Staying Fit
Labor Day weekend often serves as the symbolic boundary line between summer and fall, as well as the end of swimming pool visits and beach vacations and the start of school. It's typically filled with barbecues, parades and get-togethers with friends.
This year the coronavirus has made the holiday feel a bit different: social gatherings are a challenge to navigate, many annual activities are canceled to avoid the spread of COVID-19, and some students are starting school online. But we still crave ways to celebrate the end of summer and pay tribute to the achievements of American workers. So how can we enjoy the Labor Day holiday and also feel safe?
AARP Membership— $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.
"The way people are getting together is changing and, as we all continue to adjust, it's important to remember that everyone is experiencing the pandemic differently,” says Zaria Zinn, a marketing campaign specialist at Evite. “As we continue to navigate this new normal, we will need to adapt our party behavior to respect other people's health and safety.”
Barbecue is the star of the show
Barbecues are a classic Labor Day weekend activity. So maybe you don't have that blowout bash of the past, but it is possible to host or attend a socially distant gathering for a few friends. Outdoors is best, since experts say that lowers the chance of transmission of COVID-19. And there are plenty of ways to make a summer cookout less of a risk, including limiting shared items (such as serving utensils), having hand sanitizer available and restricting inside entertaining.
Barbecue master Robbie Shoults, the third-generation owner of Bear Creek Smokehouse in Marshall, Texas, says such gatherings create an atmosphere that helps people connect in a special way, even during the unusual times we're experiencing now. “Cooking out and grilling all play a major role in the Labor Day festivities,” he says. “Celebrating almost always involves food, and great food is what brings good friends and family together."
Shoults recommends making pulled pork (see recipe below) as a crowd pleaser. It can be served on a soft bun and with coleslaw. And if you're opting out of backyard barbecues this year, you can still get your fix. The Emmy-nominated Netflix foodie series Chef's Table unveiled four episodes on barbecue just in time for Labor Day weekend.
