Tag: COVID-19 crisis

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Culture Music NYC

KVASIR Unleashes A “STATE” of New York During The Era Of Covid-19

As NYC remains effectively locked down and we grapple with the immensity of a global pandemic, electronic solo artist K V A S I R has unleashed a dynamic new single:

S T A T E.

The droning, hypnotic track wavers back and forth between chanting “New York State” and audio clips from the news addressing the city’s overwhelming Covid-19 crisis. It is timely, unique and moving, for even as of this writing, ambulance sirens wail through Astoria.

The track (and accompanying mesmerising, self-produced video) flows with vibrant, glitchy beats and pulsing arpeggiators. S T A T E  manages to stay modern and fresh without succumbing to more pedestrian tastes of EDM. The video flashes hundreds of images of Gotham, from empty streets to its citizens in masks, in time to the music. The flow of the track is tempered with talking heads droning out their own hypotheses of the “new normal.”

It’s easy to get lost in this mantra, and his approach of image bombardment proves to be an appropriate take on the deluge of news, fake news, pundit opinions, social media feeds, and predatory advertising that pepper our daily multimedia experience.

K V A S I R cites influences from film and television, which is particularly evident on his critically acclaimed debut EP, (K V A S I R ). On this album, Oliver Stone’s Wall Street proved particularly auspicious, inspiring him to also pen the track Exchange. This in turn fed into his ideas behind ‘First Throws’, which reflects on how wealth and greed, brought about by a capitalist society, impact the quiet, introspective moments before we fall asleep.

A fascinating, prescient track for our fair, ailing city. Was the old normal working for everyone? Or is this pandemic ushering in a new state of mind and existence? Only time will tell. Until then, this is a banger.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1QPqLh2CoU

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Categories
Fashion

4 Ways the Coronavirus May Influence How We Dress

4 Ways the Coronavirus May Influence How We Dress

It’s probably safe to say that you’ve been wearing sweatpants, leggings, or even pajamas a lot more often than usual recently. Maybe you’ve even customized your own facemask to wear outdoors. For many people, the statewide lockdown orders have had an influence on how we dress and how we think about clothing. And the way we dress is closely related to our lifestyle choices. As COVID19 changes day-to-day life for millions of people, it might also be set to alter the clothing choices we make. 

In fact, over the centuries, the biggest shifts in fashion trends haven’t come from runways but have rather followed events that have disrupted society on a huge scale, such as wars. The effect of these events has an impact on the economy, supply chains, social behavior, and daily life, often speeding up and normalizing changes that were already underway. 

Dressing Down

The current coronavirus crisis means that many of us get to wear comfortable clothing throughout the day while working from home. This new surge in remote working might lead to even more dressing-down in the workforce once people are able to go back to the office. And it’s nothing new; social standards have loosened over the past few years and comfort and leisure clothing has become more of a priority for fashion shoppers. Hoodies and leggings have become everyday fashion and have even made their way into the office in some industries. And with online sales of tracksuits and sweatpants currently booming, fashion experts believe that the current situation is likely to prolong the strength of athleisure. 

Online Shopping

As clothing stores shut down and more people turn to e-Commerce in order to get their retail therapy, the coronavirus crisis is not only set to impact what we wear but how we get it. In the future, it’s expected that those people who are shopping online more often than ever before nowadays are going to continue that behavior, and we’ll see the recent uptick in online shopping continue. On the other hand, others can’t wait for the retail stores to be open again and there’s likely to be a huge boom in people going out for the shopping trips that they once took for granted once the situation has passed and the lockdown orders are lifted. 

Dressing Up

While working from home for months might normalize the idea of dressing down in many offices around the country once the crisis is over, there’s also expected to be a boom in sales of ‘going out’ clothes and people dressing up once they have the chance to do so again. After months of living in sweatpants and tracksuits, it makes sense that people are going to revel in the chance to get dressed up and enjoy a night out once the bars and clubs reopen again, and there’s expected to be a boom in the sales of party dresses, heels, suits, and other event-style clothing. 

Safety First

Finally, the coronavirus crisis is going to forever change the way we think about protecting our health and keeping germs at bay. After the crisis, there may be an increase in hand-washing stations and the use of hand sanitizing gel in public places like supermarkets. And, it’s also expected to change the way we think about clothing. Many people might go on to wear face masks in public for a long time after the coronavirus crisis has passed, as face masks have never been more important as people realize their use for combating the spread of germs. 

