He Survived Coronavirus. He's Broke. but He Thinks America Is

Wednesday, April 1, 2020 Sha’ban 8, 1441 AH

Doha today 220 - 310

Cover Story The other view He survived coronavirus. He’s broke. But he thinks America is overreacting. P4-5

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We must have a mind ‘Introduce children to games of our own: Aahana. to develop key cognitive skills’. Page 14 Page 16 2 GULF TIMES Wednesday, April 1, 2020 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

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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, adversary of many fellow rich girls. Chace 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, Friends something year-olds, living off of one another in the heart of 40253369 DIRECTION: David Crane, Marta Kauffman New York City. Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 CAST: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt Over the course of ten years, this average group of buddies Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer goes through massive mayhem, family trouble, past and future Qatar Airways 40253374 SYNOPSIS: Rachel Green, Ross Geller, Monica Geller, romances, fights, laughs, tears and surprises as they learn Joey Tribbiani, Chandler Bing and Phoebe Buffay are six 20 what it really means to be a friend.

te Unqu uo ot Q “Health e is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.” — Buddha

Community Editor Kamran Rehmat e-mail: [email protected] Good Girls themselves by robbing the local grocery store. But when the Telephone: 44466405 DIRECTION: Jenna Bans manager catches a glimpse of one of them and the loot is far Fax: 44350474 CAST: Christina Hendricks, Retta, Mae Whitman more than they expected, it doesn’t take long for the three 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. Wednesday, April 1, 2020 GULF TIMES 3 BODY & MIND COMMUNITY Five ways to avoid arguments with your roommate in this lockdown

By Rachel Schnalzer

our partner is bellowing into their conference call as you try to get reports filed. Your roommate showed Yyou six memes in the last hour. Meanwhile, your manager sent over three more requests for you to complete by end of day. The coronavirus crisis poses major challenges to the global workforce, even for those workers fortunate enough to have secure employment that allows them to work from home. Many employees with the ability to work remotely have found themselves working alongside their partner and/ or roommates for the first time, competing for limited space, internet connection and attention. I reached out to a few friends and experts for tips on how to navigate the sometimes-fun, sometimes- frustrating experience of co- working with significant others and roommates. Here is their advice:

1. Set clear boundaries Setting up crystal-clear expectations for the workday is crucial, according to Sharon Emek, the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of WAHVE, a ESTABLISHING CLEAR LINES: It’s important to establish a clear line between professional and personal life, even when both are taking place inside your home. service that matches companies looking for workers with specific etiquette and preferences. “For skills with experienced talent example, Kit is fine with people interested in working from home. talking on the phone in front of Emek specifically recommends her while she’s working. But I still setting boundaries around sometimes like to go to another workspace, explaining, “You space,” she explains. Others have to set up the rules. If I close recommend creating a shared the door to where I’m working, calendar for roommates to use to let then you cannot come in.” She one another know about conference advises that live-in partners and calls as far in advance as possible. roommates establish boundaries Bloom also advises that partners early on but remain open to and roommates invest in a quality redefining the rules as needed. “It’s microphone to limit the need to about being compassionate and speak loudly over calls. “Being able helpful,” she says. to have a directional microphone makes a big difference,” Bloom says. 2. Share your communal space 5. Take care of each other Working entirely from your Even if you have a secure job that bedroom can be a recipe for is possible to accomplish remotely, disaster. Nicholas Bloom, an working from home can put a strain economics professor at Stanford on anyone’s mental health. “Check University who has studied remote in on your roommate. Is there work, suggests that partners and anything you can do to help them?” roommates make an effort to share recommends Bloom. In addition communal space, so that one CHALLENGE: Another challenge that comes with sharing a home office is the inevitable noise disruptions when one to regularly touching base with person isn’t entirely relegated to or more roommates have to participate in conference calls. your partner or roommates, it can their room. “People find (working be a good idea to take some time to in their bedroom) depressing,” clear line between professional distracting co-workers in the office. 4. Be sound-conscious lighten the mood. says Bloom. He recommends that and personal life, even when “Respect when people are in the Another challenge that comes Jocelyn Coffin, a social media roommates create a schedule so both are taking place inside your zone,” she says. Emek cautions with sharing a home office is manager, and her partner found a that everyone gets a turn working home. Erica Hendry, a writer now against using work devices in areas the inevitable noise disruptions solution to the work-from-home in group areas. “One person gets working from home alongside two designated for personal time, like when one or more roommates blues: “Skye and I have been taking the living room in the morning, roommates in the midst of the your dinner table or bedroom. have to participate in conference dance breaks together every two one gets it in the afternoon,” he coronavirus crisis, recommends She explains, “Don’t bring any calls. Hendry, the writer working hours to keep things positive and explains. separating work and non-work time electronics to your bedroom. remotely with her roommates, light-hearted. We let Spotify pick and making a conscious effort to Don’t bring your iPhone to dinner,” suggests that everyone sharing the song and we dance for the entire 3. Protect your personal life avoid distracting your roommates, adding, “Make sure you do some a home workspace have a length of whatever it is.” It’s important to establish a the same way you would avoid family things together at night.” conversation about phone call – Los Angeles Times/TNS 4 GULF TIMES Wednesday, April 1, 2020 COMMUNITY COVER STORY The unimpressed As the virus spreads into rural and small-town America, significant numbers of Americans continue to dismiss calls for more aggressive social distancing and shutdowns. Media sensationalism and liberal fearmongering, they say, will destroy the economy

I’m making zero dollars for the foreseeable future. A person who makes $50,000 or $60,000 a year just isn’t understanding ‘what this means — Joey Camp, cook

