Monday, June 8, 2020 Shawwal 16, 1441 AH

Doha today 330 - 420

Cover Story In a maelstrom Racism, unrest and police brutality. Is America living 1968 all over again? P4-5

Hollywood Back Page

Summer TV preview: 15 new Meditating during shows we can’t wait to see. Covid-19. Page 14 Page 16 2 GULF TIMES Monday, June 8, 2020 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

SERIES TO BINGE WATCH ON NETFLIX

PRAYER TIME Fajr 3.12am Shorooq (sunrise) 4.44am Zuhr (noon) 11.34am Asr (afternoon) 2.58pm Maghreb (sunset) 6.25pm Isha (night) 7.55pm

USEFUL NUMBERS Gossip Girl (Leighton Meester) is the toast of the adolescent population DIRECTION: Stephanie Savage, Josh Schwartz of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, envied by her friends and the CAST: Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Chace adversary of many fellow rich girls. Crawford, Kelly Rutherford, Ed Westwick Her ideal world begins to collapse, however, when her SYNOPSIS: Gossip Girl, a ruthless and mysterious ex-best friend, Serena Vander Woodsen (Blake Lively) freshly blogger reveals secrets about privileged teens living on the excluded from her previous boarding school, enrols at Blair’s Upper East Side of New York. The beautiful Blair Waldorf private school. Emergency 999 Worldwide Emergency Number 112 Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Hamad International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333 Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444

Humanitarian Services Office (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, 40253369 Good Girls themselves by robbing the local grocery store. But when the Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 DIRECTION: Jenna Bans manager catches a glimpse of one of them and the loot is far Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 CAST: Christina Hendricks, Retta, Mae Whitman more than they expected, it doesn’t take long for the three Qatar Airways 40253374 SYNOPSIS: When three suburban moms get tired of best friends to realise the perfect getaway will be harder than trying to make ends meet, they decide it’s time to stick up for they think..

ote Unquo Qu te

“There are no shortcuts in evolution.” — Louis D. Brandeis

Community Editor Kamran Rehmat Friends SYNOPSIS: Rachel Green, Ross Over the course of ten years, this e-mail: [email protected] DIRECTION: David Crane, Marta Geller, Monica Geller, Joey Tribbiani, average group of buddies goes through Telephone: 44466405 Kauffman Chandler Bing and Phoebe Buffay are massive mayhem, family trouble, past Fax: 44350474 CAST: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney six 20 something year-olds, living off and future romances, fights, laughs, Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, of one another in the heart of New York tears and surprises as they learn what it Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer City. really means to be a friend. Monday, June 8, 2020 GULF TIMES 3 TRAVEL COMMUNITY Travelling safely during pandemic

Need to travel during the Covid-19 outbreak? Protect yourself and others with these precautions

re you considering 2. Be sure to pack cloth face rescheduling travel that masks and alcohol-based hand you put off because of sanitiser in an easily accessible spot coronavirus disease so that you can use them during the 2019? Maybe you have trip as necessary. Awork or family obligations that 3. Prepare food and water to take require you to travel. Yet worries on the trip. Consider including about safe travel and lodging are non-perishable items to tide you holding you back. over in case access to restaurants and grocery stores is limited. Get the facts about your travel 4. Pack cleaning supplies, options and learn how to protect including a disinfectant and yourself if you must travel. disposable gloves, if you’ll be staying at a hotel or other lodging. Stay safe when you travel 5. When you need to get gas, use The Centres for Disease Control a disinfectant wipe on handles or and Prevention (CDC) recommends buttons before you touch them. following these steps to protect After fuelling, use hand sanitiser. yourself and others when you And when you get to where you’re travel: going, use soap and water to wash 1. Maintain a distance of 6 feet (2 your hands for at least 20 seconds. metres) between you and others as 6. If you choose to pick up a meal much as possible. on the road, opt for restaurants that 2. Avoid crowds. offer drive-thru or curbside service. 3. Wear a cloth face covering. 4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose Other ground transportation and mouth. If you travel by bus or train, 5. Cover coughs and sneezes. be aware that sitting or standing 6. Clean your hands often. It’s AT RISK: If you travel by bus or train, be aware that sitting or standing within 6 feet (2 metres) of others for a within 6 feet (2 metres) of others especially important after going to prolonged period can put you at higher risk of getting or spreading the coronavirus. for a prolonged period can put the bathroom, before eating, and you at higher risk of getting or after coughing, sneezing or blowing 1. Travellers may wear masks need to be taken out for screening. directly before and after going spreading the coronavirus. Follow your nose. during screening. However, TSA 4. Food items should be through screening. the precautions outlined above for 7. Wash your hands often with employees may ask travellers to transported in a plastic bag and protecting yourself during travel. soap and water for at least 20 adjust masks for identification placed in a bin for screening. Car travel Even if you fly, you may need seconds. purposes. Separating food from carry-on Air travel might not be for you. transportation once you arrive 8. If soap and water aren’t 2. Instead of handing boarding bags lessens the likelihood that You may prefer to drive, which also at your destination. You can available, use a hand sanitiser that passes to TSA officers, travellers screeners will need to open bags for gives you more control over your investigate car rental options and contains at least 60% alcohol. should place passes (paper inspection. environment. You’ll still need to be their disinfection policies on the Cover all surfaces of your hands or electronic) directly on the 5. Personal items such as keys, smart about any stops you make, but Internet. If you plan to stay at a and rub your hands together until scanner and then hold them up for wallets and phones should be placed that just takes some planning. hotel, check into shuttle service they feel dry. inspection. in carry-on bags instead of bins. This Here are things to consider before availability. 3. Each traveller may have one reduces the handling of these items you hit the road: If you plan to use a ride-hailing Air travel container of hand sanitiser up to 12 during screening. 1. Plan to make as few stops as service, don’t sit in the front Because of how air circulates ounces (about 350 millilitres) in a Be sure to wash your hands with possible, but stop driving if you seat near the driver. Consider and is filtered on airplanes, most carry-on bag. These containers will soap and water for at least 20 seconds become drowsy. handling your own bags during viruses don’t spread easily on pickup and drop-off. Avoid coming flights. However, crowded flights into contact with frequently make social distancing difficult. touched surfaces before cleaning Plus air travel involves spending them. If you’ll be using public time in security lines and airport transportation, maintain social terminals, which can bring you in distancing, wear a mask, and use close contact with other people. hand sanitiser or wash your hands The CDC and the Federal after reaching your destination. Aviation Administration (FAA) have issued guidance to help Hotels and other lodging airlines prevent the spread of the The hotel industry recognises coronavirus. As a result, most that travellers are concerned major airlines in the US require that about the coronavirus and safety. crews and passengers wear cloth Check any major chain’s website face coverings. To see what specific for information about how it’s airports and airlines are doing to protecting guests and staff. protect passengers, check their Make a packing list websites. When it’s time to pack for your The Transportation Security trip, grab any medicines you Administration (TSA) has may need on your trip and these increased cleaning and disinfecting essential safe-travel supplies: equipment and surfaces at 1. Cloth face masks screening checkpoints. If you 2. Alcohol-based hand sanitiser haven’t flown since the pandemic (at least 60% alcohol) began, you’ll notice some changes. 3. Disinfectant wipes (at least Also be aware that the TSA has 70% alcohol) for surfaces made a number of changes to the 4. Thermometer – Mayo Clinic screening process: REQUIREMENT: Most major airlines in the US and worldwide require that crews and passengers wear cloth face coverings. News Newtwork/TNS 4 GULF TIMES Monday, June 8, 2020 COMMUNITY COVER STORY 2020 reminiscent of 1968 The US is convulsed today in a way it has not been in more than half a century: stalked by a mysterious virus, burdened by soaring joblessness and wrestling — once again — with the twin plagues of racism and inequality, writes Mark Z. Barabak

