Monday, August 10, 2020 Dhul-Hijjah 20, 1441 AH

Doha today: 330 - 410

TOPICAL: Kate Lyn Sheil in She Dies Tomorrow by writer director .

COVER STORY Fear everywhere She Dies Tomorrow is the latest in a string of films that find humans battling contagion. P4-5

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The diminishing relevance Summer in of fi lm censorship in India. coronavirus. Page 14 Page 16 2 GULF TIMES Monday, August 10, 2020 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

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Emergency 999 Worldwide Emergency Number 112 The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel cheerleader wife to a man who dreams of a stand-up comedy Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 DIRECTION: Amy Sherman-Palladino career, but her perfect life is upended when her husband Local Directory 180 CAST: Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Michael Zegen suddenly leaves her for another woman. Utterly unprepared, International Calls Enquires 150 SYNOPSIS: Set in 1950s Manhattan, The Marvelous Midge is left with no choice but to re-evaluate her life. When Hamad International Airport 40106666 Mrs. Maisel is a 60-minute dramedy that centres on Miriam she accidentally stumbles onto the stage at a nightclub, she Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 ‘Midge’ Maisel, a sunny, energetic, sharp, girl who had her discovers her own comedic skills and decides to use this Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 life mapped out: go to college, fi nd a husband, have kids, newfound talent to help her reinvent her life. The series Qatar Airways 44496000 and throw the best Yom Kippur break-fasts in town. Soon follows the trajectory of Midge’s journey as she pursues a Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333 enough, she fi nds herself exactly where she had hoped career in the male-dominated, stand-up comedy profession, Qatar General Electricity and to be, living happily with her husband and two children and transforms from uptown society matron to East Village Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464 in the Upper West Side. A woman of her time, Midge is a club performer. Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444

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ote Unquo Qu te “A good artist should be isolated. If he isn’t isolated, something is wrong.” — Orson Welles

The Boys aggressively marketed and monetised. . As a conflict ensues DIRECTION: , Evan Outside of their heroic personas, most between the two groups, the series Goldberg, Seth Rogen are arrogant and corrupt. The series also follows the new members of each Community Editor CAST: Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, primarily focuses on two groups: the team: Hugh ‘Hughie’ Campbell of the Kamran Rehmat Antony Starr titular Boys, vigilantes looking to keep Boys, who joins the vigilantes after SYNOPSIS: is set in the corrupted heroes under control, his girl friend is killed in a high speed e-mail: [email protected] a universe where super-powered and the Seven, Vought International’s collision by the Seven’s A-Train, and Telephone: 44466405 people are recognised as heroes by the premier superhero team. The Boys are Annie January/ of the Seven, Fax: 44350474 general public and owned by powerful led by , who despises all a young and hopeful heroine forced corporation Vought International, super-powered people, and the Seven to face the truth about the heroes she which ensures that they are are led by the egotistical and unstable admires. Monday, August 10, 2020 GULF TIMES 3 BODY & MIND COMMUNITY Checking moles for cancer

Most moles are harmless. Rarely, they become cancerous. Monitoring moles and other pigmented patches is an important step in detecting skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma

earn about moles (nevi), Prevention: what causes them, The following measures can whether they put you help limit the development of at increased risk of skin moles and the main complication Lcancer and how to check a of moles — melanoma. mole for signs of skin cancer. Moles are a common type of skin Watch for changes growth. They often appear as small, Become familiar with the dark brown spots and are caused by location and pattern of your clusters of pigmented cells. Moles moles. Regularly examine your generally appear during childhood skin to look for changes that and adolescence. Most people have may signal melanoma. Do self- 10 to 40 moles, some of which may exams once a month, especially change in appearance or fade away if you have a family history of over time. melanoma. With the help of Most moles are harmless. Rarely, mirrors, do a head-to-toe check, they become cancerous. Monitoring including your scalp, palms and moles and other pigmented patches fingernails, armpits, chest, legs, is an important step in detecting and your feet, including the soles skin cancer, especially malignant and the spaces between the toes. melanoma. Also check your genital area and between your buttocks. Symptoms Talk with your doctor about The typical mole is a brown spot. your risk factors for melanoma But moles come in diff erent colors, and whether you need a shapes and sizes: professional skin exam on a Colour and texture: Moles routine basis. can be brown, tan, black, red, blue or pink. They can be smooth, ADVICE: Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if a mole looks unusual, grows or changes. Protect your skin wrinkled, fl at or raised. They may Take measures to protect have hair growing from them. E is for evolving. Watch for moles healthcare provider if a mole looks people have a higher than average your skin from ultraviolet (UV) Shape: Most moles are oval or that change in size, shape, colour unusual, grows or changes. risk of their moles becoming radiation, such as from the sun round. or height, especially if part or all cancerous and developing into or tanning beds. UV radiation Size: Moles are usually less than of a mole turns black. Moles may Causes melanoma. Factors that increase has been linked to increased 1/4 inch (about 6 millimetres) in also evolve to develop new signs Skin layers and melanin: your risk of melanoma include: melanoma risk. And children who diameter — the size of a pencil and symptoms, such as itchiness or Moles are caused when cells in Being born with large moles: haven’t been protected from sun eraser. Rarely, moles present at bleeding. the skin (melanocytes) grow in These types of moles are called exposure tend to develop more birth (congenital nevi) can be much Cancerous (malignant) moles clusters or clumps. Melanocytes are congenital nevi. On an infant, moles. bigger, covering wide areas of the vary greatly in appearance. Some distributed throughout your skin such moles are classifi ed as large Avoid peak sun times: For face, torso or a limb. may show all of the features listed and produce melanin, the natural if they’re more than 2 inches (5 many people in North America, above. Others may have only one pigment that gives your skin its centimetres) in diameter. Even the sun’s rays are strongest Moles can develop anywhere on or two. colour. a large mole seldom becomes between 10am and 4pm. Schedule your body, including your scalp, cancerous and almost never before outdoor activities for other times armpits, under your nails, and When to see a healthcare Complications the child reaches puberty. of the day, even on cloudy days or between your fi ngers and toes. Most provider Melanoma is the main Having unusual moles: Moles in winter. people have 10 to 40 moles. Many Make an appointment with your complication of moles. Some that are bigger than a common mole Use sunscreen year-round: of these develop by age 50. Moles and irregular in shape are known Apply sunscreen about 30 may change in appearance or fade as atypical (dysplastic) nevi. They minutes before going outdoors, away over time. Hormonal changes tend to be hereditary. And they even on cloudy days. Use a broad- of adolescence and pregnancy may often have dark brown centers and spectrum sunscreen with an SPF cause moles to become darker and lighter, uneven borders. of at least 15. Apply it generously larger. Having many moles: Having and reapply every two hours — or more than 50 ordinary moles more often if you’re swimming or Unusual moles that may indicates an increased risk of sweating. The American Academy indicate melanoma melanoma. Two studies add to the of Dermatology recommends This ABCDE guide can help you evidence that the number of your using a broad-spectrum, water- determine if a mole or a spot may moles predict cancer risk. One resistant sunscreen with an SPF of indicate melanoma or other skin showed that people under 50 years at least 30. cancers: old who have 20 or more moles Cover up: Sunglasses, broad- A is for asymmetrical shape: on their arms are at increased risk brimmed hats, long sleeves and One half is unlike the other half. of melanoma. Another showed a other protective clothing can B is for border: Look for moles relationship between the number help you avoid damaging UV rays. with irregular, notched or scalloped of women’s moles and breast You might also want to consider borders. cancer risk. clothing that’s made with fabric C is for colour: Look for Having a personal or family specially treated to block UV growths that have changed colour, history of melanoma: If you’ve radiation. have many colours or have uneven PREDICTING CANCER RISK: Two studies add to the evidence that the had melanoma before, you are at Avoid tanning lamps and colour. number of your moles predict cancer risk. One showed that people under 50 increased risk of a mole becoming beds: Tanning lamps and beds D is for diameter: Look for new years old who have 20 or more moles on their arms are at increased risk of cancerous. In addition, some emit UV rays and can increase growth in a mole larger than 1/4 melanoma. Another showed a relationship between the number of women’s types of atypical moles lead to a your risk of skin cancer. — Mayo inch (about 6 millimetres). moles and breast cancer risk. genetic form of melanoma. Clinic News Network/TNS 4 GULF TIMES Monday, August 10, 2020 COMMUNITY COVER STORY Fear all too real Super creepy and superbly unresolved, Amy Steimetz’s new movie She Dies Tomorrow is a meditation on facing mortality that contains surprising splashes of dark humour, writes Julie Hinds

