After a long hiatus, boxing returned in the early summer months with a series of fight cards designed to get the business going. Those cards featured a handful of recognizable names and a few solid, if not spectacular fights.

Heading into the fall, it's time for the marquee events to take place -- with or without a crowd. Promoters have lined up some of the biggest and most meaningful fights of the year, and there's a lot to be excited about.

Here's a look ahead at the best matchups boxing has to offer in the final four months of 2020.

Oct.17, Las Vegas (on ESPN)

The matchup: Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs) is the best lightweight in the world and holds the WBA and WBO world titles and the WBC "franchise" belt. He sits at No. 1 in ESPN's pound-for-pound rankings. At age 32 he isn't old by any stretch, and his sublime skills are still undeniable. In 2019, he made easy work of Anthony Crolla (TKO4) and then won a one-sided unanimous decision over Luke Campbell. With his balletic movements in the ring, Lomachenko is still the "Baryshnikov of Boxing".

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The precocious Lopez (15-0 12 KOs) showed that perhaps everyone should believe the hype when he demolished Richard Commey in a second-round TKO victory in December to win the IBF lightweight world title. It was such a dominant and eye-opening performance that ESPN has him ranked at No. 2 at lightweight. He's got size and youth on his side, as well as the confidence that is needed to become an elite boxer.

Why this fight matters: In an age when fights are over-marinated and take too long before they're realized, this was one fight that broke the conventional norms of modern day boxing by coming together quickly. While Lopez just won his first world title, his team has been targeting Lomachenko for the past year. You have an elite fighter in Lomachenko, facing one of boxing's brightest young talents in Lopez -- and we really didn't have to wait too long for it. Who knows when a circumstance like this will happen again?

The intrigue: Despite having the same number of professional bouts on their ledger (15), Lomachenko is the much more experienced boxer. Lomachenko faced Orlando Salido and Gary Russell Jr. in his second and third bouts as a pro, respectively. And given his prodigious amateur career (396-1, if you've forgotten), Lomachenko is the more seasoned boxer and nine years older than Lopez, who is 23. But at what point does the ring mileage impact Lomachenko? On the other end, how will Lopez deal with the ring wizardry of Lomachenko? Will this moment simply be too daunting for him?

Sept. 26, Uncasville, CT (Showtime PPV)

The matchup: Charlo (30-0, 22 KOs) is the WBC middleweight world titlist, but many are still dubious of that claim because he was given that title when Canelo Alvarez was named the WBC "franchise champion.". But Charlo is an explosive and hard-hitting fighter. Derevyanchenko (13-2, 10 KOs) is a solid, well-rounded fighter who has competed very well at the top level at middleweight. In 2018 he lost a close decision when he challenged Daniel Jacobs for his IBF belt, and in October he lost a close unanimous decision against Gennadiy Golovkin, in a fight many believed Derevyanchenko had won.

Why this fight matters: This is a matchup between the No. 4 (Charlo) and No. 5 (Derevyanchenko) middleweights, according to ESPN, and based on styles, this should be an old-fashioned shootout. Charlo likes to be the aggressor in the ring, while Derevyanchenko isn't the type to back down from a fight. If Canelo decides to permanently move up in weight, the winner of this contest makes a strong claim for being the best fighter in the division.

The intrigue: For as much punishment as Derevyanchenko doled out to "GGG" last fall, he was also put through the grinder himself. There's a chance that neither guy will ever be quite the same. After holding up against the heavy hands of Golovkin, we still have to see how he will take oncoming shots that will come in even faster from Charlo. If Derevyanchenko's punch resistance hasn't been too dulled, look for another memorable slugfest.

Sept. 26, Uncasville, CT (Showtime PPV)

The matchup: This fight isn't just for three belts -- it will clearly decide who the best junior middleweight on the planet is. Jermell, just like his identical twin brother Jermall, is a WBC world titlist, having regained the belt by stopping Tony Harrison in 11 rounds in their rematch. Rosario went into Julian Williams' backyard in Philadelphia as a heavy underdog and promptly stopped him in five rounds to win the WBA and IBF world titles.

Why this fight matters: Anytime a unification bout occurs it's important -- and in recent years they have typically resulted in memorable fights, including last year's 140-pound battle between Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis. In an age when there are a plethora of "world champions" in every division, it's always a good thing when there are fights that can reduce the noise. Based on the ESPN rankings, this is pairing of the top two fighters at 154 pounds -- Charlo at No. 1, and Rosario right behind him.

The intrigue: Charlo may have recorded an 11th round KO over Harrison in December, but it was eye-opening to see Harrison have so much success inside, given that's not his preferred style in the ring. In his fight against Williams, Rosario showed that he is a strong, physical fighter who seems comfortable when in close. But was that just one great night where he caught lightning in a bottle? Or can he replicate that against Charlo?

