Boomers to blame

Yesterday’s Presidential Covid 19 press conference involved some Millennial shaming. Not about avocado toast, but because apparently they aren’t staying inside (and frankly, this seems like more of a Gen Z issue). 

As a Gen Xer, I couldn’t help but take a little glee during this dark time when I noticed my generation trending on Twitter over the weekend because we’re the latchkey generation who knows how to stay the F home. Not to gloat, but Gen X can take or leave the internet without being bored. Because we grew up without it, but also, (mostly) couldn’t have built our careers without it.

Meanwhile, I’m texting with my friends and family to see how they’re holding up, and it seems the boomers are the ones to blame (with the possible exception of Mel Brooks but I think we might have his son to thank).

Quarantine quagmire

I had to talk my 70+, cancer-surviving, Iowa-dwelling mom into canceling her April trip to Vegas (before all the casinos closed). This is a place she’s never really wanted to visit but was begrudgingly checking off her bucket list. The good news: she got all but $4 back and those dollars are going to our national parks. Today, because it was raining out, she thought “mall walking” would be a good activity. I talked her out of that, too, but not before she went to three grocery stores because of “recipes” (not food shortages as you might think). While I applaud her fresh produce consumption, the woman has the most epically stocked pantry I’ve ever seen even when we’re not suffering a pandemic. Oh, and she’s trying to get Admiral Mike Franken elected to the Iowa Senate (admirable!); her first idea was to just bring a lot of hand sanitizer to the event she was hosting at a 100+ capacity union hall. I was on board until social distancing seemed like the only thing that could save us all. One daughter-approved activity she’s been partaking in is nature drives along the Mississippi River to spot bald eagles. 

Ok, maybe that whole last paragraph is humble brag about how great and involved my mom is. So, don’t take my inner circle’s word for it, there’s always this tweet. 

What to tell boomers (and others) that will help them stay home

1. Let Boomers Shop First: Since boomers are one of the most at-risk groups for the virus, most major grocers and big box stores are implementing new hours so the elderly can shop first. Here’s a roundup of a few: Target, Whole Foods, Jewel/Osco, Safeway. 

2. Workout Inside: Instead of “mall walking” when it’s raining, why not do the stairs in your own house? Or, try a free workout video from your living room. I’m a fan of Yoga with Adrienne, Fitness Blender, and The Wellness Flow. Plus, if you’re a Class Pass member mourning the closure of all your fitness studios, the good news is that they’re rolling over all your credits, not charging you for the classes you can’t take anyway and posting some pretty great fitness vids. 

3. Learn a new skill: With everyone on lockdown, we’re in for a creative renaissance. And some of your favorite creators are there to inspire your inner artist. You and your kids can doodle with children’s book superstar Mo Willems, draw with artist Wendy Mac, and join a daily origami live stream. Or, why not take a dance class with Debbie Allen or learn a language. 

4. Take in a show: Did you know Gen X hero, Ben Gibbard, is live streaming music from his home every day? The Death Cab for Cutie frontman and Postal Service founder provides the perfect combination of and and sweetness that we need to get through this.

5. Cook Something Else: If your recipe calls for something you don’t have at home, you’ve hopefully stockpiled enough food at this point to make a variety of other dishes. Your veggies will be the first to go, so perhaps pickle a few of them and use them for a delicious homemade banh mi. I’ve also been saving all of my ends and stems from previously used veggies to make a vegetable stock, which can be used to make a myriad of other dishes.