I was dealing with my own personal anxiety and found I was spreading my panic to other people by talking about it perhaps too excessively. All this ‘while remembering losing my father and many friends that we all die at some point. We don’t know what to do but keep living, realising the absurdity and tragedy that with life comes death.

— Amy Steimetz, writer and director of She Dies Tomorrow ’ Monday, August 10, 2020 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

ear and uncertainty are lethal madness with a single glimpse. as familiar in 2020 as There’s even a relevant plot point Zoom meetings and social over whether masks are necessary distancing. Still, you have or just a response to a mass hysteria. Fto stay positive, establish a But rest assured that Sandra Bullock’s healthy routine and fi nd ways to cope character stays masked and serves as with what can feel like existential the Dr Fauci of the Bird Box universe. dread. There also are echoes of 2020 in That’s what makes an early scene Children of Men (2006), a classic from She Dies Tomorrow, available dystopian fi lm from director Alfonso on streaming platforms and video Cuaron that sends a strong told-you- on demand, so scary. During a phone so message about the costs of climate call, a friend off ers some advice to a change and systemic inequality. Its young woman who’s feeling a sense scenario of an infertility pandemic, of claustrophobic doom: “Go for a coupled with huge migrations of walk, or why don’t you try watching refugees, is a nightmarish take on a movie?” a future with worsening income Both are common stress relievers inequality, healthcare disparities for life in the Covid-19 pandemic. and brutalisation of asylum seekers. But be aware that watching She Dies Even the formidable Clive Owen has Tomorrow won’t distract you from a tough time shouldering this many what’s happening. The gripping problems at once. indie is about facing your dread World War Z (2013) is the best when fearfulness itself becomes recent spin on a zombie disaster. contagious. Its premise is that humans gain For at least six months now, incredible speed once they’re movies have been providing infected with a zombie bug, making coronavirus catharsis. Early this any eff ort to socially distance year, Contagion (2011), a taut drama from their biting range extremely starring Matt Damon, Kate Winslet diffi cult. Yet World War Z is an oddly and Laurence Fishburne, reached the comforting action thriller, maybe hot zone of rental popularity with because it off ers Brad Pitt racing to its fact-based vision of what would the rescue (and he actually played happen if a virus spread across the Fauci on Saturday Night Live). Pitt world and claimed millions of lives. doesn’t survey the global crisis and Just recently, Host arrived on say, “It is what it is.” He’s relentless in the streaming site Shudder. The the search for a vaccine, brushing off horror fi lm, shot entirely on Zoom, a plane crash as if it were a fl at tire. takes place as a bunch of friends For the ultimate in pandemic- in lockdown gather online for a fuelled pandemonium, Invasion of seance that unleashes some serious the Body Snatchers (both the 1956 nastiness. The concept plays off of SPOTLIGHT: For at least six months now, movies have been providing coronavirus catharsis. Early this year, original and a 1978 remake) reveals quarantine tensions and brings new Contagion (2011), a taut drama starring Matt Damon, Kate Winslet and Laurence Fishburne, reached the hot zone the hazards of trying to stay safe meaning to experiencing a virtual of rental popularity with its fact-based vision of what would happen if a virus spread across the world and claimed while others are downplaying a meeting from hell. millions of lives. crisis. An allegory for the 1950s Red She Dies Tomorrow, written and Scare, it imagines a plague of seed director by Amy Steimetz, explores pods arriving from outer space. The timeless themes that just happen to pods grow exact copies of humans, correspond to the constant worry only these doubles lack free will and that has become 2020’s mood board. emotions. When one man (Kevin The story centres on Amy (Kate Lyn McCarthy in the ’56 version, Donald Sheil), who guzzles a drink after Sutherland in ’78) tries to expose becoming convinced that she will die the truth of what’s happening, he’s tomorrow. essentially deemed fake news. Amy’s fear doesn’t appear to be an Scary movies have always been off shoot of depression. She caught it a place to work out some of our from another person, and she spreads deepest fears — even for fi lmmakers. it to anyone she physically encounters. In the production notes for She Dies Super creepy and superbly Tomorrow, Seimitz described the unresolved, Steimetz’s new movie origin of the story. “I was dealing is a meditation on facing mortality with my own personal anxiety and that contains surprising splashes found I was spreading my panic of dark humour. For instance, when to other people by talking about it Amy keeps lifting the needle of her perhaps too excessively — while record player to listen over and over to simultaneously watching a ton of Mozart’s gloomy Requiem, it’s a pretty news and watching mass anxiety clear example of how not to wallow in spreading on the right and left misery. If time is running short, why politically,” she said. “All this while not put on some vintage Go-Go’s or remembering losing my father and Prince’s 1999? many friends that we all die at some She Dies Tomorrow is a moody, point. We don’t know what to do but intense portrait of trapped characters keep living, realising the absurdity — including a solitary scientist and tragedy that with life comes played by wonderful Jane Adams death.” (HBO’s Hung) — who must wrestle Seimetz notes that the characters with what it means to be approaching in her latest fi lm keep saying that their fi nal day. Should they drop everyone is going to die because they the limits of polite behaviour and no longer can avoid that fact. “It’s start saying and doing things they just most of the time, you can push otherwise would self-censor? Is that truth aside and be as shallow or that a good choice? It’s certainly an oblivious as you want to be.” honest one. Terrifying stuff , right? Or maybe With the real-life pandemic a timeless reminder that time is continuing to surge and no imminent precious. If She Dies Tomorrow end to it in sight, no wonder life is feels like 2020 condensed into one paralleling scary movies. In Bird Box script, well, there are worse ways to (2018), wearing a mask (in this case, a spend 90 minutes than with a smart, blindfold) is the only weapon against MASKED REALITY: There’s even a relevant plot point over whether masks are necessary or just a response to mass thought-provoking movie. mysterious creatures that provoke hysteria. But rest assured that Sandra Bullock’s character stays masked and serves as the Dr Fauci of Bird Box universe —Detroit Free Press/TNS 6 GULF TIMES Monday, August 10, 2020 COMMUNITY BOOK REVIEW Exploring the elusive fish owl

