Turn it off. Not just trump. All of it.

[themaguffin]

This isn't healthy to watch daily and especially for extended periods, even if watching competent, trustworthy people.

We generally know how the day is going to go.

Step back.

I can open up any news site, FB, etc and in less than one minute see enough headlines to see the continued terrible news.

For our mental health and stamina, take a step back.

No, I'm not suggesting living in a cave, but I think you know what I mean.

Stay safe everyone.

[jberryhill]

1. Yup

Only way to get anything productive done.

Eventually, looking back... what you will have gotten done will be more worthwhile than the time you spent watching TV.

[luvtheGWN]

32. Some 75-80 years ago

our parents and/or grandparents gathered round the old radio every evening to listen to news of the war. The rest of the time they spent living their own lives, working, knitting socks and mufflers for the boys "over there", helping the Red Cross pack boxes for the ones who were captured and in prison camps, growing Victory gardens, buying war bonds -- all the while not knowing if they were going to hear their son's name on the list of dead or missing.

All we're asked to do is stay at home. Problem is -- our media are far too accessible, and so we worry worry worry.

[rickyhall]

44. And they had grandpa Franklin Roosevelt's soothing voice is his Fireside Chats.

Compared to The Carnival Barker...

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. yes. as I've said here, we've had it all turned off for 10 years

we are no less knowledgeable, but far happier

[redstatebluegirl]

3. We have a lot of DVDs in our house.

We do not have Netflix or any of those things. We have dvd sets of old tv that we have purchased st estate sales over the years. We have watched old Tonight Shows with Johnny Carson, MASH, Rockford Files, West Wing, and old westerns like Laramie and Gunsmoke. It makes us feel good.

I have been reading in my garden that has begun to bloom. The dogs give us much love. I work remotely for a few hours since I am part time. I try to stay away from TV. I DVR Nicole Wallace and watch her.

I agree we need to stay as sane as possible.

[themaguffin]

6. I love Rockford Files. I have Columbo on DVD too.

[redstatebluegirl]

8. We have been looking for Columbo!

My husband is to cheap to get them from Amazon.. we have been pretty lucky finding them at sales.

[themaguffin]

10. I boought the whole set a few years back, but if you don't want to buy them, I believe that

they are on the "IMDB" Channel which is a free channel available through Amazon Prime (Amazon owns IMDB) and is free content, but does have some commercials.

[MerryBlooms]

12. There are a bunch uploaded to Youtube.

[redstatebluegirl]

15. Thanks!

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

4. Yeah, after spending 10 - 15 minutes looking through articles

I find most of it to be redundant. Some articles are written with the intent to get people all riled up or scared. Same deal with TV news. It's not good to subject yourself to non-stop negativity and sensationalism. I set up my Alexa to give me the headlines for CNN, ABC, and Portland Press Herald so I can just get the run down on the news while I am taking a shower in the morning. There really isn't much more to know beyond what is given in those briefings. I also added Word of the Day and This Day in History briefings too. I also used to get the Jimmy Kimmel opener, but there hasn't been a new one of those in a while.

[kentuck]

5. There is always Netflix.

Ozarks has new episodes.

[MerryBlooms]

7. Yay! Rec!! I know what I'm watching tonight.

[tman]

9. No cable news since Nov 2016. Feels great.

[Hortensis]

11. Gotta read/skim a newspaper a day, though, balance with

a second newspaper or journal, both chosen for reputations for integrity (understanding most work to keep the RW in power this era). Skimming doesn't take long, open the subsections for business and foreign affairs, etc. There's where to find more balancing information. Occasionally check on what other, more outlier sources are saying, Propublica for instance.

Otherwise, agree entirely. Never watch the boob tube for news or politics except maybe a favorite show or two you trust.

Huge no to Facebook news because we're not stupid and self destructive.

[Skidmore]

13. I do a couple of hours

each morning getting articles on relevant topics onto media outlet Twitter boards. Sometimes they make it on. Researchers don't hit local stories. Too many of them. Drawing attention helps, I like to think.

Now I 'll watch a movie after some chores. Yesterday, it was Dark Shadows. That was a hoot. Tim Burton is such a director. Today I may finish watching Vienna Blood, an excellent Victorian period series. Watching it slowly to savor the detail.

[panader0]

14. Why come to DU then?

Covid, Trump, covid, trump etc etc.
In fact, there are more biting, in-depth bits of info here than on tv.

[themaguffin]

19. I have spent a lot less time here as well.

[HarlanPepper]

21. There's also a lot of bad hot takes from pop up psuedo experts who want to play the big role.

Like they have some special insight. So there’s that, too.

[bdamomma]

29. I will still come here for news

it is more informative, but I refuse to watch the killer of all this.

