Gary Sexton: Working, Running Trails, Learning Spanish

Gary Sexton, director of broadcasting at WYSU-FM, is hanging tough. You can read more about Gary at his bio on the WYSU website.

What are some ways the COVID-19 outbreak has changed your work life?

Over just a few days we have transformed 88.5 WYSU into an almost exclusively remote and automated operation.  Thanks to Chris Hartman, our engineer, I have a nice set-up in my home office that includes a couple dogs and a cat (the pets were already here).  The WYSU studios are empty now except for during NPR’s Morning Edition, live-hosted locally by associate director David Luscher, weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.; and All Things Considered live-hosted by me, weekdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Working with our news partners The Business Journal and Mahoning Matters, we have added hourly regional coronavirus news and information segments.  The rest of the WYSU staff are all doing exceptional support work from their home work stations.

How about your personal life?

I am working — more than ever, but since so much of that is at home, I am spending much more time with my wife, Sue, which is great.  The dogs, Addie and True, seem to like having us around all day, and believe it or not, the cats, Winnie, Phoebe, Annie and Mica, do, too.  They are not as indifferent as cats are said to be.

What steps are you taking to hang tough?

I have personal practices that serve me well, so I don’t feel like I am making any great effort to hang tough at the moment.  For one, I have never had any problem being alone. I also love the woods and have always sought out wild places, mainly in PA, and for the time being, I can still do that on weekends.  I can spend an entire day on remote trails and barely see a soul.  I also run daily, primarily alone, but sometimes with a friend; and I have a meditation practice. Sue and I have also been learning Spanish on Duolingo, so I do a few lessons every day; and I read a lot. I also do a fairly good job of not fretting about what I can’t control, which is, of course, being tested right now.

What advice are you sharing with the people you love?

This is going to get worse before it gets better, so be very, very strict about physical distancing.  Don’t compromise that. That is the main thing.  Keep checking up on your family, friends and neighbors.  Get outside and exercise.  And be obsessive about washing your hands.  You cannot wash your hands too much.

Be kind and patient to everyone, especially to those on the front lines of this.