TBA

The matchup: This fight is a true step-up bout for the ultra popular Garcia (20-0, 17 KOs) who, if you based it simply on social media following, is among the most popular boxers in the world. Now we find out if the telegenic 22-year-old is as skilled as he is marketable. Campbell (20-3, 16 KOs) is a stern test: he's a long, lean, well-schooled left-hander. Campbell, a 2012 Olympic gold medalist, is ranked No. 3 in the division by ESPN, and in recent years his only losses have been to Jorge Linares and Lomachenko -- and he had strong moments in both bouts.

Why this fight matters: This fight will tell us if Garcia truly has some steak to go with the sizzle. If Garcia passes this test, the entirety of the boxing world will have no choice but to take him seriously. The winner of this fight could be catapulted into a bout with current WBC lightweight world titlist Devin Haney.

The intrigue: It's very simple -- is Garcia ready? It's one thing to look impressive against Francisco Fonseca and Romero Duno, two of Garcia's KO victims in the first round, but in Campbell he is facing an experienced pro that certainly won't be blinded by all the flash surrounding Garcia. If Campbell is able to unfurl his right jab from the outside and stays away from the lethal left hook counter of Garcia, what's Garcia's plan B?

Nov. 21, Uncasville, CT (PPV)

The matchup: Spence (26-0, 21 KOs), the reigning IBF and WBC welterweight titleholder, is coming off a hard-earned decision over Shawn Porter last September. But a lot has happened since then. Less than a month after that fight, Spence was involved in a one-car accident where he was violently ejected from his vehicle. Prior to that, this matchup with Garcia was scheduled for January. Garcia (36-2, 21 KOs), a former unified titlist at 140, has been a solid. if not dominant, welterweight, winning a vacant WBC belt against Robert Guerrero, and then dropping two close fights against Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter. Garcia is rated No. 6 by ESPN at 147.

Why this fight matters: In terms of legacy, for Garcia, I think a victory could put Garcia on a path to Canastota and induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. As for Spence, who is ranked No. 1 at welterweight by ESPN, it could be another solid victory on his ledger and offer evidence if there are no long-lasting effects from his auto accident.

The intrigue: What version of Spence do we have at this moment? We can hear glowing reports about how Spence looks working out from his trainer (and what else do you expect Derrick James to really say?), but until we see him take a punch to his jaw -- and Garcia has some serious power, especially with that left hook -- Spence is the great unknown. It's hard to imagine that being thrown out of the car, losing teeth and suffering lacerations on his face didn't leave some kind of long-term physical toll. Until we see evidence proving otherwise, there will be doubts.

Oct. 24, London, England

The matchup: The 22-year-old Dubois (15-0, 14 KOs) is considered the best young heavyweight in the sport, and this big, strong fighter is quickly improving from a technical standpoint. He seems to be on the fast track, as he's already rated No. 3 by the WBO. Dubois scored five stoppage victories in 2019, and took care of Ricardo Snijders in his 2020 debut on Aug. 29. Joyce (11-0, 10 KOs) is a bit stiff and robotic, but he's also a fighter that never stops throwing punches and has natural physical strength. Neither man is going to hesitate to push forward and pursue the knockout.

Why this fight matters: It's rare that you see a matchup of two undefeated heavyweights before they get to a title shot. In this case you have a fight that looks to have plenty of fireworks. From this fight, a legitimate contender will emerge.

The intrigue: Dubois thus far has certainly passed the eye test. In Joyce, he's facing the first fighter of a caliber that will be able to fight back. Dubois is the more fluid fighter, and he will beat Joyce to the punch consistently early on. But what happens if Joyce stands up to the early onslaught and takes Dubois into deep waters? In 15 professional bouts, Dubois has only reached the fifth round three times, with one fight, against Kevin Johnson, going to a 10-round decision.

Oct. 24, Uncasville, Connecticut (Showtime PPV)

The matchup: Davis (23-0, 22 KOs) is one of the young stars in the sport, and thanks to his hard-hitting style, he has become a legitimate ticket seller. Since his last fight, however, he's had personal issues in recent months that include domestic violence charges filed against him in February.

Davis is currently ranked No. 4 by ESPN at lightweight. His toughest fight to date as a professional prizefighter has come against the scales. Davis was stripped of his first world title for failing to make weight for a title defense in 2017, and he has required multiple attempts to make the limit for several other key fights, including his most recent title defense against Yuriorkis Gamboa in December. In Santa Cruz (39-2-1, 19 KOs), Davis is facing an accomplished fighter who has won major world titles at 122, 126 and 130. At his best, Santa Cruz is an active puncher that relies more on volume than sheer power.