BLAST FROM THE PAST: Martin Luther King speaking at Vermont Avenue Baptist Church in Washington in 1968.

n the broad sweep of varying degrees of hope and American history, certain resignation, to what may be. years stand like grim So much has changed in 52 mileposts. The year 1968, years. So much remains the same. We’re not stable in terms bathed in blood and Every election amounts to a of our health. We’re not Idrenched in sorrow, is one. The choice, between candidates but year 2020 may be another. also between possibilities. Given stable in terms of our The US is convulsed today in these unnerving times, the vote a way it has not been in more on November 3 could very well society and we’re not than half a century: stalked by a matter more than any election in mysterious virus, burdened by a generation. stable in terms of our soaring joblessness, wrestling That’s what happened the last — once again — with the twin time the country cast its ballots economy plagues of racism and inequality for president amid such an air of that have poisoned the country foreboding. from its outset. In 1968, the country was torn — Peter D Hart, Democratic As it happens, 1968 was a apart by an ill-conceived war presidential election year. So, fought in the cities and jungles campaign strategist too, is 2020. It is the time when of far-off Vietnam. Americans Americans take stock of what came to realise the conflict was has been and look forward, with a lost cause and, worse, grew ‘ ’ Monday, June 8, 2020 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

PROTEST: Demonstrators react as they march past the Trump International Hotel in Washington FACE-OFF: A demonstrator argues with military police officers during a protest against the death during a protest against the death of George Floyd, near the White House in Washington last week. of George Floyd, near the White House in Washington. to understand their leaders had Alabama’s segregationist governor, jeans but rather protective masks Compare that with attitudes at the get sick and die. lied to cover up their own doubts George Wallace, hadn’t carried five and hydroxychloroquine. time of King’s assassination, which Once more the cities, and its about the war and ineptitude Southern states. And yet this is not 1968. occasioned the Chicago Tribune to affluent suburbs, are the scene prosecuting it. It’s been said that history doesn’t America is a vastly different, if editorialise against the perceived of protest and looting because The Reverend Martin Luther repeat itself but it does rhyme, still troubled, place. rending of the country’s social once again another black man King Jr., the nation’s leading apostle which suggests a set of recurring It was only in 1967, in the fabric. has been killed by a white police of nonviolent protest, was shot patterns. Indeed, there are through felicitously named Loving v “If you are white, feel guilty officer meting out his twisted and killed at age 39 for dedicating lines from 1968 to today. Virginia, that the Supreme Court about it,” the editorial stated. version of justice. Once more himself to the proposition that all One of Nixon’s campaign upheld the right of black and white “Yield the sidewalk to the migrants there are incidents of law men, no matter the colour of their strategists, Roger Ailes, helped Americans to marry. Today, that from the south that has descended enforcement officers, some with skin, were created equal. Scores found Fox News and its high- right has been extended to same- on your cities. Honour their every their badges covered or removed, died as more than 100 cities around octane formula of pugnacious sex couples. want, because the ‘liberals’ tell indiscriminately cracking down on the country went up in flames. conservatism. Donald Trump’s Whites are a shrinking you that it is your fault that they peaceful demonstrators. Robert F Kennedy, age 42, 2016 campaign echoed Wallace’s portion of the population and, have not educated themselves, There is something particularly was shot and killed two months bombastic populism and the significantly, the electorate. There developed responsibility, trained resonant and insidious in the fact later after inveighing against the governor’s thinly veiled appeals to may still be cavernous differences themselves to hold jobs, or are the latest spark was struck not in Vietnam War and taking up King’s racial prejudice and bigotry; lately, in incomes and equality, but shiftless and dependent on your the Deep South, with its benighted torch. as Trump seeks re-election, he seeing black and brown faces in taxes.” racial history, but in Minnesota, In Chicago, rogue police smashed has begun to echo Nixon, calling corporate boardrooms or seated at The sentiment was hardly where Humphrey emerged as an the heads of demonstrators at the himself “your president of law and negotiating tables in Congress and outside the norm. early and forceful advocate of civil Democratic National Convention order” and speaking of a “silent statehouses around the country no California Governor Ronald rights and liberals cherish the after carefully removing their majority” cowed into quiescence. longer prompts wonderment. Reagan, who waged a brief legacies of Walter Mondale and badges to avoid identification. Those old enough to remember Today’s protests are smaller in unsuccessful 1968 challenge to Paul Wellstone. Inside the hall, reporters were may be experiencing 1960s scale and, thankfully so far, much Nixon for the GOP nomination, America’s road toward that more roughed up. When Connecticut flashbacks (of a no pharmaceutical less deadly. Strikingly, they are also was among those who suggested perfect union is long and tortured, Senator Abraham Ribicoff objected sort) for good reason. As historian vastly more integrated and greeted King and his civil disobedience and anything but a straight line to the police tactics, his speech was Rick Pearlstein noted, “The soft with much greater support and helped sow the seeds of his from injustice to remediation. And greeted with a stream of profanity domestic civil war of the 1960s sympathy. In some instances, police demise, calling the event “a great yet it moves forward. and anti-Semitic invective from the created the order of battle of our officers have laid down their batons tragedy that began when we began Alan Shane Dillingham, 38, is city’s mayor, Richard J Daley. political discussion today.” and marched with demonstrators, compromising with law and order, an assistant professor of history “It felt like the foundations The conflict between or dipped to one knee to show their and people started choosing which at Spring Hill College in Mobile, of the country were trembling, conservatives and liberals, or solidarity. laws they’d break.” Alabama, and one of a new which in fact they were,” said progressive as some prefer, is The horrific death of George And yet here we are, again. generation taking a fresh look at Allen Matusow, a fellow at the familiar enough. So, too, is the Floyd under the weight of a white This coronavirus may be novel, the legacy of the 1960s. “This Baker Institute of Public Policy at raging culture war, even if the terms policeman has been universally but not the disproportionate effect isn’t just chaos,” he said of the Rice University, who has written of engagement have changed; we no condemned, even by the agitprop it has had on black Americans, who upheaval arising from Floyd’s extensively about the 1960s. longer fight over long hair and blue commentators on Fox News. are more likely to lose their jobs or killing. “Certainly it’s concerning. Today, our ground seems But oftentimes in American history similarly shaky. riot and rebellion have produced “We’re not stable in terms of tangible changes to American our health,” said Peter D Hart, “Certainly it’s society.” who marked 1968 by quitting his concerning. But Already, political lines are drawn. career as a nonpartisan polling Trump has hardened in analyst to become a Democratic oftentimes in his resolve to crack down on campaign strategist. “We’re not demonstrators, threatening to stable in terms of our society and American history deploy the military if necessary. we’re not stable in terms of our His Democratic rival, Joe Biden, economy.” riot and rebellion has called for reforms, promising In November 1968, Republican have produced to create a police oversight Richard Nixon won the White board within his first 100 days House after promising to quell tangible changes to in office and calling on Congress the country’s unrest and restore to immediately pass legislation “law and order” to its sundered American society” outlawing the police use of streets. The popular vote was chokeholds. There is virtually no close — Nixon just slipped past overlap. Democrat Hubert Humphrey — but — Alan Shane Rare is the election held in times the outcome wasn’t really. Nixon as fraught as these. Rarer still is an crushed Humphrey in the Electoral Dillingham, 38, assistant election as significant as 1968 was College and probably would and 2020 may prove to be. have won by a greater margin if professor of history — Los Angeles Times/TNS 6 GULF TIMES Monday, June 8, 2020 COMMUNITY GARDENING Dazzling flowerbeds

