Author: Michelle Shen

Diane Lowman is a yoga instructor who has lived in Westport for 23 years. Last July, Diane was named Westport’s Poet Laureate and shares observations of daily life through the haiku she posts on Instagram. Unlike a lot of people, she’s self-quarantined completely alone—“no pets, no people, no nothing”   

I didn’t like feeling of being at home alone, but now I’ve learned to make friends with it.

“I noticed that before this I spent a lot of time outside of my house because I didn’t like feeling of being at home alone, but now I’ve learned to make friends with it. I’m practicing yoga at home, and making meals for myself. I’m trying to create structure and learning to appreciate the process of making peace with myself.  

My sister lives in town as do my ex-husband, his wife and their 10 year old son. My  25-year-old son has also come to live with them. I have a lot of family around me and earlier in the social distancing process, my ex and his family have been gracious about having me over. My sister has had an autoimmune condition so I’m careful about not being with her. I fully feel what it’s like to be alone– but it’s not all negative. There are times when I crave conversation that isn’t electronic, or the casual touch of a hug or saying hi.  

 This time in isolation and dealing with crisis reminds us that we are more similar than different. It reminds me of 9/11 and how differences dropped and we felt united. I’m seeing this every day. I hope that feeling  lasts–including having us all pitch in to help so many of us who aren’t fortunate. My biggest fear is what will happen to folks who are less able, financial, mentally, emotionally, physically, socially. How will we work to get them through this? I know that the economy will come back but I worry about those who will slip through the cracks until it does. 

Writing poetry now is different for me. Over time my haiku has evolved as a journal for me. It’s triggered by what I see which may or may not have to do with how I’m feeling. But now it’s very introspective, in terms of isolation and the larger situation. I have store of photographs that I’ve taken for years even when I was living in abroad and some resonate so well with the feelings of today—like gargoyles from church carvings–that didn’t have a sentiment before but now really work.   

There are silver linings in all this – the slowing down. The kindnesses. Things seem very broken right now but this is finite and while the world will be different it will mend  

To read more of the museums long lens oral histories please visit the Westport In Focus page.

Nathalie Laitmon has lived in Westport for 15 years. The writer and mom of three contracted COVID-19 at “The Party”.  One of the earliest sufferers of a mild to moderate version the illness which she describes as “still being like the worst flu feelings one has ever had at once”, Nathalie came forward on social media to share real information about her experience to try to allay community fears. She has already donated her blood plasma for researchers at Mt. Sinai Hospital working on treatments and vaccines for COVID-19.  

“Westport has an air that is big enough that you don’t have to come forward to say anything private, but small enough for me to feel incredible responsibility to the town. I never once thought about keeping information to myself especially since the real-time misinformation without context or hindsight is creating a cognitive dissonance with the reality we are used to experiencing.  I feel like I’m on a virtual frontline in terms of sharing information and trying to be an advocate. I’ve had a lot of very private conversations with people I will probably never speak to again just to give reassurance. 

Even though I’m an extremely private person, I felt incredible responsibility to constantly check in with people who were at that party. I felt we had a collective illness and if someone pulled through that raised the spirits of everybody and made it seem it more likely that everybody would pull through. 

That being said, people who were quarantined didn’t want to come forward with false hope until they cycled through all their symptoms. The backlash we saw in these Facebook groups talking about the party was a little scary, and off-putting. There is an undercurrent of fear and panic but it’s up to us to reassure one another.  

It’s feels like we’re in an old-fashioned era for which you are not prepared except for watching Little House On The Prairie reruns. I feel like this is all something we’ve read in history books about tuberculosis and scarlet fever when the fear was unprecedented. 

Doctors told me to assume it’s been through my house completely now. There were many, many days where we had to wait for tests and we were still learning about social distancing. During that time everyone in my home had symptoms. We were ahead of the curve of what everyone will be going through in the next few months. I’m most concerned about the idea that there are asymptomatic carriers out there. I wonder if people are really listening to their bodies. [For example] now it’s being reported that losing smell and taste is a sign. I had been talking about [my experience with that] for weeks with doctors and no one had an idea of what I was talking about. 

Part of me wants to abandon this responsibility and focus on my household and homeschooling my kids–but it’s just not possible for me to see people panicking and not have a conversation with them. 

This is a real exercise in being present. This is a reality check for everyone on planet.

