vox--2020-10-21--Montana’s Senate race was supposed to be easy for Republicans. It’s a dead heat.

Few in Montana feel ready to predict how the high-stakes US Senate battle between Republican Sen. Steve Daines and Democratic Gov .
Steve Bullock will play out .
It could be decided by just a few thousand votes .
“ I think it ’ s too close to call right now , ” said Montana pollster and University of Montana professor Sara Rinfret .
Montana is often miscast as reliably conservative ; rather , the state is fiercely independent .
Voters typically back Republican presidential candidates , but down-ballot races often are more competitive .
Montana also has a history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tradition cemented by Sen. Jon Tester ’ s narrow reelection win in 2018 , a bright spot in an otherwise dismal year for Senate Democrats in Republican-leaning states .
“ I think most Montanans — and people in most states — are 60-70 percent in the middle , ” former Montana Sen. Max Baucus ( D ) told Vox .
“ What most people really care about [ is ] are you trying to do what ’ s best for us ?
” Daines may appear to have a built-in advantage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump won by 20 points in 2016 .
But Bullock has a fighting chance because of his high popularity and name recognition in the state .
With an approval rating of 60 percent , compared to 52 percent for Daines , Bullock is currently the state ’ s most popular elected official , according to a recent Montana State University poll .
( Bullock ’ s campaign did not make him available for an interview , and Daines ’ s campaign did not respond to a request for comment ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ how Democrats can win close races in 2020 ; by running as unapologetically progressive or trying to find common ground with Republicans .
Bullock is certainly not embracing Trump , but he — much like Biden — is running on the idea that there still is attainable compromise between the two parties .
Bullock “ makes sure compromise is part of the equation and not a dirty word , ” Sen. Tester told Vox .
“ That ’ s simply not how it is in Washington.
” Perhaps the biggest sign of danger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval rating in a state he won overwhelmingly four years ago .
The Montana State University poll found the president has a 7-point lead over Joe Biden , compared to a 16-point polling lead over Hillary Clinton in October 2016 .
The latest polling result echoes a troubling national trend for Republican politicians .
“ If you look at his performance in 2016 , the big message here is this could be a problem for down-ballot races , ” said MSU pollster and political science professor David Parker .
“ It could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved into the Biden column ... it could be a sign the base is dispirited .
Either of those things is not good for Republicans in Montana.
” Why the race between Daines and Bullock is so tight Save for one outlier poll finding Daines ahead by 9 points , most of the recent polling in the Montana Senate race shows a dead heat .
Public polling show Bullock and Daines essentially trading places , either one or two points ahead of the other candidate .
The larger picture is that it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now .
“ You have two candidates who have been fixtures in Montana politics for years , ” said Jessica Taylor , Senate editor for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report — who rates the Montana race as a toss-up .
“ Bullock was the only candidate who could put this into play .
What is keeping him in it is certainly Trump is doing worse than he was in 2016 everywhere , but especially in Montana.
” Bullock is running on his record of bipartisan accomplishments in the state .
Since being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major bills like Medicaid expansion , a dark money ban and an infrastructure bill — all working with a Republican-controlled state legislature .
It ’ s the kind of bipartisan compromise that ’ s eluded Washington , DC , for years , and it also served as the foundation of Bullock ’ s pitch for his short-lived 2020 presidential run .
There ’ s a simple explanation for the difference between Washington and Montana : It ’ s all about who is in charge , according to Tester , Montana ’ s senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership role and he made it work , ” he said .
“ Mitch McConnell doesn ’ t want to make it work , he wants it to be partisan.
” Democrats and Republicans working together is something of a necessity in Montana , where even the cities have a small-town feel .
Knowing your neighbors goes a long way in a rural state .
“ We had already built this level of human trust , ” said Montana House Minority Leader Casey Schreiner .
“ Because we ’ re such a small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with even the governor ’ s office .
You learn to deal with people of a different values system no matter what , or you ’ re not going to get stuff done.
” Bullock and state Democrats have been able to forge agreements with a group of pragmatic Republicans in the state legislature known as the “ Conservative Solutions Caucus.
” This is a group more concerned about keeping the state ’ s rural hospitals open than the optics of putting tax dollars towards the state ’ s social safety net .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a Democratic legislature , ” said Pat Sweeney , a senior adviser at the Montana-based Western Organization of Resource Councils .
“ As governor , he ’ s really been able to work in a bipartisan manner in a state where the politics ... have been so divisive and the divisions between Republicans and Democrats so sharp.
” Daines , the Republican incumbent , is a longtime state party leader .
In Montana , Daines is viewed as a pretty affable and friendly guy ; certainly not of the same ilk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gianforte , who drew backlash in 2017 after body-slamming a reporter who was trying to ask him a question .
Daines is more “ likable ” and not “ bombastic , ” according to Taylor .
“ He ’ s someone who stays under the radar , I ’ m not sure he evokes a lot of vitriol necessarily , ” Taylor told Vox .
Still , Daines has tethered himself closely to Trump throughout the last few years , taking a controversial vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act in 2017 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 , giving nearly 100,000 Montanans access to health coverage .
Daines ’ s vote would have stripped them of that coverage .
These days , Daines looks like he ’ s walking a tight-rope on health care .
Montana is often miscast as reliably conservative ; rather , the state is fiercely independent .
“ The experts are saying it ’ s highly unlikely they ’ ll overturn the ACA ; that ’ s the consensus of many legal experts , ” Daines said at a recent Senate debate , vowing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to repeal or undermine the law .
Daines has voted with Trump 86 percent of the time , according to FiveThirtyEight ’ s vote tracker .
Sticking with Trump initially may have seemed smart for Daines , whose own approval rating is at 52 percent .
But the president ’ s polling numbers in Montana could be giving the senator pause .
“ It ’ s not like people dislike [ Daines ] , his approval rating ’ s fine , ” Parker said .
“ It ’ s just that Bullock is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m not sure that people have a perception of Steve Daines beyond the fact he ’ s linked himself closely to Trump.
” How Democrats can win in Montana Bullock is working in different terrain than many of his fellow Democratic challengers .
Montana is a state with a lot of land but a relatively small population , home to about 1.1 million people .
Even so , Montana has its own versions of cities and suburbs ; the state ’ s population skews somewhat older than in other states , but younger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s vast natural beauty are moving to cities like Bozeman and Missoula ( home to Montana State University and the University of Montana , respectively ) .
Turning out young voters and convincing independent voters was key to Tester ’ s 2018 victory , and Bullock must repeat that to win , according to Parker .
“ [ Bullock ’ s ] got a huge lead among young voters , so do we see a boost in voter turnout like we saw in 2018 among young people , does that continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 88 percent white , but it also has a sizable number of American Indians , with 12 tribal nations making up about 7 percent of the overall population .
Native American voters tend to favor Democrats ( save for the Crow tribe , whose leaders have endorsed Republican candidates in the past in part owing to coal reserves on their tribal lands ) .
And because Montana Senate races are typically so close , Native American turnout can be a deciding factor .
“ Democrats are never going to win in Montana with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] margin , ” a Democratic operative who was granted anonymity to speak freely told Vox this summer .
“ The difference when you have high turnout in the Native community and you convince them to vote for you — that ’ s the difference between winning and losing.
” Native American voting rights groups recently won a major victory in the courts , winning a lawsuit allowing them to collect absentee ballots of voters on reservations and drop them off at election offices .
The state ’ s tribal nations have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Native voters face longtime barriers to voting access , including longer driving times to their election offices .
Allowing groups to collect ballots could boost turnout among Native voters .
“ I think we ’ ll have a record-high turnout , I have hopes it will be higher than it ’ s ever been before , ” said Marci McLean , executive director of Montana-based voting rights group Western Native Voice .
“ Based on the turnout in the primaries , the news , and the current leadership , I think people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can do is vote to make a change.
” Bullock will also need to pull in independents , including some disillusioned Republicans .
But the tide has already shifted , with some longtime former Montana GOP leaders publicly backing Bullock .
“ I ’ m deeply disappointed in Daines , ” said Bob Brown , a former Republican Montana secretary of state and state senator .
“ I ’ ve known him for many years , and he ’ s always seemed to me to be a real straight arrow .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a supplicant to Trump .
I had spent many years in the Republican vineyard , but I couldn ’ t vote for Trump.
” Bullock could be part of a powerful Western Democratic bloc Bullock is one of a handful of Democrats running competitive races in Western states .
If they win , they could form a powerful new regional bloc in the Senate Democratic caucus .
It ’ s too early to tell whether these candidates will be elected , or how they will legislate in the Senate .
But many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bipartisanship to Congress , and plan to go out of their way to work with Republicans .
“ We are pragmatic .
We are problem solvers , by nature , ” Colorado ’ s Democratic Senate candidate and former Gov .
John Hickenlooper told Vox in a recent interview .
“ I ’ m old enough , I ’ m never going to get seniority , I ’ m not going to be fighting to be the chair of a committee .
I ’ m going to be that foot soldier in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and weekends to build relationships with people in my party and the other party.
” Hickenlooper is one of four Democratic Senate candidates running in the Mountain West or the Southwest , along with Gov .
Steve Bullock in Montana , former astronaut Mark Kelly in Arizona , and Rep. Ben Ray Lujan in New Mexico .
Lujan is expected to keep the New Mexico seat blue , and Hickenlooper and Kelly look to be the most likely Democratic challengers to flip Republican seats .
Both Arizona and Colorado are rated Lean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bullock is running on a similar message as Hickenlooper who also worked with a Republican state legislature as governor .
Both men briefly ran for president in 2020 , touting the successful bipartisanship model of Mountain states and promising to bring such leadership to the White House .
Now , they have the chance to bring this style of governing to the Senate .
Hickenlooper and Kelly may be slightly more favored to win their races than Bullock .
But no matter the final number of Western Democrats elected to the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region is important , said Baucus , the powerful former senator and Senate Finance Committee chair .
“ It ’ d be tremendous , ” Baucus said .
“ I always thought Washington was too influenced by the Eastern seaboard .
Frankly , it would add a little realism , a little objectivity to DC politics , which tends to be too much of an echo chamber.
” Will you help keep Vox free for all ?
The United States is in the middle of one of the most consequential presidential elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential that all Americans are able to access clear , concise information on what the outcome of the election could mean for their lives , and the lives of their families and communities .
That is our mission at Vox .
But our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources .
Even when the economy and the news advertising market recovers , your support will be a critical part of sustaining our resource-intensive work .
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If you haven ’ t , please consider helping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today from as little as $ 3 .

