OUR COMMUNITY DURING THE CORONAVIRUS: A PROFILE SERIES
Andrew Scott ’22: Sunlight, war and everything in between

Containers of Elmer’s glue and Model Color paint line the back edge of the workspace. Dozens of miniature British soldiers bask under the bright yellow sunlight that emanates from a navy desk lamp. The soldiers are not yet ready for war — real or simulated. Most remain unpainted. They belong to Andrew Scott ’22, who was painting one when I called.

Charles Schmuttenmaer: Yale professor of chemistry, “ordinary guy”

On March 23 at 8 p.m., non-essential businesses were closed in Connecticut. As was also true for a litany of businesses and institutions, the research conducted by Charles Schmuttenmaer and his colleagues was “completely shut down.” Yet, Schmuttenmaer said that everyone in his group — students, post-docs and even himself — have found ways to stay “quite, quite productive.”

Directed Studies DUS Katja Lindskog: On not taking up knitting

No matter how many years of experience a faculty member has, one can never be prepared to handle a global pandemic, let alone adapt an academic program for a nationwide quarantine. This was Lindskog’s first year serving as the director of undergraduate studies for the Directed Studies program.

Professor and journalist Walter Shapiro: Covering his 11th presidential campaign from the epicenter of a pandemic

Between unexpected phone calls (the retro way), safe walks and witty tweets, Professor Shapiro has been teaching his rather popular seminar, “Presidential Campaigns and the Media,” via Zoom.

Julian Rubinfien ’23: A first year on the frontlines

Julian Rubinfien ’23 has traded his family home in downtown Manhattan for a friend’s unclaimed Airbnb apartment, and strips off his personal protective equipment before returning to the Kierkegaard essay he is writing for his philosophy class.

Hopewell Rogers ’18 DIV ’20: Caring from a distance

Like many others, Rogers' life has been turned upside down by COVID-19. Besides having to finish her degree online, she finds herself caring for her friend’s two-year-old during the day and counseling sophomores remotely — all while being COVID-19-positive.

Alex DiMeglio ’20+1: Keeping the music going

“We will always be known as the coronavirus Whiffenpoofs,” Alex DiMeglio '20+1 said. “We will be that class. If it was meant to happen, it happened. And for it to happen during Whiff year, we lose out on a lot of travel, but it’s not the end of the world. And we will remember going through this together. We have been through it together because of this.”

Rabbi Jason Rubenstein: Part of the Jewish tradition

“Last week, my best friend called me, on Erev Yom Tov, to tell me that our old next door neighbor, who survived Auschwitz, died from coronavirus,” said Rabbi Jason Rubenstein. For the funeral, Rabbi Jason remembers being sent a Zoom link. “This is a new part of life.” He paused, and then added, “A new part of death.”

Camila Toro ’21: Cooking with family in Bogota

Camila Toro '21 has been filling up the time by keeping up with the Cuomo brothers, daydreaming about having a cat, following Instagram live dance instructors and a lot of cooking. On a rotating cooking and cleaning schedule divided between her family members, Toro has gotten to try experimental recipes that she wouldn’t have been able or had the time to do in her off-campus kitchen.

Paula Farnsworth: Helping Yale go round

At home in Wallingford, Connecticut during the pandemic, Farnsworth balances her usual work for the Physics Department with single motherhood and delivering groceries to neighbors.

Barbara Pearce: Protecting Connecticut’s most vulnerable from an invisible enemy

At the Connecticut Hospice, which offers end-of-life care in a beautiful waterfront location in Branford, Pearce is steering operations in a new direction.