Each year, when temperatures dip and the days start getting shorter, a primal urge to start stocking up for winter hits like clockwork. My pantry fills with dried beans, cellar vegetables, herbal tea, and hearty grains. Closing the freezer door soon becomes a daily struggle, what with all the squirreled-away summer produce I’ve stashed there. Brand-new yarn and puzzles and games arrive to ward off boredom in the months ahead. I’ve long suspected these purchases are more about making myself believe I’m ready to face a long winter versus actual preparedness, but each year I look forward to the ritual nonetheless.
This year, of course, feels very different. We’ve already learned how to weather a pandemic in spring, summer, and fall, when at least the outdoors provided a brief and…
