Betty Christian hangs out on Pleasant Street now that the coronavirus has shut down Bakucare, an adult care center in Hadley. Christian had spent much of her time there socializing through games, activities and meals before it had to close.
Betty Christian hangs out on Pleasant Street now that the coronavirus has shut down Bakucare, an adult care center in Hadley. Christian had spent much of her time there socializing through games, activities and meals before it had to close.

The past week and a half brought great change to our community and how we act in it regarding the spread of COVID-19. With Gov. Charlie Baker’s announcement that we are “in the surge,” the city of Northampton issued a new order mandating that customers and employees of essential businesses wear face coverings in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus (employees who can maintain social distancing on site are an exception to the rule). 

While getting pictures for a story about the city’s order, I visited Miss Florence Diner last Wednesday to watch their curbside pickup operation in action. Although the order from Public Health Director Merridith O’Leary didn’t go into effect until the next day, employee Tamara Lawrence wore a mask as she readied orders and carried them to waiting customers. Inside, booths and tables were displaced since it’s a great time to clean everything, explained Georgianna Brunton, the owner of the historic eatery.

Down the street at Florence Towing and Auto Repair, Joe Roberts wore a face covering while pumping gas, but he’s been donning one for weeks.

“Any kind of precaution we can take, it’s gonna be worth it,” he said.

I’ve noticed that people who have chosen to be out are wearing face coverings much more than in weeks past. I’ve been wearing one when I visit an essential business, regardless of a particular city or town’s mandate.

Last Thursday, I drove to Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield to get a photo of Dr. Sundeep Shukla, an emergency room doctor, for our “From the Front Lines” series. While shooting Shukla in front of the hospital, I could see their drive-through COVID-19 testing area set up in a closed parking lot. “Every day is a challenge,” he said.

I met Jordie Kern on Monday, who suggested to his neighbors in the Amherst Hills subdivision that they collectively run, walk, bike or jog 5,000 miles as a way to stay active, keep everyone’s spirits up and show support for health care workers and other front-line workers. Forty-two families are taking part in it. I got a shot of his son, Eli, as he skateboarded by me, along with many of their neighbors who were out exercising in the sunny 60-degree weather.

Everyone seems to exercising more, including me. When entertainment and socializing is limited and you’ve been asked to stay at home, going for a bike ride or walking your dog either alone or with others can be refreshing and, somehow, it makes everything seem more normal.

Perhaps Dmitry Gordievsky of Easthampton, who I photographed with his friend Patrick Smith, related this best while pausing during their bike ride. “I savor every sunny day now,” he said, adding that being outside reminds him that “I’m still human, and everything is OK.”