Third spaces

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review. Over the weekend, I interviewed folks at the Reno Generator in Sparks for our news column. The lease on their warehouse space has been terminated, and they may have to move out as soon as the end of May.

The thing that struck me was how many of them spoke about the Generator as a “home away from home” or a “third space.” The idea that people need a third space—one that’s not work or home—intrigues me. And I think it’s true. Some people seek a third space at the gym, others at makers’ spaces like the Generator, some of us at the bar. But I think what we’re really seeking is companionship, camaraderie, conversation. We just want people with whom we can commiserate who are not our families or colleagues—and sometimes about our families or colleagues.

And I think that’s one of the things that scares me about coronavirus. I’m pretty certain I’d lose my mind if I were quarantined by myself for very long, alone—and I would be since I live alone. It’s part of the reason—yes, a selfish one—that, despite all of the jokes and the memes, I hope people are really taking this virus seriously and taking precautions like coughing and sneezing into a tissue or their elbows and washing their hands frequently.

In this week’s paper, you’ll find several stories that relate to the coronavirus in our Upfront section on page 6, and also in our Homes column on page 9. For the Homes column, I took a look at advice for preparing our homes for the possibility of quarantine. Some people will, no doubt, think it’s silly. But if you’re not sure what prepping for that kind of thing would look like, I hope that you’ll give it a read. And, in the meantime, I also hope you’ll be able to keep enjoying your third spaces, whatever they may be.

Life is short, sometimes shorter than we’re expecting, so surround yourself with people who love and care about you—and be sure to give them love and care, too.