Lab Report

May 22, 2020
No. 137

THIS WEEK
Creative ways to take a break.

Plus: artificial eyes, test missions, and Google Docs.

Featured story

PANDEMIC PTO

Summer will not be canceled

Summer is upon us. It’s a holiday weekend in the United States and the start of vacation season. We all need a break, and we should schedule vacation days — even if it feels strange to take time off during a pandemic, when offices are closed and it’s difficult to travel. With that in mind, the Luminary Labs team has sourced ideas for making the most of time away from work, even under these extraordinary circumstances.

The plans you make will depend on your own situation: If you live in an area that’s safely reopening, there’s no reason you couldn’t go fishing or take a scenic drive. But if you live in a hotspot, you’re at higher risk, or you don’t have access to transportation, there are still plenty of options for unplugging in style. Whether you’re traveling or staying close to home, seek “minimal contact” options; know the local guidelines and be respectful of those around you.

The great outdoors

Camp in your backyard, or look for a private campsite on Tentrr or Hipcamp.
Take a hike on a less-traveled trail.
Road trip to an outdoor landmark.
Seek out responsible recreation at a local park. (Bring your own social distancing picnic blanket.)
Go to the beach — some have reopened with restrictions, so check the rules before you go.

The great indoors

Step away from the screen! Turn off devices and notifications if you can.
If you’ve been working in your living area or bedroom, put your computer away. For extra credit, clear all your work-related items and replace them with a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Set up a picnic on your living room floor.
Go on vacation without leaving your home: Perhaps a "Capri" night? Put on your favorite fedora, make pasta and Negronis, and listen to a “coastal Italian partytime” playlist.
Tackle a DIY project or a creative challenge.
Tune into Atlas Obscura’s “Wonder From Home” series.
Don’t forget to take a nap.

For the kids

Look for cooking or baking kits, science projects, or an art class in a box.
Check to see if your library has a virtual reading club, or start a book club of your own.
Root for your favorite marble racing team and set up your own marble run.
If your state or region allows it, summer camp may be an option later this summer.
As an alternative, consider camp-on-demand or neighbor camp.

Local adventures

Look for “cool, hidden, and unusual attractions” in your own area.
Draw a map of your neighborhood.
Assign yourself a leisurely mission: picking up flowers at the farmers market, buying fancy snacks at the corner store, biking to a nearby neighborhood, or driving to a scenic overlook.
Go to the movies: Tribeca Film Fest is running a series of drive-ins across the country, a diner in Queens set up a parking lot drive-in, and Yankee Stadium’s parking lot may turn into a movie theater. (Be forewarned: There may not be bathrooms.)

Getting out of town

Decide which transportation method you’ll use: Here’s how to road trip safely and what to expect if you’re flying.
If you leave town, you may need to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival and again upon return, especially if you are coming from a hotspot like New York City.
The CDC recommends avoiding all nonessential international travel.
A handful of countries are cautiously reopening for summer travel. We’ve heard Iceland is “the perfect coronavirus refuge.”

Photo by Luiza Giannelli

Insights & updates

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Our COVID-19 open innovation index now lists 200+ initiatives. CovidX seeks to identify opportunities for the government, private sector, and nonprofits to accelerate meaningful innovation and build a more resilient future. Sign up to receive updates.

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Writers and editors from the New York Times are sharing their Google Doc diaries and recommendation lists.

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Researchers in Hong Kong and Berkeley have reported an artificial eye “consisting of an array of nanometre-scale light sensors (photosensors) that mimic the photoreceptor cells in human retinas.”

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SpaceX plans to send two NASA astronauts on a test mission to the International Space Station, and Virgin Orbit is planning a launch demo of its first orbital test flight with LauncherOne.

Cool jobs & opportunities

New Media Ventures is hiring a Fundraising Manager in New York or the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Email Jessica Hibbard, Head of Content & Community: editor@luminary-labs.com.