Owls of the Eastern Ice is Jonathan C Slaght’s narrative of the five winters he spent in Primorye. Part science narrative, part memoir, part adventure story, it is captivating, thrilling and beautifully written, writes Laurie Hertzel

and fi sh owls. It was the terrain, really, that was the decider. Larch bogs — crane habitat — were hot and buggy. Fish owls, on the other hand, lived along rivers that cut through dense forests where Amur tigers and Asiatic black bears also lived. Much better! Fish owls it was. All he had to do now was, well, fi nd them. Owls of the Eastern Ice, Slaght’s narrative of the fi ve winters he spent in Primorye, is an absolute marvel of a book. Part science narrative, part memoir, part adventure story, it is captivating, thrilling and beautifully written. The largest owl in the world, the Blakiston’s fi sh owl is both rare and endangered. It is the size, he notes, of a fi re hydrant. With its small head and football body, it looks, Slaght writes, “too comical to be a real bird, as if someone had hastily glued fi stfuls of feathers to a yearling bear.” He describes the owl as ‘a defi ant, fl oppy goblin”’and, later, says that a pair looks like “feathered golems.” A juvenile fi sh owl is “a small gray sack of potatoes.” Clearly, Slaght is very fond of these strange birds. The time to study the nesting habits of these owls is in late winter and early spring, and so, equipped with bulky old Soviet snowmobiles, cross-country skis and snowshoes, Slaght and Russians Tolya Ryzhov and Sergei Avdeyuk headed into the wilderness. The plan for the fi rst year was to fi nd where the owls nested and observe their behavior; subsequent years would have them trapping the birds, attaching trackers to them, releasing them, and collecting and analyzing data. Things, of course, did not work out exactly as planned, at least THE STORYTELLER: Slaght is a terrific, thoughtful writer, and he tells his not immediately. Simply fi nding story well, with cliff hangers and drama, careful scientific observation and a the owls took far more time than dash of humour and humility. they had anticipated, slogging through deep snow, listening for the of the river ice, darkening as water in a tent or a blind, listening for an calls, walking the riverbanks and spread across it. ... ‘You need to owl pair’s duet. searching for the owls’ distinctive move now!’ screamed Sergei. ... We When the fi ve years was up K-shaped footprints. continued on ... skirting holes that and it was time to head back to Slaght’s book abounds with vivid had once been trail, and watching Minnesota for good, Slaght felt both descriptions, colourful characters the river devour ice in our wake.” loss and pride. “The fi nality of it VIVID: The book abounds with vivid descriptions, colourful characters — — Russian scientists, researchers Slaght is a terrifi c, thoughtful all saddened me,” he wrote. “But I Russian scientists, researchers and woodsy hermits — and death-defying and woodsy hermits — and death- writer, and he tells his story well, also felt invigorated: we had data, adventures. defying adventures. with cliff hangers and drama, careful information that should help save In what is perhaps the book’s scientifi c observation and a dash of the species.” onathan C Slaght had seen of Minnesota, tracking the eff ect of most breathless scene, he and the humour and humility. Fish owls, Slaght says, are just one rare Blakiston’s logging on songbirds in the remote Russians head out by snowmobile The work is hard and often symbols of the wilderness. And fi sh owl in his life — and Primorye region of far Eastern in early April, traversing a rapidly frustrating. The men spend a lot in years to come, “Standing in the that one completely by Russia. Slaght, who had also spent melting river. of time cold and wet, waist-deep forest under the right conditions, Jchance — before rashly time in Primorye as a Peace Corps “I heard a sudden, sharp crack in snow, or sloshing through rivers we’ll hear the salmon hunters — the deciding that he would spend fi ve volunteer, hoped to return there for reverberate behind us,” he writes. that fi ll their waders with icy water. fi sh owls — announcing like town years studying the elusive bird. his doctoral research. “I looked back. A broad sheet of ice They are on the schedule of the criers that all is well: Primorye In 2005, Slaght had earned a For his doctorate, he was torn in between our snowmobile and owls, and much time is spent simply is still wild.” — Star Tribune master’s degree from the University between studying hooded cranes, Tolya’s had separated from the rest waiting, awake all night, shivering (Minneapolis)/TNS Monday, August 10, 2020 GULF TIMES 7 INTERIOR DESIGN COMMUNITY

THE BASIC GALLERY: The kitchen with parquet floor from County Hall, mahogany cabinets in galley formation, and a view of the EXPERIMENTATION: Michael says he has always used this garden. house as a platform for experimentation. Inside a designer’s Waterloo home – a minimalist’s dream

The home of the designer Michael Anastassiades is a place for reflection, writes Aimee Farrell

