Aleena Nasruddin, Editor-in-Chief
@aleenacourant
As the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown continue, high schoolers are finding ways to help out and bond with their community during these times of isolation.
Sophomore Clara Bloom is currently sewing Tyvek protective gowns to deliver to the health care workers at Waveny Care Center and Silver Hill hospital. Clara is receiving materials for the gowns and plans to sew five when they arrive. Her mom initially heard about the need for gowns through the Lapham Community Center newsletter, which is currently in need of 100 gowns. “Hospitals around the country are filled to more than capacity, so it’s really important for us to do as much as we can to help our healthcare workers by making sure they have enough supplies and that they are protected,” Clara said.
Sophomore Taylor Flowers partnered with a senior citizen to talk with over the phone through her church, St. Marks Episcopal Church in New Canaan. Taylor has casual conversations with her partner, who is 99 years old, and they have often chatted about her partner’s childhood. “Calling senior citizens is so important because it raises people’s spirits to know someone else wants to talk to them,” Taylor said. “My buddy always tells me she loves that a young person wants to talk to her.”
Taylor’s partner lived with her sister until she passed away recently, so Taylor finds it important to chat with her partner that often feels alone. “I think it is important for senior citizens to stay positive and see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Taylor said. “The depression, loneliness, and anxiety from COVID-19 is dangerous and possibly the last thing senior citizens need on their plate,” Taylor said.
In addition to individuals pursuing their own ways to benefit the community, groups such as Musical Moments, led by sophomore Catherine Burges and freshman Serena Platt, have been sending videos of themselves playing musical pieces to the Waveny Care Center. These snippets of various musical instruments are then streamed on the TV’s in resident’s rooms. The group put recordings of each member playing a section of the Armed Forces anthem on top of each other to create a virtual concert, while they showed a slideshow with images of veterans in honor of Memorial Day. “A virtual concert adds the challenge of dealing with technology, and it was definitely something we spent hours thinking about and planning ahead to make sure things would go smoothly,” Catherine said. “Luckily, this is something that we both love and want to do, so it doesn’t even feel like work.”
Catherine is friends with many of the senior citizens at the Waveny Care Center and she hopes to remind residents that they are not alone during this time of isolation. “I have played piano at a variety of senior centers and it is incredible to see the joy and happiness on the faces of residents after playing one song,” Catherine said. “Even though we can’t physically see the senior citizens in person, we should be doing everything in our power to help care for them and produce any positivity we can.”
“When we perform, I am hopeful that this upcoming concert will send the message that Musical Moments and the New Canaan community cares,” Catherine said. “Sending these videos in and holding a virtual concert helps provide hope to residents and remind them that they are not alone during this time of isolation.”
Musical Moments co-founder Serena Platt said she is looking for ways to be beneficial, while also encouraging others to be so as well. “It can be more difficult for senior citizens because they are older and they are probably concerned about their health,” Serena said. “We stress the importance of creating these concerts because it brings senior citizens peace and joy, and in return can give us joy as well.”
Musical Moments hosted a patriotic concert, in particular, because it is something everyone can relate to and honor veterans for Memorial Day. “We’re hoping that they will love it just as much, even if it is just a recording.”
The group plans to continue to provide the Waveny Care Center with virtual concerts until the end of quarantine. “Now that I have so much time on my hands, I can create something special for other people,” Serena said. “This is a great time for our community to bond because we are all going through this pandemic together.”
