Typically, ovations stop right at Broadway. But this residential neighborhood in Washington Heights, in solidarity with many other New York City neighborhoods, are making noise for a good cause.
The residential neighborhood of Washington Heights called Hudson Heights is known for lots of things. They’re Known for having the steepest hills in Manhattan, the George Washington Bridge, and being home to Lin Manuel Miranda. They are also known for being pocketed and very quiet. However, since New York City’s shutdown, these typically reserved residents are causing a clamor.
Promptly at 7 o’clock everyday, residents clap, bang on pots, and cheer for healthcare professionals and other essential workers that put their lives at risk daily.
This movement called #ClapBecauseWeCare has been documented all over the world through Twitter, and has reached NYC. The movement started internationally, as COVID-19 cases rose overseas. However, now that New York has the highest number of cases, residents have decided to thank healthcare workers everyday in this peculiar way.
But some things have stayed the same, like our endearing sense of community. So, without fail, at 6:59 everyday, many go into the kitchen, grab a pot and wooden spoon, and open up their 5th story window. This isn’t just noise, they say. This is a roaring ovation to those that deserve it.