Pandemic Changed American Life in Some Ways
2022-12-22
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1The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic disease almost three years ago.
2The health crisis greatly changed America in ways temporary and long-lasting.
3Here is a look at some interests that arose among people during the years of restrictive experience.
4During the pandemic, more people learned to play, or returned to playing, a musical instrument.
5For most, the activity was a hobby, something done for pleasure alone.
6Bob Dorobis of Middletown, New Jersey, is an example.
7After a long break from music, he worked hard to improve his guitar technique during the pandemic.
8Now, the 70-year-old software developer is looking forward to more music time in retirement.
9"When your fingerpicking sounds good it's very rewarding," he said.
10"I finally realized the only way for me to like it better is to learn it better."
11During the pandemic, a lot of people started exercising - mainly running, bicycle riding, and walking.
12Beth Lehman is a childcare worker in Greenville, New York.
13She got on a bike for the first time in years with the children she cares for.
14Now, the whole family she works for rides bikes with her, including a grandfather in his 80s.
15"I faked confidence," she said of taking to two wheels again.
16During the pandemic, more Americans got more involved with their neighbors and communities.
17Many began to help old people.
18Neighborhoods organized assistance for them, including snow removal, food deliveries and transportation to medical visits.
19Lisa and Larry Neula in Sacramento, California, shared their musical talents with their neighbors.
20Lisa is a former competitor and teacher of Hawaiian dance.
21Larry is a singer with the Lim Family, a Hawaiian traditional music group.
22The couple performed just outside their house for gatherings of their neighbors during the pandemic.
23They continue the events to this day.
24"If you get one person who shows they want to be social, then the other people catch on.
25It gets to be contagious," Lisa said.
26"I don't want to take all the credit, but it makes me a better person."
27As indoor public gatherings became impossible, outdoor activities became more popular.
28Gardening, for example, was a way to get some extra exercise and grow fresh food.
29"Now, I rarely watch TV," said Kelly Flor-Robinson from Bethany Beach, Delaware.
30Sports such as pickleball added players.
31Its fan base grew so large, the demand for playing time was bigger than court capacity in some places.
32The situation for golf was similar.
33In Maplewood, New Jersey, Matthew Peyton and his son, Julian, worked on their golf games together.
34Julian now works in a sports shop and is learning about college golf programs.
35"So there I am. Single dad with a 15-year-old, active teenage boy who won't be going to school for two years," Matthew said.
36"We don't know what's safe. We don't touch door knobs or go to the store. But the golf course is our refuge. You're 300 yards away from anyone else all by yourself. It's like a private oasis."
37American shopping also changed. Curbside pickup and food delivery exploded in popularity.
38Both are still important for some people who once liked to visit stores.
39"I used to enjoy food shopping, but this saves so much time and overspending on my part so I stuck with it," said Amanda Sheronas Spencer in Malvern, Pennsylvania.
40She added, "If I do go in person, I have to stick to my list, which is difficult for a person who loves food and cooking!"
41I'm Ashley Thompson. And I'm John Russell.
1The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic disease almost three years ago. The health crisis greatly changed America in ways temporary and long-lasting. 2Here is a look at some interests that arose among people during the years of restrictive experience. 3Musical instruments 4During the pandemic, more people learned to play, or returned to playing, a musical instrument. 5For most, the activity was a hobby, something done for pleasure alone. 6Bob Dorobis of Middletown, New Jersey, is an example. After a long break from music, he worked hard to improve his guitar technique during the pandemic. Now, the 70-year-old software developer is looking forward to more music time in retirement. 7"When your fingerpicking sounds good it's very rewarding," he said. "I finally realized the only way for me to like it better is to learn it better." 8Exercise 9During the pandemic, a lot of people started exercising - mainly running, bicycle riding, and walking. 10Beth Lehman is a childcare worker in Greenville, New York. She got on a bike for the first time in years with the children she cares for. Now, the whole family she works for rides bikes with her, including a grandfather in his 80s. 11"I faked confidence," she said of taking to two wheels again. 12Neighborly kindness 13During the pandemic, more Americans got more involved with their neighbors and communities. 14Many began to help old people. Neighborhoods organized assistance for them, including snow removal, food deliveries and transportation to medical visits. 15Lisa and Larry Neula in Sacramento, California, shared their musical talents with their neighbors. Lisa is a former competitor and teacher of Hawaiian dance. Larry is a singer with the Lim Family, a Hawaiian traditional music group. 16The couple performed just outside their house for gatherings of their neighbors during the pandemic. They continue the events to this day. 17"If you get one person who shows they want to be social, then the other people catch on. It gets to be contagious," Lisa said. "I don't want to take all the credit, but it makes me a better person." 18Sports and gardening 19As indoor public gatherings became impossible, outdoor activities became more popular. 20Gardening, for example, was a way to get some extra exercise and grow fresh food. "Now, I rarely watch TV," said Kelly Flor-Robinson from Bethany Beach, Delaware. 21Sports such as pickleball added players. Its fan base grew so large, the demand for playing time was bigger than court capacity in some places. 22The situation for golf was similar. 23In Maplewood, New Jersey, Matthew Peyton and his son, Julian, worked on their golf games together. Julian now works in a sports shop and is learning about college golf programs. 24"So there I am. Single dad with a 15-year-old, active teenage boy who won't be going to school for two years," Matthew said. "We don't know what's safe. We don't touch door knobs or go to the store. But the golf course is our refuge. You're 300 yards away from anyone else all by yourself. It's like a private oasis." 25Shopping 26American shopping also changed. Curbside pickup and food delivery exploded in popularity. Both are still important for some people who once liked to visit stores. 27"I used to enjoy food shopping, but this saves so much time and overspending on my part so I stuck with it," said Amanda Sheronas Spencer in Malvern, Pennsylvania. 28She added, "If I do go in person, I have to stick to my list, which is difficult for a person who loves food and cooking!" 29I'm Ashley Thompson. And I'm John Russell. 30Leanne Italie reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. 31_______________________________________________________________ 32Words in This Story 33improve - v. to become better 34fingerpicking - n. a way of playing a guitar with the thumb and tips of the fingers 35fake - v. to make (something) seem real or true in order to trick someone 36oasis - n. an area in a desert where there is water and plants 37curbside pickup- n. to get something brought to your car when it is parked near a curb - a short border along the edge of a street 38delivery - n. the act of taking something to a person or place