The fun part of ‘see-through’ phenomenon will be designing bed of colour in layers whether they be the lilac blue of Meteor Showers verbena or the hot pink of Truffula Pink gomphrena, writesNorman Winter

Snow euphorbias. The look is red, white and blue all the way. There are similar beds with SunPatiens and if you could only see the Meteor Shower blossoms floating above the blazing hot new Viking begonias. Son James has been creating these beds in commercial properties across our area. Sometimes he will line the Meteor Shower plants up formally like toy soldiers but his joy is to plant the beds where the verbenas have a random look as if Mother Nature was doing a roadside or meadow type planting. Meteor Showers is known botanically as Verbena bonariensis and is a stunning fairly-new cultivar. Before Meteor Showers the generic form was really a pass-along kind of plant with a love-hate relationship. We loved it for its beauty and unique stature which often was quite tall, but held our breath when it came to re-seeding. Then a couple of dwarf varieties hit the market and are still somewhat available but have never reached a widespread popularity or availability. PICTURESQUE: Meteor Showers verbena towers above Luscious Marmalade Meteor Showers is different, it has lantana and golden coleus, creating a bed with see-though flowers but also little reseeding and is now massed one with triadic harmony of colour. produced. Proven Winners calls it lilac in colour which is certainly appropriate but it is not hard to see blue shades throughout the day as I mentioned above. It is treasured by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds and blooms all summer and has the ability to be perennial in zones 7 and warmer. It has award winner written all over it. Truffula Pink gomphrena is known botanically as Gomphrena pulchella it also gives an incredible see-though look with its hot pink blossoms. The plant gets wider than Meteor Showers with more COMBINATION: Meteor Showers verbena, Calliope geranium and Diamond lower leaves. It can work however in Snow euphorbia create a red, white and blue theme. the same type application but will require a little more planning and thought in the design versus the here is a ‘see-through’ You may be thinking what is almost carefree randomness allowed phenomenon going on ‘see through’? Meteor Showers by Meteor Showers. It too will reach in the world of flowers generically speaking has often been almost 30 inches with a spread to and it is nothing short called verbena on a stick. Some say, 26 inches. It has won 41 awards of thrilling. This is it bears the flowers on stilts while across the country and is a pollinator happeningT thanks in large part to the other say it naked. It is precisely this magnet too. mass production of Meteor Showers 30-inch plus habit that provides Both of these plants will make verbena and to some extent Truffula you the ability to create a cloud of you look like a garden pro if you Pink gomphrena. blooms that seem to be floating in provide fertile well drain soil with Some of us have dabbled in air above your other flowers. plenty of sun. The fun part will the ‘see-through’ world with For instance, right now in be designing you bed of colour in giant alliums and revelled in the Columbus, Ga., I can take you to layers the bottom flowers and then possibilities with agapanthus if beds where these lilac blue blooms your magical cloud floating above we lived in a zone that could grow are floating above fiery orange whether they be the lilac blue of them. But now with these two Luscious Marmalade lantanas. In Meteor Showers verbena or the hot plants from Proven Winners we can another bed, they are magically pink of Truffula Pink gomphrena. DYNAMIC DUO: Truffula Pink gomphrena creates a dynamic see-through design gardens with the thought of a blooming above Calliope Red No one says you can’t do both! cloud of hot pink blooms towering above Luscious Marmalade lantana, thrilling season long performance. geraniums bordered with Diamond – TNS Supertunia Bordeaux petunias and Savannah grass. Monday, June 8, 2020 GULF TIMES 7 BOOK REVIEWS COMMUNITY Books for summer reading