Why this fight matters: A victory over Santa Cruz will represent the most significant win of Davis' career, while Santa Cruz could cement his Hall of Fame status by handing Davis his first professional loss. Stylistically this fight should be pretty entertaining. Davis is an aggressive puncher who has power in both hands and Santa Cruz has never been shy about mixing it up.

The intrigue: Will Davis make weight? That's the key factor. The WBA just couldn't help themselves by sanctioning this as both a 130- and 135-pound title fight. That could give Davis a safety net if he struggles to make 130. And that is key, because Santa Cruz has had one fight at 130 pounds, and he looked relatively unimpressive against Miguel Flores last November. If Davis makes 130, Santa Cruz (ranked No. 8 at junior lightweight by ESPN) has a real shot in this fight. At 135, this bout could be a blowout in favor of Davis.

Oct. 31, Las Vegas (ESPN+)

The matchup: Inoue (19-0, 16 KOs) isn't just the premiere bantamweight in the world, but one of the very best fighters pound-for-pound (No. 4 by ESPN). He's a dynamic offensive machine, and despite having just 16 fights on his record, Inoue has one of the best rsums in boxing. He has won major world titles in three divisions, and last year he added the Muhammad Ali Trophy to his mantle by winning the World Boxing Super Series bantamweight tournament, defeating future Hall-of-Famer Nonito Donaire in a memorable clash.

Moloney (21-1, 18 KOs) is a legitimate bantamweight contender, currently listed at No. 8 by ESPN, whose lone loss was a close decision challenging Emmanuel Rodriguez for the IBF bantamweight title in 2018. He's a solid, well-rounded boxer/puncher.

Why this fight matters: Originally, Inoue was scheduled to face WBO 118-pound world titlist John Riel Casimero, but that fight was scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic, and became a casualty of the new economics that presently exist in the sport. But in Moloney, Top Rank has found a respected opponent in what will be Inoue's promotional debut.

The intrigue: Will Inoue be affected by ring rust? He hasn't fought since last November. Moloney, on the other hand, fought on June 25 and scored a seventh round TKO of Leonardo Baez. Moloney is good enough that if Inoue has a bad night, it could be a difficult night for the champion.

Nov. 14 or 21, TBA

The matchup: This is a battle of two top-10 heavyweights (Povetkin No. 5, Whyte No. 7, respectively, in the ESPN rankings) and on Aug. 22 at Fight Camp, they put on one of the most memorable contests of 2020. Whyte (27-2, 18 KOs) seemed to be in full control after sending Povetkin (36-2-1, 25 KOs) down twice in the fourth round. The end looked inevitable for the 41-year-old Russian, until Povetkin uncorked a massive left uppercut in the following round that knocked Whyte out cold. It was one of the most dramatic and sudden turns in recent memory. And with that, Whyte, who had been the WBC mandatory challenger for almost three years, lost his number one position with the organization.

Why this fight matters: An inside track at the WBC title is on the line. Not too long after the first fight, Whtye and his promoter Eddie Hearn invoked the rematch clause that was in the fight contract. The WBC had finally stated before this fight that their WBC mandatory against current world titlist Tyson Fury would be due, but with Whyte losing that became a bit muddled. Whomever finds themselves as the winner of this rematch will find himself in a very good position for a title opportunity at some point in 2021.

The intrigue: While you have to admire the willingness of Whyte to go right back in there to right a wrong versus Povektin, you wonder if it's prudent to come back so quickly after the circumstances of their first bout. He didn't just lose, he was knocked out rather viciously. In any other situation, how many boxers would choose to go right back into the same fight so quickly? But perhaps the lure of that No. 1 spot in the WBC necessitates this decision.

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Mark Kriegel breaks down Oscar Valdez's latest win and wonders how he will fare against WBC lightweight champion Miguel Berchelt.

TBA

The matchup: Berchelt (37-1, 33 KOs) currently holds the WBC junior lightweight world title, and the consensus is that he's the world's best 130-pounder. He's an overwhelming physical force inside the ring, he has good size and attacks his foes with an avalanche of unrelenting offense. Valdez (28-0, 22 KOs), the former WBO featherweight world titlist, remains a fan favorite, and he stopped veteran Jayson Velez in 10 rounds back on July 21. Currently, ESPN lists him ninth at 130.

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Why this fight matters: It's your classic shootout between two proud Mexican-born prizefighters who have a rivalry that dates back to crossing paths in their amateur days. More than a belt is on the line here -- pride is also at stake. For Berchelt, a victory over Valdez would represent one of the biggest name on his ledger, while Valdez is still looking to show that he is not damaged goods post-Scott Quigg. The truth of the matter is neither Berchelt nor Valdez has ever had as meaningful a fight as this one during their championship runs.

