By Cathy Iino.
Hello, Killingworth-
Over the next two weeks we will be approaching the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic in Connecticut. This is not a drill. The state reported 58 coronavirus-related deaths on Wednesday, bringing the current total to 335 (and there is a significant backlog in processing reports). The United States now has 15,000 deaths; the world has 100,000. Those are big numbers.
With all of the statistics we get each day, I, for one, find it easy to lose sight of the humanity behind the totals. I learned this morning of the first death of someone in the Killingworth community, a 55-year-old man. Like all the other victims, he had a family, a history, a circle of colleagues and friends. The sorrow is deeper because we must not physically come together to mourn the loss and celebrate the life.
So many people in Killingworth have responded to this crisis with an impulse to reach out and help. I am ever more impressed and humbled by the generosity of spirit in our town. The challenge is to reach out without actually reaching out. We have to provide assistance to individuals while protecting the whole society.
The Killingworth Lions have done that by conducting their food collections at the Transfer Station according to the distancing guidelines for preventing coronavirus infection. Please note that the Killingworth Lions will not be at the Transfer Station today, Thursday, April 9, on account of the weather. They will be back on Saturday, April 11. Please give what you can.
Last Saturday, the Lions also delivered almost 60 bags of groceries–including toilet paper–to residents who count on Helping Hands, which coordinated the effort. The bags were delivered without close contact. Thanks also to Shoprite, which provided the bags packed full of nonperishable groceries at a discount to the town.
A shout-out to Francesco Lulaj and La Foresta restaurant, which delivered meals to every home in the Beechwood Community–again, minding the guidelines and avoiding personal contact.
Our mask making corps has also found a way to provide a vitally needed service while remaining in their homes. I’ve been bowled over by the resourcefulness, craftswomanship, and care that has gone into this effort. We have a squad of people working through Town Hall but many others arranging safe private distribution.
If you are an essential worker, or if you are someone in contact with vulnerable people and you would like hand-made face masks, please call Town Hall at 860-663-1765, ext. 201, and leave a message.
As we approach the peak of the epidemic in Connecticut, it is more important than ever that everyone except for essential workers avoid going out into public. We honor those essential workers, from doctors and nurses to grocery store staff, from fire fighters to ambulance crews. But the line from the old, John Milton poem has never been more true: “They also serve who only stand and wait.”
Stay home, stay safe–
Cathy