he place was a – his linear and spherical lights, adorn the walls of his home with dump,” says Michael in fact, are stationed just about artworks. “It takes a long time Anastassiades of his everywhere. before something gets hung,” he now pristine fi ve-storey “I’ve always used it as a platform says of his growing art collection, Thome on Lower Marsh for experimentation. Many of my which includes a darkly minimalist in Waterloo. “There wasn’t even designs were originally created for canvas by the German painter Silke a bathroom.” Built in the 1800s this house,” says Anastassiades, Otto-Knapp in the second-fl oor as a merchant’s house, it most describing his minimalist creative bedroom. “Not much actually recently accommodated a fashion process as little more one of makes it on to the walls.” store and had been uninhabited elimination and subtraction. But it’s the green velvet George for decades when he moved in. That certainly rings true for his Smith sofa downstairs that took Now, 20 years on, the property last project, a monolithic public the most deliberation. “When has slowly evolved into an elegant, drinking fountain wrought from you’re buying things by another airy home that serves as canvas polished cast bronze that was designer they really need to refl ect for the Cyprus-born lighting and installed inside the V&A, and in the way you think,” he says. “I lived furniture designer’s unequivocally South Kensington, for London without furniture for a long time modernist tastes. Design Festival. Elegantly simple, before deciding this should be the “Right from the beginning there the split abstracted column has one.” Other standouts, such as the was no fi nished plan for anything no obvious spout or button and is leather Charles Eames chair that in the house,” he says of the space, operated by a sensor. was a house-warming gift and the which takes inspiration from the The hope is that this prototype, pair of Mies van der Rohe Brno open-plan lower layout at the Sir borrowing in its neoclassical design seats he picked up in a junk store John Soane’s Museum. “It was a from street furniture, such as for £20 a pop, found their place very organic process.” Working bollards and letterboxes, will spring more easily. There’s seemingly no with his architect friend Wim de PREVIEW: The designer’s stone collection on preview. up across the capital, as a drinking end to this house’s evolution. Not Mul, after demolishing the interior, and refi lling station, dispensing long ago, the deterioration of the knocking out ceilings and shifting cabinets are set in a galley meditation stools sit alongside with the need for single-use water basement stairs, which lead to the stairwells, they began the gradual formation each stacked with the series of compressed sand bottles. “People need to realise how guest area, compelled a switch process of rebuilding. Much of wonderfully amorphous crockery stones he gathered from a Spanish much waste they produce in terms from marble stairs to an alternating the muted look of the place was by ceramicist Ingegerd Råman. beach (“I love collecting stones. I of plastic bottles,” he says of the step design that’s modelled dictated by the parquet mahogany Even as trains screech in and out even buy them on eBay.”) But it’s lofty intentions of this fi rst public after Carlo Scarpa’s concrete fl oor, which neatly demarcates of the nearby station, it all feels Anastassiades’s own designs that commission by Charles Asprey staircase at the Castelvecchio each area. Reclaimed from a local surprisingly zen. Anastassiades really lend serenity to the kitchen, and Jane Withers of the London museum in Verona. Soon after, the builder, it once decked the nearby added a glass-ceilinged fi rst-fl oor dining and living space. There’s Fountain Co. “Water should be free studio and showroom that once County Hall, and had to be cleaned living space that looks out on to the luxurious solid walnut faceted for everybody.” occupied the ground fl oor was and spliced after arriving in 200 a wooden terrace abundant with dining table which doubles as a It’s a typically staunch relocated to Camden. Currently bin bags covered in staples and tar. white wisteria and Himalayan birch desk, the pair of copper mirrors in standpoint from a designer who used for storage, Anastassiades “There’s nothing straight about trees. Planted by his neighbour, graduating sizes that jut beautifully has been nothing short of exacting is considering transforming it,” he says. “But it gives the place garden designer Dan Pearson, it’s a from the partition wall, and the in his own aesthetic life. For the remaining rooms into an character.” verdant haven in an area noted for stylish satin brass Tube Chandelier instance, it’s only in recent years independent gallery. In the kitchen, mahogany its absence of green. Here, marble that he’s become synonymous with that Anastassiades has begun to — The Guardian 8 GULF TIMES Monday, August 10, 2020 COMMUNITY TRA Outdoor theatre and cine Balmy evenings in southern Europe are favourites for open-air films, while the Cornish coast and city parks host UK theatre

Vienna fi lm festival another, while the Danube fl ows Cine Naxos, Hora, Atonement. Back then it was cicadas providing the perfect past nearby. Entry to the fi lm fest Naxos, Greece fairly basic but with investment soundtrack, you cannot feel more The Rathausplatz in Vienna is is free but this year places must be since it has clearly become relaxed. At this wonderful venue, a spectacular setting at any time, booked online. You get a good view This place is magical. We more sophisticated. On a warm even a mediocre or bad film would and under the balmy summer skies from anywhere but early booking first visited 12 years ago when it summer’s evening, with a cold seem tolerable. in July and August it is a beautiful, will get a seat on the front rows. Try was called Cine Astra, to watch bottle of soda drink and the — Gary elegant place to watch fi lms, the food from a variety of market musicals and plays on a giant screen stalls, ranging from hefty Austrian surrounded by verdant trees on sausages to delicate crepes and one side and baroque buildings on exotic Japanese teppanyaki. — Bill

Cambridge greats in and around Cambridge. The taking place. It has old favourites On the farm, for 60 cars Wednesday-Saturday providers can be followed online, such as Grease and Dirty Dancing as Great Yarmouth evenings throughout the summer, There are well-run outdoor so you get an inbox message about well as newer movies. and fi lms on off ers are classics such cinema screenings in various places when and where events will be — Clair Hirsty’s is a farm attraction as Blues Brothers and Die Hard, near Great Yarmouth (with a giant starting with Ready Player One this corn maze until 6 September) that week. If you can last the course, we often take the kids to. This there is an electric light show at the summer it has started running start and fi reworks afterwards. You drive-in movies (through Outdoor can order drinks, snacks and ice- Cinema Live). There will be room cream via an app. — Taylor Monday, August 10, 2020 GULF TIMES 9 AVEL COMMUNITY ema in Europe and the UK

Under the reserved in advance here) every Ancient evenings, Santorini, lies an open-air cinema serving local wine, this place gives a stars, Bologna evening until 1 September, at Santorini, Greece which comes alive in the summer feel of the amphitheatres of ancient 9.45pm. From 25-31 August months. Combining a traditional Greece with some 21st-century Sotto le Stelle (under the this year, Cinema Ritrovato, In the picturesque town of garden setting with state-of-the- luxuries thrown in. stars) cinema runs every a long-running festival Kamari, on the sublime island of art technology and an open-air bar — Emma Wootton summer in the fantastic dedicated to the history of auditorium that is Bologna’s cinema – postponed from Piazza Maggiore, with modern earlier in the summer – takes and classic fi lms shown for over the square. free (though places must be — Lucy Parry

Alexandra Palace drive-in, London

It’s now pretty much all contactless at this north London drive-in run by the Rooftop Film Club (whose pub-based rooftop cinemas remain closed this summer). From ticket purchases and check-in on arrival to food Minack Theatre, it’s wonderfully atmospheric and drink orders, there’s no Porthcurno, Cornwall with waves, gulls and the ferry need to leave the car. Mind to the Scilly Isles sailing by. Just you, snacks still get delivered This place has everything … remember your cushion for by people on rollerskates for We watched a comedy sitting the BTM! The summer season that retro vibe! Classic movies on earth seats hewn out of the is now under way, including are mainly the order of the rocks by creator Rowena Cade plays, a one-man show day – Grease, The Goonies, after the fi rst world war. The and children’s storytelling Back to the Future – with a backdrop is the sea and sky, and sessions.— Sue Washington sprinkling of newer releases. The view across London on the drive up to the palace is pretty great, too. — Flickerfan

