To do this week: Is it time to stop hibernating yet?
This week: We've got comics, board games, and a twist on a favorite comfort food.
On the to-do list this week: Spring is about to spring. At least it feels that way. The sense of renewal (and we’re here for it) comes just as we clock a year under the pandemic. So, two things for you this week: Our advice around what you can safely do once you’ve gotten the vaccine, and how to get back something that the past year has stolen from most of us: Our spontaneity. Plus, restaurant weeks are back. Here’s where to find them.
And remember: We’ve collected our best Philly tips all in one place here.
Stay healthy, stay safe, and, as much as possible, it’s still a good idea to stay home.
Know this
🏠 What are my rights if police knock on my door? by Nick Vadala
🚴♀️ Where can I buy a bike in Philly? by Elizabeth Wellington
😷 Which masks can I double mask? by Grace Dickinson
💰 When will I get the next stimulus check? by Erin Arvedlund
» Ask us a question through Curious Philly: Inquirer.com/askus
Do this
Here is one highlight from our weekly events calendar:
🚗 Reopening of the PFS Drive-In at the Navy Yard: Raya and the Last Dragon (Movies / in-person / drive-in / kid-friendly / multiday) The Philadelphia Film Society brings its popular drive-in movie nights back to the Navy Yard. The series returns with the debut of Disney’s new Raya and the Last Dragon and continues through October 31 with a variety of screenings from all different genres. ($12 for general admission, $8 for PFS Members, $7 for children 12 and under, March 5-Oct. 31, filmadelphia.org, map, add to calendar)
🔎 Find more of this week’s events, and we even have a kid-friendly events calendar, too.
What happened to our spontaneity?
Remember ... doing something on a whim? Yeah, neither do we. There’s a little bit of magic there that we’ve all lost since the pandemic upended our lives. And it makes sense: You can’t deviate from routines when your routines have gone out the window. But Elizabeth Wellington found how can we bring even a little spontaneity back. Here’s where to start:
Make your friendships less scheduled. You don’t have to schedule a Zoom call every time you want to connect with people you love, says Heather Hersh, a clinical psychologist and founder of the Philly-based consulting firm, Thrive Well-Being. Just call them up. Surprise them with a FaceTime. If you have a standing Zoom call with friends, shake it up: Play a game. Send the ingredients for a chocolate chip cookie bake-off. Invite an unexpected guest to join. “By creating spontaneity in other people’s lives you will get some of the same benefits,” Hersh said.
Create random connections. No, you don’t have to start a 20-minute conversation with the person in line in front of you at Aldi’s, Hersh said. But smile at a stranger with your eyes. Now is a time to practice acts of kindness: Buy coffee for the person behind you at the Dunkin’ drive-through. Smile at the cashier. Or let in the driver who needs to merge.
Take a different route. Whether you walking, biking, running, or driving, switch up your path. And while you are out and about, ask yourself: What are you seeing? What are you hearing? What are you smelling? “Use all of your senses to engage in the present,” Hersh said. “And most importantly, put your phone away.”
» READ MORE: The pandemic has robbed us of spontaneity. Here’s how to get it back.
Life after the vaccine
Most of us are still waiting to get the jab, but many are wondering: What will life look like post-vax? We’re starting to get questions about it, and while there’s a lot that’s still unknown, here are some resources that might help you think about the next phase:
Can I ditch the mask? No, not yet. You can worry less about COVID-19 once vaccinated. But researchers still don’t know enough about new variants. And returning to “normal” too quickly could mean we throw away the progress we’ve made as a country.
Can I visit my parents, grandparents, and older relatives once they’re vaccinated? Most experts say yes, as long as you’re mindful of the risk, and reiterate that wearing masks and social distancing are still important to protect both unvaccinated and vaccinated family members. That could change once we have more data.
Can we eat dinner together? The advice here is divided. Some say it may be OK, especially if you only take your mask off to eat. There’s no official CDC guidance on this yet, so it’s good to be cautious. One point most agree on: Stick to masked hangouts if kids are involved.
Can we hug while masked? Doctors again are divided here, but many give the go-ahead on hugging as long as both people are wearing masks and feel comfortable.
» READ MORE: How to safely visit your grandparents once they’re vaccinated and Why you still can’t visit unmasked, even if you’re fully vaccinated
Restaurant weeks
Restaurant weeks can be a great way to try new spots, or treat yourself to a fancy meal at a reasonable price. But — like most other plans — these food fetes have been sidelined because of the pandemic. Good news, hungry people: They’re starting to come back. Michael Klein is the expert here, but here’s a schedule to get you started:
East Passyunk now through Friday, March 5
Haddonfield Tuesday, March 9-Sunday, March 14
Northern Liberties Friday, April 9 - Sunday, April 18
King of Prussia Sunday to Thursday, April 11-15 and April 18-22 (Fridays and Saturdays excluded)
» READ MORE: Restaurant weeks are making a comeback in the Philly area
Bookmark it
We’ve been answering questions about COVID-19 for many months now, questions like When do I replace my face mask?, Can I get the flu and the coronavirus at the same time? and How can I wear a mask and not fog up my glasses?
We break down all the answers to your questions. And we’ve collected all of our stories at Inquirer.com/covid-tips