s the epicenter of where my friends are,” she said. “Coming from Los Angeles, where I felt a sense of isolation, I was looking forward to the vibrancy of living in New York and being close to everyone I knew.”“It’s the epicenter of where my friends are,” she said. “Coming from Los Angeles, where I felt a sense of isolation, I was looking forward to the vibrancy of living in New York and being close to everyone I knew.”
Occupation: ActorOccupation: Actor
It takes a (Greenwich) village: “My home in Los Angeles was beautiful. It had four bedrooms, and I could go hiking every day and smell the night-blooming jasmine. Now I’m renting a junior one-bedroom and paying through the nose. But I can walk with my dog to Washington Square Park, and I run into my friends all the time.”It takes a (Greenwich) village: “My home in Los Angeles was beautiful. It had four bedrooms, and I could go hiking every day and smell the night-blooming jasmine. Now I’m renting a junior one-bedroom and paying through the nose. But I can walk with my dog to Washington Square Park, and I run into my friends all the time.”
Since late 2018, she has rented a junior one-bedroom in a postwar Greenwich Village co-op. Her timing couldn’t have been better: The apartment had just undergone a thorough and meticulous renovation, with a spanking new kitchen and bathroom, new floors and ample and well-conceived storage.Since late 2018, she has rented a junior one-bedroom in a postwar Greenwich Village co-op. Her timing couldn’t have been better: The apartment had just undergone a thorough and meticulous renovation, with a spanking new kitchen and bathroom, new floors and ample and well-conceived storage.
“And clean grout,” said Ms. Mathis, who seems to have had more than her share of experience with dirty grout. “I walked in, and I thought, ‘I have to live in this apartment, it’s so clean and new.”“And clean grout,” said Ms. Mathis, who seems to have had more than her share of experience with dirty grout. “I walked in, and I thought, ‘I have to live in this apartment, it’s so clean and new.”
The apartment has provided a soft landing for Ms. Mathis in the face of the coronavirus and the attendant career disruption. Hours before the first public performance of “Whisper House,” the musical she is starring in at 59E59 Theaters, the production was shut down and the opening postponed at least until early April.The apartment has provided a soft landing for Ms. Mathis in the face of the coronavirus and the attendant career disruption. Hours before the first public performance of “Whisper House,” the musical she is starring in at 59E59 Theaters, the production was shut down and the opening postponed at least until early April.
“In this rapidly changing landscape, I find myself home in isolation,” Ms. Mathis said. “And though stir-crazy, I am so grateful to have my beautiful, light and tranquil home. It’s my little lady cloud.”“In this rapidly changing landscape, I find myself home in isolation,” Ms. Mathis said. “And though stir-crazy, I am so grateful to have my beautiful, light and tranquil home. It’s my little lady cloud.”
Ms. Mathis has furnished said “cloud” with a judiciousness that would make Marie Kondo proud. It holds only those things that delight her soul — vases and candlesticks; a few pieces from Puerto Rican Pottery; dinnerware from Heath Ceramics, in Sausalito, Calif.; an assortment of art books — or are practical solutions to limited square footage. These include a desk standing in for a dining table and a Lucite coffee table (topped with a Lucite tick-tack-toe game) to minimize visual clutter.Ms. Mathis has furnished said “cloud” with a judiciousness that would make Marie Kondo proud. It holds only those things that delight her soul — vases and candlesticks; a few pieces from Puerto Rican Pottery; dinnerware from Heath Ceramics, in Sausalito, Calif.; an assortment of art books — or are practical solutions to limited square footage. These include a desk standing in for a dining table and a Lucite coffee table (topped with a Lucite tick-tack-toe game) to minimize visual clutter.
Then there is the clever repurposing: the deployment of curtain rods and drapes from a previous residence to fashion a canopy bed, rather than shelling out for the ready-made version from Restoration Hardware.Then there is the clever repurposing: the deployment of curtain rods and drapes from a previous residence to fashion a canopy bed, rather than shelling out for the ready-made version from Restoration Hardware.
“The curtains are a little long for the space, but I don’t mind,” Ms. Mathis said. “They create a sense of separateness when someone is spending the night and sleeping on the couch.”“The curtains are a little long for the space, but I don’t mind,” Ms. Mathis said. “They create a sense of separateness when someone is spending the night and sleeping on the couch.”