George & Lizzie by Nancy Pearl: after an apocalypse in author Buxton’s By Moira Macdonald The former Seattle librarian known debut novel – set in Seattle! for her Book Lust recommendations published her first novel at 72: a witty Isle of Dogs by Minetaro his year’s Summer Book tale of an unlikely marriage. Mochizuki: Bingo card has a tantalising This manga adaptation of Wes mix of categories – some The Golden Child by Penelope Anderson’s 2018 stop-motion film of which can apply to just Fitzgerald: is for all ages, telling the story of an about anything you want Fitzgerald’s distinguished career orphan boy searching for his dog on an toT read, and some of which are very eventually included the Booker Prize island of banished canines. specific. For the latter, here are a (for Offshore). This murder mystery, few recommendations from Seattle her 1977 debut, was published when The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Public Library librarians to get you she was 60. Hiro Arikawa (translated by Philip started; for even more suggestions, Gabriel): see spl.org. Dear Committee Members by Julie Published in 2018, this book quickly Schumacher: became an international bestseller. It’s Everfair by Nisi Shawl: Anyone who’s spent time in a college the tale of Nana the cat and his owner, Author Shawl’s 2016 debut is a English department will get a kick out Satoru, as they travel to visit three of steampunk novel taking place in of this comic novel, told through an Satoru’s longtime friends. an alternate-history version of the array of not-quite-on-topic letters of Belgian Congo, posing the question: recommendation written by frustrated So Lucky by Nicola Griffith: What if native people had access to professor Jason Fitzger. From the author of the Washington steam-powered technology, ahead of State Book Award-winning historical their oppressors? Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini: novel Hild, this is the story of a A gentle book for all ages, this novel contemporary woman facing a new Futureland by Walter Mosley: by the author of the bestseller The reality when she is diagnosed with a Know for his Easy Rawlins Kite Runner is a letter from a father to chronic illness. mysteries, Mosley tackles something his son, as they prepare to leave their different here: a volume of nine short homeland of Syria. Choke by Chuck Palahniuk: stories, set in the near future of 2020 A medical school dropout deals with (semidistant when this book was 84, Charing Cross Road by sex addiction and with his mother’s published in 2001) through 2040. Helene Hanff: Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis in this Anglophiles and literary types will be 2001 novel from the author of Fight The Big Sleep by Raymond charmed by this nonfiction memoir- Club. Chandler: in-letters, charting the midcentury I didn’t know – did you? – that correspondence between a New York Look Me in the Eye: My Life with one of the biggest names in noir writer and the small London bookshop Asperger’s by John Elder Robison: fiction didn’t publish a novel until he from which her library grew. This memoir’s author was 40 years was 51. His 1939 debut (made into a old before he learned, from a therapist, nifty Bogart/Bacall movie in 1946) Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane that what he had always thought of as introduced his hard-boiled hero, Buxton: social deviance was in fact a form of detective Philip Marlowe. A pet crow fights to save humanity autism. – The Seattle Times/TNS 8 GULF TIMES Monday, June 8, 2020 COMMUNITY CUISINE Lip-smacking ideas and recipes for leftover roast chicken Once your Sunday lunch is over, you have to find a way to use up the leftovers. Here are some miraculous ways to make that chicken disappear – from rich risottos to fragrant soups, writes Tim Dowling

n normal times, a whole roast chicken can create unwanted obligations: once Sunday lunch is over, you’ve got to find way to use up the leftover Ibits within the week. Sometimes I manage it; sometimes the remains get divided up between the dog and the cat on Thursday. Now that we’ve got the time and space to plan, all that’s required is a little inspiration. Here are 17 miraculous ways to make a whole chicken disappear.

Roasting First, we need to roast the chicken. As the co-author of Roast Chicken and Other Stories, Simon Hopkinson is something of an authority on the matter. His version is a good place to start – it’s not fussy, but it is particular. I tend to roast a chicken according to the first recipe I consulted on the subject: Marcella Hazan’s chicken with two lemons. It doesn’t require anything beyond the lemons and some salt, plus a bit of string to truss up the chicken’s legs. The major innovation here is cooking the bird upside down for the first half hour, before turning it breast side up. If you do everything right, it comes out of the oven puffed up like a balloon. During lockdown, I’ve achieved acceptable results with minor variations, including chicken with one lemon and chicken with a half a lemon. If you’re in a hurry, a spatchcocked chicken will take less time, and you can also cook it in a big frying pan or on a barbecue. Spatchcocking is easily mastered – it’s almost harder to say than it is to do – as long as you have got good kitchen scissors. I highly recommend Rachel Roddy’s chicken alla diavola recipe for chicken cooked this way. You need something heavy to pin the chicken to the pan. I use a 7lb (3kg) iron weight from an old set of scales.

Stock and soup When you’ve had your fill, pull all the remaining meat off the chicken and put it in the fridge, then use the carcass to make stock. Along with the chicken and the water, stock usually includes an onion, a few carrots, a couple of celery stalks, parsley, possibly some leeks, peppercorns, thyme and a bay leaf or two. Don’t worry too much about leaving out a few of these – and don’t be tempted to chuck in random vegetables – not everything works. The simpler it is, the more versatile it will be. Basic Chicken noodle soup. instructions can be found here. Monday, June 8, 2020 GULF TIMES 9 CUISINE COMMUNITY Lip-smacking ideas and recipes for leftover roast chicken

Grilled Spatchcocked Chicken. Cheesy baked chicken.

Once you’ve got stock and opportunist dish – as long as you’ve chicken, you are ready to make got a leftover chicken, you can decide chicken soup. A lot of soup recipes to make this at the last minute. It’s call for a whole fresh chicken, sort of a winter thing, but it would which defeats our purpose. This still suit a rainy summer evening. one doesn’t, and it can serve as a This leftover chicken and bacon solid template for any experimental pasta from Chris Collins is slightly variation. eccentric – it’s got sweet chilli sauce in it – but it’s perfect for a night when For something a trifle more exotic, even the store cupboard is looking a Nigella Lawson’s thai chicken bit bare. soup can be made from the store cupboard, as long as you consider Salad tamarind paste a store cupboard Slater again: his asparagus with ingredient (I’m not saying it isn’t chicken and basil dressing is almost one, I’m just saying I don’t have too simple to call a salad. The key to any). It’s remarkably forgiving and it is the dressing, which should be still works well when you’ve missed made at the last minute. out a few ingredients, or don’t have Chicken and freekeh salad with much chicken left over. salsa verde requires a bit more chopping, but that’s all. If you don’t Risotto like freekeh, or don’t know what it Across hundreds of Sunday nights is, you could easily substitute bulgar I relied on a post-roast chicken wheat or couscous. We’re only and rice staple known in our house dressing up leftover chicken, after as spicey ricey. So unpopular did all, so it makes sense to work with this dish eventually become that, what you’ve got. when threatened with it again one If you’re fortunate enough to evening, my youngest son stormed have some stale bread on hand, into the kitchen and started making Thomasina Miers’s chicken risotto. I couldn’t quite believe what panzanella salad needs only I was seeing – it was like watching a the addition of good tomatoes, cat install a satellite dish. capers, anchovies, basil, peppers What he produced that night was and an onion to create something a surprisingly delicious conflation of considerably more elegant than the the two Nigel Slater recipes– risotto sum of its parts. with pancetta and blue cheese. And he put chicken in it. That was the More end of spicey ricey. If you’ve still got any chicken Chicken pad thai. left, you can try leftover chicken Chicken fat pad thai, the historical curiosity Along with the meat and bones, for butter, or a tasty spread you can Pasta roasting pan. It’s good, but it does that is coronation chicken or a roasted chicken will supply you put on toast. His chicken butter Jamie Oliver’s roast chicken pasta leave us back at square one, leftovers- Jackie Middleton’s delicious, if with a good amount of fat which, keeps in the fridge for up to two requires intention – the chicken is wise. unprepossessing, cheesy bake. according to Tom Hunt, can be months, giving you plenty of time to cooked specially for the dish, with Nigel Slater’s pasta with roast When Sunday comes, it starts all whipped into a versatile substitute get your head round the idea. a sauce coming together in the chicken and pine kernels is a more over again. – The Guardian 10 GULF TIMES Monday, June 8, 2020 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Monday, June 8, 2020 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Why some older adults have better memories than others

