Distancing season: Making the most of it
The hunt for fitness equipment
“Today, buying new dumbbells and weight benches is practically impossible,” said Roy Wallack in the Los Angeles Times. In the months since gyms closed and everyone started exercising at home, supply chains of fitness equipment have mostly run dry. Bike shops are sold out, too. “The solution: Go online and buy used stuff.” In addition to general sites such as Craigslist, OfferUp.com, and LetGo .com, you can scour bicycle-specific sites such as BikeExchange.com and BicycleBlueBook .com. Some sellers ship, but “try before you buy” and “avoid committing to a price without seeing the item.” Don’t write off a listing because of a bad photo, though: “Buyers can score great deals by scrutinizing, and lowballing, quality gear that has been poorly staged.”
How Covid survivors can save lives
When I finally tested positive for Covid-19 antibodies—months after I’d fought through an unconfirmed case of the illness—“it felt like a gift,” said Margaret Renkl in The New York Times. Having antibodies means being able to help other people by donating my antibodyrich plasma. Donating is simple: It takes just a couple of hours and is “no more painful than a needle stick.” You can read more about the process at RedCross.org and DonatingPlasma .org. The plasma is currently given directly to patients only in emergency situations, but some will be used in trials or stockpiled for wider use if trials prove the treatment’s efficacy and scalable vaccines don’t emerge. My last donation became a joyful event because I was watching a friend’s wedding via Zoom while I was hooked to the apheresis machine. Joy? Yes—“there is finally a way to help.”
Your chance to be a bird’s best friend
Fall’s migration season is reminding many bird lovers that injuries are part of the routine, said Purbita Saha in Popular Science. Small birds often become disoriented in cities and collide with windows. But if you come across one, you can help. Grasp the fallen bird gently around the body to place it in a soft paper bag so you can transport the bird to where it won’t be stepped on or attacked by a pet. Many birds are simply stunned and will recover if given time in a dark, quiet place. “Every species has a different diet, so don’t try to feed it,” especially with bread. Once the bird stirs, bring the bag to a wooded area and set the open bag down on its side. If the bird can’t fly, call a local animal control agency or look for a wildlife rehabilitator via DiscoverWildCare.org.