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Love Is Quarantine, and Your Apartment Is the Pod Love Is Quarantine, and Your Apartment Is the Pod
(2 months later)
For singles practicing social distancing in their houses and apartments, dating presents some obvious challenges. But also: opportunities.For singles practicing social distancing in their houses and apartments, dating presents some obvious challenges. But also: opportunities.
“If you really think about it, being in your apartment during self-isolation is like being in a pod,” said Thi Q. Lam, 27.“If you really think about it, being in your apartment during self-isolation is like being in a pod,” said Thi Q. Lam, 27.
He was referring to the Netflix reality-dating show “Love Is Blind,” in which contestants are isolated in windowless rooms called pods and speak to each other through walls. These dates are part of an “experiment,” the show’s participants say, to see if a lasting emotional connection can be forged between two people who have never set eyes on each other.He was referring to the Netflix reality-dating show “Love Is Blind,” in which contestants are isolated in windowless rooms called pods and speak to each other through walls. These dates are part of an “experiment,” the show’s participants say, to see if a lasting emotional connection can be forged between two people who have never set eyes on each other.
Mr. Lam and his roommate, Rance Nix, 28, are hoping to replicate the experiment virtually, as the new coronavirus has confined many people to their homes.Mr. Lam and his roommate, Rance Nix, 28, are hoping to replicate the experiment virtually, as the new coronavirus has confined many people to their homes.
In their project, Love Is Quarantine, the pods are cells on a Google spreadsheet. The dates are phone calls. Each “season” lasts only one night. Mr. Lam and Mr. Nix are the ones doing all the matching. Viewers at home can follow along on their Instagram account, where the creators post updates from their “cast members.”In their project, Love Is Quarantine, the pods are cells on a Google spreadsheet. The dates are phone calls. Each “season” lasts only one night. Mr. Lam and Mr. Nix are the ones doing all the matching. Viewers at home can follow along on their Instagram account, where the creators post updates from their “cast members.”
On Tuesday night, the first 30 contestants — who applied earlier that evening through a Google doc — were matched for dates. The group consisted of mostly straight couples, but they did have one gay match. “We’re L.G.B.T.Q.I.A. friendly,” said Mr. Rance.On Tuesday night, the first 30 contestants — who applied earlier that evening through a Google doc — were matched for dates. The group consisted of mostly straight couples, but they did have one gay match. “We’re L.G.B.T.Q.I.A. friendly,” said Mr. Rance.
After the dates, Mr. Rance and Mr. Lam called and texted the contestants for recaps. The contestants also recorded pre- and post-date videos, similar to the confessional interviews on reality shows.After the dates, Mr. Rance and Mr. Lam called and texted the contestants for recaps. The contestants also recorded pre- and post-date videos, similar to the confessional interviews on reality shows.
Fans following along shared their thoughts and predictions in comments on Instagram and in a section of the Love Is Quarantine Google doc. “We already have some fan favorites,” said Mr. Lam. “I want to date Roman,” one comment on the fan spreadsheet reads. “I need updates on Katie and Steve! Another date?!” reads another.Fans following along shared their thoughts and predictions in comments on Instagram and in a section of the Love Is Quarantine Google doc. “We already have some fan favorites,” said Mr. Lam. “I want to date Roman,” one comment on the fan spreadsheet reads. “I need updates on Katie and Steve! Another date?!” reads another.
But what did the daters have to say?But what did the daters have to say?
“Some of the dates went really well,” said Mr. Rance. “Some of these couples were talking on the phone for over an hour. We’d text to check up on them, and they were still talking.”“Some of the dates went really well,” said Mr. Rance. “Some of these couples were talking on the phone for over an hour. We’d text to check up on them, and they were still talking.”
“I think we have a lot in common and we’re really vibing,” read one mid-date text from a contestant last night.“I think we have a lot in common and we’re really vibing,” read one mid-date text from a contestant last night.
