The kids are back to school this week, but, alas, still at home. Here are seven things to do that may help stave off boredom and perhaps even count as real educational opportunities. At minimum, you may come out of social distancing with a few new skills.
1. Learn to bake. Turn your Great British Bake Off fantasies into a semi-risen reality with online baking instruction. Let’s face it, when are you going to have this kind of time again to knead and rise your dough? One of our favorites: https://www.kingarthurflour.com/learn
2. Finally start that garden you’ve been dreaming of or rehab the one you have. The Cooperative Extension brings back its popular annual “Grow Your Own!” classes, this time online. Check out the full schedule and register here: https://thisisreno.com/2020/03/cooperative-extension-brings-grow-your-own-classes-online
3. Attend a virtual story time. Washoe County Library this week launches a virtual story time via Facebook. Join the group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/washoevirtualstorytime/?source_id=91396597006. And get more reading time in – with Betty White. Storyline Online offers dozens of titles read by celebrated actors and accompanied by illustrations, all on demand. Visit https://www.storylineonline.net/
4. Learn a language. American Sign Language is having another moment thanks in part to Nigel Howard, whose next level interpretation for Canadian officials has gone viral. You can start learning sign language online at http://www.signlanguage101.com/.
5. Take your floor routine beyond the sprinkler and the running man. The Peloton app is offering 90 days free and just added cardio dance to their lineup of online workouts. Bonus, you can use the app with the Amazon Fire Stick – family workouts! Sign up at https://www.onepeloton.com/app
6. Make a travel bucket list. Break out a world map and start plotting out all the places you’d like to go, sights to see, and foods to try. We may be experiencing some dark times now, but it won’t last forever, and planning for the future may bring hope and enliven your spirits. Bonus: we think this activity counts as geography class for your kids.
7. Coronavirus haiku. And, go!
This Is Reno’s COVID-19 news coverage
City Council approves spending extra $70 million for water purification project
Reno City Council members on Wednesday approved a $70 million bond to provide additional funding for the American Flat Advanced Purified Water Project.
State announces updated COVID-19 vaccines now available
Nevadans can now get the updated COVID-19 vaccines to protect against the new strains of the disease, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday.
America’s Frontline Doctors, Nev. doctor face court defeats over hydroxychloroquine death (updated)
America’s Frontline Doctors and a Nev. doctor, Medina Culver, have faced two court losses after being sued by a Sparks man’s family for wrongful death.
Northern Nevada sees spikes in Covid-19 hospitalizations as feds end free vaccines
Across the country, there’s been an increase in Covid-19 hospital admissions, emergency department visits, and positive tests.
200,000 Nevadans will need to re-qualify for Medicaid as pandemic provision winds down
An estimated 200,000 Medicaid recipients will need to re-qualify for eligibility starting April 1 or risk losing health care benefits as Nevada begins to wind down a pandemic-era provision.
Vegas physician, America’s Frontline Doctors sued after Washoe County man died from hydroxychloroquine
The estate of Jeremy Parker last week sued the anti-vaccination, right-wing group America’s Frontline Doctors for alleged wrongful death. Dr. Medina Culver, an osteopathic physician and Instagram influencer based in Henderson, Nevada, is also named in the case.
County: Respiratory viruses pose ‘triple threat’ in community
Officials at the Washoe County Health District said the region is seeing a respiratory illness “triple threat” with cases of COVID-19, RSV and influenza on the rise.
RSV, COVID increasing across Washoe County
Respiratory illnesses including RSV, short for respiratory syncytial virus, and COVID-19 are increasing in Washoe County based on the latest case counts and forecasting from wastewater data studies.
Health District: Prepare for flu season
Flu season is starting now and it’s time to get the flu vaccine, according to Washoe County Health Officer Kevin Dick.
New COVID-19 boosters available, monkeypox vaccine event nearly full
Washoe County Health District officials this week said the new bivalent COVID-19 booster is available in the community and encouraged locals to get their dose.