ewly published of brain ageing, including how to hippocampus is the part of the research shows why promote resilience and longevity.” brain mainly associated with some older adults In the experiment, lead author memory – and the reinstatement remember better than Trelle and the team gathered 100 of activity patterns in the cortex others. The answer has participants between the ages of 60 that were there when people first Nto do with how much hippocampal and 82. As the participants studied experienced the event. activity is occurring. words associated with pictures of “It was striking that we were The findings were conducted by famous people and places, their able to replicate this moment- Alexandra Trelle, a postdoctoral brains were scanned. Then, their to-moment relationship between research fellow at Stanford brains were scanned as they took hippocampal activity, replay in the University, and her colleges. The a memory test in which they were cortex, and memory recall, which team built on studies that have prompted with previously viewed has previously been observed only focused on young populations and words and asked to remember the in healthy younger adults,” Trelle looked into memory and recall in picture paired with it. said. “In fact, we could predict healthy, older adults as part of the The test was created to evaluate whether or not an individual would Stanford Aging and Memory Study. each participant’s ability to recall remember at a given moment in The results were published late last specific links between parts of time based on the information month in eLife. an event. This form of memory carried in patterns of brain “Some individuals exhibit is frequently disproportionately activity.” remarkable maintenance of affected by ageing. On average, the ability to memory function throughout Upon analysing the scans, remember declined with age, late adulthood, whereas others researchers saw the brain processes according to the findings. But experience significant memory that support remembering in regardless of age, stronger decline,” Trelle said in a press older adults look like those in hippocampal activity and replay steps for future probes into the be able to identify people who are release. “Studying these differences younger people. What they saw in the cortex was associated with Stanford Aging and Memory Study at increased risk for Alzheimer’s across individuals is critical for showed that there was an increase better performing memory. cohort’s research on older adults’ disease. — The Atlanta Journal- understanding the complexities in hippocampal activity – the The research is part of the first memory. Ultimately, the goal is to Constitution /TNS

Aries Taurus Gemini March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

Long-buried emotions from the past, some of them pleasant and Some exciting activities could take place in your neighbourhood The tide will start to ebb today just after it reaches its highest point. some in need of release, could well up from your subconscious today, Taurus. You’ll definitely want to find out more about There is a pause now, Gemini, and you’ll find that things are about to today, Aries. This is likely to have an uplifting effect on your mental what’s going on. If possible, you may go with some close friends. pick up considerably again. The shift that’s happening within you is and emotional state, so don’t fight it. It’s also likely to release Communicating with others is likely to be intense and gratifying profound. Even though you may not notice its effects all at once, you whatever hang-ups you might have about relationships. Therefore, now, so expect your head to be spinning by day’s end. It’s definitely a should trust that things will be coming your way as the weeks go by. you can expect all your involvements to thrive. great idea to spend some time alone. Cancer Leo Virgo June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

You may have been fighting a battle with the facts lately, Cancer. Goals that seemed unreachable in the recent past are finally coming It’s time to review your dreams and fantasies, Virgo. It could be that It’s a different world out there, thanks to Covid-19, and perhaps new into focus, Leo. It could be that you’ve been neglecting your dreams you’ve been neglecting them lately. Perhaps things you’ve been information has forced you to take a step back and rethink your because they only moved farther away every time you addressed working toward haven’t panned out the way you’d hoped. The good game plan. But research time is over and now you need to fully them. Have faith that your luck is starting to change. Be patient news is that things should be turning around in your favour starting engage with that game. When it comes to delicate issues regarding and you’ll find that even your wildest fantasies will start coming to today. Once you take control of your dreams, you’ll find that you can other people’s property, make sure to be respectful at all times. fruition. get them moving forward again. Libra Scorpio Sagittarius September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Libra, your working life and income are likely to be enhanced today The forthcoming completion of a frustrating project could be moved Today you might want to plan a trip, Sagittarius. You may through the influence of people who live in distant states or foreign closer by one intense burst of energy from you, Scorpio. Self- be planning far in advance, but you love to dream about the countries. The desire for knowledge is probably strong, and you confidence and determination come together to make sure you tie possibilities now. You’re in the position where you feel secure might seek to develop some new skills. Your personal life is also up all the loose ends and finish it all up. However, don’t expect to be enough financially and established enough in your working life likely to be thriving since you feel passionate and project that feeling able to relax for long. The enthusiasm generated by the success of to cut yourself a little slack and make time for enjoyment. Do to others. Expect some surprises from a friend. this project will only whet your appetite for new ones. something new and different even if others think you’re crazy. Capricorn Aquarius Pisces December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

The good news is that the tide is turning. Issues involving fashion, Have you been losing faith in your dreams and fantasies lately, Recent opposition standing in the way of long-term goals is apt to magazines, and the spoken or written word will slowly begin turning Aquarius? Now is the time to refocus on what you want and move ease a bit today, Pisces. Situations surrounding these issues should in a positive direction today, Capricorn. These things may have been forward with confidence. You’ve done enough reflecting and become clearer, and you should have a better idea of exactly what somewhat obscured lately, or stalled instead of developing. Over reviewing. Start implementing and creating. Dream big and don’t let you’re up against. This could be a climactic time for you in a number the next few weeks, you’ll notice that all projects are getting back on others stand in the way of your progress. Today’s shift may be subtle, of ways. At last you can begin reaping the rewards of what you’ve track. but it should indicate smooth sailing for the next few weeks. sown. 12 GULF TIMES Monday, June 8, 2020 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

HOAGY HORSESHOE HOLLYHOCK HOBO HOAX HOWITZER HOOPLA HOGBACK HOBGOBLIN HOARD HOSANNA HOMBRE HOCKEY HOBBIT HOBNOB HOOPOE HOKUM HOMINY HOARSE HOTPOT HOEDOWN HOBBYHORSE

Codeword Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.