Festival fun, London

I’m looking forward to this new festival in Wandsworth, south-west London. Called The New Normal (3-31 August), it features comedy, improv, magic, music and theatre for small audiences in the courtyard of the Grade II-listed Royal Victoria Patriotic Building. Back in spring, when the comedy season was cut short and the Edinburgh festival cancelled, director Sean Turner asked on Twitter for producers with outdoor-ready shows to get in touch, and this is the result: it includes the Olivier Award-winning Mischief Comedy; The Beast Will Rise, a series of monologues in response to the pandemic; a comedy night featuring Sindhu Vee, Suzi Ruff ell, Jake Lambert and Ben Van Der Velde; an improvised comedy mystery; and a dose of Shakespeare. Tickets must be bought in advance. — Cyrille — The Guardian 10 GULF TIMES Monday, August 10, 2020 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Would you take an FDA-approved vaccine? If an FDA-approved vaccine to prevent coronavirus/COVID-19 was available right now at no cost, would you agree to be vaccinated? % YES % NO All Americans 65 35

Men 65 35

Women 65 35

Democrats 81 19

Independents 59 41

Republicans 47 53

White Americans 67 33

Non-white Americans 59 41

18-29 years old 76 24

30-49 years old 64 36

50-64 years old 59 41

65 and older 70 30

Rural area/Farm 56 44

Small town/Village 68 32

Suburb of a large city 69 31

Large city 65 35

Source: Gallup Graphic: Staff, TNS Monday, August 10, 2020 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Five eye health tips that are easy to visualise

riter Leigh Hunt once said, such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and “The groundwork of all macular degeneration, which otherwise have happiness is good health.” no warning signs. It’s a mantra you heed Wbecause nothing is more Read smart important than your health. That’s why you Whether it’s the morning paper, your watch what you eat, you exercise at least favourite weekly magazine or a page-turning three times a week and you avoid tobacco or thriller, reading is one of your favourite excessive alcohol use. You’re working hard hobbies, but sometimes the page can be to improve your body’s overall health, but hard to see. In cases like this, support your there’s one integral part of your body that eyes reading glasses. Some company off ers you have yet to focus your health regimen high-quality, non-prescription reading on – your eyes. It’s easy to take your eyes for glasses in a wide range of strengths suited granted, but they remain one of your body’s for your individual eyes. These glasses are most important organs and, like the rest of prescription-quality lens magnifi cation your body, they will benefi t from your eff orts without the prescription price, and they are to improve their health. To support your eyes available in a wide array of styles, allowing and maintain a healthy lifestyle, incorporate you to support your style as well as your these fi ve tips today health. Embrace digital glasses options An apple a day Another solution to help limit digital eye A healthy balanced diet benefi ts not just Consult an eye care professional Give your eyes some downtime strain caused from using tech devices is to your overall health but your eyes as well. Just as you visit your doctor for your If you spend long periods of time looking add a pair of non-prescription digital eye Carrots have a reputation for supporting eye yearly check-up, you should also visit your at a computer screen during the day, be sure glasses. health, but the most benefi cial vegetables are optometrist once a year to review your eye to give your eyes a rest by employing the 20- Glasses not only help relax your eyes leafy greens like kale or spinach. Collard greens health. Your optometrist can answer any 20-20 rule. Look 20 feet away for 20 seconds but also enhance your viewing experience. and fi sh varieties like salmon, halibut and tuna questions you have about your eyes, and the after every 20 minutes of screen time to help Most people spend at least 12 hours a day can also help support your eye health, so add check-up can help identify eye concerns reduce digital eyestrain. consuming media. them to your next meal. — IANS

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

Some unusual dreams may come to you tonight, Aries, and you Relationships of all kinds should be thriving at this time, Taurus. Mind Work of all kinds gets done a lot faster, Gemini, as friends or family might awaken with the idea that they’re very important. The images and emotions join together in a beneficial partnership, enabling members join in assisting you in getting it out of the way. You’ve should be very clear, however, and you probably won’t have much you to increase your understanding of those close to you. Romantic made this possible because your intellect has joined with your trouble working out what they mean. Intellect joins with intuition involvements strengthen in particular, as an understanding of your emotions in strengthening your communication with others. The old today in a rush of insightfulness. Make the most of this advantage partner’s values, attitudes, and motivations becomes clearer to you. saying, “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar” is now, and later decide how best to act on your revelations. Make your new insights known to everyone around you. very true, and you’ll learn all about it today! CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Love blossoms today as communication with your beloved is A number of visitors might come to your house today, Leo, If you’re into computers and the Internet, Virgo, you can expect to enhanced by an increased understanding on both your parts, perhaps to discuss matters of interest to all of you. Some intense spend a lot of time today staring at a screen. You may be doing some Cancer. You feel more at ease in each other’s presence, and you disagreements could arise, but you’ll be able to keep it all together. writing or web design or animation, but whatever it is, you’ll probably project a united front in the company of others. At some point, both An intellect enhanced by intuition enables you to understand find it noticeably better than what you usually produce. Intellect joins of you will probably go out with a group of friends. Expect some and explain complex ideas, and you’ll also be able to derail with intuition to produce inspiration and insight. Make the most of it exciting and fascinating discussions with the others. misunderstandings before they even happen. now and you might develop some new and lasting skills! LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Using computers either to increase your income or manage your Intellect and feelings are totally joined today, Scorpio, especially A focused and enhanced practical turn of mind, strengthened by money may have seemed like Greek to you, Libra, but today you’ll when dealing with friends. Your basic understanding of others is intuition, may be of great help to you today when considering career probably catch on very quickly. Your natural practicality joins with also enhanced by a keener sense of intuition. You might become matters, Sagittarius. A change is in the wind and you might want to an enhanced intellect and heightened intuition to give you an interested in a cause of some kind, perhaps metaphysical, social, give considerable thought to diff erent options that may be opening advantage you don’t usually have. If you concentrate on learning it ecological, or humanitarian in nature. There could well be more than up to you. Don’t think you have to rush into making a decision, all today, it’ll probably continue to be useful for you for a long time. one that you find appealing right now. however. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

You probably won’t want to spend much time at home today, Your imagination is flying high today, Aquarius. Intellect and intuition Thoughts of travel could be on your mind today, Pisces, and you might Capricorn. Most likely you’ll want to be out and about, perhaps at a join together in a vivid and explosive union where the whole is tinker with the idea of actually taking time off and going somewhere large gathering, perhaps just strolling down a city street watching definitely greater than the sum of the parts. Don’t waste this energy. that you’ve always wanted to visit. A friend or love partner might want the people go by. Insights and revelations come to you that you’ll Get busy and work on whatever creative projects you’re involved to accompany you. The only problem might be figuring out what place probably be able to make more sense of than you usually do, with, or start one if there aren’t any. This energy may not come you want to see the most. This could involve a rather diff icult decision. because mind and feelings are joined in a very eff ective partnership. around again for a while and you’ll want to make the most of it. Don’t let it become obsessive. Follow your heart. 12 GULF TIMES Monday, August 10, 2020 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

