LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Exercise without leaving home

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To the editor:

In the middle of March two years ago, the great COVID-19 lockdown began.

My husband Herman was at Schervier Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, recovering from a fractured hip he had suffered the December before. His discharge was delayed due to a cracked pelvis.

The day before the facility doors were locked down by the coronavirus mandate, we were able to take him home, with physical therapy to be continued. Reluctant to have the therapist enter our house after working with other patients, we were able to start e-therapy, via Zoom. 

This new online videoconferencing platform was very new to us, but a great way to receive treatment. Prior to this, we took part in the daily exercise routine at The Riverdale Y Senior Center. But due to the pandemic, these facilities were also closed. 

After one year of being “couch potatoes,” we conceived of doing our exercises on Zoom, with the group from the senior center joining us Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. This turned out to be a great way to break the isolation and get exercise at the same time.

Our group called itself the Rockettes, and we have exercised on Zoom for 40 minutes a day, five days a week, for a year now — more than 250 days! That is more than 50,000 minutes!

The daily attendance is about six to 12 people, and even several of the husbands join. This free 40-minute Zoom session allows for up to 100 people to log in — lots of room for more Riverdalians to join. You all are welcome.

To celebrate their one-year anniversary, the Rockettes met on March 4 at the Bronx Burger House on Mosholu Avenue for a hamburger lunch.

Martha Covi

letter, Martha Covi, COVID, Herman Covid, Riverdale Y, Schervier Rehabilitation

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