People are using all kinds of technology—video conferencing, apps, and texting on cellphones—to stay in touch while under stay-at-home rules during this COVID-19 pandemic. I’m doing it too, but I’ve found other, surprising ways to feel emotionally connected to people far away.

These past couple of weeks, I’ve rediscovered a breakfast treat from childhood: Farina with strawberry powder. Adding the powder, which turned the cereal a pretty pink, was the only way my Dad could get me to eat it. Is it good for me? Nutritionally, probably not. Emotionally? Yes. It makes me feel connected to my dad and conjures up happy childhood memories. I even wash the dishes immediately after cooking the cereal, remembering my Dad saying the stuff will turn into cement if you don’t. Every bowl helps me tap into my Dad’s spirit at a time when keeping him and me safe means I can’t visit him.

On a larger scale, I recently participated in a city-wide activity to honor medical staff and first responders. Every evening at 7 p.m., New Yorkers stand on their fire escapes or open their windows and clap, bang on pots, honk horns, or use other noisemakers to show their support and appreciation for all health care workers. More neighbors join every evening. I don’t open my window or step onto the fire escape, but I sit and clap in my apartment. Although no one can hear me, I do it because it matters.

Sometimes a police car or an ambulance passes through and acknowledges our efforts with a quick chirp of a siren. It makes me happy that someone felt our appreciation. Last night, a neighbor blasted the classic Sinatra rendition of “New York, New York” from a balcony, an addition I suspect will become a permanent part of the ritual. I sang along, and I’m sure others did, too.

What started as a gesture of appreciation is now becoming an expression of solidarity. It’s a noisy, socially distant cheering squad whose unspoken rallying cry is “We’re all in this together!”

Lisa Cohen was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2001. She’s the author of Overcoming the BS of MS and founder of Rockstar Women with MS, a website that offers programs and resources designed to empower women with MS.

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COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Neurologic Disease Resource Center