Few in Montana feel ready to predict how the high-stakes US Senate battle between Republican Sen. Steve Daines and Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock will play out.
It could be decided by just a few thousand votes.
“I think it’s too close to call right now,” said Montana pollster and University of Montana professor Sara Rinfret.
Montana is often miscast as reliably conservative; rather, the state is fiercely independent. Voters typically back Republican presidential candidates, but down-ballot races often are more competitive. Montana also has a history of sending Democrats to the Senate, a tradition cemented by Sen. Jon Tester’s narrow reelection win in 2018, a bright spot in an otherwise dismal year for Senate Democrats in Republican-leaning states.
“I think most Montanans — and people in most states — are 60-70 percent in the middle,” former Montana Sen. Max Baucus (D) told Vox. “What most people really care about [is] are you trying to do what’s best for us?”
Daines may appear to have a built-in advantage, as the Republican incumbent in a state President Donald Trump won by 20 points in 2016. But Bullock has a fighting chance because of his high popularity and name recognition in the state. With an approval rating of 60 percent, compared to 52 percent for Daines, Bullock is currently the state’s most popular elected official, according to a recent Montana State University poll. (Bullock’s campaign did not make him available for an interview, and Daines’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment).
There are two schools of thought about how Democrats can win close races in 2020; by running as unapologetically progressive or trying to find common ground with Republicans. Bullock is certainly not embracing Trump, but he — much like Biden — is running on the idea that there still is attainable compromise between the two parties.
Bullock “makes sure compromise is part of the equation and not a dirty word,” Sen. Tester told Vox. “That’s simply not how it is in Washington.”
Perhaps the biggest sign of danger for Daines is Trump’s slipping approval rating in a state he won overwhelmingly four years ago. The Montana State University poll found the president has a 7-point lead over Joe Biden, compared to a 16-point polling lead over Hillary Clinton in October 2016. The latest polling result echoes a troubling national trend for Republican politicians.
“If you look at his performance in 2016, the big message here is this could be a problem for down-ballot races,” said MSU pollster and political science professor David Parker. “It could be that some of those Trump voters have moved into the Biden column ... it could be a sign the base is dispirited. Either of those things is not good for Republicans in Montana.”
Why the race between Daines and Bullock is so tight
Save for one outlier poll finding Daines ahead by 9 points, most of the recent polling in the Montana Senate race shows a dead heat.
Public polling show Bullock and Daines essentially trading places, either one or two points ahead of the other candidate. The larger picture is that it’s a race with no clear frontrunner right now.
“You have two candidates who have been fixtures in Montana politics for years,” said Jessica Taylor, Senate editor for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report — who rates the Montana race as a toss-up. “Bullock was the only candidate who could put this into play. What is keeping him in it is certainly Trump is doing worse than he was in 2016 everywhere, but especially in Montana.”
Bullock is running on his record of bipartisan accomplishments in the state. Since being elected governor in 2012, Bullock passed major bills like Medicaid expansion, a dark money ban and an infrastructure bill — all working with a Republican-controlled state legislature. It’s the kind of bipartisan compromise that’s eluded Washington, DC, for years, and it also served as the foundation of Bullock’s pitch for his short-lived 2020 presidential run.
There’s a simple explanation for the difference between Washington and Montana: It’s all about who is in charge, according to Tester, Montana’s senior senator.
“Bullock was in a leadership role and he made it work,” he said. “Mitch McConnell doesn’t want to make it work, he wants it to be partisan.”
Democrats and Republicans working together is something of a necessity in Montana, where even the cities have a small-town feel. Knowing your neighbors goes a long way in a rural state.
Related What a Democratic Senate wants
“We had already built this level of human trust,” said Montana House Minority Leader Casey Schreiner. “Because we’re such a small state, we have an open-door policy with even the governor’s office. You learn to deal with people of a different values system no matter what, or you’re not going to get stuff done.”
Bullock and state Democrats have been able to forge agreements with a group of pragmatic Republicans in the state legislature known as the “Conservative Solutions Caucus.” This is a group more concerned about keeping the state’s rural hospitals open than the optics of putting tax dollars towards the state’s social safety net.
“Gov. Bullock’s never had a Democratic legislature,” said Pat Sweeney, a senior adviser at the Montana-based Western Organization of Resource Councils. “As governor, he’s really been able to work in a bipartisan manner in a state where the politics ... have been so divisive and the divisions between Republicans and Democrats so sharp.”
Daines, the Republican incumbent, is a longtime state party leader. In Montana, Daines is viewed as a pretty affable and friendly guy; certainly not of the same ilk of Republican gubernatorial candidate and current Rep. Greg Gianforte, who drew backlash in 2017 after body-slamming a reporter who was trying to ask him a question. Daines is more “likable” and not “bombastic,” according to Taylor.
“He’s someone who stays under the radar, I’m not sure he evokes a lot of vitriol necessarily,” Taylor told Vox. Still, Daines has tethered himself closely to Trump throughout the last few years, taking a controversial vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act in 2017. Montana expanded Medicaid through the ACA in 2015, giving nearly 100,000 Montanans access to health coverage. Daines’s vote would have stripped them of that coverage.
These days, Daines looks like he’s walking a tight-rope on health care.
Montana is often miscast as reliably conservative; rather, the state is fiercely independent.
“The experts are saying it’s highly unlikely they’ll overturn the ACA; that’s the consensus of many legal experts,” Daines said at a recent Senate debate, vowing to protect preexisting conditions despite voting multiple times to repeal or undermine the law. Daines has voted with Trump 86 percent of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight’s vote tracker.
Sticking with Trump initially may have seemed smart for Daines, whose own approval rating is at 52 percent. But the president’s polling numbers in Montana could be giving the senator pause.
“It’s not like people dislike [Daines], his approval rating’s fine,” Parker said. “It’s just that Bullock is really well liked, and I’m not sure that people have a perception of Steve Daines beyond the fact he’s linked himself closely to Trump.”
How Democrats can win in Montana
Bullock is working in different terrain than many of his fellow Democratic challengers. Montana is a state with a lot of land but a relatively small population, home to about 1.1 million people.
Even so, Montana has its own versions of cities and suburbs; the state’s population skews somewhat older than in other states, but younger people who prioritize outdoor recreation and the state’s vast natural beauty are moving to cities like Bozeman and Missoula (home to Montana State University and the University of Montana, respectively). Turning out young voters and convincing independent voters was key to Tester’s 2018 victory, and Bullock must repeat that to win, according to Parker.
“[Bullock’s] got a huge lead among young voters, so do we see a boost in voter turnout like we saw in 2018 among young people, does that continue?” Parker asked.
Montana is 88 percent white, but it also has a sizable number of American Indians, with 12 tribal nations making up about 7 percent of the overall population. Native American voters tend to favor Democrats (save for the Crow tribe, whose leaders have endorsed Republican candidates in the past in part owing to coal reserves on their tribal lands). And because Montana Senate races are typically so close, Native American turnout can be a deciding factor.
“Democrats are never going to win in Montana with more than [a 3- to 4-point] margin,” a Democratic operative who was granted anonymity to speak freely told Vox this summer. “The difference when you have high turnout in the Native community and you convince them to vote for you — that’s the difference between winning and losing.”
Related Why Trump could bring down Joni Ernst in the Iowa Senate race
Native American voting rights groups recently won a major victory in the courts, winning a lawsuit allowing them to collect absentee ballots of voters on reservations and drop them off at election offices. The state’s tribal nations have been hit hard by Covid-19, and many Native voters face longtime barriers to voting access, including longer driving times to their election offices. Allowing groups to collect ballots could boost turnout among Native voters.
“I think we’ll have a record-high turnout, I have hopes it will be higher than it’s ever been before,” said Marci McLean, executive director of Montana-based voting rights group Western Native Voice. “Based on the turnout in the primaries, the news, and the current leadership, I think people are coming to realize that the very least we can do is vote to make a change.”
Bullock will also need to pull in independents, including some disillusioned Republicans. But the tide has already shifted, with some longtime former Montana GOP leaders publicly backing Bullock.
“I’m deeply disappointed in Daines,” said Bob Brown, a former Republican Montana secretary of state and state senator. “I’ve known him for many years, and he’s always seemed to me to be a real straight arrow. It seems to me he’s become such a supplicant to Trump. I had spent many years in the Republican vineyard, but I couldn’t vote for Trump.”
Bullock could be part of a powerful Western Democratic bloc
Bullock is one of a handful of Democrats running competitive races in Western states. If they win, they could form a powerful new regional bloc in the Senate Democratic caucus.
It’s too early to tell whether these candidates will be elected, or how they will legislate in the Senate. But many have said their goal is to restore bipartisanship to Congress, and plan to go out of their way to work with Republicans.
“We are pragmatic. We are problem solvers, by nature,” Colorado’s Democratic Senate candidate and former Gov. John Hickenlooper told Vox in a recent interview. “I’m old enough, I’m never going to get seniority, I’m not going to be fighting to be the chair of a committee. I’m going to be that foot soldier in the trenches that takes the time, weeknights, and weekends to build relationships with people in my party and the other party.”
Hickenlooper is one of four Democratic Senate candidates running in the Mountain West or the Southwest, along with Gov. Steve Bullock in Montana, former astronaut Mark Kelly in Arizona, and Rep. Ben Ray Lujan in New Mexico. Lujan is expected to keep the New Mexico seat blue, and Hickenlooper and Kelly look to be the most likely Democratic challengers to flip Republican seats. Both Arizona and Colorado are rated Lean Democratic by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
Bullock is running on a similar message as Hickenlooper who also worked with a Republican state legislature as governor. Both men briefly ran for president in 2020, touting the successful bipartisanship model of Mountain states and promising to bring such leadership to the White House. Now, they have the chance to bring this style of governing to the Senate.
Hickenlooper and Kelly may be slightly more favored to win their races than Bullock. But no matter the final number of Western Democrats elected to the Senate, more Democratic representation for states in the region is important, said Baucus, the powerful former senator and Senate Finance Committee chair.
“It’d be tremendous,” Baucus said. “I always thought Washington was too influenced by the Eastern seaboard. Frankly, it would add a little realism, a little objectivity to DC politics, which tends to be too much of an echo chamber.”


