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| How to Get Books When Bookstores and Libraries Are Closed | How to Get Books When Bookstores and Libraries Are Closed |
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| Readers who are used to spending their weekends in bookstores or libraries may be experiencing literary withdrawal. Many of these spaces have closed to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. | Readers who are used to spending their weekends in bookstores or libraries may be experiencing literary withdrawal. Many of these spaces have closed to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. |
| But there are still ways to keep a rotation of books on hand from your home. Many bookstores are adapting with pickup and delivery options, and for those trying to cut back on spending during this crisis, there are plenty of ways to access books for free. Here are the best ways to keep reading. | But there are still ways to keep a rotation of books on hand from your home. Many bookstores are adapting with pickup and delivery options, and for those trying to cut back on spending during this crisis, there are plenty of ways to access books for free. Here are the best ways to keep reading. |
| Yes! Libraries allow patrons to borrow e-books or audiobooks through online systems or applications you can download to your smartphone. Most do this with Overdrive, but some are also integrated with other user-friendly apps that are beautiful and easier to navigate. Libby and Hoopla, for instance, work with thousands of libraries across the country, from New York City to Nashville to Alaska. Visit your local library’s website for more information. | Yes! Libraries allow patrons to borrow e-books or audiobooks through online systems or applications you can download to your smartphone. Most do this with Overdrive, but some are also integrated with other user-friendly apps that are beautiful and easier to navigate. Libby and Hoopla, for instance, work with thousands of libraries across the country, from New York City to Nashville to Alaska. Visit your local library’s website for more information. |
| Many libraries allow you to register for a library card online. It’s a breeze and you can start borrowing books right away. The New York Public Library system allows anyone who lives in the state to apply, which means residents of Albany or Westchester can enjoy millions of books for free. You may have to wait a bit for the newest or most popular releases — as with physical books, libraries have a limited number of e-books to loan — but you can place a hold directly on the application you choose, and the book will be automatically checked out once it becomes available. | Many libraries allow you to register for a library card online. It’s a breeze and you can start borrowing books right away. The New York Public Library system allows anyone who lives in the state to apply, which means residents of Albany or Westchester can enjoy millions of books for free. You may have to wait a bit for the newest or most popular releases — as with physical books, libraries have a limited number of e-books to loan — but you can place a hold directly on the application you choose, and the book will be automatically checked out once it becomes available. |
| There are also thousands of books in the public domain — meaning they’re no longer under copyright in the United States — that have been digitized and uploaded in full online. Google Books has a massive catalog, and you can adjust the search settings to show only free e-books. Project Gutenberg also has thousands of free books that can be read on a computer or sent directly to your e-reader. | There are also thousands of books in the public domain — meaning they’re no longer under copyright in the United States — that have been digitized and uploaded in full online. Google Books has a massive catalog, and you can adjust the search settings to show only free e-books. Project Gutenberg also has thousands of free books that can be read on a computer or sent directly to your e-reader. |
| Sharing books with friends or family is a love language all its own, and e-readers like Kindle or Nook offer a way to continue the practice. This book swapping method also solves an age-old problem: getting books back. Loans are automatically returned to the owner’s device after 14 days. | Sharing books with friends or family is a love language all its own, and e-readers like Kindle or Nook offer a way to continue the practice. This book swapping method also solves an age-old problem: getting books back. Loans are automatically returned to the owner’s device after 14 days. |
| Video chatting apps also make it easy to keep up virtual book clubs where members can discuss a common book together, while in their own homes. | Video chatting apps also make it easy to keep up virtual book clubs where members can discuss a common book together, while in their own homes. |
| Now that schools are closed, writers and publishing companies are stepping up to help fill the gap by offering programming to keep kids entertained. Audible, for instance, is offering children and teenagers the chance to listen to audiobooks for free, including hundreds of Audible originals, fairy tales or classic books in multiple languages. They can listen to Scarlett Johansson read “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” or start learning elementary Spanish. | Now that schools are closed, writers and publishing companies are stepping up to help fill the gap by offering programming to keep kids entertained. Audible, for instance, is offering children and teenagers the chance to listen to audiobooks for free, including hundreds of Audible originals, fairy tales or classic books in multiple languages. They can listen to Scarlett Johansson read “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” or start learning elementary Spanish. |
| For adults, try Librivox, a digital archive of public domain audiobooks read by volunteers. If you’ve never tried Audible or Scribd — a subscription service where you can access e-books or audiobooks for a monthly fee — you may also be able to take advantage of a free trial. | For adults, try Librivox, a digital archive of public domain audiobooks read by volunteers. If you’ve never tried Audible or Scribd — a subscription service where you can access e-books or audiobooks for a monthly fee — you may also be able to take advantage of a free trial. |
| It’s still an option to order books from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online retailers. Amazon is prioritizing the shipment of essential goods, so there may be a delay. | It’s still an option to order books from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online retailers. Amazon is prioritizing the shipment of essential goods, so there may be a delay. |
| You might also consider buying books from an independent bookstore. Sites like Bookshop and IndieBound make it easy by giving access to a range of booksellers across the country. | You might also consider buying books from an independent bookstore. Sites like Bookshop and IndieBound make it easy by giving access to a range of booksellers across the country. |
| Updated June 5, 2020 | |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| Or you can call your local bookstore or visit their website or social-media pages to see what options they have available. Many are offering curbside pickup or delivery, and now that their physical locations are closed, bookstores are relying on online sales to keep paying employees. | Or you can call your local bookstore or visit their website or social-media pages to see what options they have available. Many are offering curbside pickup or delivery, and now that their physical locations are closed, bookstores are relying on online sales to keep paying employees. |
| And who knows? Maybe your book will be delivered by a dinosaur. | And who knows? Maybe your book will be delivered by a dinosaur. |
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