AP Lifestyles Digest

| April 16, 2020 9:03 AM

For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at newsroom.ap.org.

Here is the AP Lifestyles digest for the week of April 13.

To receive the AP Lifestyles digest by email, contact [email protected].

For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact [email protected] or call 877-836-9477. For reruns of stories, call Customer Support, [email protected], 877-836-9477. For photo reruns, visit the photo archive http://apimages.ap.org.

For questions, contact Julia Rubin at [email protected].

___

SPECIAL EDITIONS ADVISORY

Editors:

Because of rapidly changing developments caused by the coronavirus, The AP will not be moving any more Special Editions in 2020. We plan to continue spot and feature coverage of these subjects — weddings, pursuits, school, homes, pets and holidays — on the regular AP Lifestyles and main news wires.

If you have questions, please contact Julia Rubin at [email protected] or Barry Bedlan at [email protected].

___

LIFESTYLES ADVISORY

Editors:

During these uncertain times, we are pleased to provide you with more timely content for Lifestyles that speaks to how we are living, adapting and coping during the coronavirus pandemic.

As we increase that coverage, we have also had to alter our standard weekly offerings for the time being.

— Our gardening column will move from weekly to bimonthly.

— Food stories will be guaranteed twice a month.

— Home stories will be guaranteed twice a month.

While the kind of content we provide is changing for now, our commitment to providing excellent Lifestyles articles is not.

For further questions, please contact Nekesa Moody at [email protected] or Barry Bedlan at [email protected].

___

NEW THIS DIGEST:

Virus Outbreak-One Good Thing-Neighborhood Pledge: Jennifer Stamper thought having her children recite the Pledge of Allegiance every morning would help them feel more like it was a regular school day. Now the morning Pledge has become a tradition in their neighborhood in Kettering, Ohio. Families gather at the end of the driveways, and the Stamper kids -- 9-year-old Zach and 7-year-old Juliette -- take turns holding the flag. By Mitch Stacy. UPCOMING Thursday, 650 words, photo, video.

Virus Outbreak-Ramadan Celebration: Ramadan unites Muslims the world over in fasting and worship during a time of reflection. This year, it follows a string of religious holidays that have also unified the faithful from different religions in grappling with how to observe familiar rituals and celebrations in a time of unfamiliarity. UPCOMING Thursday, photos.

Virus Outbreak-Diary-The Dog: He was a dog. And in a moment like no other moment, he became something more, too. UPCOMING Thursday: 600 words and photo. By AP Technology Writer Michael Liedtke.

___

GENERAL

Virus Outbreak-Dying Alone: Don Pijanowski was not surrounded by loved ones when he died. Instead, the 87-year-old father of four died in a New York hospital with a nurse who stood near him and passed on his sons’ final message. The new coronavirus is so contagious that health care facilities aren’t letting spouses, sons and daughters gather around the dying for fear of spreading the infection. SENT Monday, photos.

Virus Outbreak-Moviegoing: While there are a plethora of movies online to entertain people during the shutdown, some people are longing for the community of going to the theater. SENT Tuesday: 900 words and photos. By Entertainment Writer Jake Coyle.

Virus Outbreak-Aloha Print Masks: Face masks made with the same colorful prints used for aloha shirts are the latest fashion trend in Hawaii as islanders try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The shirts are called Hawaiian shirts elsewhere in the United States. UPCOMING Wednesday, photos.

Virus Outbreak-Faith Vs. Science: As the contagious COVID-19 empties houses of worship worldwide, the virus has tested faith’s relationship with science to a remarkable degree. While most major religions have abided by governmental gathering limits, a minority of leaders -- both religious and secular – have suggested that in-person worship should continue because of the relief it can provide. UPCOMING Wednesday, photos.

Virus Outbreak-Too Many Decisions: Wash the hands? Open the door? Stand six feet away or 10? Wear a mask? Wipe down the groceries? Everything’s a decision these days, and the little decisions that matter have suddenly multiplied. It’s exhausting. SENT Monday: 850 words and photos. By National Writer Ted Anthony.

Virus Outbreak-One Good Thing-Married Nurses: A co-worker snapped a photo of a married nurse couple in an eye-to-eye embrace despite layers of protective gear. The image, shared on social media, is inspiring people around the globe. SENT Wednesday, photos, video.