$10.65 an hour at Waffle House small acts: greeting a server, sitting Public health officials say that suburbs have significantly more By Jenny Jarvie and has lived with friends since in a booth, perusing a menu. such doubters pose a major obstacle anxiety about Covid-19 than being evicted last year from Until now, Covid-19 has mostly to efforts to reduce the spread of the Republicans and residents of small his apartment. After leaving been experienced through the lens virus and prevent mass casualties. towns and rural areas. or three days, he was quarantine, he worked just one of metropolitan areas: Seattle, The coronavirus is at least 10 While Democratic strongholds hooked up to an oxygen shift before his boss cut his hours San Francisco, Los Angeles, New times deadlier than the flu and like California and New York have tube. For six days after because so few customers were York. But as the virus spreads into can be transmitted by people who banned public gatherings and that, he was cooped up in coming in. His other part-time gig, rural and small-town America, are infected but asymptomatic. closed restaurants, reaction to the a 26-foot RV in a special as a party bus driver, went away. significant numbers of Americans Even though many cases are mild, pandemic has been slower and more quarantineF camp run by the state of ’“I’m making zero dollars for the continue to dismiss calls for more especially in the young, widespread uneven in Republican states, like Georgia. foreseeable future,” Camp said. aggressive social distancing and infection could lead to hundreds of Texas and Florida, where distrust So when Joey Camp, a 30-year- “A person who makes $50,000 shutdowns. thousands or even millions of deaths. of big-government regulations old Waffle House line cook, learned or $60,000 a year just isn’t Media sensationalism and liberal A libertarian who voted for coincides with suspicion that the he no longer had Covid-19 and understanding what this means.” fearmongering, they say, will President Donald Trump in 2016 media is overplaying worst-case could go home, he figured things Almost every day since he got out destroy the economy. and plans to vote for him again, scenarios. were getting back to normal. of quarantine, Camp has squeezed “With all the craziness going on Camp compares Covid-19 to the A good chunk of conservatives Immediately, the former National into his dusty black ’98 Chevy in the world, America should show flu. have also taken their cue from Fox Guardsman started making lunch Camaro with its cracked windshield people that this is not something “It’s not going to kill the vast News, whose pundits were late to and dinner plans: all-you-can- and driven, seat belt unbuckled, that should shut down countries,” majority of the population,” he said. take the virus seriously and are eat wings at Hooters? A super to a string of restaurants: Hooters Camp said after wiping his hands “People are hearing 3.4% mortality. now backing Trump’s call to reopen burrito from Los Arcos Mexican and Applebee’s, Waffle House and at a sanitising station posted at the They’re not hearing the 96.6% the economy. (Camp doesn’t have restaurant? Buffalo’s, Los Arcos and Huddle entrance of 7 Tequilas restaurant. survival rate.” cable, but he uses his smartphone Soon, heavier concerns loomed. House. “We need to be the adults in the Polls show that Democrats and to follow commentary on Daily The divorced father of two made Inside, he has sought to resume room.” those living in large cities and Wire, Fox News and CNN.) Wednesday, April 1, 2020 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

“It’s not going to kill the vast majority of the population. People are hearing 3.4% mortality. They’re not hearing the 96.6% survival rate” — Joey Camp

WARNING: The coronavirus is at least 10 times deadlier than the flu and can be transmitted by people who are infected but asymptomatic. Even though many cases are mild, especially in the young, widespread infection could lead to hundreds of thousands or even millions of deaths.

Cartersville is a fast-growing the son of a construction worker or ventured to the West Coast. gloves to go to the restroom, take after his foray into baseball. farming and manufacturing hub of father and drug dealer mother After four days in the hospital, off the gloves when he came out, Andrea, a server, wrapped her about 20,000 people northwest of — Big Bad Joey could take care of his symptoms abated. He decided wipe his hands down with baby arms around him. Atlanta. Here, pastures with horse himself. not to self-quarantine at home — wipes, pump gas and then wipe his Two other servers gave him fences increasingly give way to So he carried on with his he was living with a family with hands with baby wipes again. elbow bumps. subdivisions and strip malls. commitments, officiating at the an infant son — and became the “It’s like Mad Max,” he said as he It was like he never left. It also is one of the epicentres wedding of one of his best friends, first Georgian to live in a special drove down a four-lane highway, But only a smattering of of the coronavirus in Georgia. until eventually the chills and body quarantine site at Hard Labor Creek passing very few cars. “It’s kind of customers sat in the restaurant. More than 80 people in Bartow aches became so severe he had to State Park, about 50 miles east of weird. It’s like everybody’s holding As business slowed, his next shifts County have tested positive and hole up at home. Atlanta. their breath, waiting for either were canceled. a 69-year-old man has died. The Finally, when curling under the As he recuperated in his trailer, society to collapse or society to get With minus $3.33 in his checking local medical centre has erected covers wouldn’t stop his chills and watching Star Wars movies and back to normal.” account and no savings, it wasn’t outdoor triage tents and a large chattering teeth, he went to an “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” Camp When Camp returned to like he wasn’t any better off than sign saying, “We are all in this emergency room. was aghast as officials closed the Waffle House, which had his co-workers. together.” A diabetic, he was diagnosed schools, urged people to work temporarily closed after his “If I have to, I’ll make a bow and In Georgia, where more than with pneumonia. After a few days, from home, and shut down major diagnosis, for his first shift after arrow and go hunting in the woods,” 1,200 residents have tested positive, he tested positive for the virus. sporting events. the quarantine, Camp urged folks he said after driving past the nearly with 394 hospitalised and 40 dead, Camp had no clue how he Leaving quarantine, he was on social media to drop in and meet deserted Waffle House. Republican Governor Brian Kemp contracted the virus and assumes shocked by what seemed like “King Coronavirus.” If things got really desperate has been reluctant to institute it came from someone who was extreme behaviour. Walking back into the diner, and society collapsed, at least his widespread business closures. On asymptomatic. He hadn’t been At a Circle K gas station, he Camp felt like Michael Jordan roommate, Trey, has a couple of Monday, he ordered bars to close overseas. He hadn’t taken a cruise watched a man put on surgical returning to the Chicago Bulls in ’95 pistols, an AR-15 and a 12-gauge and banned public gatherings of shotgun. more than 10 people, but he has yet A few hours later, he was on the to shutter restaurants. porch with Trey when his boss Bartow County officials have called: the diner would close, at taken matters into their own hands, least for now. closing all bars, dine-in restaurants “It doesn’t make any sense,” he and theatres. said. “When Waffle House shuts While Camp distinguishes down, that’s crisis mode.” himself from his father, He paused, shaking his head. a conventional Southern It didn’t feel like crisis mode. All conservative who he said would around him, everything was calm: march with Trump to the gates wind chimes tinkled softly in the of hell, he insists there are still spring breeze; birds chirped as they too few coronavirus victims to flitted around a pair of blooming warrant extreme government Bradford pear trees. intervention. “I don’t know how to deal with “We have probably more owners it,” he said. “It does not compute of chickens in this county than at all.” we have coronavirus victims and But when he picked up his there aren’t that many farms cellphone to check the number of around here,” Camp said as he new coronavirus cases, doubt crept stood outside his friends’ home on in. Was he wrong? Could he get a rolling green pasture dotted with reinfected? ducks, Canada geese, turkeys and “Worldwide, it’s starting to kill chickens. more people,” he said. “Maybe this As if on cue, a rooster crowed in thing is mutating and becoming the background. more deadly. And that worries the When Camp came down in late hell out of me, because that puts me February with a cough, he figured back in the pool.” he had the flu or pneumonia and By Wednesday, he had found could tough it out. After growing UNDER THE WEATHER: Tristan Thurman, 22, a Waffle House server, is struggling to earn money as her restaurant in a temporary job — making hand up in poverty in a trailer park — Cartersville, Georgia takes only to-go orders and has cut her hours. sanitiser. — Los Angeles Times/TNS 6 GULF TIMES Wednesday, April 1, 2020 COMMUNITY ADVICE Tips to keep your startup alive during Covid-19 Abdulla al-Fadhala, co-founder of Hapondo, an online real-estate rental platform, advises to stay positive and collaborate, learn, share stories with fellow entrepreneurs in this time of health crises