The intrigue: Once and for all, we will find out if Eddy Reynoso is the right fit for Valdez as a trainer, even though Valdez was undefeated with Manny Robles Jr. in his corner. Valdez and Reynoso have had four outings together, and the reviews have been mixed. They say that Rome was not built in a day, but it's fair to say that they have had more than ample time to gel as a union. Whether it's fair or not, this fight is a referendum on the Valdez-Reynoso tandem. Everything they have worked on the past year or so will now be judged on this fight.

Sept. 26, Munich, Germany

The matchup: Finally, they meet. Originally, Dorticos (24-1, 22 KOs) and Breidis (26-1, 19 KOs) were scheduled to meet in late March, and then May in the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight division final, before the world shut down due to the coronavirus. Many wondered if the WBSS would resume, and here they are. It should be an entertaining fight between the hard-punching Dorticos and the well-rounded Breidis. This matchup now taking place in Germany probably favors Dorticos, as it's a much more neutral setting than Breidis' home country of Latvia, where this fight was originally scheduled.

Why this fight matters: First, it's for the Muhammad Ali Trophy, which is given to the winner of the WBSS tournaments. In the past you've had such luminaries as Oleksandr Usyk, Josh Taylor and Naoya Inoue walk away with this hardware, and they each left the tournament with much higher profiles internationally. Winning the WBSS is a big deal. Also, this is another pairing of No. 1- (Dorticos) and No.2- (Breidis) ranked boxers in this division. It doesn't happen nearly enough in boxing today, and when it does, it should be appreciated.

The intrigue: Which boxer will be more impacted by this fight being postponed twice? As you saw recently with the bout between unified junior welterweight champion Jose Ramirez and Viktor Postol -- who saw their bout get backed up twice as well -- layoffs will affect different fighters in a variety of ways.

Originally posted here:
The 10 can't-miss fights for the rest of 2020 - ESPN

Bellator is back with a doubleheader this weekend -- two cards on two straight nights at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Bellator 245 is Friday night, headlined by a rematch between former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida and former Bellator light heavyweight champion Phil Davis. In the co-main event, former UFC title challenger Cat Zingano makes her Bellator debut against Gabby Holloway.

In Saturday's Bellator 246 main event, Juan Archuleta meets undefeated prospect Patchy Mix for the vacant bantamweight title. Also on that card, Jon Fitch meets Neiman Gracie in a welterweight bout and Liz Carmouche makes her Bellator debut.

It'll be a busy few days in Uncasville with titles, legacies and future glory on the line. Let's take a look at the top five storylines going into the weekend.

If this fight seems to be straight out of the UFC in the early 2010s, that's because it is. Machida and Davis fought at UFC 163 on Aug. 3, 2013. It was the co-main event of a card headlined by Jose Aldo defending his UFC featherweight title against "The Korean Zombie," Chan Sung Jung. Davis won by unanimous decision.

Fast-forward seven years, and the two men are meeting again in Bellator, each at somewhat of a crossroads. A win here is crucial for both.

Davis, 35, has won two straight, and his lone loss in the last three years came against new Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov in a very close 2018 split decision. A win over Machida could potentially get him a title shot, a chance to become a two-time champ. Machida, meanwhile, had his four-fight winning streak snapped in a close one against Gegard Mousasi in a September 2019 middleweight bout. "The Dragon" is 42 years old now. It's unclear how much time he has left in the sport. But if he can somehow beat Davis, it would show he's still right there, able to compete in both the light heavyweight and middleweight divisions.

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Don't call him Patrick. Sure, that's Mr. Mix's given first name. But his family and friends have called him Patchy since he was a kid, and that's what he prefers. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's talk about what Mix has accomplished in his career in somewhat quiet fashion. The native of western New York is undefeated, has finished his last eight wins and has looked fantastic in his three Bellator fights. Mix, 27, owns a finish over current UFC fighter Andre Ewell. There's little doubt he's a top bantamweight prospect. Just ask his coaches at JacksonWink MMA, who rave about him.

On Saturday, Mix has a chance to become champion in Bellator's bantamweight division, where the title has been vacant since Kyoji Horiguchi surrendered the championship last November while recovering from injury. Both Mix and Juan Archuleta are excellent but unheralded fighters. Bellator could really use a "homegrown" talent -- one who has never fought in the UFC -- to emerge as a star. Mix (or Archuleta) could end up being that fighter. A finish in a headlining title fight could propel him.

