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Staying Apart, Together: Going to the dentist is the weirdest thing I've done in 2021

Kelly Lawler   | Paste BN

You know things have changed when you're terrifed of the dentist, and it has nothing to do with the drill. 

I've been trying to stay home for the majority of the pandemic, but a toothache brought me to the dentist last week (overall I'm fine, but will have to get my wisdom teeth removed). I've been to the doctor a few times since the pandemic started, but this was the first time I've removed my mask in a building that wasn't my home. I felt naked and strange. And not only did I take it off, I opened my mouth for the dentist and hygienists, and little droplet I saw made me anxious. I was so glad they were wearing face shields on top of their masks. 

We often refer to the current COVID-19 era as "the new normal," but I've found myself both adapting to all the changes and feeling startled by them. My appointment made me wonder how we'll adapt back to a post-pandemic world. We'll be feeling the effects of COVID and our great losses long after it's over, in ways great and small. It won't be an easy re-entry. 

But maybe the dentist will go back to just being scary because I'm terrible at flossing. 

Today's mailbag

First I wanted to say, I received a wonderful outpouring of support after I wrote about my depression Tuesday's edition, and I want to say thank you to everyone who wrote to me. 

I've been accumulating coping tips from readers and wanted to share a few messages I found helpful. Keep sending these in to stayingaparttogether@usatoday.com! We can help each other cope. 

From Victoria McKenzie: "My house truly got out of hand, boxes on top of boxes, unfolded laundry, dishes in the sink, heck I still have nonperishable food in my SUV from when I went grocery shopping a month ago (yes really). What I found was that after I completely decluttered and cleaned a part of my kitchen countertop, that one empty space motivated and inspired me to slowly work out of my funk – I had finally accomplished something. ... It keeps me from doom scrolling, having too much time to think and at the end of the day I feel a sense of accomplishment that I build upon the next day."

John Camilliere took a small road trip for an escape. "We drove 150 miles round trip at 90 mph most of the way. We stopped at White Sands National Park for a few hours. It was surreal to suddenly be on the top of a snow white dune with families having a fun time all around us. The time on that trip was a complete escape from our crazy world."

Kammy Sislofsky of Fontana, California, shared what has helped her through the pandemic. "Alvin Ailey Dance Theater virtual season (which has) some of the best dancers in the world - an example of pure beauty, grace, and control. Marble racing on YouTube channel, Jelle's Marble Runs, featuring MarbleLympics, Marbula One, and Marble Rally (my favorite), I dare you not to be mesmerized or root for your favorite marble! (And) photos and videos from Disney theme parks. This one is clearly for those who really like Disney parks; but the photos make me feel like I'm at the parks too."

Annie Bowers from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, shared her coping strategies: "Going for daily walks with my 21 year-old son, "Can't Hurt Me," by David Goggins, learning to play chess with my son, watching crazy YouTube videos every night with my son, Zoom meetings, watching daily Mass on Facebook or EWTN network, quitting smoking cigarettes by attending a virtual Freedom From Smoking class."

Thank you all for sharing! 

Today's long read

My colleague Bill Keveney and I have been working on a story about how police TV shows are responding to last year's Black Lives Matter protests, and it finally published yesterday. We spoke with actors, TV producers, executives and racial justice advocates about what changes are already happening, and what needs to. 

"When George Floyd died, it changed the game for me,” says Shemar Moore, who plays Sgt. Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson on CBS's "S.W.A.T." At the meeting, “I said, 'There’s this divide, this debate, this confusion. There’s an anxiety between civilians and police.' I was like, ‘We’ve got to talk about it.’ ” 

Viewers don't get a broad enough depiction of policing, says April Reign, a racial justice advocate who wants shows to consult with voices from the community, including those who have been incarcerated, to get a broader perspective. 

"We as entertainment consumers take a lot of our thoughts on particular issues, including crime and punishment, from TV," she says. "My concern is there's not as much nuance as there needs to be."

"We're not asking for completely positive portrayals of Black people or completely negative portrayals of police officers," says Arisha Hatch of advocacy organization Color of Change, which identifies itself as the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. "We're looking for a more accurate conversation about policing in our communities."  

You can read the whole story here. 

Today's (shorter) reads

Today's pet

I'd like to introduce you to a pup who is so very warm. 

This is Abby. "She is about 4 years old, a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, French Bulldog and Boston Terrier," according to humans Marcia and Scott Jackson. "Her favorite things are sleeping on the futon and chasing squirrels, rabbits and chipmunks in the yard. The (picture) below is Abby in her new winter coat – all ready for the cold weather here in Green Lake, Wisconsin."

I also received a request from reader Lonnie Hull DuPont for a photo of my dog Apollo, and I'm more than happy to oblige. My favorite snap of him recently was on Christmas. 

That's all for this Saturday. I hope you all have restful and restorative weekends. Remember to keep writing in to stayingaparttogether@usatoday.com with your pet pictures, coping tips, personal stories and TV recommendation requests.

All my very best, 

Kelly Lawler

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