cash laying around to help solve problems caused by poor risk management No matter how small your operations, always discuss business continuity plans within your management teams

4. Be transparent with all your employees of potential difficult times ahead If you have employees working for you, communicate openly with them if there will be lay- offs, unpaid leaves, or changes to operations. You owe this to your team.

5. Brainstorm different outcomes for how this situation will play out. For the Covid-19 situation, for example, we know that it will take some months to slow the spread of the virus. The economic recovery of this global slowdown will last for time, depending how the situations evolve in the next few weeks. Based off the different outcomes, make viable models for potential business operation plans.

6. Build connections with other entrepreneurs and startups CUSTOMER LOYALTY: See how your customers are doing and how they are handling the situation. Also, inquire about what changes in operations they are in your area experiencing – are they working from home? Do they use Zoom for meetings? Always keep the lines of communication open. Collaborate, learn, share stories. Having a support system is important, and there is so much hen thinking launched in the beginning of March knowledge transfer that can happen about the risks when Covid-19 situation was just just by learning from others. You can associated with at the beginning to rise. also find out about unique solutions starting a new Based off our experience, here are other companies are implementing company, most some tips we can provide to start- by hearing from them. Wentrepreneurs do not consider a ups in these uncertain times: global pandemic as one of the top 7. With uncertainty comes risks for his/her business. But here 1. Stay positive opportunity we are – caught in the middle of While the situation facing the The world is still coming to grips the Covid-19 pandemic that has world right now is quite dark, it is with the impact this is having on impacted almost everyone country important to remain optimistic, our daily lives. Without a doubt, the in the world. Being an entrepreneur both at a personal level and Covid-19 situation will change how in these uncertain times has been business level. We have seen we see things. There will be new thought-provoking; while my first communities unite, and businesses opportunities in every sector and concern is about the health and offering support to their customers. every field. We are already seeing safety of my loved ones, myself, and Revisit your marketing activities OPEN COMMUNICATION: If you have employees working for you, how companies that offer remote my community, I am also thinking and include messages of positivity communicate openly with them if there will be lay-offs, unpaid leaves, or conferencing services are doing so about the future of my business. to show your clients and customers changes to operations. well. Kids are taking their classes As Co-Founder of Hapondo, an that you care. via e-learning. People are working online real-estate rental platform experiencing – are they working and business continuity plans out following live videos or apps. that seeks to redefine the way 2. Check in with your clients/ from home? Do they use Zoom for We are a small operation, but Use this time as an opportunity people in Qatar search for a new customers meetings? Always keep the lines of this situation has really made us to see how your business can home to rent, my partners and See how they are doing and communication open. think about how we are assessing, adapt to take advantage of the myself have had many discussions how they are handling the evaluating, and mitigating our changes we will see. It may also be to see analyse how Covid-19 situation. Also, inquire about what 3. Never underestimate the risks. Like most startups (and the time to start thinking of new is affecting hapondo. We had changes in operations they are importance of risk management businesses!), we don’t have extra opportunities! Wednesday, April 1, 2020 GULF TIMES 7 BONDING COMMUNITY

SUPPORTIVE: Pets, especially dogs and cats, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve your cardiovascular health. All you need in isolation: a pet

