Like anything right now, things are moving fast in the social response to COVID-19.
The newest addition to the calendar of “new normal” is the nightly, 7 p.m. thank-you to frontline and other essential workers.
As of March 23 at 7 p.m., Oak Bay and Victoria residents have taken to playing the trombone, banging drums, pots and pans, clapping, cheering, singing and dancing in honour of the frontline workers such as nurses, doctors, pharmacists.
Pulled out trombone for the first time in 25 years! Remembered “Oh, when the Saints go marching in!” which seemed appropriate! Had a few neighbours join in, but let’s really do this tomorrow night! Same time, 7:00 pm, #OakBay for our #HealthcareHeroes at the Jubilee! pic.twitter.com/hCFqViXMXV
— Michelle Kirby (@MichelleKOakBay) March 24, 2020
“This is the only fun an extrovert can have in these circumstances, a coping mechanism for extroverts, you get outside, interacting with others,” said former Oak Bay councillor Michelle Kirby. “And it’s for a great cause, I think we’re heard, I hope we’re heard.”
Deputy Premier Carole James commented she could hear the cheers echoing all the way from the Songhees walkway.
The timing, 7 p.m., is meant to correspond with the hospital workers evening shift change. And the movement has taken hold as hospital advocates are promoting it.
The trend to started in Vancouver last week and when Kirby saw it, the Dalhousie Street resident posted it to social media. She may even have been the first in town to do so.
“I hadn’t noticed anyone else doing it when I posted it,” Kirby said. “I emailed my neighbours and they all agreed and then we did it. “We started four of us the first night, [each] on our front porch.”
For Kirby, it meant dusting off the trombone. That was Monday. By Tuesday night, the movement had spread through Oak Bay and Victoria.
Pulled out trombone for the first time in 25 years! Remembered “Oh, when the Saints go marching in!” which seemed appropriate! Had a few neighbours join in, but let’s really do this tomorrow night! Same time, 7:00 pm, #OakBay for our #HealthcareHeroes at the Jubilee! pic.twitter.com/hCFqViXMXV
— Michelle Kirby (@MichelleKOakBay) March 24, 2020
For the record, Kirby’s repertoire is limited, so cut her some slack when you hear When the Saints go Marching In, again tonight, tomorrow night, and the next night.
The Oak Bay News is interested in what you’re doing to stay positive during the COVID-19 shutdown. Send stories, photos and video links to editor@oakbaynews.com.
Meanwhile, in the skyscrapers of Vancouver, the movement looks like this.