Garfield Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com courtesy: Puzzles

Sudoku

Bound And Gagged

Sudoku is a puzzle based on a 9x9 grid. The grid is also divided into nine (3x3) boxes. You are given a selection of values and to complete the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every anone is repeated. Monday, June 8, 2020 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1 Careless hit-and-run (8) 1 The game is up for a valuable 5 Cold sweets provided in police violin (5) station (4) 2 Almost venerate a large naval 8 Dud Moore, the famous lover? officer (7) (5) 3 Unhappy with river in flood (5) 9 Small boat from County Clare, 4 Small container designed for possibly (7) ash etc. (6) 11 Disorder when grenade goes 6 Chanel with a drink (5) off (7) 7 Orator needing hi-fi 12 Excellent quip (5) component (7) 13 Buff from Gdansk, possibly (6) 10 Come back again about dog 15 Right to support the Queen (6) (5) 18 Heading for the championship 13 Do your bit with sales talk at (5) home (5,2) 20 An ass somewhere in 14 Material moved to and fro, so Belgium (7) we hear (5) 23 English in shelters? I am 16 Specific recipes in a mess (7) surprised! (7) 17 Ingnore exam result at 24 Put up beams in the university (4,2) auditorium (5) 19 Master almost changed sides 25 Comfortable home in (5) suburban estate (4) 21 Change direction, skirting one 26 Painless treatment for dogs city in Italy (5) (8) 22 Some people assume they are heard in court (5) Answers Solution Wordsearch Codeword 14 GULF TIMES Monday, June 8, 2020 COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD Gulabo Sitabo my original work, claims Juhi Chaturvedi

day after she was I stand by my truth,” she said. accused of plagiarising A legal notice was sent by the story idea of Gulabo advocate Rizwan Siddiquee on Sitabo, scriptwriter behalf of Akira Agarwal to the Juhi Chaturvedi has makers of Gulabo Sitabo, with the Aclaimed that the film is her original demand to see the film’s complete work and her “conscience is clear”. script. Akira Agarwal has also filed a “My conscience is clear, and complaint at Mumbai’s Juhu Police so are the facts in this matter. Station in this regard. Alleging Gulabo Sitabo is my original work that the story of Gulabo Sitabo, its and I am proud of it. I shared the background and theme resemble 16, idea with the director (Shoojit Mohandas Lane. Sircar) and lead actor (Amitabh According to the legal notice, Bachchan) of the film in early Agarwal had submitted his story 2017. I subsequently registered the in the month March 2018 and concept note for the film in May his entry had subsequently been 2018,” Chaturvedi said. shortlisted. On June 28, 2018, the On Saturday, Chaturvedi was final script of the story was also accused of plagiarism by Akira submitted for the contest and all Agarwal, son of late writer Rajeev jury members had full access to the Agarwal. It has been claimed that same. Rajeev Agarwal had submitted a On the plagiarism row, Anjum story titled “16, Mohandas Lane” Rajabali, Jury Chairman, Cinestaan in the Cinestaan India’s Storyteller Script Contest, said: “While it is Script Contest, where Chaturvedi true that ‘16, Mohandas Lane’ was was a jury member. submitted to the first edition of TEAM: From right, Ayushmann Khurrana. Amitabh Bachchan and Shoojit Sircar seen during the shooting of Gulabo Quashed all such claims, the Cinestaan India’s Storytellers Sitabo. Chaturvedi said: “I also must Script Contest of which Juhi clarify the speculations around Chaturvedi was one of the jury 20 shortlisted scripts were sent to them. So, it is totally incorrect to “haveli’’ in the heart of Lucknow, my conduct as a jury member for members, we want to clarify that me, which were read by two senior assume that since Juhi Chaturvedi named Fatima Mahal, while Cinestaan’s contest. I had no access she had absolutely no access to this readers and myself. From these, we was on the contest’s jury she had Ayushmann Khurrana plays his to the so-called infringed script particular script.” shortlisted eight scripts. And, in received the said script. There is shrewd tenant, Baankey. at any point in time, as alleged. To this, Anjum Rajabali, the third stage, these eight scripts clear documentation, including Opening up about the stir, This fact has been independently chairperson of the contest’s jury, were sent to the other three jury a trail of e-mails from myself to producer Ronnie Lahiri of Rising confirmed by Cinestaan as well. said: “The process of reading, members, Aamir Khan, Raju Hirani each jury member, which bears out Sun Films, said: “Clearly the Even the Screenwriters Association assessing, screening and judging and Juhi Chaturvedi, to be read by the above facts unambiguously,” allegers are upset as the SWA (SWA), who has looked at this involved three clear stages. In the them and by me again. Rajabali further shared. decision didn’t go in their favour. dispute in May 2020, decided in first stage, all the submitted stories “From among these, five were Ritika Soni, vice president, Releasing the notice to the press, my favour. I speak now to request were read by a bunch of readers selected for the awards, and Cinestaan Contest, asserted: “The harassing Juhi and the Gulabo the press and public not to be and around 325 were shortlisted for ranked in order of merit. While 16, script in question was not part of Sitabo producers on social media, disillusioned by false accusations, me to read. From these, we invited Mohandas Lane made it to the top the final eight sent to any of the seems to be a deliberate attempt to which are for publicity only. 152 writers to develop their stories 20, it did not enter the final list of other jury members, including Juhi malign Juhi and damage the film.” Acts of harassment, defamatory into screenplays and submit them 8 scripts which were sent to the Chaturvedi at any point of time.” The film is produced by Ronnie comments, and leaking confidential to the contest. 126 screenplays jury. The jury, including Juhi, had Sircar’s comedy Gulabo Sitabo Lahiri and Sheel Kumar, and is set notices by the accusers only show were received. In the second stage, absolutely no access to any script casts Amitabh Bachchan as Mirza, to premiere worldwide on June 12 their lack of faith in their own case. these were read by our readers and except for the 8 which were sent to landlord of an old dilapidated on Amazon Prime Video. — IANS