In terms of high-level opposition for featherweight champion Cyborg on the current Bellator roster, Zingano stands out. She's a former UFC bantamweight title challenger and has headlined UFC cards. Zingano owns a win over the best female fighter on the planet right now, Amanda Nunes. So there would certainly be a fair amount of interest in Cyborg vs. Zingano for the Bellator women's featherweight title.

First, though, Zingano has to beat Gabby Holloway in her Bellator debut Friday night. Zingano has fought only once at featherweight, a bizarre loss to Megan Anderson at UFC 232 in December 2018. She'll certainly be the favorite against Holloway, and a victory is likely to get her Cyborg next. But Zingano hasn't competed since that Anderson loss, and given her inexperience in the heavier weight class, it'll be very interesting to see if she can make good on the path that Bellator has set out for her.

Monday through Friday, host Pablo Torre brings you an inside look at the most interesting stories at ESPN, as told by the top reporters and insiders on the planet. Listen

Fighting a teammate is a taboo topic in MMA. Two training partners fighting doesn't happen very frequently, and most fighters don't even want to entertain the idea of getting in the cage with someone so close to them. The philosophy happens to be way different when it comes to Carmouche and Bellator women's flyweight champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane. They actually want to fight each other. Macfarlane has said she'd be excited about giving her longtime confidante with Team Hurricane Awesome in San Diego a crack at her belt.

That very well could be the direction Bellator goes in, too. Carmouche is legitimately one of the best 125-pound female fighters in the world. Before joining that weight class, she was a top 135-pounder. She fought in the first UFC women's fight against Ronda Rousey in 2013. To get the title shot she's after, Carmouche will need to win Saturday against veteran DeAnna Bennett and Macfarlane will likely have to defend her belt against Juliana Velasquez. If both fulfill their ends of the bargain, it could be teammate vs. teammate for the Bellator title in 2021.

Back in the mid-to-late aughts, Fitch was basically the second-best welterweight fighter on the planet. The problem for him was that Georges St-Pierre -- the best welterweight of all time -- was in the way of Fitch becoming a champion. GSP beat Fitch at UFC 87 on Aug. 9, 2008. After that, Fitch went unbeaten in six straight, further establishing himself as the runner-up to GSP's crown during that era. Fast-forward more than a decade later, and Fitch is still -- somehow -- racking up wins at age 42. Fitch, the former World Series of Fighting welterweight champion, is unbeaten in six straight and has not lost since 2014. In that time, he has beaten Paul Daley, Jake Shields and Yushin Okami, none of them slouches, and has fought to a draw with Rory MacDonald.

Neiman Gracie, nephew of Renzo, is Fitch's opponent Saturday. Gracie lost his undefeated record to MacDonald in his last fight. This is very much a fork-in-the-road fight for both Grace and Fitch. Each man is trying to maintain traction in the Bellator welterweight division. For Fitch, it's another chance to cement himself as one of the most underrated fighters in MMA history and get closer to another title shot.

More:
Bellator 245 and 246 - Five things to look for on a busy weekend - ESPN

Photo illustration by Slate. Photo by Getty Images Plus.

This is part of Six Months In, a Slate series reflecting on half a year of coronavirus lockdown in America.

With coronavirus cases still climbing in many states, normal isnt returning anytime soon. The prospect of a vaccine arriving within a matter of months is incredibly optimistic, and even then, it will probably not fix everything. It can easily take longer than a week to get COVID-19 test results back, making tests tricky to use as a tool to safely see grandparents or travel to states with a lower case count. Many of us will be working from home well into the next year; other workers must factor the risk of illness into their lives for the foreseeable future. Millions more have lost jobs, with federal help nowhere in sight. Thanks to the governments botched handling of the pandemic, staying socially distanced and restricting our activities to at least some degree is all we can do, for now.

The situation is miserablebut six months in, were more settled into the reality of life during COVID. The daily shock of our collective circumstances has mostly worn off. So in search of small reasons for optimism, we asked Slate staffers about the things they dont hate about this new and constrained world. In a pandemic thats taken so much, heres what weve been glad to give up. Shannon Palus

Everyones talking about how the pandemic heralds the end of handshakes, but hugs are the far more deserving casualty. It seems unimaginable now to expose yourself to the virus by wrapping someone outside of your quarantine bubble in an embrace, potentially thrusting your face into a cloud of the other persons infected respiratory droplets. The truth is, hugs have always been a fraught endeavor. They require an unreasonable level of emotional intelligence, coordination, and spatial reasoning. To hug, one must first grapple with a rapid succession of difficult questions upon saying hello or goodbye to someone; answer any of them incorrectly and you might commit a hugging faux pas. Do I know this person well enough to hug? Should I start with a handshake and transition into a hug? Am I going to seem cold and distant if I dont go in for a hug? How close do I need to get to this person? Where do I put my hands? How long should this last? Do I smell? Should I maybe just play it safe and stick with a side hug? And things become even more complicated when you add in variables like height differences. (Have you ever tried hugging a child? Its awful.) Hugs should only be tolerated for your parents, grandparents, and significant others. Im glad that, over the past few months, Ive only had to wave. Staff writer Aaron Mak

