(703) 924-3144Spring fever has hit, people are getting COVID-19 fatigue, and we are really in the same situation we have been for the past several weeks. It may sound like a broken record, but we are still on the upslope of the curve for cases in the region and things are just as dangerous as they were several weeks ago. The difference now is that restrictions are loosening despite no change in the risk profile. Here is the latest chart showing new cases in Fairfax County.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE continue with your social distancing, masks in public, cough into your sleeve, wash your hands frequently, and try not to touch your face.
If you have not done so already, now would be a perfect time to be counted in the census. https://2020census.gov/ will get you started.
Also, if you are at home quite a bit, how about taking the time to back up your computer? It isn’t hard to do, and you can even automate the process. Everyone loses data at some point in their lives. Your computer’s hard drive could fail tomorrow, ransomware could hold your files hostage, or a software bug could delete your important files. If you’re not regularly backing up your computer, you could lose those files forever.
Backups don’t have to be hard or confusing, though. You’ve probably heard about countless different backup methods, but which one is right for you? And what files do you really need to back up? Here is a great article to answer all of your questions that isn’t full of computer-ese mumbo jumbo.
To help keep our spirits up, remember that today is Cinco de Mayo, which commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. It is not a celebration of Mexican Independence Day (September 16th). Here are a number of Cinco de Mayo Celebrations available to you:
Latin stars — including Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Luis Fonsi, J Balvin, Diane Guerrero, Ana Brenda Contreras, Becky G, Edward James Olmos, Juanes and more — are coming together for a virtual Cinco de Mayo celebration, the Altísimo Live! festival, hosted by Eva Longoria and Enrique Santos. The event will raise money for the farmworkers’ Covid-19 pandemic relief fund.
When: The benefit kicks off at 1 p.m. with entertainers, comedians, chefs, social media influencers and others. Musical performances and artist Q. and A. sessions begin at 8 p.m.
Where: The Altísimo Live! Facebook, YouTube, Twitch and Twitter pages, as well as iHeartLatino’s radio stations and websites.
The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles is also holding a Cinco de Mayo event. The bilingual celebration — hosted by the American-born Chilean songwriter Francisca Valenzuela — will highlight several genres within Mexican music. Participants include Mireya Ramos, a founder of the Latin Grammy-winning group Flor De Toloache, considered New York City’s first and only female mariachi band; and the Latin Grammy-winning producer Aureo Baqueiro. The museum opened Los Angeles’s first permanent Latin Music Gallery in the fall. Since closing temporarily, it has posted virtual Latin exhibitions online including one dedicated to Jenni Rivera, and soon, one to Carlos Vives on May 15.
When: 5 p.m.
Where: The Grammy Museum’s Instagram page.
See Megan Fairchild, Gonzalo Garcia and Mira Nadon — a New York Times pick for breakout star in dance last year — plié, tombé and ballonné on Tuesday, when New York City Ballet releases its performance of George Balanchine’s “Rubies.” After seeing the work in October, the Times dance critic, Gia Kourlas, said Nadon’s dancing was “a three-dimensional experience,” and called her “a ballerina, capital B.”
When: 8 p.m., and it’s available to stream through 8 p.m. on May 8.
Where: The New York City Ballet’s Facebook and YouTube pages, and their website.