AUSTEN SPENSER MELVILLE HARDY CONRAD YEATS SHAKESPEARE MARLOWE ELIOT BYRON TENNYSON MILTON JOYCE DICKENS FIELDING SHELLEY MARVELL POPE CHAUCER WORDSWORTH KEATS DONNE

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, August 10, 2020 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1 Bird to measure plant (10) 1 Go up and get caught on 7 Sit on mud awkwardly and get branch of tree (5) off (8) 2 Animal to upset King Arthur’s 8 Press club (4) city (7) 9 Dance band leader meets 3 Burden a person usually everybody (4) carries (4) 10 Exaggerate term of 4 It’s mixed in a pot to drink (8) imprisonment (7) 5 Making a racket, one is thrown 12 The loud beat changed out (5) quickly (2,3,6) 6 Painful exclamation 14 My bases, perhaps, in suppressed by the French is ambassador’s residence (7) disreputable (6) 16 A little lower - a little lower 11 The main work of an artist (8) than the knee (4) 12 A miser deployed lots of 19 Top tennis player, so we hear, soldiers (6) is to step down (4) 13 A grizzly youngster? (4,3) 20 Film star giving pal a coin 15 Sporting venue taking an age (2,6) to erect (5) 21 Pitiful tea bellman prepared 17 Criminal fight with swords (5) (10) 18 Observe a defect (4)

Solution Answers

Wordsearch Codeword 14 GULF TIMES Monday, August 10, 2020 COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD

Badshah denies the due diligence on my part. on Friday regarding allegedly involvement in fake social I have categorically denied all promoting his music album media followers scam the allegations levelled against with fake likes and followers. me and made it clear that I was Badshah was questioned again on Rapper Badshah has denied any never involved in such practices, Saturday. The rapper is likely to involvement in the fake social nor do I condone them. The be summoned again on Sunday media followers scam, which is investigation procedure is being for other related aspects of the being investigated by the Mumbai executed in accordance with the probe, as per sources. Police. law and I have complete faith in Till date, the Mumbai Police The rapper issued a statement the authorities, who are handling has investigated at least 20 recently, where he mentioned this matter. I would like to thank prominent personalities. that he has categorically denied all those who have conveyed their The developments came all allegations levelled against concern to me. It means a lot to after the Mumbai Police busted him while speaking to the police. me,” reads the statement issued the scam on July 14 through “Following the summons, by Badshah. analytical technical-intelligence I have spoken to the Mumbai The rapper’s clarification and nabbed one person, following Police. I have aided the officials comes in the wake of a 10- a complaint lodged by Bollywood DILIGENT: Badshah says he has aided the officials in their in their investigation by co- hour long interrogation by the playback singer Bhoomi Trivedi. investigation by co-operating and carrying out the due diligence operating and carrying out Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU) – IANS on his part. The diminishing relevance of film censorship in India

conceived brainchild of the British, By Vinod Mirani who did not care what the Indians watched as long as it was not anti- Raj. No secret that the free India here is a curious regimes continued to use it as a tool situation vis a vis the to control the fi lmmakers. Censor Board of Film The digital media has taken Certifi cation! How over now, and all kind of content Trelevant is its existence is beamed straight to home of a now? The Board, which was the subscriber. From the day the fi rst pawn of the ruling regimes and controversial streaming from Hindi which made or marred a fi lm’s content makers, Sacred Games, hit prospects at the box offi ce. the home screens, there has been The Cinematograph Act 1957, a hue and cry that the content was has rules laid down for what not only gory and explicit, but also it describes as public viewing. against all that the Indian Censor Films were meant for public has stood for. exhibition and, hence, needed The CBFC has no jurisdiction to be monitored. Things started over digital platform. It is in a changing when television entered peculiar situation of being hard on the scene. The CBFC had no control fi lm content while watching some here as this was considered home fi lthiest and disturbing content on entertainment and not public the OTT platforms. Add to that, exhibition. even the fi lms that were in the Even when the television made CBFC domain, which could not its entry into India, because the be screened in cinemas, can now medium was state-owned, it had bypass the Board and can be shown to follow the norms. Government- TEAM: The cast and crew of Sacred Games, with executive Ted Sarandos, second from left. through online streaming not controlled television was in the requiring a censor clearance. analogue signal initially. It telecast started collecting ‘hafta’ from cable each cable operator, wherever in no clue of fi lmmaking or what a The last amendment the fi lms based programmes like operators. Exhibition being a state India, had a special slot for porn fi lm-lover wanted. They played Government made to the Chhayageet, but its main attraction subject, governments were also films, starting late night after favourites with producers, created Cinematography Act was a year was the Sunday evening telecast losing out on a lot of revenue in the 10pm! waiting lists and, then, manipulated back, in 2019. It dealt only with of a feature fi lm. It was still a black form of entertainment tax. Cable Then came private satellite TV these lists. Things became so piracy, and the kind of penalties and and white era. operators were not streamlined channels, which spelt big bucks ridiculous that there came a time punishment it would entail. The With India hosting the 1982 and did not pay taxes of any kind. for films. Film producers devised a when not only fi lms, but even the amendment came some 35 years too Asian Games, colour television However, no government was way to circumvent the ‘A’ certifi cate fi lm publicity material was needed late. A lot many fi lms are available made its foray. This was followed concerned. block on these television channels. to be presented to a fi lm producers’ on certain digital platforms that are by video players. That not only gave When there were no other Once the theatrical run for a fi lm body, which would duly endorse not acquired rightfully. Isn’t that birth to piracy, but also brought channels, Doordarshan was an was over and it came to selling it as clean and only then the fi lm piracy? What good is censorship in its wake cable broadcast in the additional source of income television rights, the producer of could proceed for censor certifi cate. of fi lms in today’s times, especially form of home video. This business for filmmakers. However, films a fi lm would apply with a fi lm’s Thankfully, such foolhardy, since no fi lmmaker is yet seen going was grossly illegal and there was certified with ‘A’ certificates were revised version, doing away with kneejerk dictates don’t last long overboard even in fi lms shown on no control on the activity. All the not allowed to be telecast on TV. all the footage that had earned the and the rule died an un-ceremonial streaming platforms! fi lms shown on cable were pirated, Not all ‘A’ films fell in the slot of fi lm an ‘A’ certifi cate. That way, a death. Yes, the made-for-OTT without acquiring rights. It became vulgarity or violence. Finally, such maker would get the best of both So, how relevant it the Censor platforms do force a lot of violence so blatant, that the pirated fi lms films were permitted in late night the worlds. Board today when millions of and vulgarity. But, now these premiered simultaneously on cable slot of 11pm! The Central Board of Film minutes of content is streamed on platforms provide programmes along with its cinema release. Coming back to the Censor Certifi cation has always been held digital media? CBFC has no say from all over the world, and there The producers tried their best Board, it lost the plot when in a negative light with the fi lm here because it was meant only is no way they can be censored. to appoint agencies to check on films duly censored but with industry, whichever the regime to be a watchdog of fi lms meant So, why should Indian content be cable operators, which only led interpolated clippings of porn calling shots. It is known to appoint for public exhibition in cinema censored? to corruption as these agencies films were shown on cable. Also, people on its committees who have theatres. Of course, it was an ill- – IANS Monday, August 10, 2020 GULF TIMES 15 SHOWBIZ COMMUNITY

