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Resident Story

August 20, 2020
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Neil. S first heard about the coronavirus on the news. Like much of the rest of the world at the time, he thought it was something that would pass quickly, something that was almost 7,000 miles away and in no way going to affect them. But news of the rapid spread of the virus continued and then whole countries in Europe started to shut down, the virus was getting closer to home. On March 5th, the first case of COVID-19 was reported in San Francisco. It was home and it was worrying, especially since as a senior he is part of a vulnerable population. He said “I’d never seen anything like this in my life”, and he’s seen a lot!

Neil. S first heard about the coronavirus on the news. Like much of the rest of the world at the time, he thought it was something that would pass quickly, something that was almost 7,000 miles away and in no way going to affect them. But news of the rapid spread of the virus continued and then whole countries in Europe started to shut down, the virus was getting closer to home. On March 5th, the first case of COVID-19 was reported in San Francisco. It was home and it was worrying, especially since as a senior he is part of a vulnerable population. He said “I’d never seen anything like this in my life”, and he’s seen a lot!

He experienced what the world was like during World War II as a young child. He then journeyed from his home state of Missouri to Southern California, then to San Francisco, where he finally settled in the late ’50s. He’s explored the world as a Merchant Marine for 13 years with stops in Vietnam, The Philippines, and Japan. From the beginning of the pandemic, he limited the time he spent outside his home, when he did go out it was only for the essentials: cleaning supplies, toilet paper, masks, gloves, and groceries.

His favorite service we provide for him is the daily meal delivery because now he has to go out less for groceries, saving him money. When he does go out, he always makes sure to have a pair of gloves and a mask on. He even took one of his pocket squares and fashioned it into a homemade mask.

“It didn’t work too well…I don’t sew too good,” he said with a loud laugh and then pointed to a blue patterned pocket square on the table in front of him with two pieces of yarn crudely attached to each side of it.

A little bit after the start of the pandemic, I made a wellness call to him. I remember the call very well, because when you talk to Neil you can feel the humor, compassion and an adventurous spirit that he carries. He’s always ready with a joke! When I asked him what essential food items he needed, he replied “Lobster” with a hearty chuckle. When he’s not cracking a joke, he’s talking about the many causes he supports. His apartment door is covered with stickers that read: Stand up for Science, No Farms No Food, I (heart) Parks, Vote to Elect a Progressive Future.

Neil is not just a true San Franciscan, even though he’s lived in the city for 50 Years now, but a true citizen of the world. As we finished our interview, I asked if there was anything else that he wanted to add. Without thinking he said “I want people to know that I’m grateful for the first responders who are helping out in all of this, I want to say thank you to them”.

Learn more about our Service Connection program here!

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