In stressful times, laughter can be the best medicine

Date: 4/2/2020

So how much COVID-19 news can you take? That’s a question my staff and I ask about you and about us. COVID-19 is a huge story – perhaps the biggest in the way it has affected the majority of Americans since the 2008 financial crash – but our charge has been to cover it from a distance. That’s not always easy.

The difficulty for the press today is covering something other than COVID-19. Local governments aren’t doing much. Kids are at home and out of school. There are no events and no communal entertainment. Senior centers are closed, as have libraries and museums.

We have been trying to cover this story from different angles to keep you engaged and to keep us from burning out.

This is why I was so happy to do a story about the return of an iconic Chicopee-made product – Blue Seal Kielbasa. The COVID-19 part of the story was minimal. It’s a great local story of a 100 year-old company coming back after the damage caused by a burst water main.

People clearly need diversion. The Los Angeles Times recently reported the apps for streaming services Roku and Pluto have jumped in demand and popularity.

We’ve presented stories about streaming services, podcasting and gaming – all activities in which many people can indulge. We will do more such stories in order to share options for entertainment.

Last night, after a day of on-going group chats between staff members, I was at my COVID-19 limit. I really didn’t want to watch local TV news and I certainly didn’t want to see another presidential press conference during which the president makes remarks that are medically inaccurate and irresponsible.

So, instead I watched a film that I inexplicably hadn’t seen before: The Marx Brothers’ “A Day at the Races.”  This was their 1937 follow-up to “A Night at the Opera,” their comeback film after losing their contract at Paramount.  .

A film starring comedians long since gone got me through an evening with no mention of COVID-19. Thank you Groucho, Harpo and Chico.

W.C Fields, Buster Keaton and the Firesign Theater are up next.

Keeping our perspective is essential during this time. We need respite from the news. I’m not saying ignoring what is going on. I’m suggesting making sure the crisis isn’t the only thing going on in your life.

I know that can be a tall order considering COVID-19 has cost people their jobs and made their lives perilous. As Gov. Charlie Baker said, “These are uncertain times.”

If you can watch your favorite movie or TV show and drift away for a few hours that may be a very good idea.

Staff Writer Sarah Heinonen has been adding to our needed distraction with a series of jokes. Now part of their charm is that Sarah clearly not only enjoys their corniness, but also delights in sharing them with us. We love her enthusiasm.

Here are samples:

• How much money does a pirate pay for corn? A buccaneer!

• What’s the difference between a poorly dressed man on a unicycle and a well-dressed man on a bicycle? Attire.

• I got hit in the head with a book. I only have my shelf to blame!

If you’ve a good joke, send them to news@thereminder.com.