Embracing creative acts of kindness

To the Editor,

As seen in several photos in this issue, creative acts of kindness can lift community spirits. For instance, a father-daughter trombone duo has been playing music on weekends from their driveway, to the delight of neighbors and passers-by.

Last Sunday, this was shut down by a police officer. He presumably was concerned that the live music could draw people to congregate in unhealthy proximity.

However, on this corner, the handful of people who paused in their afternoon strolls to listen were maintaining generous distance from one another. Others were listening from their own porches or through windows.

We are facing the challenges of a marathon, not a sprint. I think it would be delightful if warmer weather brought frequent family performances wafting from porches and driveways. We should foster pastimes that can be sustained while following all evidence-based recommendations and regulations on social distancing. Policy (whether in the halls of government or in local meadows) that runs ahead of or aslant expert opinion risks undermining public buy-in. Likewise, enforcement that exceeds regulations can undermine the resolve of citizens, perhaps especially young people, to observe necessary constraints. 

Preserving a healthy community absolutely requires that we all follow CDC recommendations. But when we can find safe and enjoyable ways to interact at a distance, we should embrace them.

Lauren Shohet
Swarthmore