It is worth noting
and remembering the 2020, July 14 evening at the German Society of
Pennsylvania (GSP) where physical distancing and distant socializing
were a unique experience. The evening was lead by two meeting hosts,
one physically in Germany where it was 2 to 3 hours past midnight and
one in the Leidy Terrace garden area of the GSP in Philadelphia with an approximate
local start time of 7:00 PM. In attendance were professional musician
friends who practiced in the garden area, members of their families
and members of the German Society’s KA-Contact group that met every
Tuesday evening via Zoom since the end of March, the start of the
Covid-19 restrictions.
During most of the
second part of this evening’s Zoom meeting, the participants shared the
stories of their current week and recalled memorable moments of past
years in Germany, Austria and the Banat. The current Philadelphia to
Germany travel experience of the host who is now in Germany was discussed in detail.
Those who were
physically present in the garden area socialized with proper
distancing and enjoyed the music which could not be transmitted
satisfactorily via Zoom.
All of this is
taking place safely while Covid-19 weekly deaths per 100k of
population in the USA is more than twenty times that of Germany and as
Philadelphia announced the cancellation of all major events and
parades through January 2021.
It is worth noting
that – even in these complicated times – we can still create and
enjoy good and uplifting memorable moments with friends.