playfulness, and even improve your By Dana Sparks cardiovascular health. Caring for an animal can help children grow up more secure and active. Pets also ike clockwork — almost provide valuable companionship for antithetical to the disorder older adults. Pets have evolved to of everything else right become acutely attuned to humans now – ‘kitten season’ has and our behaviour and emotions. arrived, offering relief Dogs, for example, are able to toL eager foster families from the understand many of the words uneasiness of isolation. we use, but they’re even better at Each year, Greenhill Humane interpreting our tone of voice, body Society is tasked with finding foster language, and gestures. And like any homes for hundreds of kittens — and good human friend, a loyal dog will the same duty remains this year. look into your eyes to gauge your Even during the coronavirus crisis, emotional state and try to understand their commitment to animal welfare what you’re thinking and feeling (and remains. to work out when the next walk or “It’s known that animals can help treat might be coming, of course). people reduce stress and improve A lot of people ask Reaves how it’s health,” said Sasha Elliott, director of possible to care for so many cute operations at Greenhill, suggesting kittens and cats without being able that now might still be an appropriate to keep them, but Reaves said it’s time for people to consider fostering exactly that: she gets to care for so an animal – especially when staying many kittens and cats that need her. at home has been mandated. While Reaves isn’t experiencing People who foster an animal, social distancing quite like everyone temporarily care for it in their home else, she’s an owner of a working – rather than it living in the shelter – tree farm and that requires much before the animal finds a permanent of her time and attention during owner. For foster kittens, this might certain parts of the year. She says include helping them reach a healthy that Greenhill always has been more weight and learning to socialise with ATTUNED TO HUMANS: Pets have evolved to become acutely attuned to humans and our behaviour and emotions. than ready to work with her on humans. finding the right cat-in-need based In an effort to support their decline – and we often will also wouldn’t normally be able to open and resources. From there, a staff on her ability and availability. network of volunteers and pet see the need to shelter surrendered their home to fostering are right member from Greenhill will contact To support existing pet owners, owners, Greenhill staff has altered or abandoned animals increased,” now,” Brezovar said. With happy the applicant with the rest of the Greenhill offers some resources some of its basic operations. Right Elliott said. “While it’s really intense surprise, there are 30 applicants details. The duration of foster care like the Community Pet Food now they are not on-boarding any for people, this is also potentially waiting to receive confirmation at depends on the animal and the Bank. It provides dog food, cat new facility volunteers and ask that going to have a very large impact this time. availability of the individual – this food, treats, litter and other items the current ones stay at home. Pet on companion animals in this Pairing animals with foster could range from several months to a for pet owners needing financial adoption, and reclaiming and turning community for a very long time to families and supporting existing pet few weeks, according to Elliott. This assistance. in of lost animals are by scheduled come.” owners allows the shelter to maintain commitment should be assessed by “Any sort of financial appointment now. Of the hundreds of animals that a healthy number of animals in the the foster family and Greenhill. disruption that members of Despite a temporary change in were fostered through Greenhill last facility and attend to more vulnerable Lindsay Reaves and her husband our community experience operations, the mission remains. At year, more than 400 were kittens, populations. Along with kittens and live on their tree farm that’s tucked directly impacts their ability this time, the Centres for Disease according to Megan Brezovar, the pregnant cats, that includes sick and away in west of Eugene. Over the to provide care for their furry Control and Prevention has said organisation’s event and community injured animals. past 10 years, Reaves has fostered 136 family members, their companion there is no evidence suggesting that engagement manager. Each year, Becoming a foster family begins times – most often pregnant cats – animals,” Elliott said. “We look for animals can spread or be the source kitten litters typically arrive with an online application. Then through Greenhill Humane Society. opportunities to support people of Covid-19 in the US. beginning in early spring. This year, the Greenhill staff will call for Pets, especially dogs and cats, and, in situations where it is “Historically, in times of crisis like it coincided with the implementation follow-up questions and direct can reduce stress, anxiety, and appropriate, keep animals in those this, when people feel uncertain, or of Covid-19 mitigation measures. applicants to a virtual training. The depression, ease loneliness, homes as much as possible” – The at risk, we do see adoption numbers “I think a lot of people who training will outline responsibilities encourage exercise and Register-Guard, Eugene, Ore/TNS 8 GULF TIMES Wednesday, April 1, 2020 COMMUNITY OFFBEAT How spring can make us healthier and happier Longer, lighter days can help us banish old habits, sleep better and improve our mental health, even during the lockdown, writes Amy Felming

now. Maybe the old you failed to quit smoking or start a lasting exercise routine, but the new you can do it.” These moments, she says, also tend “to promote bigger-picture thinking, which gets us focused on our goals”. Whether facing health, financial or professional worries, newly working from home or home schooling, or being suddenly at a loss for something to do, Milkman says this effect can stretch “across all of our goal-oriented activities. We’ve seen that it affects everything from decisions about exercise to retirement savings.” Spring can also fortify us with the relief it brings from seasonal affective disorder (Sad). Even if you do not have a clinical case of it, says Hugh Selsick, chair of the sleep working group at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, “most people will experience some degree of lifting of mood in the summer months”. Studies looking at populations in North America have illustrated this neatly, according to Selsick. “The further north you go, the worse our mood gets in the winter, because of that lack of light. For us [in the north] the payoff is that we also get these really nice bright long, spring and BLOOMING GREAT: A bluetit among crab-apple blossom. summer days. “As humans, we evolved in a tropical place, where there was a hank goodness that, lot more light,” Selsick says. This in this time of crisis, means our brains have evolved to it is now spring. In the expect a certain amount of it. “It’s northern hemisphere, at probably why we are so susceptible least, we can say hello to to changes in light,” he says. And greenT shoots, flowers, bumblebees why the gloomier months can and butterflies. Finally, the clocks negatively affect sleep patterns have gone back to British Summer and mood. Time. We’ve lost an hour of sleep, Sad symptoms that spring but hello, light. might alleviate include low mood, The greatest hope for the new tiredness, sleeping longer than season this year is that better normal and, says Selsick, cravings weather will start to make it of carbohydrates in particular. So harder for coronavirus to spread. feel free to harness this knowledge And for those lucky enough to to fuel a new effort to start still have their health, spring can exceeding your five a day. provide other consolations. Its Now that most of us are only strong sense of a new beginning allowed out once a day, for nudges our outlook and actions exercise, the greatest gains in in welcome ways. Katherine terms of making the most of spring Milkman, a behavioural scientist light are to be had from stepping at the Wharton School at the out first thing in the morning. Not University of Pennsylvania, only will getting up and out help has studied the phenomenon avoid the crowds of joggers, but and found that there is more to morning light is the most crucial spring cleaning than the sunlight for setting our circadian rhythms. suddenly showing up cobwebs “It’s much better at synchronising and window smears. “The start of our body clocks and getting us spring generally makes us feel more back into sync with the outside motivated – it’s a so-called ‘fresh world,” says Selsick. start date’,” she says. As such, it When it’s dark, we produce makes us feel less connected to the melatonin, which acts as a time past. “That disconnect gives us signal to the body, telling it we a sense that whatever we messed BREATHE DEEP: Our brains have evolved to expect more light than we get in winter. It’s probably why humans are so should be sleepy. “That first bit of up on previously, we can get right susceptible to changes in light. light in the morning,” says Selsick, Wednesday, April 1, 2020 GULF TIMES 9 OFFBEAT COMMUNITY How spring can make us healthier and happier