Aniston: You’re never The shooting for the reunion special was set going to get rid of Friends to begin in mid-March, but was later pushed to May owing to the outbreak of the novel The much-awaited Friends reunion may coronavirus. have been deferred twice already owing to the No date has currently been set. Covid pandemic, but actress Jennifer Aniston Aniston said: “Unfortunately it’s very sad promises the delay gives the cast and crew that we had to move it again... It was, ‘how do time to make the experience even more special we do this with live audiences?’ This is not a for fans. safe time. Period. That’s the bottom line. It’s “It’s going to be super. You know what? not a safe time to do it.” This has also given us more time to make it Friends stars Aniston along with Courteney even more exciting and more fun than it would Cox as Monica Geller, Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe have been. So I choose to see it as the glass is Buff ay, Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani, half-full that it got postponed,” Aniston, who Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, and David plays the popular Rachel Green in the show, Schwimmer as Ross Geller. told deadline.com. Aniston admits not being a big fan of the She added: “Look, we’re not going year 2020. “I’m supposed to renew my driver’s anywhere. You’re never going to get rid of license and I don’t want it to say 2020 on it. I Friends, sorry. You’re stuck with us for life just want to get 2020 out and behind us,” she POPULAR: Aniston says we are stuck with guys.” said. –IANS Friends for life. CANDID: Pattinson says he cited “family emergency” for his absence from the sets of Tenet. Robert Pattinson’s sneaky Batman audition story

Tim Van Patten may be the Actor Robert Pattinson said he lied to filmmaker Christopher Nolan to make it to the screen test for superhero film, The Batman. most important visionary In an interview to Irish Times, Pattinson recalled his attempt to sneak away from Tenet set for his Batman audition. He said that he cited “family emergency” for his in entertainment industry absence from the sets of Tenet, but the filmmaker was quick to figure out the truth, reports ew.com. “It’s funny because Chris is so By Neal Justin secretive about everything to do with his movies,” Pattinson said, adding: “And then I had to be really or a time, it appeared that Tim Van secretive about Batman stuff. So I Patten’s most signifi cant contribution had to lie to Chris about having to to television would be playing a baller go for a screen test a” I said I had named Salami. Instead, the former a family emergency. And as soon FWhite Shadow star has become HBO’s as I said ‘it’s a family emergency’ most successful director— and arguably the he said: “You’re doing the Batman greatest visionary in TV and fi lm. audition, aren’t you?’” “When I see director Tim Van Patten’s name Nolan is known for putting his on a show, I know I’m about to see something own spin on Batman with the Dark beautifully staged,” tweeted “Walk the Line” Knight trilogy. fi lmmaker James Mangold last month. “People Pattinson credits Tenet for compliment TV shows saying they look like a helping him get in shape for the role movie. I think that does not suffi ce on shows of the caped crusader. Van Patten directs. They feel like they were “When I’m running on screen I’m made by a master.” generally paired with John David Van Patten’s latest masterpiece is Perry (Washington) who is an ex-NFL Mason, the highly stylized prequel to Erle player so it was the most unfair Stanley Gardner’s novels that showcases its thing in the world. The maximum main auteur’s ability to transport viewers to a workout I do most of the time is a diff erent time and place — in this case, 1930s casual stroll. John David can run all Los Angeles. day long. It was good that I ended “You live and die by the details,” said Van up being pretty fit. But definitely, Patten, who helmed fi ve of the drama’s eight at the beginning, there were days episodes, including the season fi nale. “The I just could not walk afterwards,” sunlight, the shadows, the imperfections. Pattinson said. Visual storytelling is just as important as the Nolan’s Tenet has been described narrative. You want to take the audience, as well as “an action epic evolving from the as the actors, on a journey, like they’ve stepped world of international espionage”. into a portal.” ON SET: Perry Mason director Tim Van Patten, right, on location with Shea Whigham. The second trailer of the film came Van Patten’s fi ngerprints can be found on with hints of ‘inversion’ versus numerous HBO classics over the past two said in a phone interview last week. “I tried to One of his earliest assignments was CBS’ time travel as a part of survival. decades, including The Wire, Deadwood, Rome get into the book. It’s great, but it was a hard uplifting Touched by an Angel, about as far away The latest trailer of the action and The Pacifi c. In addition to helming 20 read. But I went in as a good soldier, not really in tone from HBO dramas as one can get. thriller gives a glimpse into the episodes of The Sopranos, including the one in knowing what was going to happen. I had no “Beggars can’t be choosers,” said Van Patten, mission that the protagonist secret which Adriana meets her maker, he came up idea what was going to happen with that show.” who would end up directing more than 30 agents, essayed by Pattinson and with the story line for Pine Barrens that had Despite his mind-blowing credentials and episodes of the CBS drama. “I didn’t go to Washington, embark on, in a time- Pauly and Chris losing a Russian in the snow- experience on screen, you won’t see Van Patten college. That was my fi lm school. I would get bending mission to prevent World covered woods. TV Guide named it the fourth- make appearances in his own work. Even with panic-stricken in those old days. I would lose War III. best episode of the 21st century. the success of CBS’ basketball drama The White sleep. Now, it’s second nature. I can just focus The support cast includes Van Patten also directed 20 hours of Shadow (1978-81) and subsequent roles, he on the minutiae.” Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Boardwalk Empire, a series ripe for re- realized that he was on the wrong side of the Despite all his success, Van Patten still hasn’t Kenneth Branagh, Michael Caine, appreciation in semi-quarantined times. During camera. tackled a feature fi lm. Dimple Kapadia, Aaron Taylor- a break in shooting Boardwalk, HBO execs asked “One day I realised I just wasn’t getting “I get off ered a lot of things, but I’m under Johnson and Clemence Poesy. The their go-to ace to “fi x” a troubled pilot that had enough action,” he said. “I felt like a right fi elder almost exclusive contract with HBO, which is a film has been shot across seven just lost its original director, Thomas McCarthy. as opposed to a catcher, who touches the ball on privilege,” he said. “But I’d like to do one before countries — India, the US, the It was called “Game of Thrones.” every play and calls the pitches. I wanted to be I go to the motion picture rest home.” UK, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, and “Fantasy is just not what I do,” Van Patten more involved.” — Star Tribune (Minneapolis)/ TNS Norway. – IANS 16 GULF TIMES Monday, August 10, 2020 COMMUNITY Summer in coronavirus Many kids’ camps shutter, others open — with masks, gallons of sanitiser, and no tag