From dressing for comfort to clothing designed for safety, the coronavirus crisis is expected to have a big impact on fashion.  

Categories
Lifestyle Living Wellness

Got the At-Home Blues? Here’s How To Take Care of Your Mental Health

Got the At-Home Blues? Here's How To Take Care of Your Mental Health

Have you noticed family dynamics seem magnified the longer we socially distance? You’re not alone.

 

Families around the world are experiencing unprecedented amounts of time together and, for many of us, the struggle is real.

Have you noticed your family dynamics seem exponentially magnified the longer we socially distance? You’re not alone!

Whether it’s heightened sibling conflict, non-stop bickering, anxious thinking, or adjusting to new routines, many parents feel like they don’t have the necessary tools and resources to get through this period of uninterrupted family time.

Here are six ideas for boosting your mental health while at home with your family:

1. Practice self-care

Self-care can sound like a buzzword for overindulging or emotional numbing. As caregivers, we often find it difficult to prioritize our own needs without feeling guilty or selfish. But we need to change our thinking. After all, our ability to stay centered and balanced during this time of global hardship will be critical to our family’s well-being.

Whether you find something that energizes your mind and body or one that relaxes it, doing a small act of self-care each day can help you feel refreshed and ready to help others.

2. Plan for your child’s energy level

Do you have a high-energy kid who thrives on having places to go and things to do? Or is your child a “homebody” who does best with lots of downtimes? Remember, every child will have a different response to social isolation based on their own unique personality traits, temperament, and energy level. Create a daily routine that matches your child’s natural energy to promote consistently positive behavior.

3. Harness sibling rivalry

Are your children becoming more competitive with each passing day? For many families, sibling rivalry is heightened during this time of togetherness. Rather than trying to stop the competitiveness, parents might encourage a little “friendly competition” such as relay races, scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, or treasure hunts.

If you’re feeling really creative, you might even find ways to incorporate housework into these challenges! (Example: “The first person to put on all their dirty clothes, run to the laundry room, and take off their dirty clothes is the winner!”)

4. Limit children’s exposure to news

For many of us, watching the news helps us feel up-to-date and in control during a time when things are very much out of our control. Although we might be comfortable riding the wave of news briefings and global developments, this can lead to more anxiety and uncertainty in some children.

Be mindful of kids’ exposure to information by limiting the amount of time spent watching the news. Depending on your child’s age and developmental level, one or two check-ins per day should be sufficient. If you want more frequent access to information, consider getting updates online to avoid overwhelming children’s ability to cope with current events.

5. Choose screen time wisely

This is understandably probably not the time you’re cutting back on screen time or video games for your kids. But keep in mind that not all games are created equally.

Games that mimic high-intensity situations (such as theft, war, or survival) can actually produce a fight-or-flight response in children. Instead, consider screen activities that foster connection, learning, movement, or problem-solving. Visit www.commonsensemedia.org for expert reviews and hand-picked lists of quality online entertainment for kids.

6. Get creative

Social distancing is stressful and lonely, especially if you can’t be with your children and loved ones. It is especially important to be creative and stay connected during this period of isolation.

You might consider playing games that can be played across screens. For example, Battleship and Catchphrase can be adapted to play virtually over FaceTime or Skype. Send kids on a scavenger hunt around the house, read them stories, or create art projects together. Bring back old games like Pictionary or Charades, ‘I Spy’ or 20 Questions. The most important thing is to find meaningful ways to connect and engage, even from a distance.

Just like caring for our physical health, mental health requires daily attention. Try out these strategies to see which ones help your family during this time.

Reach out for help if you believe your family needs professional support to manage the stress of the COVID-19 crisis. If you or your child are currently working with a therapist, check to see if they offer online ‘telehealth’ therapy. School counselors and previous therapists can also be a valuable resource during this time. 

For families that don’t have an existing relationship with a counselor, now is a good time to seek help from community mental health centers such as NAMI-National Association for Mental Illness.

By Rachel Heuchert, Conifer Play Therapy as seen in https://lowermanhattan.macaronikid.com/