“is very effective at switching that melatonin off, which then tells the brain and the rest of the body it’s now time to be awake and active. “We have a special set of receptors in our eyes which communicate directly with the body clock in the brain,” he adds. “They’re particularly sensitive to blue-green light, which on a [sunny] day like today is the colour of the sky. So that sort of bright sunlight, that outdoor light is what our brains are particularly sensitive to.” Exposure to this in the morning helps us to wake up and shake off bleary-eyed grumpiness. “And it helps to regulate our sleep. If your body knows when the day is starting, it’s easier for it to also know at what time it needs to start winding down and getting ready for sleep.” And of course sleeping well has the positive knock-on effect of giving you a better shot at feeling content and having good overall health. The big danger with being locked down, warns Selsick, is “allowing your whole rhythm to drift”. Even if a temporary break from commuting allows you to sleep in a little, keep your waking-up time consistent to reap the benefits of BOOSTING MEMORY AND CREATIVITY: Getting some sun can fill our heads with new ideas, too. In 2005, psychologists at the University of Michigan found the spring sunshine. “If you’re that half an hour out in the sun boosted not only mood, but also memory and creativity. getting that first dose of light at a different time every morning, 20,000 British people crunched by your body has no idea where it is in researchers at the same university time,” he says. “You’re essentially showed that the more time spent jet-lagging your body by having enjoying nature, the greater life a different rising time every day.” satisfaction reported. Setting regular meal times helps This is why GPs have been keep our daily rhythms in sync, prescribing gardening as therapy. So too. plant some seeds and watch them It’s essential that we make grow, whether that’s in a flowerbed or the most of opportunities to be a window-sill or balcony pot. Get a outside, whether it’s that one bird feeder – ensuring it’s inaccessible permitted outing, or additional to squirrels, which are bird’s nest gardening, or spending some predators. Dig out your binoculars and time on the balcony. “The more indulge in some twitching, or figure outdoors you can get the better, out (with some online help) which without getting in close contact song belongs to which bird. with people,” says Selsick. The green shoots of a new chapter Getting some sun can fill our in our lives provide opportunities heads with new ideas, too. In 2005, to do better, says Milkman. “The psychologists at the University Covid-19 crisis is inaugurating a of Michigan found that half an new era and shaking up our routines. hour out in the sun boosted not Horrific as the crisis is, it presents an only mood, but also memory opportunity to size up our routines and creativity. To test the latter, and consider what we want to they assessed changes in what change and how we can be better. I they call cognitive broadening hope people will capitalise on that – “a style of thinking in which motivation and find ways to help people become more creative and one another (from a requisite social which is hypothesised to be an distance) and themselves achieve adaptive shift in cognition that important goals.” leads to behavioral flexibility and Yes, we are on lockdown. We may exploration”, write the authors. be emotionally exhausted and scared, Late-evening light may be but at least spring makes our daily less likely to have an impact on outdoor exercise allowance more circadian rhythms than morning SPENDING TIME OUT: It’s essential that we make the most of opportunities to be outside, whether it’s that one enticing. On warmer days, we can rays, but, says Selsick, “people do permitted outing, or additional gardening, or spending some time on the balcony. throw open the windows, let the fresh generally report a better quality air flood in and expel the indoor of life if they have some light decreased mental health distress. over Zoom, will seem appealing all swallows, swifts, cuckoos, martins pollutants that have accumulated in the evening”. Indeed. A 2016 Longer days also seem to extend of a sudden. “Light does to some and other feathery summer from a winter’s worth of cooking study by researchers at Brigham the amount of use we get from extent push sleep away a little visitors. The more birds we see in and cleaning. We can welcome Young University in Utah looked waking hours. When it’s light in bit,” says Selsick. “And people do our neighbourhoods, and the more the reduction in traffic noise and at six years of data from more the evenings, it feels like daytime often feel more alert when there’s greenery, the more robust our fumes. These may be bittersweet than 16,000 adults and found for longer. Staying up to batch bright light.” And of course, with mental health will be, according byproducts of virus hell, but it’s all that seasonal increases in hours cook, bake bread or, in the current spring, light and warmth comes to a 2017 study by the University the better to hear the birds. of sunshine correlated with climate, have beers with friends nature. April will see the return of of Exeter. In 2019, data from – The Guardian 10 GULF TIMES Wednesday, April 1, 2020 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Wednesday, April 1, 2020 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Women with psychiatric disorders less likely to have second child

esearchers have claimed of 19.5 years until the next live birth, that women who suffer from emigration, death, their 45th birthday or June psychiatric disorders such 2016, whichever occurred first. as depression, anxiety and They identified women with postpartum schizophrenia following the live psychiatric disorders by seeing if they Rbirth of their first child are less likely to go on were given prescriptions for psychotropic to have more children. medications or had hospital contact for The study, published in the journal psychiatric disorders during the first six Human Reproduction, found that 69 per months after the live birth of their first child. cent of women who experienced postpartum A total of 4,327 (one per cent) of women psychiatric disorders within the first six experienced psychiatric disorders following months after the birth of their first baby went the birth of their first child, according to the on to have further children. study. This contrasts with 82 per cent of mothers These women were a third less likely to who did not experience psychiatric problems. have a second live birth compared to women “We wanted to explore whether women who did not experience psychiatric disorders. with postpartum psychiatric disorders had If the first child died, the difference in a reduced possibility of having a second subsequent live birth rates disappeared. child. Furthermore, we considered whether However, if the psychiatric problem a reduction in the live birth rate was due to required hospitalisation, the likelihood of a personal choices or decreased fertility, as woman having a second child nearly halved these are important issues to consider,” said and this remained the case irrespective of study lead author Xiaoqin Liu from Aarhus whether the first child survived or not. University in Denmark. “Although fewer women with postpartum we need to differentiate the reasons why they explanations for the reduction in the For the findings, the research team psychiatric disorders had subsequent did not have another child. If they avoided subsequent live birth rate may be that women analysed data from Danish registries for children, it is noteworthy that about 69 per another pregnancy due to fear of relapse, an with postpartum psychiatric disorders 414,571 women who had their first live birth cent of these women still chose to have a important clinical message to them is that are less able to conceive or have more between 1997 and 2015 in Denmark. second child,” Dr Liu said. prevention of relapse is possible,” Liu added. problematic relationships with partners. They followed the women for a maximum “For the remaining 31 per cent of women, The researchers said that other possible — IANS

