Kids are out of school, events are being canceled, and you're at your wits end trying to figure out what to do -- while avoiding the flu. Luckily, we have a few ideas and their risk levels to help you out.
Clear Your DVR: Nobody has enough time to watch everything anymore, so this self-imposed public avoidance might be the right time to clean out your recorded shows -- catching up on the ones you're behind on, tuning in to the one that everyone is watching but you. Just remember to get up and move during some commercial breaks instead of fast forwarding through every one.
Pull a Tim Allen: It's a perfect time for home improvements, as you don't have to expose yourself to that many folks to buy paint. Try looking up some colors on-line and planning what you'll need before heading to the hardware store -- then close yourself up in the hizzle and drizzle some color on those bleak walls.
Sort Your Stuff: That junk room has to go. Sort your collection of vintage National Geographics into a box ready for the dumpster, or the auction block on-line. Not only can you make some dough from your old, unused junk (like CDs, DVDs, Books, and exercise equipment) you'll also have more space for that padded room you'll need after a week with the kids out of school.
Game On!: Not every game has to be single-player. Pull the family together for an analog adventure with some board games, or grab an extra controller for multiplayer action on the new video game system the kids just HAD to have this past holiday season. And hey, games aren't just for kids -- organizing a couples' game night could be a lot of fun, too.
DVD FTW: Abuse that Netflix or Blockbuster Online membership and watch all those movies you'd always said you'd watch. Try pulling up one of AFI's Best Of lists for suggestions. Of course, you can pull the same routine with a brick and mortar store, but, as former video store employees, we'd recommend going with the "ship to your door" methods -- selection is better and MANY less hands have touched that disc.
Zoo For You: Both Fort Worth and Dallas Zoos are staying open (as of when this article was written), and though they're likely to draw crowds, we think it's safer than some other places you could be. Both zoos have plenty of space to thin out large groups of people, and we've seen Purell dispensers around many exhibits, should you feel the need to sanitize your hands.
Band Together: Form a rock band (or a Rock Band band) for some musical fun, or get the old one back together. Weekend warriors might want to use this time to gather the kids in one location for a XBOX 360 Rock Band while the adults bust out Journey covers in the garage. Don't stop believing...
Revive the Playgroup: You might have relied on that co-op or playgroup when the kids were toddling -- now is the perfect time to revive that team to blunt the burden of kids at home. Face it, you've been living and working without worrying about day care for some time, so why not pool resources to keep plates juggling? If each member only has to take one day off from work to watch everyone's youngsters, that could mitigate everyone's child care needs.
Of course, most of the other things you'd like to do (go to the mall, see a movie, eat at a restaurant, rock out at a concert) are definitely available -- but take these precautions; wash those hands, don't touch eyes or nose if possible, and absolutely stay home if you're feeling under the weather.
Have other ideas? Share them with others in the comments field below.