vox--2020-10-21--Welcome to the Home Issue of The Highlight

In recent years , perhaps starting with the Great Recession and housing market crash , young people have abandoned the idea of home as a safe place within reach .
Homeownership is down , for reasons both financial and psychological .
Before Covid-19 gutted air travel , we were jet-setters , spending our time and money not at home , touching down in countries far and wide .
And when we traveled , we loved the cookie-cutter insta-comforts of Airbnbs ; we booked spartan tiny houses in the woods as experiments in living off the grid .
Home was everywhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , that is .
The Home Issue of the Highlight explores the tectonic shifts in our relationship with the places we lay our heads , from our sudden impulse to nest to the longing to return to our familial haunts for the holidays .
The virus sent us indoors for the first time in recent memory , writes Foster Kamer in a cover story that poetically captures our new nesting .
To cope with the innumerable losses , we ’ ve built makeshift gyms , schools , and offices , and bought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pelotons to pools , patio sectionals to sweatpants , and , of course , edibles , ” he writes .
“ We ’ ve gone from occasional layabouts to running panopticons of our possessions.
” Stuff , lots of it , is also a growing design trend .
Called maximalism , the new ( and perhaps age-old ) aesthetic values busy , visually textured spaces — colorful sofas , vintage rugs , bijoux from a lifetime of trekking , and treasured finds from the side of the road .
“ The trend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t come out of nowhere , ” writes Rebecca Jennings ; it is a rejection of minimalism , the stiff and perhaps overly clean design that has swept apartments and restaurants and stores since the aughts .
Pristine is out , and personal is in .
The isolating nature of the coronavirus pandemic has also exacerbated most people ’ s desires for comfort and human connection — impulses that are strongly affiliated with home and family .
And as the coronavirus has derailed events , treasured end-of-year traditions such as Thanksgiving , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have weary , isolated Americans weighing the risk of traveling home against the emotional ties we are rapidly losing .
Also in this issue , we look at what happened when a 28-year-old professional moved home during the pandemic ( hint : her mom is looking into hiring a cleaner ) , and have a comic from artist Kaye Rishad on the six housekeeping styles you ’ ll encounter right now .
Can a single place — one that ’ s failed us in the past — squeeze in everything it takes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing in home design is overstuffed , garish , and glorious What “ home for the holidays ” means during a pandemic Without specific guidance around whether — and how — to travel , some find themselves playing a game of risk roulette .
A millennial moved back in with her parents .
Her mom maybe wants her to stay forever .
52 percent of US adults under 30 are now living at home , many because of Covid-19 .
Here ’ s how it ’ s going for one family .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no , it does not spark joy .
Help keep Vox free for all Millions turn to Vox each month to understand what ’ s happening in the news , from the coronavirus crisis to a racial reckoning to what is , quite possibly , the most consequential presidential election of our lifetimes .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
But our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources .
Even when the economy and the news advertising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a critical part of sustaining our resource-intensive work .
If you have already contributed , thank you .
If you haven ’ t , please consider helping everyone make sense of an increasingly chaotic world : Contribute today from as little as $ 3 .

Share All sharing options for: Welcome to the Home Issue of The Highlight
In recent years, perhaps starting with the Great Recession and housing market crash, young people have abandoned the idea of home as a safe place within reach. Homeownership is down, for reasons both financial and psychological. Before Covid-19 gutted air travel, we were jet-setters, spending our time and money not at home, touching down in countries far and wide. And when we traveled, we loved the cookie-cutter insta-comforts of Airbnbs; we booked spartan tiny houses in the woods as experiments in living off the grid. Home was everywhere because home was nowhere.
Until the pandemic, that is. The Home Issue of the Highlight explores the tectonic shifts in our relationship with the places we lay our heads, from our sudden impulse to nest to the longing to return to our familial haunts for the holidays.
The virus sent us indoors for the first time in recent memory, writes Foster Kamer in a cover story that poetically captures our new nesting. To cope with the innumerable losses, we’ve built makeshift gyms, schools, and offices, and bought up “everything from desks to dumbbells, Pelotons to pools, patio sectionals to sweatpants, and, of course, edibles,” he writes. “We’ve gone from occasional layabouts to running panopticons of our possessions.”
Stuff, lots of it, is also a growing design trend. Called maximalism, the new (and perhaps age-old) aesthetic values busy, visually textured spaces — colorful sofas, vintage rugs, bijoux from a lifetime of trekking, and treasured finds from the side of the road. “The trend of surrounding ourselves with more things didn’t come out of nowhere,” writes Rebecca Jennings; it is a rejection of minimalism, the stiff and perhaps overly clean design that has swept apartments and restaurants and stores since the aughts. Pristine is out, and personal is in.
The isolating nature of the coronavirus pandemic has also exacerbated most people’s desires for comfort and human connection — impulses that are strongly affiliated with home and family. And as the coronavirus has derailed events, treasured end-of-year traditions such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years have weary, isolated Americans weighing the risk of traveling home against the emotional ties we are rapidly losing.
Also in this issue, we look at what happened when a 28-year-old professional moved home during the pandemic (hint: her mom is looking into hiring a cleaner), and have a comic from artist Kaye Rishad on the six housekeeping styles you’ll encounter right now.
Can a single place — one that’s failed us in the past — squeeze in everything it takes to live a life?
by Foster Kamer
The next big thing in home design is overstuffed, garish, and glorious
by Rebecca Jennings
Without specific guidance around whether — and how — to travel, some find themselves playing a game of risk roulette.
by Terry Nguyen
52 percent of US adults under 30 are now living at home, many because of Covid-19. Here’s how it’s going for one family.
by Julie Vadnal
We’re all homebodies now. And, no, it does not spark joy.
by Kaye Rishad