I think that the reality of the world has changed and I’m hoping for my town that social distance doesn’t mean emotional distance. In my opinion the “end of the world” is a mindset and not an event. The time I spent worried, I’ll never get back. This is a real exercise in being present. This is a reality check for everyone on planet. Before this, I was complaining about all of my sport and dance mom responsibilities. I hope some people can ease the panic, resist feeding into the drama and instead force themselves to enjoy their time with their kids.  

We could all take a lesson from the kids right now, I think we are all surprised with how amazing our kids are through all of this. They are programed to care, which is something I, as a parent couldn’t not have done on my own–the educational system of Westport creates a genuine desire to be good students and good citizens.” 

To read more of the museums long lens oral histories please visit the Westport In Focus page.

Nicole is the co-director of AWARE CT, a volunteer run non-profit that works to make meaningful improvements in the lives of women and girls locally and worldwide. Since the quarantine, Nicole has shifted her focus away from running the organization until the social distancing ban has been lifted.  

“I am now focused on ways AWARE can support our community through this crisis. We will be highlighting individuals and organizations that are working to support local businesses, first responders and people who are at greatest risk or in need.  

I have had to develop a new set of routines for myself and my children. I am now spending the bulk of my day helping my children stay focused on their schoolwork and maintain a healthy schedule that balances academics with exercise and social time.  

I am blown away by the number of individuals and organizations that are springing into action!

I am blown away by the number of individuals and organizations that are springing into action! I truly believe that Westport will get through this crisis and will come out the other side a stronger, better, and more empathetic community.  

Like everyone else, my family is struggling to define a “new normal.” We are all very human, and reacting to social distancing in our own ways. However, we have also made a group decision to view this situation as a gift. We’re really getting to know each other, learning to listen and react with empathy, using our individual strengths to help each other out in moments of weakness, and finding humor in the stressful moments. There have been more than a few of these, but we are finding our way, and a lot of laughter. 

To read more of the museums long lens oral histories please visit the Westport In Focus page.

Bill Chase has lived in Westport for 45 years in the same home where he and his wife Katie raised their son, Eric. Katie, who was a retired editor, archives volunteer and board member at Westport Museum (then Westport Historical Society), passed away in 2015.  At 79, Bill is now retired from his job in marketing for American Roland Foods where he worked for 41 years, commuting to New York City and traveling nationwide. With respect to the current situation he says, “The last seven or eight years I worked for Roland, I worked at home so it’s much the same. On the other hand, my life is changed because, at my age, I realize it’s not so smart to be out shopping and doing stuff I might normally do. I did go to grocery store once or twice but then decided it’s not a good idea. Several neighbors and friends have already offered to purchase groceries for me. People are being considerate and helpful, which is not too surprising.” 

Bill does miss volunteering in the archives both at Westport Museum and Greens Farms Church where he also sings in the choir. He has attended virtual church services noting, “more people seem to be coming than to in-person sermons”, he does miss the music but the church is already working on offering virtual chorale.  He wants people to know that he’s “enjoyed living in Westport 45 years, and I’m proud of what my wife has done and what my family has done socially and professionally. It’s been interesting and fun for me to come back to the place where my family started,” he said, noting that his ancestors came to the American Colonies in the 17^th and 18^th centuries, settling in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire before emigrating to the Midwest where he largely grew up.  

I think everyone is working hard to keep the community informed and I think that’s great.

His impressions of how the community is coping with the pandemic? “Except for some foolish crowding on the beach when folks should have known better, the Westport community has responded well. There’s a lot of coverage on good things in town. I see lots of folks walking along my street. I think everyone is working hard to keep the community informed and I think that’s great.”

To read more of the museums long lens oral histories please visit the Westport In Focus page.

The Scharfstein family (from left to right) Lee, Arielle, Kaya and Brooke (with Ryder the dog) live close to town, north of the Post Road. Originally from New York, they have lived in Westport for eight years. 

Mom Brooke is a Marketing Consultant and Business Coach who’s says “The kids being home all day while working from home is an adjustment. However, it’s been nice to be together and sleep in.” She feels the town leadership’s handling of the Corona Virus Crisis has been encouraging and says the community at large has been supportive.  

Our family always lives by the motto “Do Good Have Fun” and that’s what we want for everyone. This is an opportunity for humanity to come together and do things differently. Love more judge less. We are praying for everyone’s future and savoring right now with radical acceptance of what is.

To read more of the museums long lens oral histories please visit the Westport In Focus page.