28 LEISURE Consumer
Rules for playdates during
the Covid-19 crisisHow to entertain kids while
‘quarantined’How to talk to kids about
the coronavirus
Age 4 or below: Toddlers are too young to
grasp the nature of the health threat, experts
say, so don’t try to explain. Instead, project
calm and teach them to properly wash their
hands, saying we all do so to stay healthy.
If they ask about emptying grocery shelves,
tell them others are concerned about having
enough but that you have all you need.
Ages 5 to 10: Grade-school kids are more
ready for explanations, so help them get
perspective. They need to know this is a pass-
ing crisis, not doomsday, and you shouldn’t
make dark jokes and trust they’ll hear the
sarcasm. If they’re fearful, ask what they’ve
heard so you can address those fears.
Ages 11 to 15: Some tweens will be deeply
worried; others will resist having to stay in
when feeling healthy. Tell them this: “I know
you want to hang out with your friends. But
we’re part of a community, and we have to
protect others in our community.”
Source: The New York TimesQConsider the risks. Though social distanc-
ing is crucial to limiting the spread of the
coronavirus, children tend to be at low risk
for serious symptoms, and when out of
school, they do need to socialize. “If none
of your family members is at high risk, then
playdates are probably fine.”
QKeep the numbers low. Limit playdates to
two or three kids, and, when possible, keep
the kids outdoors to lower the risk. Indoor
birthday parties with a lot of people of vari-
ous ages are not recommended.
QTalk to other parents. Make clear you’re
comfortable with a playdate only if their
child doesn’t have a cough, and ask to be
told of symptoms arising later. You should
do the same for the other family.
QSanitize play spaces. Before the playdate,
wipe down toys, doorknobs, and light
switches. And have both children wash their
hands before and after play begins.
Source: The New York TimesQKeep a schedule. With schools shut, it’s
tempting to let kids park in front of the TV.
But unstructured days can be a source of
stress. Try using a dry-erase board to post an
agenda: reading time, playtime, naps, etc.
QAssign chores. Children as young as 3
often enjoy sharing adults’ responsibilities,
such as fetching and sorting laundry. Have
them assist with meal prep too.
QEncourage video-chatting. “Kids’ lives
rotate around social gatherings,” and apps
such as FaceTime and Zoom can help them
keep in touch with friends. Video-chatting can
also foster collaborative play—if, say, two kids
want to draw together and share their work.
QPromote artistry. Short on sketchbooks?
“Pillage your closet”: Old magazines and
wrapping paper can be collage materials.
QFind time-consuming toys. Puzzles and
board games are great, and Legos encour-
age imaginative play that can last hours.
Source: Wired.comThe best of...ebikes
Know the symptoms
The most common symptoms of Covid-19
are a fever, a dry cough, and difficulty
breathing, though some patients also
experience diarrhea, nausea, and vomit-
ing. Do not assume you are virus-free and
noncontagious if you haven’t yet shown
symptoms, but for now, seek testing only if
you are symptomatic or have been in con-
tact with someone who has tested positive.
Seek medical attention immediately if your
symptoms include persistent chest pain,
confusion, or a bluish face or lips.Call your doctor
If you have a fever, dry cough, or otherworrisome symptoms, your doctor can de-
termine whether you should be tested. Test
kits are currently hard to come by in many
areas, but you can expect a test in which a
swab is inserted in one nostril, with results
after a wait of a few days. If you are told to
visit a doctor’s office or ER, call ahead so
that staff can take precautions, and wear
a kerchief or respiratory mask to contain
your cough. Don’t bother with masks if
you’re not sick, because there’s a nation-
wide shortage and health-care workers
need them.Self-quarantine
Most people who contract the virus willrecover without intervention, so if you’re
not considered high-risk and don’t require
urgent medical attention, stay home and
self-isolate for at least two weeks, avoid-
ing even the people you live with. Stay in
your own bedroom, and ideally, use your
own bathroom. Wash your hands often,
only grab food when no one else is in the
kitchen, and disinfect any surfaces you
touch. Drink lots of water, sleep as much
as possible, run a humidifier, and manage
symptoms with over-the-counter cough
suppressants and fever reducers such as
Tylenol. Your doctor can tell you when
you’re no longer contagious.
Sources: CDC.gov and Vox.comCoronavirus basics: What to do if you think you’re infected
Gazelle Ultimate T10
“The ultimate commuter
ebike,” this Dutch model
can’t compete on price
with some rivals. And its
motor won’t top 20 mph
without pedal assist.
But it offers an unusu-
ally smooth ride and
comes standard with
all the essentials: lights,
fenders, a rack, an inte-
grated lock. Besides, “it
looks fantastic.”
$3,799, gazellebikes.com
Source: DigitalTrends.comSwagCycle EB-5 Pro
If you’re only willing
to pay $500, you can’t
beat the foldable Swag
Cycle. It weighs just
37 pounds, can be used
as a reliable commuter
bike, and will fold neatly
into your vehicle trunk
to take on adventures.
It’ll touch 15mph on
electric power and
adjusts easily to any
rider’s size.
$500, swagcycle.com
Source: Byways.comOrbea Gain
Because of high-end
machines like this one,
veteran road cyclists
are learning to embrace
ebikes. Weighing in at
under 26 pounds, it
rides like a standard
road bike but hides a
250-watt motor. “More
riding, more speed,
more fun—what’s not
to like?”
From $4,299, orbea.com
Source: OutsideOnline.comRad Power Bikes
RadRunner
Though it’s heavy and
its pedals are plastic,
the bike that Domino’s
chose for pizza deliver-
ies is a great all-round
ebike. Seattle-built,
the RadRunner “has
that magic blend of
affordability and useful-
ness,” and its powerful
75-watt motor “eats
hills alive.”
$1,299, radpowerbikes.com
Source: Wired.com-Super73-Z1
Though not the first of
its kind, this minibike-
inspired charmer
played a big role in
fueling a craze. The Z1
is Super73’s entry-level
model, with a low,
nonadjustable seat. But
at a reasonable price,
it’ll have you out with
everyone else who’s
cruising, from the
streets to the beaches.
$1,395, super73.com
Source: Elektrek.co