For the last ten days, at 21:00, we are one as a country, leaving our apartments and houses to land on balconies and yards. There are no differences in income, in health, in language, in culture, or in age as we applaud together in service of healthcare workers and support staff in the frontlines against COVID-19.
The first night, I was surprised to hear a noise outside and even more so, to discover it was a sound of celebration rather than of anger. The second night I was perplexed, so I googled "applause at 21:00 Argentina".* The third night, I stood on my balcony with joy as such a small action amplified throughout community brought tears to my eyes.
Last night, a neighbor added an anthem before the applause and over the last week, there have been more lights and whistles, with hoots and hollers (as we would say in my other home). For just a few minutes, we are one: in celebration and in sadness, in isolation and in community, in body and in spirit.
* Thanks Google!
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