VOA新闻杂志2022--新冠疫情在某些方面改变了美国人的生活 VOA

Pandemic Changed American Life in Some Ways

The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic disease almost three years ago. The health crisis greatly changed America in ways temporary and long-lasting.

Here is a look at some interests that arose among people during the years of restrictive experience.

Musical instruments

During the pandemic, more people learned to play, or returned to playing, a musical instrument.

For most, the activity was a hobby, something done for pleasure alone.

Bob Dorobis of Middletown, New Jersey¹, is an example. After a long break from music, he worked hard to improve his guitar technique during the pandemic. Now, the 70-year-old software developer is looking forward to more music time in retirement².

"When your fingerpicking sounds good it's very rewarding," he said. "I finally realized the only way for me to like it better is to learn it better."

Exercise

During the pandemic, a lot of people started exercising – mainly running, bicycle riding, and walking.

Beth Lehman is a childcare worker in Greenville, New York. She got on a bike for the first time in years with the children she cares for. Now, the whole family she works for rides bikes with her, including a grandfather in his 80s.

"I faked confidence," she said of taking to two wheels again.

Neighborly kindness

During the pandemic, more Americans got more involved with their neighbors and communities.

Many began to help old people. Neighborhoods organized assistance for them, including snow removal, food deliveries and transportation to medical visits.

Lisa and Larry Neula in Sacramento, California, shared their musical talents with their neighbors. Lisa is a former competitor and teacher of Hawaiian dance. Larry is a singer with the Lim Family, a Hawaiian traditional music group.

The couple performed just outside their house for gatherings³ of their neighbors during the pandemic. They continue the events to this day.

"If you get one person who shows they want to be social, then the other people catch on. It gets to be contagious," Lisa said. "I don't want to take all the credit, but it makes me a better person."

Sports and gardening

As indoor public gatherings became impossible, outdoor activities became more popular.

Gardening, for example, was a way to get some extra exercise and grow fresh food. "Now, I rarely watch TV," said Kelly Flor-Robinson from Bethany Beach, Delaware.

Sports such as pickleball added players. Its fan base grew so large, the demand for playing time was bigger than court capacity in some places.

The situation for golf was similar.

In Maplewood, New Jersey, Matthew Peyton and his son, Julian, worked on their golf games together. Julian now works in a sports shop and is learning about college golf programs.

"So there I am. Single dad with a 15-year-old, active teenage boy who won't be going to school for two years," Matthew said. "We don't know what's safe. We don't touch door knobs or go to the store. But the golf course is our refuge. You're 300 yards away from anyone else all by yourself. It's like a private oasis⁴."

Shopping

American shopping also changed. Curbside pickup⁶ and food delivery exploded in popularity. Both are still important for some people who once liked to visit stores.

"I used to enjoy food shopping, but this saves so much time and overspending on my part so I stuck with it," said Amanda Sheronas Spencer in Malvern, Pennsylvania.

She added, "If I do go in person, I have to stick to my list, which is difficult for a person who loves food and cooking!"

Words in This Story

improve – v. to become better

fingerpicking – n. a way of playing a guitar with the thumb and tips of the fingers

fake – v. to make (something) seem real or true in order to trick someone

oasis – n. an area in a desert where there is water and plants

curbside pickup– n. to get something brought to your car when it is parked near a curb⁵ - a short border along the edge of a street

delivery – n. the act of taking something to a person or place

1 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

2 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

3 gatherings   

聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集

参考例句：

• His conduct at social gatherings created a lot of comment. 他在社交聚会上的表现引起许多闲话。
• During one of these gatherings a pupil caught stealing. 有一次，其中一名弟子偷窃被抓住。

4 oasis   

n.（沙漠中的）绿洲，宜人的地方

参考例句：

• They stopped for the night at an oasis.他们在沙漠中的绿洲停下来过夜。
• The town was an oasis of prosperity in a desert of poverty.该镇是贫穷荒漠中的一块繁荣的“绿洲”。

5 curb   

n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制

参考例句：

• I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
• You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。

6 pickup   

n.拾起，获得

参考例句：

• I would love to trade this car for a pickup truck.我愿意用这辆汽车换一辆小型轻便卡车。||The luck guy is a choice pickup for the girls.那位幸运的男孩是女孩子们想勾搭上的人。