Neha Dhupia: Felt freedom played in my ears, freedom because things coming back to normal ... will and fear after morning run my feet were willing to take me on any they ever ??” she ended her note, by route close to home till they got tired posing a question everyone is asking With lockdown restrictions being and freedom in a strange way because all around the world. eased, actress Neha Dhupia went I had a mask on and kept a safe In the images, which are out for an early morning jog, but distance from everyone,” she added. accompanied with the post, Neha is she admits returning home with The mother of one said that she seen in gymwear, mask and a cap. fear because many people outside felt “free also because after ages I got Earlier this week, the actress used were not serious about basic safety onto my early morning run route and her Instagram account to remind measures. waved to my usual bhajji wala and people that only the lockdown has The actress took to Instagram to fruit wala”. come to an end and not the virus. chronicle her experience of going “I acknowledged the usual runners She asked the people to continue back for an early morning run after at that time who till date I have never practising social distancing, keep almost 80 days, and she captured the been acquainted to but yes we share washing hands and sanitising moments with a couple of selfies. the same route and time and we regularly. “Went out for a run this morning know we exist. I felt free as I splashed “The bigger worry begins now after about 80 days... was a mixed through the puddles and that put a with the lockdown opening...The bag of emotions somewhere between smile on my face,” she added. virus has not come to an end.. freedom and fear,” she began her post Along with freedom, there was also Only the lockdown has. Please on Instagram. a sense of fear. practice all the things we have “Freedom because I was outdoors “I felt fear because people were out been speaking about these past and breathing in clean air and that and still were not wearing masks. I did few months #socialdistancing too of a quality that I had never done remind a few from a distance though, #handwashing wearing a mask and in my city before, freedom because felt fear also because the spirit of #stayhomestaysafe and step out only DAILY CHRONICLE: Neha Dhupia took to Instagram to I could feel the little drizzle on my mumbai was missing... it didn’t feel if you must,” she wrote on Instagram chronicle her experience of going back for an early morning shoulders as my favourite music as safe as it used to, felt fear about stories. — IANS run after almost 80 days. Monday, June 8, 2020 GULF TIMES 15 HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY

Snoop Dogg to vote for to vote after being convicted of a felony in to go out to vote before he could encourage first time ever in 2020 1990 and 2007. others to do the same. “For many years they had me “We got to make a difference, I can’t talk Rapper Snoop Dogg has shared that he brainwashed thinking that you couldn’t about it and not be about it. I can’t tell you will be voting for the first time ever this vote because you had a criminal record. to do it and then not go do it. If I tell you to November. I didn’t know that. My record’s been do something, I done it already.” Snoop Dogg, who is known for numbers expunged so now I can vote,” he said. The rapper also said he wants to “lead by like Young, Wild & Free and Drop It Sharing his thoughts on President example” during the Covid-19 pandemic by Like It’s Hot among many others, was Donald Trump, he clearly said that he reminding people to stay home. speaking on Real 92.3 radio show, Big Boy’s would not be voting for the Republican in The rapper said he’s been “keeping Neighborhood, reports people.com. November. (himself) busy and staying active” during While speaking on the show, Snoop Dogg “I ain’t never voted a day in my life, but self-isolation. “I’ve been up and down. I’m shared why he has never voted and why he this year I think I’m going to get out and a human, I have good days, bad days, but feels it’s especially important to make his vote because I can’t stand to see this punk I’m more locked in so I like to pace so either voice heard in the 2020 election. in office one more year,” he said. walk around in circles, watch things on TV, RESPONSIBLE: Snoop says he wants to The rapper thought he wasn’t allowed Snoop Dogg also said that he would have play video games,” he said. — IANS “lead by example” during the pandemic. Summer TV preview: 15 new shows we can’t wait to see weekend, this “live capture” of a performance By Chuck Barney featuring Miranda and the original cast will put you in the room where it happened. It was filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre t figures to be a very different kind of on Broadway in June of 2016 and the musical summer this time around. continues to reverberate now— in a world Though the calendar— and weather— turned upside down. (July 3, Disney+). indicate that it’s time to embrace some The Baby-Sitters Club— Ann M. Martin’s outdoorsy fun, many of us will still be best-selling books have been adapted for Ispending plenty of time close to home. the screen before— via a short-lived series Fortunately, television programmers are in 1990 and a feature film in 1995. But this providing lots of new content to keep us fresh production looks to bring them to a new occupied, including a fresh take on Perry generation. The saga follows the adventures Mason, a rousing performance of Hamilton, of a group of middle-schoolers who launch a travelling culinary series hosted by Padma a babysitting business in the fictional town Lakshmi, and much more. of Stoneybrook, Connecticut. Producers say And, yes, there’s even another new the show will “champion friendship, female streaming service on its way as NBC empowerment and entrepreneurship.” (July 3, Universal’s Peacock gets set for a July debut. Netflix). With all that in mind, here are 15 new Tough As Nails— Phil Keoghan, host of The summer offerings that have us intrigued: Amazing Race, celebrates everyday hard- Lenox Hill— Arriving at a time when our working Americans in this competition series. admiration of frontline healthcare workers is He ventures out to real-world job sites, asking off the charts, this documentary series takes employees to engage in tests of strength, an intimate look at four New York doctors endurance, life skills and mental toughness. At as they navigate the day-to-day challenges ADVENTURE: Author Eoin Colfer’s beloved kid hero (Ferdia Shaw) comes to life in the family stake? A prize of $200,000. (9pm July 8, CBS). of tending to their patients while struggling adventure Artemis Fowl. Little Voice— Described as “an intensely to balance their professional and personal romantic story,” this series from executive lives. It is named for the Upper East Side entanglements. (10pm June 14, PBS). origins of Erle Stanley Gardner’s legendary producer J.J. Abrams focuses on a talented hospital where the series takes place. (June Helter Skelter: An American Myth— criminal defence lawyer. Living paycheck-to- young singer (Brittany O’Grady) in New 10, Netflix). Producers insist this six-part documentary paycheck as a low-rent private investigator York City who is struggling to fulfil her Artemis Fowl— Author Eoin Colfer’s beloved series represents the most comprehensive in Depression-era Los Angeles, Mason is dreams while dealing with rejection, love and kid hero (Ferdia Shaw) comes to life in this examination— in a “visual medium”— of haunted by his wartime experiences in France complicated family issues. The show features family adventure film directed by Kenneth Charles Manson and the horrific crimes and suffering the effects of a broken marriage original music from Sara Bareilles. (July 10, Branagh. The story follows Artemis, a 12-year- committed by his cultish followers. It features when a major case comes his way. Tatiana Apple TV+). old genius, as he desperately tries to save his never-before-accessed interviews with former Maslany and John Lithgow also star. (9pm June Brave New World— Alodus Huxley’s 1932 abducted father. In order to pay his ransom, family members and journalists who were first 21, HBO). dystopian classic gets a 21st century update. It he must infiltrate an ancient, underground on the scene and in the courtroom. (9pm June I’ll Be Gone in the Dark— Based on the book imagines a utopian society — New London — civilisation populated by powerful fairies. 14, Epix). of the same name, this six-part documentary that has achieved peace and stability through (June 12, Disney+). Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi— The series explores Michelle McNamara’s the banning of monogamy, privacy, money, Crossing Swords — This wildly offbeat cookbook author, Top Chef host and producer investigation into the violent world of the family and history. But it’s on a collision course medieval stop-animation series, though full of takes viewers on a journey across America, serial predator she dubbed “The Golden with the citizens of the brutal Savage Lands. cute, Lego-like characters, is aimed at adults. exploring the rich and diverse food culture of State Killer.” McNamara lived a quiet life as The cast includes Alden Ehrenreich, Jessica It follows a kindhearted peasant named Patrick various immigrant groups, and seeking out a writer, mother and wife, preferring to stay Brown Findlay, Demi Moore and Harry Lloyd. who dreams of being a knight. Unfortunately, the people who have so heavily shaped what on the periphery of the Hollywood scene of (July 15, Peacock). the kingdom is a cesspool of depravity. (June American food is today. (June 19, Hulu). her comedian husband Patton Oswalt. But The Good Lord Bird— Ethan Hawke stars 12, Hulu). Love, Victor— This young adult dramedy at night, as her family slept, she indulged her as abolitionist John Brown in this humorous Masterpiece: Beecham House— Viewers follows a teen boy (Michael Cimino) on a obsession with unsolved cases, beginning her and dramatic limited series based on James are whisked back to 1795 India in this lush journey of self-discovery. After his family probe into the man who terrorised California McBride’s acclaimed novel. It’s told from six-parter. It’s a time before British rule, moves from Texas to Atlanta, he finds himself in the 1970s and ’80s and is responsible for 50 the point of view of “Onion,” a fictional when the Mogul Empire was on its last legs adjusting to a new city and high school. home-invasion rapes and 12 murders. She died enslaved boy who becomes a member of and incredible wealth was up for grabs. The series is set in the world of the 2018 in 2016, two years before Joseph DeAngelo, a Brown’s motley family of abolitionist soldiers Determined to start a new life, former East groundbreaking film,Love, Simon. (June 19, former cop, was arrested. (June 28, HBO). battling slavery in Kansas, and eventually India Company soldier John Beecham (Tom Hulu). Hamilton— Couldn’t make it to New York to finds himself in the famous 1859 Army depot Bateman), buys a grand mansion in Delhi. Perry Mason— This is not your father’s experience Lin-Manuel Miranda’s captivating, raid at Harpers Ferry. Oakland native Daveed There, he and his extended family soon courtroom drama. Matthew Rhys (The hip-hop infused stage sensation about one Diggs plays Frederick Douglass. (10pm Aug. find themselves caught up in an intriguing Americans) plays the title character in an of America’s founding fathers? No worries. 9, Showtime). mix of greed, treachery and romantic eight-episode limited series that follows the Arriving just in time for the Fourth of July — The Mercury News/ TNS 16 GULF TIMES Monday, June 8, 2020 COMMUNITY Meditating during Covid-19 Meditation can help a great deal to calm your pandemic worries. Here’s how you can start a practice at home

