Wait A Minute, Mister Postman … Is That Thing Sanitized?

How to get through the day with kids and stay sane.

By Jill Hudson and Suzette Lohmeyer Welcome to The New Normal, NPR’s daily newsletter about the coronavirus pandemic. We hope this newsletter provides useful information to help get us through whatever comes next. Tomorrow is the last day you will automatically receive this newsletter, so please subscribe by clicking here. Hang in there, friends. We’re in this together. — Jill and Suzette Peter Cottontail might be able to hop his way down the bunny trail come Easter if President Trump has his way. The president told Fox News on Tuesday he hopes the United States can begin to get back to normal by April 12 — a target date that’s far sooner than other milestones set by officials in various places around the country."Wouldn't it be great to have all of the churches full,” Trump said, noting churches had been forced to move online due to social distancing guidelines. "You're going to have packed churches all over our country. I think it would be a beautiful time.” The postman always … wears gloves and a mask? Many U. S. postal workers say they're not receiving the training or supplies they need to deal safely with the coronavirus. They fear becoming carriers of another kind — catching and unwittingly spreading the virus. At a time when millions of Americans have lost their jobs at restaurants, hotels and airlines, a few large companies are actually on a hiring spree. People still need food and medicines, after all. Supermarkets such as Kroger and Albertsons, pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, convenience and discount stores like Dollar General and 7-Eleven, and retail giants like Amazon and Walmart are adding thousands of workers around the country.  More and more, the news is beginning to read like fiction. Based on the (pretty extensive) research he’s done for his books, apocalyptic auteur Max Brooks (author of World War Z, Germ Warfare and the forthcoming novel Devolution) told Terry Gross that the U.S. government did not react quickly or forcefully enough to quell the real-life pandemic. “I think there are massive gaps in our systems that are being exposed right now, which, by the way, this is not news to the experts.” NPR Music’s Tiny Desk is on temporary coronavirus furlough, but a few talented musicians are ready and willing to perform from their quarantined safe spaces. This week, we’re starting with Soccer Mommy. We’re calling it Tiny Desk (Home). Let us know whom/who you’d love to see play a Tiny Desk (Home) concert?   South Agency/Getty Images Anyone else failing miserably at homeschooling their kids? We started out very Dumbledore, but now we’re definitely heading toward Snape — maybe even a little Umbridge. Thankfully, NPR’s Life Kit waived their WFH wands and conjured up six essential tips to help your kids stay engaged and you stay sane.  Have a question about the coronavirus pandemic? Beginning Monday, The National Conversation with All Things Considered will have experts answer your queries about everything related to the COVID-19 outbreak.  Noah Kalina Ever wonder what the world would look like deserted? Photographer Noah Kalina’s webcam screenshot of the Trevi Fountain — usually packed to the brim with locals and tourists — is completely empty. It is just one of the many places he highlights on Twitter. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: thenewnormal@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Best of NPR emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy