I bought a gun but I have no idea how to use it, or anything about it really (have had it for a while and never went shooting with it) What should be my first steps? Especially because of the pandemic going on, is it still a good idea to get training or go to a range?
I recommend watching Tacticool Girlfriend's videos on firearm safety in order to get a basic understanding of safety concepts. Safety is simple and intuitive, but it needs to be a constant concern. The number one thing I like to stress is awareness. Be always aware of where the muzzle is, be always aware of the condition (loaded? unloaded? safetied? chamber clear?) of your firearm, things like that. Even when you think you know your weapon is clear, check it before doing anything with it.
Here's a solid checklist of things to learn, I would say before going out to shoot with it. You may already know some or all of these things, so I apologize if this sounds condescending, but I'm also posting to record something for future people looking for resources:
You're right that ranges aren't always safe. Gun people are given to some chud proclivities, to word it more politely than most deserve, and one of those chud proclivities is to not give a fuck about the "china virus" and to have a nasty chip on their shoulder about it. Call ahead to an outdoor range, ask if they're open, ask what restrictions they have for quarantine, ask if you can stay safely distanced while shooting there. Not all ranges will be able to provide that, don't go to those. Don't go to an indoor range, pick an outdoor range. I say this as a hwhite person, but I was open with what I didn't know and what I was new to, the range staff were very welcoming to a novice. In my experience, gun folk are given to chud proclivities but there's a certain amount of respect for being straight-up with them. I mean, I didn't say I was a socialist, and I would recommend biting your tongue over talking about politics, but if someone is trying to pressure you into talking about politics, what worked for me has been to say that you disagree but you'd rather focus on the guns that you both agree over rather than the politics you don't. You run the risk of finding assholes, and of assholes finding you, try and disengage.
Also worth noting that you can usually shoot on BLM land. Bureau of Land Management, not to the cool BLM in this case. Check your local ordinances and if it's allowed, check to see if there are any safe spots, consider getting into contact with your local chapter of the Socialist Rifle Association if you've got one, they usually have a good read on the safe places to shoot.