vox--2020-10-21--What “home for the holidays” means during a pandemic

Part of The Home Issue of The Highlight , our home for ambitious stories that explain our world .
Mariusz Wiecheć last visited his home country of Poland in September 2019 , and in hindsight , he regrets staying for only a week .
It was barely enough time to adjust his sleep schedule and catch up with family and old friends , but Wiecheć was resigned , he said , to the fact that “ America doesn ’ t have enough vacation days.
” Like many others , he hadn ’ t accounted for a dangerous virus that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him from his family for nearly a year .
Six months into the pandemic , Wiecheć , who lives in Philadelphia and holds an American green card , leaped at the first chance to return to Poland .
Airlines began to offer limited direct flights from New York in August , and Poland was no longer requiring citizens and their families to undergo a strict quarantine for 14 days upon arrival .
“ I ’ ve realized the importance of family and being home , ” Wiecheć said in a phone interview in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture in Europe , and while I ’ m used to some aspects of American culture , I will always be Polish at heart.
” An eight-hour international flight , then , was a risk he was willing to take : Later that month , he and his wife geared up in medical-grade masks , landed in Warsaw , got tested , and quarantined from family members until their results came through .
The isolating nature of the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated many people ’ s desires for comfort and human connection — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and family and are likely to grow as the holidays approach .
“ People are getting frustrated and tired of having this basic human need — of social interaction and contact with others — suppressed and hindered , ” said Michael Brein , a psychologist who specializes in travel .
“ In some cases , they ’ re becoming less vigilant and a little more careless because Covid has been going on for so long.
” And in other cases , such as Wiecheć ’ s , travelers simply want to head home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds , if not thousands , of miles away from immediate family members , and in the absence of clear directives from the government and health experts , some find themselves playing a fraught game of risk roulette .
For Wiecheć and others who spoke to Vox , it has resulted in an elaborate process of quarantining and testing and hoping and worrying , all of which still seems worth it when compared to the alternative .
As we approach the colder months , public health experts are raising alarms over the likelihood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cozy up indoors instead of gathering in parks or other outdoor spaces .
But there ’ s another reason experts and the general public are worrying about the wintertime : holiday travel .
An uptick in both car and plane trips during the weekends of Memorial Day , the Fourth of July , and Labor Day serves as a hint of what ’ s to come in November and December , months in which millions of Americans traditionally congregate with their loved ones .
In 2019 , the top leisure activity for domestic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the US Travel Association , and that urge to visit friends and family will likely persist through 2020 .
The coronavirus has derailed events , from adolescent milestones to weddings to funerals , but will Americans give up treasured end-of-year traditions like Thanksgiving , Christmas , Hanukkah , and New Year ’ s Eve ?
Across the country , large family gatherings — even those attended by relatives in the same town or county — have unwittingly turned into superspreader events , with one North Carolina party infecting 41 people from nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Infectious disease experts have warned that intra-household spread is a key component in Covid-19 ’ s transmission , despite any social distancing measures in place .
This added layer of risk among loved ones is something homebound travelers are trying to assess .
Some are avoiding enclosed spaces with strangers entirely , even as airlines slash holiday airfare prices to make them cheaper than in years past .
Road trips are now considered an attractive alternative : Drivers can plan for pit stops ahead of time and , if it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human contact on the road .
Christian Grand and his wife Alex , both of whom are in their early 30s , used to fly to California about 12 times a year because they have a large network of family and friends in the state .
In June , they took a 1,000-mile car ride from Portland , Oregon , to Orange County , California , routing through a national park to briefly sightsee and avoid traffic .
“ It ’ s not sustainable to stay indoors and isolate with your immediate family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ My wife Alex and I realized we needed to see our family , while taking precautions to not expose ourselves to unnecessary risk.
” They aren ’ t sure whether they ’ ll be taking any more California-bound trips this year , although the couple does feel the urge to be with family .
“ I have a really special place in my heart for California , although we ’ ve lived in Portland for seven years and have a home here , ” Grand said .
“ As far as which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , well , I couldn ’ t tell you.
” The Grands ’ June gathering , which occurred before California ’ s summer spike in cases , was relatively small and consisted only of two couples and two kids , all of whom had been seriously self-isolating .
“ My wife doesn ’ t even like being around strangers at a national park , whether they are 6 feet away or not , ” Grand said .
“ She ’ s just not comfortable being around people at all , and that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The two set certain social boundaries ahead of time , including not going out to eat or closely interacting with others beyond their six-person cluster .
While that meant they weren ’ t able to see extended family , the visit was much needed and satisfied a social itch , according to Grand .
“ We are in much better spirits , which is why we chose to go , ” he said .
“ But even before Covid , we ’ ve always prioritized going places and seeing our loved ones whenever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accepted early on that this year was going to be different.
” For some , it ’ s not the lure of a getaway but necessity that has them accepting the risk and hitting the road .
Anjella Jensen did not expect to head to Oregon for her first pandemic road trip .
Nor did she expect 10 other extended family members to similarly make the trek .
In late August , the South Dakota resident and her longtime boyfriend took a trip after receiving news that a relative had a terminal medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from all over the country : Nashville , Florida , Oregon , South Dakota , ” she told Vox .
“ Most of them flew or were close enough to drive , but we drove and stayed a week.
” Some attendees were elderly or immunocompromised .
Jensen had been isolating with her partner before the drive , packing coolers and food to limit their exposure on the road .
As a seasoned traveler , Jensen prefers driving , but her brother is planning to fly to South Dakota from Alabama later this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents have flown during the pandemic as well .
“ Confined space in an airplane personally makes me very nervous , although my family seems to be much more comfortable with it than I am , ” Jensen said .
“ However , I ’ m much less concerned or cautious when it comes to family gatherings or individuals .
There isn ’ t a logical reason for it , but that ’ s where I find myself.
” This natural familial comfort — a feeling that encourages people to let their guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to local outbreaks from family gatherings .
But Jensen ’ s situation reveals how certain events , like a terminal diagnosis , could lead individuals to reassess their own risk tolerance when it comes to traveling vast distances to physically be near their loved ones .
For Jensen and her family , it has been impossible to plan travel months ahead of time anyway , given the uncertain nature of Covid-19 in the US .
While they aren ’ t exactly packing their bags and leaving at a moment ’ s notice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or two has provided time to self-isolate , factor in current infection rates , and iron out the logistics of potentially receiving a Covid-19 test prior to or after the trip .
Jensen has begun to plan three road trips before the end of the year : to Daytona , Florida , in October to see her 20-year-old son ; to Nashville for Thanksgiving with her boyfriend ’ s family ; and to Salt Lake City in December with her 70-year-old dad .
Traveling by car gives her flexibility since Jensen can decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trip — but , she says , it isn ’ t likely she ’ ll miss Thanksgiving or a chance to see her dad , “ who is insistent on skiing this year.
” “ No , I don ’ t want to get Covid .
Who does ?
” Jensen told me .
But the potential to get the disease , she said , is still present whether she stays home or travels .
“ I am more concerned with being self-contained while I travel to minimize my risk of exposure.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a trek at the holidays : college students who were lured back to campus will be returning home .
Families will host get-togethers in spite of the health precautions around mass gatherings , although probably with a shorter guest list and some Zoom participants .
Some worry that students coming home from college towns , which have become Covid-19 epicenters , could drive up infections .
“ My school isn ’ t monitoring us at all .
People come and go every day if they want , ” said Lauryn Craine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Craine , who is from Chicago , filed a special request in September to ask administrators if she could study remotely .
Since she was worried about the college ’ s handling of Covid-19 outbreaks , Craine knew home would be a safer environment for her to focus and remain for the rest of the academic year .
Last month , she drove the seven hours home to stay with her mother , who is considered high-risk , and quarantined in her room .
The risk felt necessary for Craine , who said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline living in an on-campus dorm with four other housemates .
“ Traveling was stressful , but I only stopped once for gas to limit my interaction , ” added Craine , who will be staying at home for the rest of the school year .
“ I believe it ’ s highly likely people will spread Covid back to their hometowns .
Since people are already not caring on my campus , they probably won ’ t care and fly or drive home and spread it.
” Individuals who have been dutifully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks involved in a trip and how to minimize them : Stay at contactless hotels , eat at drive-thrus , avoid crowded pit stops .
A handful of these careful travelers also plan to fly .
Some say it ’ s more of a “ now or never ” moment , according to Wiecheć , the Polish citizen .
For those who live thousands of miles away , a plane ride is not only efficient ; it also allows one to limit the number of interactions with strangers .
When Wiecheć heard the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions , he immediately thought to book a flight , although he didn ’ t tell his family until the logistics were ironed out .
He didn ’ t want to get their hopes up if the trip had to be canceled .
“ I am of the mindset that we have to live in the moment , but I think we have to learn how to live with Covid for the next few months or the next couple of years , ” Wiecheć said .
“ I might not be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away , but I know I can do that after a week of getting tested.
” Terry Nguyen is a reporter covering consumer and internet trends at The Goods by Vox .
She has previously reported for the Washington Post , Chronicle of Higher Education , and Vice .
