1. Only the lonely
Months of quarantine and shelter-in-place restrictions are making more people feel lonely. Since loneliness may weaken the immune system, check out these ways to improve your mood and stay in good health.
2. Show me the money!
Just because the second stimulus check was sent doesn't mean those who were supposed to get it actually received it in full or at all. There are many different reasons for the hold up. Go to the IRS "Get My Payment" portal so you can check the status of your payment and get more information. If you used TurboTax or H&R Block, you might have to contact them as well.
3. Talk with the hand
Mask wearing has made it incredibly challenging for those who are hard of hearing and rely on lip-reading. If you want to learn how to communicate via American Sign Language, there are a number of resources, many of them free of charge, to get you started.
4. Hunger relief
Millions of Americans, including an estimated 17 million children, are facing hunger as a result of the pandemic. If you or someone you love is struggling, enter your zip code into the Feeding America lookup tool to find food banks in your area. You can also search by state on FoodPantries.org.
5. Cats don't understand social distancing
Lockdown? Pffft! Frisky kitties are still catting around and multiplying like crazy. In Los Angeles, many of these critters end up at Santé D’Or Foundation needing all kinds of medical help. Learn how you can adopt or help aid life-saving efforts.
6. Skip the app
Covid-19 hit the restaurant industry hard. Closures were one thing, but then delivery apps swooped in like schoolyard bullies who claim to take care of you only if you'll pay up. Establishments in Boston and other locations beg lawmakers for caps on the fees. In Chicago, Cleveland, and Denver, Doordash hit back with additional fees after they were capped. Now owners and employees say the best way to help them survive is to order directly from your favorite restaurant.
7. Film freebies
There's no need to pay for expensive streaming services if you've got a library card from any public library in the U.S. Simply type your card number into Kanopy and watch hours of documentaries, international films, and popular films.
