Arlington Coronavirus: City Encourages Safe, Distant Socializing

ARLINGTON, MA — While Massachusetts residents are ordered to stay home through May 4 to lessen the spread of the new coronavirus, Arlington's new initiative encourages community connection from safe distance. The "6 feet at 6 p.m" initiative asks neighbors to check in with each other—by email, phone, virtual call, through a window or outside with at least 6 feet of distance—everyday at 6 p.m.

When the city rolled out the concept late last week, resident Rebecca Wolfe saw it mentioned in a text alert.

"This [pandemic] has been really tough on everybody, so the idea of something so simple and easy as a way to check-in and make sure everybody is okay...that seemed like just a happy and delightful thing to have during some very long days," Wolfe said.

While the first day seemed slow, it started picking up traction on Wolfe's block after she texted friends and neighbors to join her outside next day.

"The kids refused to come out the first day," she said about her 8 and 11-year old. "Now the kids sort of count on it."

Arlington Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine was excited to see feedback on social media using #Arlington6at6, especially the pictures that show neighbors clearly keeping more than 6 feet between themselves. As of Thursday afternoon, Arlington had 24 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a county reporting 1,870 cases, making social distancing critical for the city.

"We're committed to this balance of the importance of keeping our distance psychical or socially to stop the transmission of the the virus," he said. "But we're also committed to making sure people in our community don't feel isolated and are still connected."

Chapdelaine said he hopes that the initiative is one way the city will come out of the coronavirus pandemic as a stronger community. In the short-term, Wolfe is excited to see more neighbors after a day of virtual calls on her computer.

"It's as good as the people who come out," she said. "It's such a simple way to keep your energy up and remind us what's really important.