Help keep Vox free for all Millions turn to Vox each month to understand what ’ s happening in the news , from the coronavirus crisis to a racial reckoning to what is , quite possibly , the most consequential presidential election of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
But our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources .
Even when the economy and the news advertising market recovers , your support will be a critical part of sustaining our resource-intensive work .
If you have already contributed , thank you .
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Part of The Home Issue of The Highlight, our home for ambitious stories that explain our world.
Mariusz Wiecheć last visited his home country of Poland in September 2019, and in hindsight, he regrets staying for only a week. It was barely enough time to adjust his sleep schedule and catch up with family and old friends, but Wiecheć was resigned, he said, to the fact that “America doesn’t have enough vacation days.” Like many others, he hadn’t accounted for a dangerous virus that would send the world into lockdown and keep him from his family for nearly a year.
Six months into the pandemic, Wiecheć, who lives in Philadelphia and holds an American green card, leaped at the first chance to return to Poland. Airlines began to offer limited direct flights from New York in August, and Poland was no longer requiring citizens and their families to undergo a strict quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
“I’ve realized the importance of family and being home,” Wiecheć said in a phone interview in early September. “I miss the culture in Europe, and while I’m used to some aspects of American culture, I will always be Polish at heart.” An eight-hour international flight, then, was a risk he was willing to take: Later that month, he and his wife geared up in medical-grade masks, landed in Warsaw, got tested, and quarantined from family members until their results came through.
The isolating nature of the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated many people’s desires for comfort and human connection — impulses that are strongly affiliated with home and family and are likely to grow as the holidays approach. “People are getting frustrated and tired of having this basic human need — of social interaction and contact with others — suppressed and hindered,” said Michael Brein, a psychologist who specializes in travel. “In some cases, they’re becoming less vigilant and a little more careless because Covid has been going on for so long.”
And in other cases, such as Wiecheć’s, travelers simply want to head home safely. Many people live and work hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away from immediate family members, and in the absence of clear directives from the government and health experts, some find themselves playing a fraught game of risk roulette. For Wiecheć and others who spoke to Vox, it has resulted in an elaborate process of quarantining and testing and hoping and worrying, all of which still seems worth it when compared to the alternative.
As we approach the colder months, public health experts are raising alarms over the likelihood of another surge of infections as people cozy up indoors instead of gathering in parks or other outdoor spaces. But there’s another reason experts and the general public are worrying about the wintertime: holiday travel. An uptick in both car and plane trips during the weekends of Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day serves as a hint of what’s to come in November and December, months in which millions of Americans traditionally congregate with their loved ones. In 2019, the top leisure activity for domestic US travelers was visiting relatives, according to the US Travel Association, and that urge to visit friends and family will likely persist through 2020.
The coronavirus has derailed events, from adolescent milestones to weddings to funerals, but will Americans give up treasured end-of-year traditions like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve? Across the country, large family gatherings — even those attended by relatives in the same town or county — have unwittingly turned into superspreader events, with one North Carolina party infecting 41 people from nine different families, the Charlotte Observer reported. Infectious disease experts have warned that intra-household spread is a key component in Covid-19’s transmission, despite any social distancing measures in place.
This added layer of risk among loved ones is something homebound travelers are trying to assess. Some are avoiding enclosed spaces with strangers entirely, even as airlines slash holiday airfare prices to make them cheaper than in years past. Road trips are now considered an attractive alternative: Drivers can plan for pit stops ahead of time and, if it’s a short drive, can completely avoid human contact on the road.
Christian Grand and his wife Alex, both of whom are in their early 30s, used to fly to California about 12 times a year because they have a large network of family and friends in the state. In June, they took a 1,000-mile car ride from Portland, Oregon, to Orange County, California, routing through a national park to briefly sightsee and avoid traffic.
“It’s not sustainable to stay indoors and isolate with your immediate family for months,” Grand said. “My wife Alex and I realized we needed to see our family, while taking precautions to not expose ourselves to unnecessary risk.”
They aren’t sure whether they’ll be taking any more California-bound trips this year, although the couple does feel the urge to be with family. “I have a really special place in my heart for California, although we’ve lived in Portland for seven years and have a home here,” Grand said. “As far as which one we identify as our real home, well, I couldn’t tell you.”
The Grands’ June gathering, which occurred before California’s summer spike in cases, was relatively small and consisted only of two couples and two kids, all of whom had been seriously self-isolating. “My wife doesn’t even like being around strangers at a national park, whether they are 6 feet away or not,” Grand said. “She’s just not comfortable being around people at all, and that’s our biggest challenge to navigate.”
The two set certain social boundaries ahead of time, including not going out to eat or closely interacting with others beyond their six-person cluster. While that meant they weren’t able to see extended family, the visit was much needed and satisfied a social itch, according to Grand.
“We are in much better spirits, which is why we chose to go,” he said. “But even before Covid, we’ve always prioritized going places and seeing our loved ones whenever we have the opportunity. So we accepted early on that this year was going to be different.”
For some, it’s not the lure of a getaway but necessity that has them accepting the risk and hitting the road. Angella Jensen did not expect to head to Oregon for her first pandemic road trip. Nor did she expect 10 other extended family members to similarly make the trek. In late August, the South Dakota resident and her longtime boyfriend took a trip after receiving news that a relative had a terminal medical diagnosis. “We had family come from all over the country: Nashville, Florida, Oregon, South Dakota,” she told Vox. “Most of them flew or were close enough to drive, but we drove and stayed a week.”
Some attendees were elderly or immunocompromised. Jensen had been isolating with her partner before the drive, packing coolers and food to limit their exposure on the road. As a seasoned traveler, Jensen prefers driving, but her brother is planning to fly to South Dakota from Alabama later this year, and both of her older parents have flown during the pandemic as well.
“Confined space in an airplane personally makes me very nervous, although my family seems to be much more comfortable with it than I am,” Jensen said. “However, I’m much less concerned or cautious when it comes to family gatherings or individuals. There isn’t a logical reason for it, but that’s where I find myself.”
This natural familial comfort — a feeling that encourages people to let their guard down — could be a contributing factor to local outbreaks from family gatherings. But Jensen’s situation reveals how certain events, like a terminal diagnosis, could lead individuals to reassess their own risk tolerance when it comes to traveling vast distances to physically be near their loved ones.
For Jensen and her family, it has been impossible to plan travel months ahead of time anyway, given the uncertain nature of Covid-19 in the US. While they aren’t exactly packing their bags and leaving at a moment’s notice, shortening the planning time to a week or two has provided time to self-isolate, factor in current infection rates, and iron out the logistics of potentially receiving a Covid-19 test prior to or after the trip.
Jensen has begun to plan three road trips before the end of the year: to Daytona, Florida, in October to see her 20-year-old son; to Nashville for Thanksgiving with her boyfriend’s family; and to Salt Lake City in December with her 70-year-old dad. Traveling by car gives her flexibility since Jensen can decide at the last minute to forgo a trip — but, she says, it isn’t likely she’ll miss Thanksgiving or a chance to see her dad, “who is insistent on skiing this year.”
“No, I don’t want to get Covid. Who does?” Jensen told me. But the potential to get the disease, she said, is still present whether she stays home or travels. “I am more concerned with being self-contained while I travel to minimize my risk of exposure.”
There are others who might have to make a trek at the holidays: college students who were lured back to campus will be returning home. Families will host get-togethers in spite of the health precautions around mass gatherings, although probably with a shorter guest list and some Zoom participants. Some worry that students coming home from college towns, which have become Covid-19 epicenters, could drive up infections.
“My school isn’t monitoring us at all. People come and go every day if they want,” said Lauryn Craine, a junior at Missouri Valley College. Craine, who is from Chicago, filed a special request in September to ask administrators if she could study remotely. Since she was worried about the college’s handling of Covid-19 outbreaks, Craine knew home would be a safer environment for her to focus and remain for the rest of the academic year.
Last month, she drove the seven hours home to stay with her mother, who is considered high-risk, and quarantined in her room. The risk felt necessary for Craine, who said her mental and physical health were in decline living in an on-campus dorm with four other housemates.
“Traveling was stressful, but I only stopped once for gas to limit my interaction,” added Craine, who will be staying at home for the rest of the school year. “I believe it’s highly likely people will spread Covid back to their hometowns. Since people are already not caring on my campus, they probably won’t care and fly or drive home and spread it.”
Individuals who have been dutifully self-isolating like Craine are mindful of the risks involved in a trip and how to minimize them: Stay at contactless hotels, eat at drive-thrus, avoid crowded pit stops. A handful of these careful travelers also plan to fly. Some say it’s more of a “now or never” moment, according to Wiecheć, the Polish citizen. For those who live thousands of miles away, a plane ride is not only efficient; it also allows one to limit the number of interactions with strangers.
When Wiecheć heard the news that Poland had lifted its quarantine restrictions, he immediately thought to book a flight, although he didn’t tell his family until the logistics were ironed out. He didn’t want to get their hopes up if the trip had to be canceled.
“I am of the mindset that we have to live in the moment, but I think we have to learn how to live with Covid for the next few months or the next couple of years,” Wiecheć said. “I might not be able to hug my mom at the airport right away, but I know I can do that after a week of getting tested.”
Terry Nguyen is a reporter covering consumer and internet trends at The Goods by Vox. She has previously reported for the Washington Post, Chronicle of Higher Education, and Vice.


vox--2020-10-21--A millennial moved back in with her parents. Her mom maybe wants her to stay forever.