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

Today’s planetary configuration will give you a strong urge to be out Are your views about certain intellectual or spiritual matters slowly Business success may have come your way, Gemini, but today you and about, Aries, but responsibilities could keep you at home or the changing, Taurus? If so, you may not be all that comfortable with could find yourself feeling a little sad and wondering why, since office. Perhaps you’re waiting for a delivery or an important phone call the changes. Traditional values and ideas could seem especially there’s no real reason to feel this way. What’s going on is probably, or visitor. This could be boring and rather tedious for you today. Find attractive to you today, so your resistance could be greater than first of all, a letdown, since your brain is no longer churning out the something to do that engrosses you, even if it’s only reading or catching normal. Yet you know you can’t stay the same way forever. Give endorphins. Second, you may be wondering where you go from up on paperwork. There’s no point in just twiddling your thumbs! yourself a break today. Tomorrow you’ll be back in the groove. here. Only you can decide that. Set a new goal and move on. Cancer Leo Virgo June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Today you could feel torn between the desire to get a little exercise Do you have the uncomfortable feeling that you’ve forgotten If you’ve been thinking about starting a new creative project, and a powerful inclination to curl up in your favourite chair and something but you have no idea what it is, Leo? Are you haunted by Virgo, don’t try to do it today. Friends and family could vie for your catch up on some reading, Cancer. There isn’t any reason why you the memory of a seemingly insignificant past event, but can’t figure attention and distract you. Other responsibilities could interfere with can’t do both. Go out for a brisk walk and then reach for a favourite out why? It isn’t a good idea to obsess over either. You’ll remember your desire to get going on it now. Don’t hesitate to try to come up book when you return. The key isn’t giving up on one, but attaining a whatever it is eventually. You’ll soon realise the significance of the with ideas, but you might have to wait until tomorrow to start the balance between the two. memory. Your subconscious is trying to tell you something. work. Tomorrow you should be raring to go. Be patient! Libra Scorpio Sagittarius September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Business might be going very well for you, Libra, but intense Have you been planning a vacation to a distant place, Scorpio? Money matters could have you descending into a state of pure changes on the job could have you feeling stressed. Delays in Unexpected, discouraging glitches could interfere with your plans, gloom, Sagittarius. On the surface it might seem like you’ll never starting new projects could prove frustrating. Don’t fall into the trap which could have you thinking that you’ll just cancel the trip. You might be able to sort through all the paperwork, but you will. Don’t give of thinking that this is going to be a trend. All should be brought be tempted to pick up the phone and do it. Take no action today. The up. Stay focused on the task and take one step at a time. Before you back into focus tomorrow. Go to the gym tonight and work off some entire situation should be straightened out by tomorrow, and you’ll look know it, your efficiency and practicality should have it sorted out frustration. You’ll be fresh in the morning. Hang in there! forward to your trip again. Stay focused and don’t do anything rash. and behind you. Cheer up, and plan a great evening! Capricorn Aquarius Pisces December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

Is your friend out of town, Capricorn? If so, you’re probably feeling a You probably won’t feel like working today, Aquarius. You may not be Family matters could appear to be moving far more slowly than bit lonely and insecure. Your friend is most likely as bored as you are, tired, but you’re probably bored, restless, and unable to focus. It’s best to you’d like, Pisces. You may be overloaded with responsibilities now either transacting business or fulfilling family obligations. Relax, find concentrate on routines or mundane chores you can do automatically and unable to see others much. It’s frustrating, but you’ll get through something to do, and the time will pass before you know it. on days like this. Put on your headphones. Take a long, leisurely lunch or it. In the meantime, don’t let your insecurities get the better of you. perhaps brunch with friends. It’s important to have some fun. Think of it Be patient! as an exercise to balance your usually serious self! 12 GULF TIMES Wednesday, April 1, 2020 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

BARE DARE FARE FLARE MARE PARE RARE STAIR WEAR BEAR DECLARE FAIR HAIR MAYOR PEAR SNARE STARE WHERE CARE ÉCLAIR FLAIR HARE PAIR PRAYER SQUARE WARE

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. Wednesday, April 1, 2020 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1 White rose cultivated 2 Fungus in chocolate (7) differently (9) 3 Grub found in lettuce at 8 A mostly dreary time –but not supermarket (4) for children (5) 4 See law being broken by a 9 Forgetting a name is unusual beast (6) (7) 5 Former nurse attempts to find 10 Steal an elevator (4) guards (8) 11 Shopped, yet bread has been 6 Observe opening for estate ordered! (8) agent (4) 13 The fat of the land, say? (6) 7 Man united, somehow, with a 14 Stay with mother in control (6) single relative (6,4) 17 Satisfies silly sausages (8) 8 Loyalty, for example, in union 19 The language of Monsieur (10) Dumas? (4) 12 Fool repeatedly at home for 21 Card game making some killer (8) American a star (7) 15 Dressed for a military 22 So far Yeats is read in operation, we hear (7) translation (2,3) 16 Extremely simple harp 23 New deal with China to supply designed for an angel (6) spicy food (9) 18 Was a vocalist in Los Angeles? (4) 20 Don’t succeed in making female suffer (4)

Answers

Yesterday’s Solutions Wordsearch Codeword 14 GULF TIMES Wednesday, April 1, 2020 COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD We must have a mind of our own: Aahana ctress Aahana Kumra says she didn’t grow up understanding the meaning of consent, adding that she feels it is a very important conversation everybody must be having. “Consent for me is everything. I don’t think AI grew up with the idea of understanding what consent meant because obviously we are all conditioned to believe that everything that our parents impose on us or the society imposes on us is the end of everything,” Aahana said. SOCIAL CAUSE: Juhi Chawla often uses her stardom to “But I have realised over the years that we must have an create awareness about protecting the environment. opinion, we must have a mind of our own. The good thing is that my parents have always explained to me the difference Lockdown diaries: Juhi shares between good touch and bad touch. They have always had trick for healthy hair these conversations with me even when I was a child,” she added. Actress Juhi Chawla, who recently came back from The actress continued: “So, I was always taught these London and is currently observing self-quarantine with things, and this is the same conversation I have with the her family, is doing what she loves and swears by – organic children in my family. Consent for me is everything because living. it really has opened me up in terms of conversation with In an Instagram post, Juhi shared the trick for the person in front of me and I think only once when you healthy hair straight from kitchen. She wrote: “My new get into a relationship and then you understand what a experiment ..!! Methi seeds every morning ...!!! I am relationship is going to teach you. Thankfully, I have had determined to have thick hair.” great relationships in the past and I have learnt so much Many found the tip useful and said they would try it too. from them. So, of course it is a very important conversation Others had their tricks and tips that they shared in the everybody must-have.” comments section. At the moment, Aahana is seen in drama thriller web The former beauty queen often uses her stardom to series Marzi. It is about a series of casual activities between create awareness about protecting the environment and the two protagonists of the show, who subsequently falls creating a sustainable planet for our future generations. into a major mishap, exposing the fading line between Juhi even took to her micro-blogging site when she power, deception, and trust. discarded high-end personal grooming products replacing Set in Shimla, the show, which streams on Voot Select, them with organic products available in one’s kitchen. – questions the loyalty of a situation while constantly asking IANS the question - ‘who’s side are you on?’. It also stars Rajeev Khandelwal. Talking about the show, she said: “The script was fabulous and that’s something that I thought was very challenging. It is something different from what I have done in the past on the screen. I think it was very liberating in many ways because I felt that sometimes even in performances there are spurs of moments wherein you need to be emotional, dramatic, frustrated but here I was constantly violated, I was RISING STAR: Aahana Kumra can be currently seen in drama constantly agitated, constantly frustrated and it obviously thriller web series Marzi. felt like something that I haven’t ever done in my life.” “I think it really did completely change my perception it’s rather important to have this conversation because I towards performance to quite an extent. It’s a conversation think in this century we can only move forward and not that I feel is very important to have in today’s time backward. This is a conversation that we must pass on to and I think a lot of people are moving towards having our generations to have because we are learning through our conversations about consent which is something that mistakes and they should see what mistakes we have made people didn’t speak about earlier or back in the days. Now, and should not repeat them,” she added. – IANS

