FIRST WORD
Keep Calm and Stay Active
PJ Feinstein
Managing Editor
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Let us know what’s on your mind.
info@washingtonfamily.com THEY SAY TO WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW.
Well, I don’t know anything about living through
a global pandemic. The speed at which COVID-19
is spreading and the growing number of people it is
affecting has left me at a loss for words. Not being
able to articulate my thoughts is an uncomfortable
feeling for an editor; worrying about the health and
safety of my family and friends is even worse.
As I struggle to write this editor’s letter from my
bedroom, my children are downstairs in the kitchen
attempting some schoolwork. Today is the first day
of statewide school closures, one way local govern-
ments are trying to mitigate the spread of this new
coronavirus. Events have been cancelled. Birthday
parties are being postponed. We’re all hunkering
down at home, as we’ve been asked to do.
When we started working on our April issue, which
is all about sports, we never could have imagined that
instead of driving our kids to soccer practice, we’d
be practicing social distancing. That instead of being
concerned about our favorite team not having the
home-field advantage, we’d be wondering how to
homeschool our kids for the foreseeable future. That
gyms, karate studios and community pools would be
shutting their doors and professional sports leagues
would be postponing their seasons.
Sports may not be happening at the moment, but
that doesn’t mean we have to sit still. We shouldn’t be
visiting playgrounds right now, but we can take walks
around the neighborhood with our family. We can have
a catch in the yard or do yoga with our kids. Physical
activity increases serotonin in the brain, leading to feel-
ings of happiness and well-being, which is exactly what
we all need during this scary and stressful time.
Inside this issue, you’ll find stories about sports,
including an article on family-friendly ways to enjoy
local baseball. Clip it and save it for later. Hopefully
we’ll be able to root, root, root for the home team
sometime this season.
Until then, keep washing your hands, practicing
social distancing and getting some activity into
your day.
Stay healthy, friends. ■
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