Share All sharing options for : A millennial moved back in with her parents .
Her mom maybe wants her to stay forever .
Part of The Home Issue of The Highlight , our home for ambitious stories that explain our world .
Earlier this year , Kathy Pao , 28 , was living in Washington , DC , with two roommates in a townhouse and working as a management analyst for the federal government .
Then Covid-19 hit and her roommates moved home to California : one permanently , and the other for long periods , to stay with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kathy decided to do what more than half of 18- to 29-year-olds have already done : move back in with her parents .
The notion of millennials living at home well into adulthood has become a trope and a generational punchline .
But because of Covid-19 , moving home isn ’ t the signal of personal failure or laziness it used to be .
For some , it ’ s an economic decision — why pay expensive rent when proximity to your workplace won ’ t matter for the foreseeable future ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents means they can keep an eye on mom and dad ’ s health .
And for the sea of millennials who ’ ve lost their jobs during the pandemic , moving back home isn ’ t a choice , it ’ s a necessity .
But even before the coronavirus , the pressure for young adults to move out after they turn 18 varied widely .
Living with one ’ s parents well into their 20s and 30s is normal in many parts of the world , including Portugal , India , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families living in the US , the tradition carries on .
Kathy ’ s mother , Betty Kao , for example , is a Taiwanese immigrant and couldn ’ t have been more thrilled that Kathy was moving home .
“ I grew up in a different culture , ” said Betty .
“ For Americans , everybody thinks that you should move away when you ’ re 18.
” If Betty had it her way , Kathy would have moved in with her parents long before the pandemic .
Of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents face challenges , from divvying up chores to maintaining their freedom .
For Kathy and Betty , things are going well so far , but how long will the peaceful cohabitation last ?
Here , Kathy and Betty talk about what it ’ s like living under the same roof for the first time in 10 years .
Betty : When Kathy called to say she was thinking about moving home , I was surprised and shocked .
I said , “ Huh ?
You want to move back ?
” Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how it would make me so happy .
I haven ’ t seen her for a while , but of course we have had conversations and I ’ d say , “ Come back any time .
As soon as you are ready.
” When she said she ’ d be coming home , she also said she could pay rent to live here , and I said , “ That ’ s okay , I don ’ t need your rent .
As long as you ’ re home , I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re safe here with me.
” That ’ s all I want .
Kathy : She stopped talking , and she doesn ’ t do that very much .
And so I was like , “ So , I ’ m thinking I might come home if that ’ s okay with you and Dad ?
” And then essentially , it was decided in the next five minutes how all of that would happen .
My family is close by , so I thought it would be nice to spend more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of it , but they weren ’ t the driving force .
Of course I was like , if I didn ’ t have to pay rent , I could save a good chunk of money every month .
But I will help chip in with groceries and anything else that ’ s needed in the house .
Money ’ s always been very fluid in our family .
My money is your money .
I try to give them money for stuff , and they don ’ t take it a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when you go home , it ’ s just comforting to have loving parents and a nice house with a yard where you can go outside .
So it ’ s just nice .
I think for both of us , we have overall less life responsibilities .
I was a little nervous .
My dad ’ s an essential worker , a mailman , and he goes into work every day , so I knew he wouldn ’ t be in the house .
It would be me and my mom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my mom ’ s kind of loud .
Betty : Yes .
But not intentionally .
It ’ s just who I am !
Kathy : You ’ re very excitable .
And I was like , how will things go if she ’ s yelling on the phone or something ?
But I thought we could make it work .
I think she gets that I ’ m an adult now and I have my own job .
That ’ s what we used to fight about the most when I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job .
And now that I have a stable life and I can be independent and take care of myself , there ’ s definitely less of that .
Betty : I try not to give too much advice .
I used to kind of control her when she was younger , of course , but now she ’ s been out there .
She knows when she ’ s making a good decision .
And I am trying to constantly remind myself not to interfere too much .
Because I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kathy : Well , eventually I ’ m going to move out .
Betty : Kathy is my only daughter , and I love her very much .
She ’ s a very independent woman .
She has a lot of ideas .
And she ’ s very strong-minded .
Many times I have to yield to her demands .
Kathy : She only says that because sometimes she needs a strong guiding hand , especially in terms of technology .
So I will be a little more forceful with her .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her , she won ’ t do it at all .
Anyways , we ’ re living together again for the first time in about 10 years .
So we ’ ll see how that goes .
Betty : I moved away from my parents years ago because I ’ m married and I have a family , so that ’ s very traditional , but I grew up in a different culture .
Kathy moved away ever since she was in college .
And , of course , we ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : They always say that , but I don ’ t know if it ’ s going to happen .
When I decided to move back , I really wasn ’ t concerned about the social stigma of living at home with my parents .
Covid has changed a lot of that .
Before , it was like you had somehow failed or done something wrong and were forced to move home .
Since Covid , a lot of my friends who were transplants to DC have gone home .
And they all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who really knows ?
Betty : We want to live nearby her .
Just to give her support , just in case .
Right now , we ’ ve only been living here together a week .
We try to give each other space , and we share housework .
I ’ m so glad she ’ s here cooking dinner .
Ever since Covid , I ’ ve been cooking myself , and I hate my own cooking , so I ’ m glad somebody ’ s taking over .
She did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very good .
It was spaghetti squash , and it was amazing .
I had more portions than I should have had .
Kathy : It ’ s also nice to have my mom ’ s cooking because she ’ s definitely a much better cook than I am , especially with the Chinese food I grew up eating .
One of the reasons I was kind of excited to move home was because there are some life skills that I would like my parents to teach me now .
One of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I grew up eating , and the other is for my dad to teach me how to fix my car .
Betty : My husband and I have been empty-nesters for a while , so it takes time to adjust .
Most of the time , after dinner , we fall asleep on the couch .
But since she ’ s here , we get more involved after dinner , doing some family activity .
Kathy : You and dad still fall asleep on the couch .
Betty : But we do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before , we would watch TV and fall asleep on the sofa , then get up and go to bed .
But with Kathy here , we manage our own time better .
We play cards together .
Kathy : We did , and she didn ’ t like it .
Betty : It ’ s too complicated for me .
I don ’ t like counting points .
I don ’ t like the strategy .
But at least we ’ re getting involved in some kind of social activity .
Can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t want to clean the house .
Can we hire a maid to do it ?
Kathy : Do you think that ’ s a good idea right now ?
Betty : I was cleaning the bathroom , and I don ’ t really want to do it anymore .
I was thinking about having someone come over every other week .
Kathy : We ’ ll talk about that post-Covid .
It ’ s only been a week .
So we ’ ll see how it is in like , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in , I was like , “ You and Dad , are you gon na be loud in the morning ?
” Because they wake up really early .
I wake up at 8:20 , and then I sign on to work at 8:30 .
That ’ s just my schedule .
So I asked them to please be quiet and not wake me up .
My dad wakes up super early , and he ’ ll be in the kitchen banging around .
I was like , “ Alright , can we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : We try to follow her instructions .
Kathy : I appreciate it .
I don ’ t want to wake up at 6 am !
Betty : I ’ m just happy that she ’ s home .
So I ’ ll do everything for now .
I don ’ t know how long my own patience will be .
But now , I will accommodate anything that will keep her here and in the house .
Kathy : If stuff returns to a new normal , or some semblance of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to live on my own or live with my roommate .
It ’ s just that I like having that bit of freedom .
I don ’ t have to tell her where I ’ m going because I ’ m not going anywhere .
But if that were a thing , I think I would just get tired of , you know , being accountable to another person because I haven ’ t had to do that for a long time .
So if this were forever , I think we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what else are you going to do ?
But I don ’ t think I ’ d want to live here past Covid .
Betty : I think she ’ ll be here at least another year .
Betty : It doesn ’ t make sense to move back here for four months and then move back again .
All that back and forth .
Julie Vadnal is a writer and creator of the newsletter JULES .
Her work has appeared in Cosmopolitan , ELLE , Glamour , Domino , and Real Simple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Millions turn to Vox each month to understand what ’ s happening in the news , from the coronavirus crisis to a racial reckoning to what is , quite possibly , the most consequential presidential election of our lifetimes .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
But our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources .
Even when the economy and the news advertising market recovers , your support will be a critical part of sustaining our resource-intensive work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thank you .
If you haven ’ t , please consider helping everyone make sense of an increasingly chaotic world : Contribute today from as little as $ 3 .