By Kelly O’Shea

s many cities around the world move towards reopening after weeks of stay- at-home orders to Acontain the spread of Covid-19, one thing is clear: this summer will look much different than in years passed. Though we will soon be lifting many restrictions, our routines will still be disrupted in all sorts of ways, and there is much we don’t know about the future. Will there be a second wave of Covid-19 cases? When will a vaccine be available? Will schools open in the fall? Take a deep breath. These questions could go unanswered for months. That’s why it’s important right now to focus on improving your mental health and learning how to accept the uncertainty of the future. Meditation is a great way to do “Mindfulness is all about being true to what’s actually here, and that. “Because we aren’t able to give learning how to hold that with appreciation for how complicated ourselves a break in the way that we normally would, such as by things are and for what you have. Meditation, like exercise or eating going out to a restaurant, now is a good time to spend some time right, is a practice that works through small consistent steps that in with yourself and use that as a way to support you,” said Michael the end give you something very important” Baime, a physician and director of the Penn Program for Mindfulness — Michael Baime, physician and director of the in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Penn Program for Mindfulness in the Perelman School Pennsylvania. If you’re new to meditation of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and mindfulness practices, Baime shared tips for how to get started at go away or assuming you should home and common pitfalls to avoid: feel a different emotion. “That’s Take small steps. To start, aim a kind of pretending,” Baime said. for three minutes every day for a “Mindfulness is all about being week to just be present. “Don’t try true to what’s actually here, and to do anything or change anything learning how to hold that with about how you feel,” Baime said. appreciation for how complicated Instead, use this time to connect things are and for what you have.” with yourself. One way to do that, The most important thing, he Baime said, is to let your attention said, is to be kind to yourself. rest with the sensations of your Be consistent. “Meditation, breath. He cautioned that your like exercise or eating right, is mind will likely wander during a practice that works through this time. But, he said, “the trick small consistent steps that in to doing it successfully is to not the end give you something very fight that.” important,” Baime said. Set realistic expectations. If you need help getting Many people have expectations of started, Baime suggested guided meditation that are different from meditation apps like Headspace — what really happens. “You won’t which is currently free for those dissolve into white light or reach who are unemployed —or Calm. unconditional bliss,” Baime said. For a more immersive experience, Meditation is about feeling how the Penn Program for Mindfulness you are. “With practice, you get will host an online eight-week more comfortable with that, and mindfulness-based stress it gives you a kind of steadiness in management program at the end your life,” he said. of June. For more information, Don’t try to change. Avoid visit pennmedicine.org. — The UNCERTAINITY: It is important right now to focus on improving your mental health and learning how to accept trying to make certain thoughts Philadelphia Inquirer/ TNS the uncertainty of the future.