Staying Apart, Together: A Labor Day weekend like no other

I've been thinking a lot about what Labor Day means in 2020. Usually, it signals the end of summer, the start of school and a change in the way we act and dress for the rest of the year. Plus it offers one last excuse to gather and barbecue. 

But like Memorial Day, Labor Day has historical significance. It has been a federal holiday since 1894 aimed at celebrating the contributions of American workers, and celebrating the people working to keep us safe feels more vital than ever this year. I want to celebrate the grocery store worker outside the supermarket near us who enforces the mask policy. I want to celebrate the nurse who drew my blood the other week while still chattering happily behind her mask. I want to celebrate and support everyone who isn't working, and do whatever I can to help them during this unbelievably rough time. 

I hope each and every one of you can rest, relax and stay safe this weekend. I hope we won't have many more holidays like this one. 

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Today's (safe) Labor Day celebrations 

Health officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, have cautioned against gatherings this Labor Day weekend, as more outbreaks are traced to small gatherings of family and friends. It's a huge thing to sacrifice, time with those we love, but I'm proud of all of us doing everything we can to save lives during this time. 

But just because the traditional barbecue or house party is off the table this year doesn't mean that this long weekend will be wasted. For some ideas of what to do to celebrate safely and responsibly, here is what some members of the Paste BN staff will be doing this weekend. Me, I'll be baking, watching the new "Mulan" and hopefully sleeping until 11 a.m. or later, like a rebel. 

Alison Maxwell, Managing Editor for Life and Travel (and occasional author of this newsletter): My goal is to finish bingeing "I May Destroy You" and "Watchmen" on HBO and "The Morning Show" on Apple TV+. 

Julia Thompson, Travel Editor: With temperatures in Phoenix expected to be in the 110s this weekend, I'll be spending lots of time in the pool and watching movies with my kids! Basically, just enjoying a weekend of relaxation with family.

Sara Moniuszko, Digital Editor for Life and Travel: My girlfriend and I are going to a farm to do some socially-distanced raspberry picking! We're also trying potato picking, which I'm imagining will be more like potato digging since they grow underground? We'll see... 

Mary Cadden, Best-Selling Books List Editor: With the weather being nice my dog Sadie and I are going to take some epic walks and then take some epic naps.

Rasha Ali, Entertainment Reporter: Drowning in my sorrows. Sometimes it's OK to lean into your sad feelings, just don't overstay your welcome.

Maria Puente, Entertainment Reporter: The only thing I have on my schedule this weekend is to get a flu shot!

Felecia Wellington, Audience Editor: Planning to watch a movie in the backyard with my littles if the weather cooperates.

Anne Godlasky, Enterprise Editor for Politics and World: We're taking it easy and getting the kids outdoors to decompress from the first week of virtual school!

Jayme Deerwester, Deputy Travel Editor: If I have a happy place, it's in (or on) the water. And thanks to the long weekend, I get an extra day of kayaking on the Ohio River.

If you are looking for more ideas and safety tips, see this roundup of CDC recommendations for celebrating safely from our friends at Reviewed.com.

Today's reads

• Thank goodness for every small piece of good news we can get. "Jeopardy!" is coming back, Alex Trebek is doing OK, and Ken Jennings is helping out with the new season. What is something we all need, Alex?
• Happy birthday Beyoncé!
• Parents of the littles, pay attention: Target's car seat recycling event is back Sept. 13. 
• Are new iPhones on the way?
• The pandemic has highlighted the need for more therapists of color who can relate to their patients. 
• I was pretty floored by these accounts from seven participants in COVID vaccine trials. Read why they volunteered to help. 

Today's TV recommendations 

For Carol Sindelar

Which streaming services do you have?

Netflix and Amazon Prime

What shows have you watched in quarantine so far?

"Breaking Bad," "Better Call Saul," "Ozark," "Peaky Blinders," "Broadchurch," "Luther," "Goliath," "Marcella" (I also watched but did not like "Lillyhammer," "Succession," "Narcos")

What's your favorite TV show (or shows) of all time?

"Breaking Bad"

You should watch...

I also do not like "Succession," which sometimes makes me an outcast at cool TV Critic parties (are we cool? maybe? We try). Considering your list, I'd say you like a good anti-hero story, so I want to recommend my favorite, FX's "The Americans" (Amazon), about Soviet spies posing as an average American family in the 1980s. Starring Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys, it's an intricate and nuanced take on the antihero narrative, and just one of my favorite shows of all time. With six seasons, it will also last you a long time, even if you're binge-watching. 

Today's pet

What better way to make virtual learning more tolerable than including your furry friends?

"One of our cats, Mory, wanted to be part of my son's virtual learning experience by injecting himself into my son's diorama," says human Rebecca Saleveson. "He doesn't really fit, but he made it work."

If he fits, he sits. 

That's it for this Saturday, and I'll be back on Tuesday afternoon, easing you back into the work week after this glorious long weekend. Don't forget to send pet pics, TV recommendation requests and coping tips to our new newsletter email address, stayingaparttogether@usatoday.com. I love seeing your adorable pets and learning what you love to watch on TV. Please send in your stuff with your full name and location. 

All my very best,

Kelly Lawler