Share All sharing options for: A millennial moved back in with her parents. Her mom maybe wants her to stay forever.
Part of The Home Issue of The Highlight, our home for ambitious stories that explain our world.
Earlier this year, Kathy Pao, 28, was living in Washington, DC, with two roommates in a townhouse and working as a management analyst for the federal government. Then Covid-19 hit and her roommates moved home to California: one permanently, and the other for long periods, to stay with family. Not wanting to live alone, Kathy decided to do what more than half of 18- to 29-year-olds have already done: move back in with her parents.
The notion of millennials living at home well into adulthood has become a trope and a generational punchline. But because of Covid-19, moving home isn’t the signal of personal failure or laziness it used to be. For some, it’s an economic decision — why pay expensive rent when proximity to your workplace won’t matter for the foreseeable future? For others, being close to elderly parents means they can keep an eye on mom and dad’s health. And for the sea of millennials who’ve lost their jobs during the pandemic, moving back home isn’t a choice, it’s a necessity.
But even before the coronavirus, the pressure for young adults to move out after they turn 18 varied widely. Living with one’s parents well into their 20s and 30s is normal in many parts of the world, including Portugal, India, and Italy, and for many immigrant families living in the US, the tradition carries on. Kathy’s mother, Betty Kao, for example, is a Taiwanese immigrant and couldn’t have been more thrilled that Kathy was moving home. “I grew up in a different culture,” said Betty. “For Americans, everybody thinks that you should move away when you’re 18.” If Betty had it her way, Kathy would have moved in with her parents long before the pandemic.
Of course, adults who move back in with their parents face challenges, from divvying up chores to maintaining their freedom. For Kathy and Betty, things are going well so far, but how long will the peaceful cohabitation last? Here, Kathy and Betty talk about what it’s like living under the same roof for the first time in 10 years.
Betty: When Kathy called to say she was thinking about moving home, I was surprised and shocked. I said, “Huh? You want to move back?” Of course, I didn’t say how it would make me so happy. I haven’t seen her for a while, but of course we have had conversations and I’d say, “Come back any time. As soon as you are ready.” When she said she’d be coming home, she also said she could pay rent to live here, and I said, “That’s okay, I don’t need your rent. As long as you’re home, I’m happy. I know that you’re safe here with me.” That’s all I want.
Kathy: She stopped talking, and she doesn’t do that very much. And so I was like, “So, I’m thinking I might come home if that’s okay with you and Dad?” And then essentially, it was decided in the next five minutes how all of that would happen.
My family is close by, so I thought it would be nice to spend more time with them. Finances were a part of it, but they weren’t the driving force. Of course I was like, if I didn’t have to pay rent, I could save a good chunk of money every month. But I will help chip in with groceries and anything else that’s needed in the house. Money’s always been very fluid in our family. My money is your money. I try to give them money for stuff, and they don’t take it a lot of the time. And plus, when you go home, it’s just comforting to have loving parents and a nice house with a yard where you can go outside. So it’s just nice. I think for both of us, we have overall less life responsibilities.
I was a little nervous. My dad’s an essential worker, a mailman, and he goes into work every day, so I knew he wouldn’t be in the house. It would be me and my mom both at home most days. And my mom’s kind of loud.
Betty: Yes. But not intentionally. It’s just who I am!
Kathy: You’re very excitable. And I was like, how will things go if she’s yelling on the phone or something? But I thought we could make it work. I think she gets that I’m an adult now and I have my own job. That’s what we used to fight about the most when I was younger, either my schoolwork or a job. And now that I have a stable life and I can be independent and take care of myself, there’s definitely less of that.
Betty: I try not to give too much advice. I used to kind of control her when she was younger, of course, but now she’s been out there. She knows when she’s making a good decision. And I am trying to constantly remind myself not to interfere too much. Because I don’t want you to move somewhere else.
Kathy: Well, eventually I’m going to move out.
Betty: Kathy is my only daughter, and I love her very much. She’s a very independent woman. She has a lot of ideas. And she’s very strong-minded. Many times I have to yield to her demands.
Kathy: She only says that because sometimes she needs a strong guiding hand, especially in terms of technology. So I will be a little more forceful with her. If I won’t do it for her, she won’t do it at all. Anyways, we’re living together again for the first time in about 10 years. So we’ll see how that goes.
Betty: I moved away from my parents years ago because I’m married and I have a family, so that’s very traditional, but I grew up in a different culture. Kathy moved away ever since she was in college. And, of course, we’ll move wherever she settles down.
Kathy: They always say that, but I don’t know if it’s going to happen. When I decided to move back, I really wasn’t concerned about the social stigma of living at home with my parents. Covid has changed a lot of that. Before, it was like you had somehow failed or done something wrong and were forced to move home. Since Covid, a lot of my friends who were transplants to DC have gone home. And they all say it’s temporary, but who really knows?
Betty: We want to live nearby her. Just to give her support, just in case.
Right now, we’ve only been living here together a week. We try to give each other space, and we share housework. I’m so glad she’s here cooking dinner. Ever since Covid, I’ve been cooking myself, and I hate my own cooking, so I’m glad somebody’s taking over. She did cook one time, and it was very good. It was spaghetti squash, and it was amazing. I had more portions than I should have had.
Kathy: It’s also nice to have my mom’s cooking because she’s definitely a much better cook than I am, especially with the Chinese food I grew up eating. One of the reasons I was kind of excited to move home was because there are some life skills that I would like my parents to teach me now. One of them is to cook the traditional Chinese dishes that I grew up eating, and the other is for my dad to teach me how to fix my car.
Betty: My husband and I have been empty-nesters for a while, so it takes time to adjust. Most of the time, after dinner, we fall asleep on the couch. But since she’s here, we get more involved after dinner, doing some family activity.
Kathy: You and dad still fall asleep on the couch.
Betty: But we do more things now before we do! Before, we would watch TV and fall asleep on the sofa, then get up and go to bed. But with Kathy here, we manage our own time better. We play cards together.
Kathy: We did, and she didn’t like it.
Betty: It’s too complicated for me. I don’t like counting points. I don’t like the strategy. But at least we’re getting involved in some kind of social activity.
Can I bring one thing up? I don’t want to clean the house. Can we hire a maid to do it?
Kathy: Do you think that’s a good idea right now?
Betty: I was cleaning the bathroom, and I don’t really want to do it anymore. I was thinking about having someone come over every other week.
Kathy: We’ll talk about that post-Covid. It’s only been a week. So we’ll see how it is in like, a few weeks. When I moved in, I was like, “You and Dad, are you gonna be loud in the morning?” Because they wake up really early. I wake up at 8:20, and then I sign on to work at 8:30. That’s just my schedule. So I asked them to please be quiet and not wake me up. My dad wakes up super early, and he’ll be in the kitchen banging around. I was like, “Alright, can we all just be quiet?”
Betty: We try to follow her instructions.
Kathy: I appreciate it. I don’t want to wake up at 6 am!
Betty: I’m just happy that she’s home. So I’ll do everything for now. I don’t know how long my own patience will be. But now, I will accommodate anything that will keep her here and in the house.
Kathy: If stuff returns to a new normal, or some semblance of that, I think I would definitely still want to live on my own or live with my roommate. It’s just that I like having that bit of freedom. I don’t have to tell her where I’m going because I’m not going anywhere. But if that were a thing, I think I would just get tired of, you know, being accountable to another person because I haven’t had to do that for a long time. So if this were forever, I think we would of course make it work because what else are you going to do? But I don’t think I’d want to live here past Covid.
Betty: I think she’ll be here at least another year.
Kathy: That’s a long time.
Betty: It doesn’t make sense to move back here for four months and then move back again. All that back and forth.
Kathy: I’ll hire movers.
Julie Vadnal is a writer and creator of the newsletter JULES. Her work has appeared in Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Glamour, Domino, and Real Simple.
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vox--2020-10-21--The 6 types of tidy people: A comic

The 6 types of tidy people: A comic

Part of The Home Issue of The Highlight , our home for ambitious stories that explain our world .
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vox--2020-10-21--US intelligence officials say Iran and Russia obtained voter registration information to interfere i

US intelligence officials say Iran and Russia obtained voter registration information to interfere in election

