How to Stay Safe in New York City as It Reopens While You Continue Your English Practice August 11, 2020

It’s no secret that our worlds have been turned upside down the past couple of months due to the pandemic. We’ve had to adjust to new ways of life and get used to practices that we’ll likely have to follow for months to come. It can feel like there’s no end in sight to what could be considered going back to “normal,” so we have to use that uncertainty to shift our mindsets and our regular habits to help us stay focused, positive, and motivated.

Since gathering for education purposes and learning opportunities still seem to be uncertain, you might feel a bit on edge regarding how you can maintain your learning regimens and utilize real world application for your English language practice. Since we live in New York City and it’s known for its incredibly varied cultures, you might feel like you’re being stinted from valuable and practical learning moments due to our ongoing restrictions. It can feel frustrating, but there are still many valuable ways you can take advantage of the city while staying safe.

1. Haircuts and personal care

Going several months without cutting my hair or really needing to pay attention to it has certainly saved me a lot of money. Since I was working from home full-time and wasn’t really interacting with anyone in person, I didn’t feel the need to style or look after my hair like I did when I was commuting to the office every day. There’s beauty in this, I recognize, but at the same time, I sure was pretty excited to get back into the salon. Luckily, they’re practicing high safety standards, like only allowing a certain percent capacity and restricting the use of their waiting lobby. Plus, all the experts are wearing masks and require all the guests to do the same.

It was so refreshing to sit in that chair again, so if you’re in need of some professional grooming, call your local salon to see how they’re operating right now. This is a great chance for you to also put your English skills to practice in person. It might be tricky with the mask on, but we’re all adjusting, so this shouldn’t set you back too much!

2. Outdoor dining

This might be what I missed the most. Going out for meals with my friends was our primary way of catching up with one another and enjoying all the great cuisines that the city has to offer. For months, we couldn’t see each other in person, so when restaurants started to allow outdoor dining and gatherings, we almost felt like our friendship could be back on track, too. It’s a bit unusual to get used to at first, but after a while, we chose to just look at it as a fresh take on a summer adventure.

Again, restaurants are being extremely careful as well. They’re spacing their tables out into the sidewalks and streets as liberally as possible, and all the workers are wearing masks. Be sure to check out your local spots to see how they’re complying with the new rules, and gather your friends for a unique catch-up session. Challenge each other to only speak in English so you can make sure your English skills aren’t getting to rusty from being in quarantine for so long.

3. Other outdoor entertainment

Summer has been in full swing for a while, and even though it may feel like we’ve been in this new pandemic world for eternity, keep in mind that summer won’t last forever. When the weather starts to cool down again, the outdoor capabilities of socializing and entertaining will start to diminish again. So take advantage of this time! Bring your friends to the park (with your masks and hand sanitizer, of course), and continue to pay attention to your physical distancing practices. Check out some outdoor museums, zoos, or even the botanical gardens for some fresh air, sunlight, and fun times with your friends.

It may feel uncomfortable to wear a mask in 90-degree weather, but it’s best to follow the guidelines that the CDC has set in place. Learning a new language can be difficult in a time when we’re required to wear a mask as much as we can, but the comforting notion you should keep in mind is that this is a mass effort, and everyone is working together to flatten the curve so that we can move forward as a society as safely as possible.