Kitchener neighbours still make noise for essential workers 15 months into the pandemic

Last March, a group of neighbours on Lydia Street in Kitchener, Ont., started meeting up every night to bang pots and pans for essential workers.

At the time, it was a trendy thing to do. The practice began in Italy during the first wave of the pandemic and soon spread around the world.

What makes the Lydia Street neighbours special is that they never stopped. Fifteen months into the pandemic, the group still comes out every night at 7:30 p.m. rain or shine.

"It's just a celebration that we have every night," said neighbor Ron Martinello, 61. "And I don't know when it's going to stop."

On any given night, between about five and 15 people will take part, Martinello said. He said the nightly ritual has helped them stay in touch at a time when most people spend their days isolated and inside.

"Even if it's a 10-minute connection, I think that's a very important thing for us to be able to do," he said.

Kathy Inch agrees.

"I have grandchildren that I can't hug, even though they just live down the street," said Inch, 67. "It's just nice to see people and to interact with them."

Both Martinello and Inch say they hopeonce the pandemic ends, the sense of community they've built will live on.

"We've made bonds and bonds are going to continue past when we stop doing this thing here," Martinello said.