Las Vegas Weekly 2020 was terrible in many ways, yet the pandemic spawned some positives we hope carry on ... Increased communication with friends and family through technology When a friend sent me a video message out of the blue in the springtime, I have to admit I rolled my eyes, silently complaining about the prospects of adding another social app to my chaotic personal timeline. But that invitation to link up on Marco Polo ended up as my main salvation this year. Also: Hand-washing stations in casinos Without having to schedule an appointment, I’ve been able to see my real and honorary nieces and nephews lip-syncing to Bad Bunny, squashing raspberries into every crispy well on the surface of a waffle, dancing their way through bedroom glow-stick raves and telling their quarantined grandma how much they love and miss her. It’s been a long time since we’ve been together, but I’ve actually seen these kids more this year than the ones before. Why weren’t we doing this all along?