Let’s just get right to this. Here are our favorite things to watch, experience, eat, drink, and survive Coronavirus as you social distance the days away!
1. Coronavirus Rhapsody
Local comedian and comedy teacher Dana Jay Bein is a frequent Twitter user and commentator. It’s where he shared many of his jokes, witty wisdom and general observations with his followers. But never in his wildest dreams did he anticipate the reaction to some lyrics he published on Twitter a mere week or so ago. Last Wednesday, as he socially distanced himself in his Cambridge apartment, Dana Jay Bein quickly wrote and then posted some lyrics he re-wrote from Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” with his humorous take on the coronavirus crisis, how one would feel upon catching the dreaded virus, and why people should just stay the hell inside.
I've lost my mind.
I wrote Coronavirus Rhapsody:
Is this a sore throat?
Is this just allergies?
Caught in a lockdown
No escape from reality.— Dana Jay Bein (DJB) (@danajaybein) March 18, 2020
Those lyrics have quickly turned into one of the most remade videos and memes of this Coronavirus crisis.
More will come no doubt, but here are a few of our faves. Feel free to google for yourself when you are in need of entertainment. We know we will.
2. I WANT TO RIDE MY BICYLE, I WANT TO RIDE MY BIKE!
Did you hear that bike shops have been deemed as essential business during Governor Baker’s emergency order. That means that you can (and should!) still get outside responsibly and get some Vitamin-D. Fresh air is a natural disinfectant, so practice social distancing by being on two wheels and avoid public transportation.
In order to continue to keep the community safe, Urban AdvenTours has adjusted their operating procedures. Their doors are locked but they are just a phone call away at 617.670.0637. They’ll work with you to get you what you need while maintaining distance and avoiding contact as much as possible. They are limiting access to one customer at a time and doing their best to coordinate in advance via phone. Hours through April 7th (or further notice): Tuesday to Saturday : 9AM – 6PM on Sunday/ Monday: Closed.
Urban AdvenTours is a unique, eco-friendly bicycle shop and tour company in downtown Boston that provides original bicycle tours and quality bike rentals for families, students, and visitors. They are committed to promoting sustainability with fun, green tours of Boston’s historic neighborhoods and popular landmarks. The bike shop can handle full service repairs and carries a versatile line of bikes and commuter oriented accessories.
3. CARRY OUT, CARRY ON!
If you’re from Massachusetts, you’ve always enjoyed a thriving restaurant and hospitality industry. While recent governmental orders and recommendations to limit social gatherings have forced restaurants to change the way they operate, the commitment to providing the best dining experience remains unchanged. Most restaurants in Massachusetts remain open and they need your support more than ever.
So, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association has launched CarryOutMA.com as a useful and informative centralized platform for restaurants across the Baystate who remain open serving the public though both takeout and delivery.
The MRA has created this site with the intention of keeping consumers connected to their favorite dining establishments. A link directs users to a database of restaurants across the state of Massachusetts who are open and ready to serve you. It allows users to sort by cities across the state, indicate the ways in which restaurants are serving patrons, and when available, view menus.
“I think everyone is trying their very best to help and promote restaurants across the commonwealth, but with so many daily changes it becomes difficult to keep them all current. This new platform allows for each restaurant owner to register and update their own listings ultimately empowering restauranteurs and putting a direct-to-consumer marketing tool within reach,” said Kerry Miller, Vice President Operations.
The Massachusetts Restaurant Association’s CarryOutMA.com is live and they encourage restaurants to logon, register and populate the site as of yesterday, March 25, 2020. The site may take a few days to populate and update, so continue to check in and see what’s new. But more importantly, order up people and wash those hands!
4. BECAUSE CUPCAKES MAKE EVERYTHING BETTER
This one is pretty simple. Sweet Bakery is here for you during the Coronavirus shut down. And they encourage you to send something sweet to your family, friends, co-workers, or loved ones. Your sweet gesture can and will make a difference. A box of cupcakes, cakes and their signature platters are available for delivery every day. All you have to do is call them at 617.247.2253 to place your order. You can also order online on the Sweet Bakery delivery site.
5. CHECK OUT THE LATEST DELIVERY AND CURBSIDE PICK UP EATS!
Alta Strada was born from the simple wish to share great ingredients, honored flavors and a warm welcome with neighbors and friends. Their pizza is most definitely a welcome addition to any social distancing scenario.
Alta Strada Wellesley
Alta Strada in Wellesley is approachable and accessible to anyone and everyone! You can order online or by calling the restaurant for a takeout or delivery option. It also does curbside pickup. They have pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, salads and casseroles that feed a family of four, like lasagna and meatballs.
Adelita was created so that Concord and surrounding communities can have a gathering place for families and friends.