Back in the days when I put on shoes and went to an office, my lunch-making efforts were sporadic. Sometimes Id pack leftovers or remember to throw together a sandwich. Most of the time, Id fail to plan ahead and Id end up paying $8 to $13 for a mishmash of food in a brown paper bowl. There were salads, grain bowls, and hummus-based mlanges of varying qualityoccasionally delightful but usually somewhere between pretty good and meh. In the six months Ive been working 5 feet from my refrigerator, I havent had a sad brown-bowl lunch once. Making my own lunch takes me less than 20 minutes, about the same amount of time it used to take me to walk to and from my former brown-bowl haunts. The results of my lunchtime labors are occasionally delightful but usually somewhere between pretty good and meh. In other words, I am enjoying lunch just as much (or as little) as I was before, and Im not spending upward of $35 a week for the privilege of being too lazy to wash and chop my own kalea financial decision that seems indefensible now that Im no longer making it. Ive also discovered that better-than-store-bought hummus is extremely easy to make at home. With all the money I save on my new no-brown-bowl plan, I can more than afford the good tahini. Staff writer Christina Cauterucci

Theres a serious deficit of fun activities during the pandemic. Concert venues, museums, and public pools are closed in many places, and large social gatherings like weddings and house parties remain risky. But it turns out theres an upside: With nothing cool to miss out on, the fear of missing out has largely evaporated. While a toned-down summer hasnt exactly been fun, there hasnt been much FOMO driving us to do stuff we dont really want to do. In normal times, FOMO is always persuading me to go to loud, crowded bars with friends even when Im tired and worn-out from the week. Back when vacations were a thing, FOMO made me feel obligated to see the local sights, even if I felt more like relaxing on a beach or watching Shark Tank reruns in a cheap motel room. FOMO has been a brutal force for much of my life, really. In eighth grade, I participated in a jalapeo-eating contest, despite my low tolerance for spicy food and distaste (at the time) for jalapeos specifically. It did not go well. Without FOMO, we can follow our own taste and focus on whatever fun is immediately available to us. For me, that means watching a lot of low-quality cooking videos on YouTube, playing trivia games with my girlfriend, and learning how to play the theme song from Cheers on piano. None of these activities is anything to brag about, but at least Im not anxiety-spiraling about everything I could be doing instead. Audio producer Cameron Drews

Im a chronic overpacker, and back when I regularly left the house and went places, my bag was stuffed with things: water bottles and too many snacks; toys for my child; a changing pack with diapers and wipes; single-serve packets of Advil; a charging block and cord for my phone; a printed-out map, in case my phone lost service at a crucial moment; and magazines, in case my phone lost service and I then had to wait in a line. Not that I just threw things in without consideration. The exact content changed with each individual excursion. What will I need in my tote bag to go to a restaurant with friends? A trip to the Pawpaw Festival? The hour-and-a-half drive to the nearest Whole Foods? The uncertainty! I always erred on the side of more. Now, I go to four places outside my house, and one of them is on my property. I go to the creek with my kid; to the parking lot of the grocery store to do curbside pickup; to an out-of-town friends empty house to do work; and to the front porch to garden while my kid runs through the sprinkler. I still overpack, but I can standardize my carry list for each of these outings, and I have, making a list for each location and posting it on the side of the fridge. If something goes in my creek pack (kids book to read, sunscreen, bug spray), its meant to be there. Goodbye, random crap in my bag. My shoulder muscles sure dont miss you. Staff writer Rebecca Onion

For a parent of twin fifth-grade boys, the ritual of sitting down with teachers for 10 minutes once a quarter is a hassle. I have to take off work, if the conference is during the day, or find child care, if its at night. Then I have to drive across town, trying to remember all the little issues Id wanted to discuss from previous weeks that I forgot to jot down. During the conference itself, I have to sit in a too-small chair, for a too-short conversation. And did I mention I have twins? I have to do this twice. Its not that I dont want to talk to their teachers. But distance learningwhich is, on balance, terriblehas revealed theres a better way. While trying to help teach the boys at home last spring, I felt more encouraged to reach out to teachers than I ever have in the past. I sent notes of thanks, notes with questions, and notes of total confusion. I received similar notes in response. Together, we hatched plans of attack on how to handle a delicate situation or just how to get all the things done. Many times during each week, I saw the faces of the teachers in my own home. Sure, they were inside the laptop on the counter, talking to their students, but it felt like they were sitting with me in my own kitchen. I didnt even notice that we did not have an official parent-teacher conference last spring. Now that the boys are back to school in person, I would love to keep up a routine of more frequent, spontaneous contact. That might be too much work for teachers. In which case, I would like the option to do parent-teacher conferences over Zoom. Designer Holly Allen