Iran and Russia are using voter registration data to interfere in the US election , top national security officials announced during a surprise press conference Wednesday night .
Iran is behind the spoof emails to some voters , and is spreading disinformation online about sending fraudulent ballots from overseas , Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said Wednesday .
Russia , too , has gotten access to voter registration data , just as it did in 2016 , he said .
Both Ratcliffe and FBI Director Christopher Wray said no votes have been compromised .
“ Today , that [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wray said Wednesday .
“ You should be confident that your vote counts.
” National security officials didn ’ t really offer many other details in their abrupt announcement .
The spoof emails appear to be those sent to some voters in Alaska and Florida , which claimed to be sent from the Proud Boys , a far-right organization .
The emails reportedly targeted Democratic voters , claiming they had access to voting infrastructure and threatening them if they did not vote for Trump .
The Washington Post reported before the press conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was behind the emails .
Officials did not elaborate on how they concluded Iran was behind the spoof emails and other disinformation , nor did they give many details about Russia ’ s potential activities .
Ratcliffe said that the disinformation promoted by Iran was intended to “ incite social unrest ” and damage President Donald Trump , though , again he did not offer more details about that conclusion .
Neither Ratcliffe nor Wray took questions .
A person familiar with the intelligence told Vox that , with the email campaign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is not necessarily true of all of their malign activities .
But the idea here was “ to create a backlash against Trump because he ’ s in bed with an abhorrent group.
” All in all , it was a pretty odd press conference .
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has already warned the public against foreign interference in the 2020 election , much of which is designed to sow discord and undermine faith in the democratic process .
So this kind of divisive , disinformation campaign was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , voter registration data is publicly available , and so it ’ s not clear what exactly it means when officials say foreign actors obtained voter registration data .
In 2016 , Russia did target voting systems in all 50 states , though no voter information or votes were changed .
“ Voter data , including partisan affiliation , is PUBLIC , ” David Becker , the executive director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research , tweeted .
“ Easy to get and in some cases free .
The fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NOT indication of any data breach.
” The press conference is notable for what officials didn ’ t say In August , the ODNI named Russia , China , and Iran as the primary election interference threats .
But each have different goals when it comes to foreign interference .
As experts told me earlier this year , Russia is very much focused on creating chaos , while Iran and China are less eager to see the US in disarray , and more eager to push their national objectives .
Still , Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to spread propaganda and divisive content , and based on the announcement tonight , they ’ re seeing an opening to go further in 2020 .
“ In recent years , Iranian information operations have continued to push boundaries using bold and innovative approaches .
However , this incident marks a fundamental shift in our understanding of Iran ’ s willingness to interfere in the democratic process , ” said John Hultquist , senior director of analysis for Mandiant Threat Intelligence , said in an emailed statement .
This kind of disinformation campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sophistication , though Iran ’ s capabilities , especially when it comes to cyber operations , are not quite at the level of Russia and China .
And while officials did not go into details about what Russia was up to , the Kremlin is very much interfering in the 2020 election , spreading online disinformation and by trying to plant denigrating information about Democratic candidate Joe Biden .
And more questions have come up after the New York Post published emails purportedly from Hunter Biden , which were given to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those emails were an attempt to drum up a scandal about Biden ’ s dealings in Ukraine , which has continued to percolate in right-wing circles .
Giuliani had also previously worked with Andrii Derkach , a Ukrainian politician that the US government sanctioned for interfering in the 2020 election .
DNI Ratcliffe previously said that “ there is no intelligence that supports ” that the Hunter Biden emails were “ part of a Russian disinformation campaign.
” The FBI has told Congress it has “ nothing to add ” to Ratcliffe ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actual source of the emails ( the story given to the New York Post about where the laptop came from , is well , something ) is still unclear , and dozens of former intelligence officials have said the emails have all the “ earmarks ” of classic Russian disinformation .
Again , officials did not give any details Wednesday as to Russia ’ s activities , and didn ’ t address anything related to the Hunter Biden emails .
But given the lingering questions around the story , the timing of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia is notable .
Also , when it comes to Iran , the Trump administration is also engaged in a maximum pressure campaign against the regime , and has consistently called attention to Iran ’ s misdeeds as justification for sanctions and other tough measures .
Still , all threats to intervene or meddle in the US elections are serious .
Iran , or Russia , or anyone else are exploiting the divisions and partisan tensions already in US society , and with just two weeks before Election Day , much of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As FBI Director Wray said Wednesday , and the best place for accurate , up-to-date voter information is your state election officials .
Because voters should know that it ’ s only going to get worse from here until Election Day .

Iran and Russia are using voter registration data to interfere in the US elections, top national security officials announced during a surprise press conference Wednesday night.
Iran is behind the spoof emails to some voters, and is spreading disinformation online about sending fraudulent ballots from overseas, Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said Wednesday. Russia has also gotten access to voter registration data, just as it did in 2016, he said.
Both Ratcliffe and FBI Director Christopher Wray said no votes have been compromised. “Today, that [election] infrastructure remains resilient,” Wray said Wednesday. “You should be confident that your vote counts.”
National security officials didn’t really offer many other details in their abrupt announcement. The spoof emails appear to be those sent to some voters in Alaska and Florida, which claimed to be sent from the Proud Boys, a far-right organization. The emails reportedly targeted Democratic voters, claiming they had access to voting infrastructure and threatening them if they did not vote for Trump.
The Washington Post reported before the press conference that the US government had concluded Iran was behind the emails.
Threatening emails like this -- purporting to be from the Proud Boys -- are being sent to voters in Florida and Alaska.
We do not know who is behind them, but whoever it is is taking a lot of steps to mask their identity. https://t.co/cB3RpocA5i pic.twitter.com/NjYti0ufbe — Donie O'Sullivan (@donie) October 21, 2020
Officials did not elaborate on how they concluded Iran was behind the spoof emails and other disinformation, nor did they give many details about Russia’s potential activities. Ratcliffe said the disinformation promoted by Iran was intended to “incite social unrest” and damage President Donald Trump, though, again he did not offer more details about that conclusion. Neither Ratcliffe nor Wray took questions.
A person familiar with the intelligence told Vox that, with the email campaign, Iran intended to hurt Trump, but that is not necessarily true of all of their malign activities. But the idea here was “to create a backlash against Trump because he’s in bed with an abhorrent group.”
All in all, it was a pretty odd press conference. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has already warned the public against foreign interference in the 2020 election, much of which is designed to sow discord and undermine faith in the democratic process. So this kind of divisive, disinformation campaign was expected.
And as many have pointed out, voter registration rolls are publicly available, and so it’s not clear what exactly it means when officials say foreign actors obtained voter registration data. In 2016, Russia did target voting systems in all 50 states, though no voter information or votes were changed.
“Voter data, including partisan affiliation, is PUBLIC,” David Becker, the executive director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research, tweeted. “Easy to get and in some cases free. The fact that this data is out there is NOT indication of any data breach.”
The press conference is notable for what officials didn’t say
In August, the ODNI named Russia, China, and Iran as the primary election interference threats. But each have different goals when it comes to foreign interference. As experts told me earlier this year, Russia is very much focused on creating chaos, while Iran and China are less eager to see the US in disarray, and more eager to push their national objectives.
Still, Iran in the past has used social media to spread propaganda and divisive content, and based on Wednesday night’s announcement, they’re seeing an opening to go further in 2020.
“In recent years, Iranian information operations have continued to push boundaries using bold and innovative approaches. However, this incident marks a fundamental shift in our understanding of Iran’s willingness to interfere in the democratic process,” John Hultquist, senior director of analysis for Mandiant Threat Intelligence, said in an emailed statement.
This kind of disinformation campaign doesn’t take a whole lot of sophistication, though Iran’s capabilities, especially when it comes to cyber operations, are not quite at the level of Russia and China.
While officials did not go into details about what Russia was up to, the Kremlin is very much interfering in the 2020 election, spreading online disinformation, and by trying to plant denigrating information about Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. And more questions have emerged after the New York Post published emails purportedly from Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, which were given to the paper by Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Those emails were an attempt to drum up a scandal about Biden’s dealings in Ukraine, which has continued to percolate in right-wing circles. Giuliani had also previously worked with Andrii Derkach, a Ukrainian politician that the US government sanctioned for interfering in the 2020 election.
Ratcliffe previously said that “there is no intelligence that supports” that the Hunter Biden emails were “part of a Russian disinformation campaign.” The FBI has told Congress it has “nothing to add” to Ratcliffe’s statement.
But the authenticity and actual source of the emails (the story given to the New York Post about where the laptop came from, is well, something) is still unclear, and dozens of former intelligence officials have said the emails have all the “earmarks” of classic Russian disinformation.
Again, officials did not give any details Wednesday as to Russia’s activities, and didn’t address anything related to the Hunter Biden emails. But given the lingering questions around the story, the timing of a press conference to call out Iran and Russia is notable. When it comes to Iran, the Trump administration is also engaged in a maximum pressure campaign against the regime, and has consistently called attention to Iran’s misdeeds as justification for sanctions and other tough measures.
Still, all threats to intervene or meddle in the US elections are serious. Iran, or Russia, or anyone else are exploiting the divisions and partisan tensions already in US society, and with just two weeks before Election Day, much of it will be geared toward depressing turnout. As FBI Director Wray said Wednesday, the best place for accurate, up-to-date voter information is your state election officials. Because voters should know that it’s only going to get worse from here until Election Day.
Alex Ward contributed reporting to this story.