A quick search of hashtags #TeamKentucky, #TogetherKY, #LiftUpLou or #HealthyatHome will show you that Kentuckians are finding ways spread happiness from home while trying to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Here are a few ways the people are Kentucky are being good neighbors.
Chalk Your Walk
One initiative urged neighbors to go outside and ‘chalk your walk’ – or paint uplifting notes using sidewalk chalk.
Kentucky sites like LouisvilleFamilyFun.net shared the idea, telling people to fill their walkways with positive messages, fun pictures, jokes and anything else kids and families could think of to brighten the day of anyone who walked by.
Search #ChalkYourWalk for examples across the country and share yours on social media.
Ring the Bells
Gov. Andy Beshear asked Kentucky churches to ring their bells at 10:00 EST each morning as a sign of hope and solidarity. As mass gatherings like in-person church services have been suspended, the governor made the special request to remind others that, “we’re all here and we are going to make it through and come out of this together.”
In a similar call, Louisville mayor Greg Fischer told Louisvillians to #RingThemBells by ringing bells, banging pots and pans, or making noise at 7:00 PM EST each Sunday evening. It was part of the mayor’s Lift Up Lou initiative to promote positivity in the city.
Light It Up
The Big Four Bridge in Louisville’s Waterfront Park and Governor’s Mansion in Frankfort are being lit green to inspire hope and resilience. Green is the color of compassion, empathy and renewal.
Friends and neighbors have also shared posts encouraging people to hang Christmas lights and decorations again. Finding new ways to seek comfort and joy while social distancing, the call to celebrate Christmas in March was shared on social media across the U.S.
Look for #CovidChristmas and #ChristmasinMarch to examples.
Make a Rainbow
After every storm, there is a rainbow. Neighbors on Facebook and NextDoor have encouraged others to put a rainbow in their window. Kids can walk the neighborhood at a safe social distance on a ‘rainbow hunt’ to find each one.
Sing a Song
Want to go the extra mile? Be like this Bourbon County middle school principal and cover one of your favorite songs with a COVID-19 rewrite.
Travis Earlywine’s “Quarantined,” a remake of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” went viral for its humorous take on a classic.