GRIEVED: Salman Khan, right, with his nephew Abdullah Khan, who had heart-related ailments. Sidharth can’t wait to be back at work

Salman’s nephew Abdullah no more Actor Sidharth Shukla says a lot of projects are on hold due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, adding that he is Salman Khan’s nephew Abdullah Khan passed away on waiting for the health crisis to pass so that he can “be back Monday. As per reports, the 38-year-old was admitted to a to work”. hospital in Mumbai owing to heart-related ailments. After winning Bigg Boss 13, the actor has featured in the The Bollywood superstar took to social media to mourn music video of singer Darshan Rawal’s new number, Bhula the loss of his nephew. Salman posted a black and white dunga, along with Shehnaaz Gill, also a housemate of the photograph with his nephew on Instagram and wrote: show and his close friend. “Will always love you...” Asked what’s next for him, Sidharth said: “At this point, Commenting on the post, actress Akanksha Puri wrote: due to the virus, a lot of projects are on hold but I’m hoping “Still can’t believe he is no more. #gonetoosoon. Deepest that once the world has combated this virus, I can be back to condolence to the entire family! May his soul R.I.P” work and entertaining my audience.” Singer Kamaal Khan, who is a close friend of the actor, There were many reports claiming that Sidharth has commented: “You will always be remembered and loved.” bagged a role in a Bollywood movie, and has started prepping As per reports, Abdullah Khan was admitted to for it. Dhirubhai Kokilaben Ambani Hospital a couple of days Quizzed about the reports, Sidharth said: “When I am ago, from where he was later shifted to Lilavati hospital. ready to announce my next project, I will definitely let you He was diabetic and reportedly suffering from heart- guys know. As of now rumours shall be rumours and there ANXIOUS: Sidharth Shukla says a lot of projects are on hold related ailments. are so many floating.” due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Abdullah was close to Salman and often featured in Earlier in an interview, Sidharth addressed his videos shared by the actor. It seems from Salman’s social relationship status with Shehnaaz, calling her a “dear Talking about how the bond changed after the show, the media post that he is deeply upset at the sudden loss. friend”. Bigg Boss 13 winner said: “Knowing someone when you Meanwhile, Salman Khan and his entire family have Sidharth and Shehnaaz’s relationship was one of the most are locked up inside the house versus (knowing someone) shifted to their farmhouse in Panvel where they are under talked-about topics of Bigg Boss 13. In fact, their fans gave outside is very different. The bond however is still the same quarantine amid the Covid-19 lockdown. – IANS their bond a name – #SidNaaz – and the hashtag keeps on as we still meet each other the same way as we did inside the trending on social media. house.” – IANS Wednesday, April 1, 2020 GULF TIMES 15 HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY John leads a heartfelt, socially distant coronavirus telethon live-music business shut down. In addition By Mikael Wood to the aforementioned acts, the special featured performances – each shot in a living room or bedroom or some such – by he most comforting thing about the Backstreet Boys, Foo Fighters’ Dave Sunday night’s Living Room Grohl, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Concert for America – an all-star Tim McGraw, Sam Smith, Demi Lovato and musical fundraiser hosted by H.E.R. Elton John and broadcast on Fox – It’s a virus-specific approach to the kind Twasn’t Alicia Keys using her song Underdog to of pop-star do-gooder-ism that in previous salute the first responders putting their lives crises would lead to a telethon (like A Concert at risk to protect people from Covid-19. Nor for Hurricane Relief after Katrina in 2005) or a was it the brief message of sympathy Lady live benefit gig (likeThe Concert for New York Gaga offered folks who’ve already lost loved City after 9/11 in 2001). This time, of course, ones or their jobs – a message that, it’s worth those types of large public gatherings are pointing out, squeezed more compassion part of the problem, which is how McGraw into 40 seconds than President Trump has ended up delivering his song Something Like mustered in weeks. That while perched on the diving board of his Instead, the true reassurance to be had enormous swimming pool. from this socially distanced telethon came For pop fans accustomed to the solidarity from the fact that Mariah Carey appeared to that can arise from an in-person audience, have set up a small electric fan to blow her this format clearly has its limitations. And hair as she sang Always Be My Baby in her Fox and iHeart didn’t help matters by making home studio. It came from Camila Cabello this show out of taped performances; because and Shawn Mendes’ eagerness to flirt amid the music wasn’t live (as it has been when a global pandemic. And it came from the John Legend and Chris Martin, among many obvious boredom with which Billie Eilish others, have gone on Instagram), you didn’t sang her smash Bad Guy for what had to have get to enjoy the thrill of artistes working been the zillionth time. without a net. Typical pop-star stuff, in other words – Still, the thing had its charms, not least and a welcome reminder of life before (and among them the discovery that Brian Littrell hopefully after) the pain and disruption of the Backstreet Boys keeps a branded BSB COMFORTING: Elton John during the Fox Presents the iHeart Living Room Concert for America, caused by the novel coronavirus. pinball machine in his home. Grohl sounded a music event to provide entertainment relief and support for Americans to help fight during the Presented by media conglomerate great in a solo-acoustic take on My Hero; spread of the Covid-19 virus. iHeartRadio on the evening originally Eilish, even slumped on a lumpy sofa, was reserved for its annual awards show, as precisely nuanced a vocalist as ever. And that he’d happily play a song himself … young sons and busted out a few verses of Sunday’s one-hour production was Carey earned her diva self-treatment with except he was quarantined in the only one Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me. basically a more polished rendition of the the smiley exuberance we’ve come to rely on of his properties that lacks a piano. By “When this is over and done, I’ll be out virtual concerts that countless artistes her for. the end, though, he’d laid his hands on a there playing for you again,” he vowed. have been playing on social media since the As host, John claimed at the beginning keyboard he said belonged to one of his Yes, please. – Los Angeles Times/TNS