Mr. Lam and Mr. Rance said they are ultimately looking to help people connect and feel less isolated in these uncertain times. “Any way we can lift spirits, that’s what we’re here for at the end of the day,” said Mr. Rance.Mr. Lam and Mr. Rance said they are ultimately looking to help people connect and feel less isolated in these uncertain times. “Any way we can lift spirits, that’s what we’re here for at the end of the day,” said Mr. Rance.
The two roommates recently binge-watched the Netflix show, as both of them have been out of work as a consequence of the virus’ spread. (Mr. Lam runs his own content studio, and Mr. Rance is an actor.) They found the message of the Netflix show — that love could blossom without physical barriers — inspiring.The two roommates recently binge-watched the Netflix show, as both of them have been out of work as a consequence of the virus’ spread. (Mr. Lam runs his own content studio, and Mr. Rance is an actor.) They found the message of the Netflix show — that love could blossom without physical barriers — inspiring.
“One thing that resonated with us is the fact that we’re stripping away the physical aspect of dating, and that’s a pretty cool opportunity,” said Mr. Rance. “As a person with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, dating can be kind of tough when a lot of people are looking for that six-foot-four guy. To watch ‘Love Is Blind,’ a show where they give people the opportunity to get to know each other beforehand, I think that’s cool. We’re trying to do the same thing with Love Is Quarantine.”“One thing that resonated with us is the fact that we’re stripping away the physical aspect of dating, and that’s a pretty cool opportunity,” said Mr. Rance. “As a person with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, dating can be kind of tough when a lot of people are looking for that six-foot-four guy. To watch ‘Love Is Blind,’ a show where they give people the opportunity to get to know each other beforehand, I think that’s cool. We’re trying to do the same thing with Love Is Quarantine.”
“We want people to get to know other people and their personalities, likes and dislikes before they make a judgment call based on what they look like,” he said.“We want people to get to know other people and their personalities, likes and dislikes before they make a judgment call based on what they look like,” he said.
Mr. Lam and Mr. Rance plan to begin selling Love Is Quarantine merchandise. When they do, they said they would donate 100 percent of the proceeds to Feeding America, a nonprofit organization focused on hunger relief.Mr. Lam and Mr. Rance plan to begin selling Love Is Quarantine merchandise. When they do, they said they would donate 100 percent of the proceeds to Feeding America, a nonprofit organization focused on hunger relief.
“While Love Is Quarantine is a fun opportunity to set up dates and create loving matches, it’s also a great opportunity to help others who at this present time might not be able to cover their bills for basic needs like food,” said Mr. Rance.“While Love Is Quarantine is a fun opportunity to set up dates and create loving matches, it’s also a great opportunity to help others who at this present time might not be able to cover their bills for basic needs like food,” said Mr. Rance.
Updated June 1, 2020
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.
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.
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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
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.
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.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
Love Is Quarantine already has 400 contestants hoping to be chosen for Season 2, which will unfold Wednesday night at 9 p.m. Eastern time. The roommates, who live in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, plan to keep the project going for as long as they remain unemployed.Love Is Quarantine already has 400 contestants hoping to be chosen for Season 2, which will unfold Wednesday night at 9 p.m. Eastern time. The roommates, who live in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, plan to keep the project going for as long as they remain unemployed.
“We’re excited and super grateful for the opportunity to share some positivity and light especially during these difficult times,” said Mr. Lam. “We’re going to do this as long as we can until we get our jobs back.”“We’re excited and super grateful for the opportunity to share some positivity and light especially during these difficult times,” said Mr. Lam. “We’re going to do this as long as we can until we get our jobs back.”
Many of those who successfully match plan to wait to meet up in person until everyone can safely venture back outdoors.Many of those who successfully match plan to wait to meet up in person until everyone can safely venture back outdoors.
“We might send our couples to Popeyes later after this is all over,” said Mr. Lam, “as their honeymoon.”“We might send our couples to Popeyes later after this is all over,” said Mr. Lam, “as their honeymoon.”