Adelita – Concord 1200 Main Street Concord, MA 978-254-0710 – Ordering for takeout and pickup are available from 5-8p nightly by calling or ordering online. Menu includes taco plates, pork ribs, enchiladas. Adelita is offering delivery via DoorDash and pick up- pick up orders can be placed on their website.
Bricco’s got fresh bread!
Bricco Salumeria & Panetteria – Bricco Panetteria will be open in the morning until 7p and offer bread and baked goods to go. Offering breads, pastries and pizza squares, Bricco Salumeria, 11 Board Alley in Boston’s North End, 617-248-9629. Bricco Salumeria will offer canned goods, meats, cheeses, pastas, marinated vegetables and other shelf-stable products for people to bring home. There will be someone at Bricco Salumeria to help put together a couple ingredients that would work well with certain dishes so that you can purchase several different meal options that can be made and frozen or refrigerated. There is also an option to purchase sandwiches and some groceries online via doordash, uber eats, and postmates for delivery.
Ronsky’s fresh pasta is available for take out.
Chef Ronsky’s – Chestnut Hill – 3A Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill MA – Ronsky’s Red Apron Service is back in action during this turbulent time. This service is prepared meals to take home and reheat for family dinner, dinner parties or any gathering you might need a delicious home-style meal. A 24hrs notice/purchase is required for any quantity. All pick ups will be required between the hours of 12pm and 3pm daily. Orders can be placed by emailing chefronsky@gmail.com or online.
Harvard Gardens – at 316 Cambridge Street is offering takeout and curbside delivery in the Beacon Hill neighborhood only for delivery. Hours: 11:30am-8:30pm Orders from 2p until 5p are 50% off, offering starters, pizzas, salads, sandwiches and entrees and a brownie sundae.
Osteria Nino – at 3rd Avenue in Burlington, Massachusetts is offering takeout, delivery via UberEats, and curbside delivery and nearby apartments only for curbside delivery. Hours: 11:30am-8:30pm Check out the menu by clicking here.
Quattro Broccoli Rabe Sandwich with fries.
Quattro – at 246 Hanover Street in Boston is offering takeout and delivery via doordash, postmates, and ubereats for their entire menu. The menu and delivery options can be found by clicking here. They open at 11:30am daily, curbside pickup available, call in orders for pickup at (617) 720-0444
Summer Shack Cambridge is offering take out and delivery via Caviar. The special to-go menu features Summer Shack favorites such as lobster pot stickers, fish tacos, Jasper’s fried chicken, and pan roasted lobsters. Place take out orders by calling 617-520-9500. Take out and delivery will be available daily from 11:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.
6. TRAILBLAZING BARTENDER!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-F6OoEgPOB/
Naomi Levy – aka @tendstotravel on Instragram – is combining her big heart and her mixology skills to engage the public and ultimately raise funds for Cambridge & Somerville area hospitality workers. As many face unemployment and an uncertain future with the outbreak of COVID-19 and resulting shut down. Levy is raising dollars that will go directly into the hands of servers, bartenders, hosts, dishwashers, cooks and baristas in the Cambridge and Somerville area to help them pay their bills and get through this scary time. Unemployment benefits are not enough for many to live off of and some aren’t even eligible to collect them. As a bartender, Naomi takes pride in taking care of her guests, now she’s asking those that can help take care of others to do their part by clicking here. Nice job Naomi!
7. JOIN THE BOOST YOUR HEALTH VIRTUAL EVENT
Join in on an online experience that empowers you to stay healthy in mind, body & soul from Friday, March 27th to Sunday, March 29th, 2020. Top Natural Health Experts around the world have gathered to share their practical tips, tools and strategies to stay healthy NOW. These practitioners are all passionate about helping their communities stay strong and healthy amidst uncertain times. Knowing – now more than ever – that our health truly is our greatest asset, it’s important to understand how your lifestyle and daily activities affect it. Register for free now!
8. JUST BECAUSE THIS IS FUN
Coronavirus and the Corona shut down has changed life for all of us in all ways. This includes elementary school students who had birthday parties cancelled. We love how people are modifying their behaviors while also letting the party go on … like this cutie on her front porch wearing a Belle costumer. Happy Birthday Belle.
9. DANCE AGAIN WITH SELENA
Today Selena Gomez released the music video for her Rare song “Dance Again.” The clip shows Gomez decked out in a Seventies-style wardrobe, dancing alone onstage to the disco beat. Appropriate to see her video mimics our real life social distancing efforts. In addition to the video, Selena also announced and released a new line of “Dance Again”-themed merchandise, stating that a portion of the proceeds would go toward the MusiCares foundation. MusiCares recently established the COVID-19 Relief Fund to support artists and musicians affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The crisis has been particularly difficult for the live music industry, cutting off many artists from their main source of income, live performances.