Walter Shapiro
My social media: @MrWalterShapiro
Current city, state, country: New York, New York, USA
My profession: Political Journalist
Describe your daily routine before the pandemic and during: Not too much different since I'm a writer who mostly works at home. I was covering the 2020 presidential campaign, but that was effectively over about the time that Covid-19 hit. Obviously, the biggest change is not going to restaurants, seeing friends or going to the theater. These days, I stay in my apartment building on the Upper West Side of Manhattan (which fortunately has a large courtyard which I use for exercise by walking laps). We're eating well (my wife makes periodic trips outside for food, all from farmer's markets and small neighborhood shops), binge watch Danish and Swedish TV series (with subtitles) and counting the days.
This pandemic makes me feel like: That I'm going through something that I could never have imagined. It also teaches me that I can handle a long sentence of house arrest.
This pandemic makes me think: That 2020 will be a lost year in my life, but I have high hopes for 2021.
This pandemic makes me hope/pray for: That we will have a normal baseball season in 2021.
If I had Three Wishes: They are all focused on one thing -- If Trump and the federal government had shut down things in February and gotten ahead of the virus.
What I think of the government’s response: Is there a word worse than terrible as far as the Trump administration is concerned? Andrew Cuomo has been good, but slower to act than his counterparts on the West Coast.
Recommendations for TV shows, movies, books or podcasts: Two TV shows that we're watching: "The Restaurant" (Swedish) and "Herrens Veje" ("Ride Upon the Storm"). Both are great character dramas without car chases or shoot-outs. I am also reading the final installment of Hillary Mantel's "Wolf Hall" trilogy. When you have characters locked in the Tower of London awaiting execution by Henry VIII, it puts my current restlessness in perspective.
Before this pandemic, my plans for the next 6 months were: Keep covering the 2020 campaign for the New Republic. Probably going to Europe in May while my wife did book research. Heading to Martha's Vineyard in August. And following every step of the baseball season.
Predictions for when this will get better/end: I am assuming the 2020 will be mostly a lost year.
What I have in my fridge/freezer and pantry: Only things that I have worried (unduly) about running out of were garlic, olive oil and high-end butter. We are well stocked with two cases of wine, ample Plymouth gin and vermouth.
Ways I’m coping: Realize that this will eventually end. And food will taste better in restaurants, seeing friends will be even more enjoyable and time at the beach will be even more glorious.
General advice/thoughts/anxieties to share with others: Let me recommend Maureen McGovern singing the upbeat title song ("There's Got To Be a Morning After") from the 1972 disaster epic, "The Poseidon Adventure."