I got hooked on foundation when I was a tween, when deep, painful pimples started forming all over my face. In the decade since, foundation has given me comfort and confidence. No, it didnt look completely natural (cake-y, maybe), but it dulled the redness and gave my face a sheen and tone that I came to expect. Id been mulling quitting for a whileone of my best friends did in college, and she looked great. Also, I was tired of spending money on it. When I started working from home in mid-March, I decided to save my liquid foundation for when I might see people in person again. In those first few weeks, each time I looked in the mirrorwhich was a lot, with all the hand-washingI winced. When I got on video chats with friends or co-workers, I found myself resting my hand on my chin to cover my blemishes. But a month or so in, the expectations I had of my reflection shifted. Maybe Ive forgotten what that even-tone sheen looked like. Maybe I am finally less invested in others thinking I have zit-less skin. Im finding there are so many benefits to going bare-faced: Im no longer wiping my glasses every half-hour to remove oily, beige residue. Im not stressing about accidentally staining sweatshirts as I pull them over my head. Im no longer using headspace to calculate when Ill need to reapply. And now that Im not slathering the stuff into my pores, I think I might even be having fewer breakouts. Podcast production assistant Madeline Ducharme

If I never go to another before-times party, Ill be fine. Any sort of party that you can still have during the pandemic is a pretty good party, in my book. Celebrations Ive had during COVID have included sending people fancy cake and cookies in the mail and then texting about it, and sitting in my living room with my boyfriend and roommate watching Netflix, the same way I might any night, except that time I happened to be turning 30.

People in my life who typically throw big parties have been thwarted by the coronavirus, and I love it. For a former co-workers birthday, I walked two miles and sat on his stoop for a predetermined 15-minute time slot reserved just for me. Fifteen minutes might seem short, but its more concentrated attention than one might get from a highly social work acquaintance at their own party. In not-a-pandemic, I would have shown up at a crowded apartment and we would have done a seconds-long performance of mutual excitement to see each other and then I would have spent another hour being a little anxious and a little bored while I talked to strangers and then I would have apologized and spent a bunch of time on the subway. Instead, at this mini stoop party, we talked about how we were actually doing (badlyits a pandemic), I ate a piece of cake, and then the next person showed up, and I was obligated by public health guidelines to leave. Sure, I wish that celebrations werent confined to either my home or online or the outdoors, and so easily ruinable by rain or other bad weather (I wanted to toast to my new age on a roof!). I really, really wish distance did not confine who we get to see in person now that planes pose such a risk (sorry to miss your wedding, Florida cousin). But right now I can conjure maybe four times in my life that I have deeply enjoyed an honest-to-God party, and they have all been followed up by a hangover. Is that sad? No. Because life without parties is better. Staff writer Shannon Palus

When I started working out consistently, I just wanted to lose weight. But once a friend showed me how to use weight machines at the gym, I began working out to build muscle mass and get strongeror at least thats how I framed it to myself. I chased the satisfaction that came with holding a plank a little bit longer, running slightly faster, and building muscles that, yes, made my body leaner. And it was all measurable: Going to the gym six days a week to lift, sprint, or do plyometrics translated to a healthier lifestyle, one I could glimpse through my numbers. After the pandemic hit, not being able to safely go to the gym left me with a startling realization: I was still where I started, engaged in a vanity project. It wasnt about what the scale said anymore; I was genuinely in it to be healthy. But to an extent, chasing those better metrics was also about what I saw when I looked in the mirror. I was still putting my body through hell to be smaller, leaner, and more muscular. This year alone, before isolation began, I worsened a foot injury doing tuck jumps and pulled something in my shoulder trying to stick to an overzealous program.