Virus Outbreak-Abortion: In some states, the COVID-19 outbreak has fueled attempts to ban abortions. Where the procedure remains available, some abortion providers report increased demand, often from women distraught over economic stress and health concerns linked to the pandemic. SENT Monday. By National Writer David Crary. 950 words,photos.

Virus Outbreak–Sikh Vaishakhi: Like other religions dealing with spring holidays, Sikhs are changing the way they celebrate Vaishakhi because of social distancing and closed houses of worship. Vaishakhi, set for April 14, marks the day in 1699 when Sikhism took its current form. SENT Monday, photos.

NerdWallet-Liz-Weston-Tapping-Retirement-Funds: Ideally, retirement funds should be left alone until needed for their intended purpose, but in times of financial crisis it may be tempting to tap them for other pressing needs. Tips. By Liz Weston of NerdWallet. SENT Monday, 780 words, photo.

___

PARENTING

Virus Outbreak-Diary-Silent Bats: “Are we going to have a season this year?” my 10-year-old asks, glove on his left hand and a baseball in his right. My answer for the last month has always been the same: Maybe. UPCOMING Wednesday: 600 words and photo. By AP Sports Writer Will Graves.

Virus Outbreak-College Applicants: The coronavirus has upended plans for millions of students who are taking virtual campus tours while dealing with concerns about affording college in an economic downturn — and whether schools will even be reopened by the fall. SENT Monday, photos.

Film-Kids Movies They Haven’t Seen: NEW YORK — Your kids have seen “Frozen” two dozen times and know the “Toy Story” movies backward and forward. But there are more movies out there for housebound kids. By Film Writer Jake Coyle. UPCOMING Wednesday, 800 words by 3 p.m. EDT, photos.

Virus Outbreak-Teachers on TV: Teachers have begun videotaping lessons at home, using whatever technology they can, for broadcast over television airwaves in places including New Jersey, Nebraska and New Mexico where officials have partnered with broadcasters. UPCOMING Friday, photos.

Virus Outbreak-Adoptions from Africa: Amid the coronavirus pandemic, some American parents are stranded in Africa after adopting children there. By National Writer David Crary. SENT Tuesday, 900 words,photos.

Books-Kate the Chemist: Kate the Chemist book has 25 experiments for housebound kids. By Television Writer Lynn Elber. SENT Tuesday. 650 words, photos.

___

GARDENING

Virus Outbreak-Searching For Seeds: NITRO, W.Va. — The peppers were picked over, tomatoes also taken and the flowers were fixing to be next. The empty spots on the store seed display were starting to catch up with the offerings. Gardeners are grabbing packets off shelves at an accelerating rate. By John Raby. SENT Thursday, 800 words, photos.

Veggies 101: Now, during the coronavirus pandemic, is a perfect time to start a vegetable garden. Besides the food, it's a family activity, gives everyone a reason to be out in the fresh air, offers exercise and saves money. Here’s a primer on how to get started growing vegetables. By Lee Reich. SENT Tuesday, 600 words, photo.

___

FOOD

Food-Books-American Tacos: Texas Monthly Taco Editor José R. Ralat has written a new book that examines the evolution of one of the world’s most popular dishes: the American Taco. By Russell Contreras. SENT Wednesday, 700 words, photo.

Lost Apples-New Finds: A pair of so-called apple detectives has rediscovered 10 apple varieties in the Pacific Northwest that were planted by long-ago pioneers and had been thought extinct. By Gillian Flaccus. SENT Wednesday, 900 words, photos.

Bread Baking: Are you struggling to find bread flour and fresh yeast at the moment? With millions of people across the globe staying home because of the coronavirus pandemic, many people are choosing to make their own bread. Some tips. By Matt Kemp. SENT Tuesday, 600 words, photos, video.

Virus Outbreak-Rachael Ray.: Rachael Ray had big plans for the quarantine break at her home in upstate New York. She envisioned “a Renaissance time,” rereading the classics, resuming her Danish lessons and getting back into painting. Instead, she told The Associated Press, she’s never been busier. By Kelli Kennedy. SENT Wednesday, 400 words, photo.

___

TRAVEL

Virus Outbreak Empty Airports Photo Gallery: The airports that were preparing for the Olympics are now empty. SENT Tuesday, photos.

___