Community procession shows outpouring of support for nursing home residents and staff
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Sue Scungio says she’s been emotional since finding out her 77-year-old mother, a resident at Orchard View Manor in East Providence, has tested positive for COVID-19.
“I’ve broken down a few times, and it’s very difficult, because we’re used to seeing her all the time,” said Scungio, of Warwick. “So it is a very difficult time. We love her, and we tell her daily that we love her, not knowing if that’s the last time we actually speak to her.”
Another family already had to say goodbye to their 102-year-old Aunt Beatrice, another Orchard View resident.
They joined other families, and first responders like the East Providence police and fire departments, in a procession past East Providence nursing homes Sunday.
“This way is a good way of supporting not only the residents, but the staff that are also there risking their lives, and taking care of them,” Scungio said.
Along the procession route, there were signs of support, waves, and — even if they were behind masks — smiles.
Participants day it sends a message not only to the people inside the nursing homes, but to the whole community as well.”
“We’ll get together as a family, all together as a community, we’ll get through this,” said East Providence Mayor Bob Da Silva, a Democrat.
For Clara Medeiros, it’s about showing her mother, her caregivers, and the community that love can travel beyond a social distance.
“We might be separated by bricks and mortar but that’s all that’s separating us,” said Medeiros, of Pawtucket. “We’re not going to forget them.”
©WLNE-TV/ABC 6 2020