Ms. Mathis has a fondness for midcentury-modern pieces, like the chrome-and-leather Breuer Wassily chairs from the famed Rose Bowl flea market and the wood credenza. She also likes to mix high (antique nightstand) and low (a CB2 sofa that has withstood the depredations of Ms. Mathis’s dog, Frankie, now deceased, and her three-month-old mixed breed, Annie.Ms. Mathis has a fondness for midcentury-modern pieces, like the chrome-and-leather Breuer Wassily chairs from the famed Rose Bowl flea market and the wood credenza. She also likes to mix high (antique nightstand) and low (a CB2 sofa that has withstood the depredations of Ms. Mathis’s dog, Frankie, now deceased, and her three-month-old mixed breed, Annie.
But her aesthetic is ever-evolving, Ms. Mathis said. She is influenced by stylish friends, one of whom bought a feather pendant light for her house upstate. Nice, thought Ms. Mathis, who decided to get one as well, to hang over her bed.But her aesthetic is ever-evolving, Ms. Mathis said. She is influenced by stylish friends, one of whom bought a feather pendant light for her house upstate. Nice, thought Ms. Mathis, who decided to get one as well, to hang over her bed.
“It’s really quite dreamy at night,” she said.“It’s really quite dreamy at night,” she said.
Lately, she has been interested in recreating the décor of her 1970s childhood in California. Thus, the assemblage of potted plants, including succulents, on the windowsill.Lately, she has been interested in recreating the décor of her 1970s childhood in California. Thus, the assemblage of potted plants, including succulents, on the windowsill.
Updated June 5, 2020 Updated June 12, 2020
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
As part of that effort to reconnect with the past, Ms. Mathis has surrounded herself with furniture, jewelry, ephemera and art that belonged to her actor mother, Bibi Besch, and her actor grandmother, Gusti Huber, both deceased.As part of that effort to reconnect with the past, Ms. Mathis has surrounded herself with furniture, jewelry, ephemera and art that belonged to her actor mother, Bibi Besch, and her actor grandmother, Gusti Huber, both deceased.
There are several Abstract Expressionist works by Warren Davis, an artist friend of Ms. Besch’s, who painted on unprimed surfaces. “When I was growing up, I really didn’t understand them at all,” Ms Mathis said. “But now they’re my most favorite possessions. The colors and pigments have soaked into the canvases in a way I find so beautiful.”There are several Abstract Expressionist works by Warren Davis, an artist friend of Ms. Besch’s, who painted on unprimed surfaces. “When I was growing up, I really didn’t understand them at all,” Ms Mathis said. “But now they’re my most favorite possessions. The colors and pigments have soaked into the canvases in a way I find so beautiful.”
Most poignantly, there is handwritten response from E.B. White to Ms. Mathis’s mother, then a 10-year-old, who wrote to Mr. White expressing devastation about the ending of his book “Charlotte’s Web.”Most poignantly, there is handwritten response from E.B. White to Ms. Mathis’s mother, then a 10-year-old, who wrote to Mr. White expressing devastation about the ending of his book “Charlotte’s Web.”
“It’s one of the sweetest things in the world,” Ms. Mathis said, quoting from the letter, which her grandmother, Ms. Huber, preserved in a double-sided frame: “‘When I’m writing a book and something sad starts happening I always think I should do something to prevent it, but it is not so easy as you might think.’”“It’s one of the sweetest things in the world,” Ms. Mathis said, quoting from the letter, which her grandmother, Ms. Huber, preserved in a double-sided frame: “‘When I’m writing a book and something sad starts happening I always think I should do something to prevent it, but it is not so easy as you might think.’”
As soon as Ms. Mathis moved back down to the Village after that short stint on the Upper West Side, the phone started ringing. This or that friend was just passing by her building, was around the corner or sitting in the coffee shop across the street: “Are you home? Would now be a convenient time to come visit?” Sure, come on up.As soon as Ms. Mathis moved back down to the Village after that short stint on the Upper West Side, the phone started ringing. This or that friend was just passing by her building, was around the corner or sitting in the coffee shop across the street: “Are you home? Would now be a convenient time to come visit?” Sure, come on up.
She is someone who enjoys being a host and conjuring a space that makes guests feel welcome. “My grandmother and my mother were very good at decorating and making a home, and I feel that’s something I’ve inherited from them,” Ms. Mathis said.She is someone who enjoys being a host and conjuring a space that makes guests feel welcome. “My grandmother and my mother were very good at decorating and making a home, and I feel that’s something I’ve inherited from them,” Ms. Mathis said.
“I have a friend who once said to me, ‘If you were rich, your home would be amazing,’” she continued with a laugh. “And I didn’t know how to respond. ‘Thank you?’ Because I’m not rich, but I think you’re giving me a compliment.”“I have a friend who once said to me, ‘If you were rich, your home would be amazing,’” she continued with a laugh. “And I didn’t know how to respond. ‘Thank you?’ Because I’m not rich, but I think you’re giving me a compliment.”
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