Hathaway to star in French Children Don’t Throw Food Ozzy cancels Parkinson’s treatment trip due to Covid-19

Actress Anne Hathaway Grammy-winning singer and is set to star in an songwriter Ozzy Osbourne has adaptation of French cancelled a trip to Switzerland to Children Don’t Throw Food. see an immunity expert. Based on the The rocker cancelled his 2020 autobiography from tour dates last month so he could Pamela Druckerman, make the trip to Europe to seek the project is being treatment for Parkinson’s disease, financed by StudioCanal, but now due to the coronavirus with Blueprint Picture pandemic he has had to cancel his set to produce, reports plans, reports aceshowbiz com hollywoodreporter.com. His manager and wife, Sharon The story, described as Osbourne, shared it during an Julie & Julia in tone, follows appearance on TV show The Talk an American journalist on Monday, March 30, reports who moves to Paris for her aceshowbiz.com husband’s job and raises a “We had to cancel our trip to family there. As she tries to Switzerland,” she said. “We were figure out how to balance meant to go on the 8th of April, her family and career, but we had to cancel.” and battle the feelings Sharon also shared the ongoing that she is failing at both, global health crisis has really she observes her French NEW PROJECT: Anne Hathaway’s new project follows an impacted her and Ozzy as they try neighbours and friends to American journalist who moves to Paris for her husband’s to stay safe and healthy. uncover the secrets behind job. “We’re just hanging in, like HANGING IN: Ozzy Osbourne wanted to make the trip to parenting well-behaved everybody else, just trying to stay Switzerland to see an immunity expert. French children. She discovers that everyone, no matter how perfect they might away and be quiet and just hold appear, has their own problems. it in there, but I honestly find this such frightening times (sic). I just think it’s a really, really Jamie Minoprio and Jonathan Stern wrote the most recent draft of the adaptation. frightening time to be alive.” Hathaway is currently seen in the Joan Didion adaptation The Last Thing He “I’m not one of these people (who are), like, ‘Oh, I’m bonding with all these people’, and, Wanted from Dee Rees for Netflix. She next will be seen in Robert Zemeckis’The ‘This is amazing’. I’m not that way. I cry every day when I watch the death toll go up and more Witches remake, playing the Grand High Witch. – IANS and more people catch this virus and I’m just devastated by it. For me, I’m heartbroken.” – IANS 16 GULF TIMES Wednesday, April 1, 2020 COMMUNITY ‘Introduce children to games to develop key cognitive skills’

LEARNING: Parents are advised to introduce their children to tabletop games because they promote a range of key cognitive skills.

By Mudassir Raja “There are numerous social and soft skills to be learned from games. he novel coronavirus pandemic has so far not Grit, resilience, perseverance, shown signs of slowing down. Getting sensitive patience and the ability to cope to the unprecedented situation,T people around the with frustration, disappointment world are gradually resigning to extraordinary measures such as and defeat are critical skills which lockdowns and social distancing. The sense that the pandemic is games can teach and that children going to last for longer times than desired is prevailing. There are need to practice” rising concerns about the mental wellbeing and education of children — Philip Bradley, head of Swiss who are staying at home away from regular learning at schools. International School Qatar The challenge is to keep kids mentally strong and at the same administrative experience, is predictions and test theories.” time continue learning. Other than convinced that the games promote Bradley further emphasises attending online classes, children a range of key cognitive skills. games because some of them also have plenty of free time and parents “Dice, counter, letter, word and develop motor skills. “Setting have to take care of them. card games help children learn up and moving all of those game British national Philip Bradley is number bonds, sequence, add, pieces, rolling dice, and shuffling head of Swiss International School subtract, sort, spell and categorise. cards help little children and even Qatar. He carries the experience “The repetitive nature of some older ones develop their fine motor of around 34 years in international of these tasks is critical for building skills, dexterity and hand-eye education. The seasoned educator strong neural pathways that allow coordination. Packing things away has regularly been sharing his students to be fast, efficient and is just as important and a good way pieces of advice with parents on confident in their number, word to promote a responsible attitude.” how to keep children productively and letter knowledge. The school principal lays more busy while at home. Many games promote and stress on games because they Bradley asks parents to introduce improve memory skills; ‘game include social skills, fair play and Games are also a way for families to counter game; Chess – 2 player their children to tabletop games. play’ requires a person to consider family time. “There are numerous spend focused and uninterrupted game; Set – multiplayer Game “It is clear that students are staying different outcomes and hold these social and soft skills to be learned time together; including of Visual Perception, card game; at home all the time and they must possibilities in their working from games. Grit, resilience, grandparents who will know all the Rummikub – 4 player numbers be looking for some fun activities. memory while they evaluate the perseverance, patience and the tricks. And yes everyone has to put strategy game using tiles and lateral There are certain games that can merits of each and then make their ability to cope with frustration, their phone away. thinking; Quixo – 2 or 4 player help inculcate a wide range of play. Playing a game from start disappointment and defeat are “There is something for adults strategy game similar to noughts important skills among children. I to finish helps children develop critical skills which games can too in playing different games. and crosses; Marrakech – 2 or 4 encourage all parents to establish their concentration skills, which teach and that children need to There is a lot of research that shows players, a tactile strategy game; a family gaming habit. Help your are essential for completing daily practice. No one likes an arrogant that older adults can gain both Scrabble or Bananagrams – 2 or children learn and commit to tasks and doing well in school. In winner or a bad loser and being cognitive and emotional health more players word play games; regular game times - at least once addition to logic and reasoning able to discuss these emotions and benefits from tabletop games.” Chinese Checkers – strategy board a week.” skills, many games require children model appropriate behaviours is Bradley also names a few games game 2 - 6 players; and Jigsaws – if The educator, who carries to use creative approaches, think of great benefit to children and that have been popular with SISQ you have the space keep one going extensive teaching and laterally, solve problems, make an important part of growing up. students. “Othello – 2 player all the time.”