Instead of pushing myself past the brink with elaborate workouts in my living room, Ive thought about what health really means to me, and why I was exercising the way I did. Since March, I have found peace in a simpler routine using limited space, a set of 15-pound dumbbells, a jump rope, and a mat. I was surprised how much joy I feel while performing basic bodyweight workouts and running outside. Not being sore all the time is another bonus. Im more attuned to my body and what it likes and needs, and no longer feeding a metric-gobbling ego. Ive tossed my measuring tape and my scale for good. Ive spent time reflecting on how I perceive my body in my therapy appointments. Its an ongoing, uncertain process, and I will return to the gym someday. But in the meantime, I feel healthier even though Im spending more time sitting still. Staff writer Julia Craven

I loathe loud, crowded bars, but I love drinking with friends. One of the scant bright spots of these past few months has been ordering a fried chicken sandwich and a cocktail from my favorite neighborhood restaurant for a picnic with my quarantine bubble or a craft brew from a renowned local beer bar to sip while Zooming with family. Im thrilled to support my favorite bars and restaurants so they can survive the pandemic, while imbibing their delicious concoctions wherever I please. Alcohol laws in America are bizarre, from Massachusettss ban on happy hour specials to Utahs limit on cocktail strength. When I moved to D.C. a decade ago, liquor stores were shuttered on Sundays. Here as in many cities and states, the closing of bars and restaurants prompted officials to brush aside restrictions on to-go beer, wine, and cocktails. The ability to sell beer on Seamless, and serve margaritas at takeout windows, has been a lifeline, restaurant owners say. Im not the only one hopeful this will stick around once going out to dinner is no longer a risky activity and restaurants are allowed to seat people to their full capacity. Lawmakers in D.C. and elsewhere have signaled its a possibility. Sure, there are downsides. Its harder to prevent minors from ordering booze via delivery apps. Im not a fan of the waste from the extra packaging (in my experience, mostly nonrecyclable plastic). Plus, most takeout cocktail options come in servings of two or four, yet Im ordering for one. But hey, its a pandemic. Whos really counting? Managing Editor Meg Wiegand

The calendar hanging in our kitchen was a sacred text. Its the way I communicated my travel schedule to my husband and our nanny. As the head of Slate Live, I bounced between the magazines D.C. office (my home base), the NYC office, and venues across America and Canada, all in service of producing 30 or so events each year. Heres a sample four-week period from early 2020: I flew to Utah for the weekend for the Sundance Film Festival. A week later, I went on tour with the Slow Burn team to D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. At least this didnt involve flying from one coast to the other, then back again the next day, which I do not infrequently. Traveling for fun or to family is great. Traveling for work is rough. I have two small kids at home, so I kept my trips as short and efficient as possible. Even when I would travel to a new city, I spent my time in the airport, the hotel, and the live show venue with no time for sightseeing or adventure. I didnt get to visit the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. In Vancouver, there was no time to spare for a quick hike. During the pandemic, I get to eat meals with my family every day. I sleep in my own bed every night, with my favorite blanket and blackout curtains. No more 14-hour workdays, no more crappy airport food and spotty airplane Wi-Fi. My suitcase and travel chargers are now in the back of my closet. I can oversee live shows with thousands of audience members from my kitchen counter. The calendar with my schedule now sits abandoned on a shelf. Faith Smith, executive producer of Slate Live

Last July, after securing permission from my bosses to work remotely for two years, I packed up my New York City apartment and moved to Charlottesville, Virginia. I moved because my boyfriend is in law school here, and I wanted to be with him. I did not move because I particularly wanted to leave New York, though I tried to frame it to myself as a good opportunity to see what not living in New York might be like. But when I got here, I didnt really give the test run a shot. I figured out a system to mostly avoid working from home: take the train two-and-a-half hours to D.C. Tuesday morning, work from Slates D.C. office through Thursday and stay with my sister, then train home on Thursday night. I made sure to go back to New York at least once a quarter, plus I scheduled trips to visit my friends in other places, because, well, when you live in a town where you have no particular attachments, its the perfect time to do that. I didnt make too much of an effort to become a resident of Charlottesville. And then the pandemic hit, and we were all stuck in place.

I told myself that my life here was exactly the same as it would have been anywhere else, but better (yard!). I still didnt like working from home, but it was easier when everyone else was doing the same thing. I could hang out with my friends in New York the same amount that they were hanging out with one anothersuddenly everything was virtual so where I was didnt matter. I could even go to yoga at my Brooklyn studio, with the instructor I loved. I continued to focus on replicating the life I had had in New York, as I had already been doing during the time I lived in Charlottesville. The coronavirus made it easier for me to do this. But its not pleasant to live in one place while pretending in your heart that you still live in another. Its not healthy to think about time as a countdown to something else, and its not normal for most social events to happen through a screen. So Ive decided that its time to finally live where I live, even though its a bizarre moment to figure out how to make a new place home. For me, lately, this has meant biking around the absurd number of horse farms here, buying a National Parks pass, and becoming attached to a specific peach orchard. For the next few months, at least, Im going to try letting go of my longing in order to just be here. News director Susan Matthews

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Good riddance to hugs, purse crap, and the other things we won't miss when all this is over. - Slate