TOUGH TIMES: Throughout Philadelphia, harried local officials and private camp directors have had to make nearly impossible decisions about how many fewer kids to bring in, or whether to just shut their gates, as the pandemic has bent, twisted, or full-on wrecked the season for children stuck at home, hungering for experience.

made — camp opens, parents at Camp Experts, with offices in At Martin Luther King Jr. the virus is controlling us.” By Alfred Lubrano dispatch their precious ones — the Wynnewood, Manhattan, and Recreation Center summer camp, When children arrive in their pressure never ebbs, as the news Boca Raton. Bahiya Jones runs a limited parents’ cars in the morning, cycle churns with distressing To battle the coronavirus, program for the 6- to 13-year- a camp worker opens the door ome mornings at the stories about camp closures in overnight camps had planned to olds, where the fee is $175 per with a sanitized rag. Kids’ Martin Luther King Miami, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, quarantine everyone and create a child for the summer. temperatures are taken. Their Jr. Recreation Centre and elsewhere, due to Covid-19 bubble that neither kids nor staff No trips, no swimming, no hands are squirted with sanitizer. summer camp in North outbreaks. To operate safely, could leave. But, Goldstein said, basketball. She’s got the kids Playground equipment — SPhiladelphia, parents camps must pay people who do “at day camps, all children and playing kickball, dancing the bathroom faucets, balls, bats, whose children weren’t accepted nothing but sanitise every single staff go out into the world from limbo, making art, and engaging bows, arrows, everything — is gather at the fence, watching the thing a child or employee touches 4 p.m. until 8 a.m., when they in water-balloon fights. Classes cleaned by people who walk campers who were picked play in throughout the day, no matter return. You don’t know what goes on self-awareness, bullying, and around wiping surfaces, said the sunshine. how many times. on during those 16 hours. Rosa Parks enlighten campers. Lester, who spent $3,600 on two Bahiya Jones, who runs the “The thought process “God forbid one kid gets Covid But you can’t fool kids about 55-gallon drums of sanitizer. “We site for the city’s Department throughout has been ,” said and then their grandma dies. the lamentable limits of camp in might need one or two more,” he of Parks and Recreation, brings Andrew Yankowitz, owner and You’ll be known as the camp that the time of Covid-19. said. the disappointed grown-ups director of Tall Pines Day Camp killed a kid’s grandma.” “We’re not able to play tag, Children bring their own water and a comforting word. in Williamstown, Gloucester Aware of the fears, Brian Witt, and it’s no fun,” said Sasha lunches in paper bags. They wear “Maybe next year,” she tells County, where 40% of campers head director of Arrowhead Day Richardson, 8, whose face was masks, even in 95-degree heat. them, explaining how Covid-19 are from Center City during Camp in West Chester, said that nearly covered by her required “We weighed the pros and has forced the city to drastically normal years. “Every 12 hours along with social distancing, he mask. cons,” said Alex Yannarella, 35, of reduce camp enrolment numbers. when we had to decide to open, asks his staff to remain vigilant “You can’t be six feet apart and Doylestown, the mother of three “The neighbourhood is so we changed our minds: Safety. during off-hours. “Please be tag someone. You don’t want to children, two of whom — ages upset,” said Jones, able to accept Insurance. Social distance.” responsible,” he tells them. “You get infected.” 4 and 6 — attend Elbow Lane. just 40 children instead of the Ultimately, he chose to not are dealing with someone’s most Normally, Parks and Recreation “It came down to trusting the usual 120. “Hopefully, they’ll open the camp, for which parents prized possession.” would take in 9,000 to 10,000 camp with our children,” said forgive.” normally pay as much as $5,400 Many overnight camps tried to summer campers. This year, Yannarella, a kindergarten teacher Throughout Philadelphia and a child. “I’m watching my fellow open, but “some states were not the cap was 4,000 to achieve in Perkasie. “We’re confident. its suburbs, harried local officials camp directors open,” Yankowitz forthcoming about the rules of social distancing, a department And the kids are having an and private camp directors have said, “and I know I’m missing out. how to operate until the end of spokesperson said. In making the amazing summer. Their smiles had to make nearly impossible But at what peril? Until the final June,” said Susie Lupert, executive difficult choice of deciding which make it worth it for us.” decisions about how many fewer whistle sounds, you won’t know if director of the American Camp children could attend camp, Smiles are nonexistent at kids to bring in, or whether to just you made the right decision.” Association of New York and Jones first tried to keep siblings Blue Bell Camp in Montgomery shut their gates, as the pandemic Many, if not most, overnight New Jersey. “They needed the together, since they’d already County, which didn’t open has bent, twisted, or full-on camps are closed. Of the 500 information by mid-May.” been weathering the pandemic because of safety concerns. wrecked the season for children certified overnight sites in the Ultimately, the governors under one roof: The more siblings, “It’s a mess, and the world’s stuck at home, hungering for Northeast that are recommended of New Jersey, New York, and the more likely a family would upside down,” said owner experience. by Beth Goldstein, a camp Connecticut ordered overnight be allowed to participate. In one and director Tom Harris, who In many cases, camp owners consultant popular with local camps closed. family, for example, there are postponed the day camp’s 75th must balance the survival of parents, just 20 are open this As for Pennsylvania, although eight siblings, all of whom were anniversary celebration. “But we their businesses with the health summer. government didn’t close overnight picked. still have to mow the grass and of employees and other people’s On the other hand, dozens camps, “I don’t know of one that’s At Elbow Lane Day Camp feed the animals. Work continues kids. of day camps are open — it’s open,” said Jay Freedman, owner in Warrington, Bucks County, without the kids — the fun part. Meanwhile, a multitude of impossible to know how many, and director of Camp Green Lane, owner Bob Lester said his place is We’re eating our vegetables, but uneasy parents have had to weigh Goldstein said — and she’s an overnight camp in Montgomery operating at 50% capacity, with getting no dessert. coronavirus fears against their concerned. County. “We chose to close. I’m about 200 campers. “Hopefully, next year will kids’ need to have a non-virtual “It’s illogical to me that day comfortable we made the right “We created something that be normal. And we’ll have our summer. camps are open but overnights decision from every standpoint — seems to be working for us,” anniversary.” — The Philadelphia And even if the decisions are are not,” said Goldstein, a director except economical.” Lester said. “But we never forget Inquirer/ TNS