Another month of staying home for Washington state

Anyone else feeling a little stir crazy? With the governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” initiative extended through the end of May, we’re looking at another month of this at least.

Gov. Inslee extends stay-at-home order through May 31

But don’t worry: reporter Aaron Granillo spent all week figuring out how to help you handle it.

First, we’ll talk to Jonathan Kanter, a psychologist who has spent his career studying the science of social connection. He’s been asking people how they feel about being stuck at home, and gives us a sense of how everyone is collectively feeling about, and living with, the social distancing mandate. If you’re interested in participating in his study, you can sign up here.

UW study shows most are coping, adapting to new normal during crisis

Then, we pull back the curtain and reveal how KIRO Radio has been working from home. It’s quite a feat to send three stations and dozens of radio hosts home with microphones and ask them to phone it in … live. (Yes, that means bloopers. We’ve got bloopers!)

Ursula Reutin from the Gee and Ursula Show shares an amazing project they’ve started, inspired by her father’s isolation in a local nursing home. Listeners are sending letters to the elderly and those taking care of them in assisted living facilities. And Ursula’s father tells us firsthand about his experience.

Gee and Ursula launch letter writing campaign for nursing homes

Finally, we talk to an expert at isolation: “Lightning” Bill Austin, who has plenty of experience being alone with his thoughts. He’s one of the last fire lookouts in Washington state, and heading into his 30th summer season on the job. Confined to a 13 by 13 foot cabin on the top of Leecher Mountain, he has all sorts of tips and tricks for keeping yourself company.