<em>The Atlantic Daily: </em>What’s Safe to Do During the Pandemic’s Next Phase?

Experts say yes to the first question, “but cautiously, while maintaining social distance,” Joe writes—and preferably outdoors.

That means no hugs. “There are so many friends I would love to hug right now, but it’s a no,” a public-health professor said.

Can I drive or fly to other cities?

“If you don’t have to leave your current location,” Joe writes, “you should stay put.”

“If you urgently need to go somewhere, perhaps to see a loved one who’s dying, then by all means go.” Joe lays out the relative risks of driving and flying, as well as some other important considerations about taking any sort of trip outside of your area.

Read the rest here.

One question, answered: I read about a new, more contagious coronavirus strain. Should I be worried?

No, according to our science reporter Ed Yong.

He checked in with several virologists, who not only said that the claims are overblown, but also agreed that there is just one strain of the new coronavirus—not two, or three, or even eight, as various reports have claimed. There’s just one strain. His latest article explains what a “strain” is, and how we’d know whether a new one emerged.

Studies with dramatic conclusions are garnering attention as people scour the internet and social media for new information, but Ed cautions against reading too much into any one piece of research.

What to read if … you just want practical advice:

Tonight’s Atlantic-approved quarantine activity:

Jerry Seinfeld’s new Netflix comedy special doesn’t offer much that’s new, stylistically speaking. That makes it soothing, our culture writer David Sims argues: “Many viewers will find solace in that sameness.”

View all of our stories related to the coronavirus outbreak here. If you’ve been able to exercise during the pandemic, how have your habits changed? Do you plan to go back to your gym (or other athletic facility) when it reopens? Tell us.

How to Build a Life

Every other Thursday, Arthur C. Brooks, who teaches at Harvard Business School, tackles questions of meaning and happiness. In this week’s column, he looks at why so many people are unhappy in retirement.  

Think of your life on the track of the literary hero’s journey. It is “great when you’re in the middle of it,” he writes. “The trouble comes when your strengths start to wane, because now you’re off script.”

“The end of the true hero’s journey is coming home and finding a battle to be waged not with an external enemy, but with one’s own demons.” Read the rest.

This email was written by Caroline Mimbs Nyce and Isabel Fattal, with help from Haley Weiss, and edited by Michael Owen. Sign yourself up for The Daily here.

Caroline Mimbs Nyce is a senior associate editor at The Atlantic.

Isabel Fattal is an assistant editor at The Atlantic.