Steve Martaindale

Accept that for a short while we are not able to have such wonderful times as pictured here. (Trust me, the curmudgeonly looking chap in the middle is faking; he had a blast.) In that case, what are the lessons we’ve gathered during our coronavirus lockdown?

When life gives you lemons … at least try to learn something from the experience, especially if said lemon shipment comes with a large side order of sitting around time. Without further ado, and with the assistance of online friends where noted, here is an early draft of “Things we’re learning from our coronavirus experiences”:

* Just how long 20 seconds can seem.

* That movie plot lines of politicians ignoring scientists and putting entire populations in jeopardy are … well … not all that far-fetched.

* How to plant a victory garden, as well as deciding if neighbors will protest against chickens in the backyard. (contributed by Ryan E)

* Our individual limits to watching sci-fi movies.

* We’re not nearly as self-reliant as we thought we were.

* The people who apparently thought washing hands after using the rest room was optional.

* The number of times one can hum “Happy birthday” after it gets stuck in the brain. (contributed by Marti B)

* How essential are services provided by people paid poverty wages.

* The entertainment factor of Americans suddenly mustering the courage to learn how to ride a bike or play tennis. (contributed by James M)

* How ignorant of science and medicine are many elected officials.

* How many minutes we can watch of daily press briefings before screaming. (contributed by Judy B)

* The weakness of the excuse “I don’t have time” for all those honey-dos. (contributed by Pinky S)

* Practical understanding of personal space.

* That it takes as long to run to the store for a loaf of bread as it does to bake one. (contributed by Jennie R)

* How texting to family and friends takes on a whole new meaning. (contributed by Gail G)

* Inventive ways to make a mask, such as making one out of a koozie. (contributed by Tina M)

* What those burners are for on the range.

* Learning to be more understanding of others. (contributed by Janis B)

* The art of growing a furlough beard. (contributed by Lloyd S)

* The privilege of saying goodbye.

* The great benefits of having a dog. (contributed by Connie B)

* To what extent online “television” has expanded.

* The depth of the saying, “When you have the money, you never have the time; when you have the time, you never have the money.” (contributed by Roxanne H)

Like I said, this is an early draft. What did we miss?