[uponit7771]

46. +1

[Initech]

16. It's definitely taken a serious toll on my mental health.

And I've never really felt this way about anything until Coronavirus came along. Right now I feel like the less I pay attention to the news, the better.

[DeminPennswoods]

17. Yep

That's what I've done for the most part.

[Kilgore]

18. Fully agree

For now my days are better spent fishing, hiking, boating, doing home improvement projects and gardening.

Way too much hair on fire and hand wringing for me.

[The Magistrate]

20. There Is Something To That, Sir

People know what is happening, the details do not matter.

Everyone must soldier on, aware of dire danger which cannot be predicted, and cannot really be warded off. Steps can be taken to minimize the risk one runs, but the risk cannot be reduced to zero.

Recognizing neither safety nor control may be had can prove oddly liberating.

[kentuck]

22. As the late Kenny Rogers used to sing...

You gotta know when to hold and know when to fold 'em, Sir.

Know when to walk away and know when to run.

[DFW]

25. I don't let it become an obsession. As a matter of fact, I just dropped in....

...to see what condition my condition was in.

[Boomerproud]

34. OMG thanks for the first laugh I've had in weeks.

The local tv stations are pathetic with their constant self promotion and self congratulations.

[DFW]

36. Glad to provide ten seconds of distraction!

Even over here, we don't hear much else, although there is enough reporting on other subjects to relieve the monotony with some frequency.

[kentuck]

38. It is pretty intense.

It is good that spring is here and we can get outside to the garden.

[DFW]

40. Same here

Plus, we have a huge park outside the house that has trails that stretch all the way to Duisburg and even Wuppertal. Good for getting lost in the woods (my wife has a Ph.D. in getting lost in the woods).

[bucolic_frolic]

23. No, we shouldn't be encouraging people to disengage

Disengage is what got us into this mess. Disengage is not what won 2018. Disengage enables MAGA cults and gives them room to maneuver into the national psyche. It won't all magically go away any more than coronavirus. Personal time is fine, but we need educated informed citizens and voters.

[JenniferJuniper]

28. I agree completely. Depressing as it is,

we cannot look away.

[bdamomma]

30. for sure

we need to keep informed.

[themaguffin]

37. I'm not saying disengage. What addtional engagement does one get from fixating on reptitious "news?"

[Cozmo]

24. I'm lovin' on my dog, every chance I get

[lindysalsagal]

26. Yup. Between DU and WAPO, I'm good. The rest is noise.

[hay rick]

27. Agree.

[gordianot]

31. The only reason I watch Trump is to see which new disaster is coming.

I judge for myself sort of like defensive driving.

[SummerSnow]

33. I agree. I have been watching funny pets videos on YouTube.

[marieo1]

35. Great Advice

Thank You.........I watch a little to keep abreast of what is going on, but if I watch too much it depresses me so much I feel downcast all day. This is excellent advice. We have to survive this and enjoy health and happiness as much as possible.

[Thekaspervote]

39. Thank you!! I haven't watched a years. CNN is the only one not airing dotard pressers

KUDOS to them! For those that continue to watch please don’t watch the channels that are still airing his bull shit!! PLEASE

[TNNurse]

41. We watch the morning news

and in the evening for the weather.

If the TV is on it is for movies, TV shows we like and lots of cooking and home renovation stuff.

24 hr attention to this is not fixing anything.

[RobinA]

42. Couldn't Agree More

I am currently receiving radiation therapy and I'm in the radiation oncology office of my hospital and they've got all virus all the time blaring on TV in the waiting room. Who in that office (or really anywhere) needs that? I know I'm being treated for a deadly disease in the middle of a freakin' pandemic. I know I have to go to the office every weekday for 5 weeks, I know I could get sick and have to halt treatment if I get too sick. I know I have to work on top of that and live with a 90-year-old. I know I could get the staff there sick.
Most people in there are higher risk than I am when it comes to Corona and have similar things going on in our lives. Who needs to be reminded of this at top volume?

I gave up cable news 30 years ago and the manic tone and breathless pronouncements REALLY get on your nerves once you are desensitized. Sheesh, put on Antiques Roadshow, or SOMETHING of general interest that is less distressing than what is going on in the world at the moment.

[paleotn]

43. Agreed.

Personally, I quickly get tired of them repeating the same stuff over and over and over. I check in occasionally to see what's new, but the vast majority of CNN, MSNBC etc. is rehash upon rehash to fill the hours. And it's not healthy to subject one's self to all that rehash. The problem with the 24/7 news biz is too many hours, not enough actual breaking news to fill them.

[Amaryllis]

45. I liken it to a soap opera where you get addicted to see what is going to happen next, even

though you know it will only be variations on a theme.

I know what you mean and have to curb that urge to check yet again to see the latest.