The street view of Philly during the coronavirus is like a dreamscape (nightmarescape?) of blank sidewalks, eerily quiet streets, closed shops, distant wary smiles—some hidden behind masks—of warily distant neighbors.

It’s like the negative image of our normally bustling, traffic-clogged, boisterous city—heightened this week by the fog that shrouded the skyline for a couple days.

But then the fog cleared, and the skyline reappeared, and the image that shone out over the city from its highest point spoke to the other thing that’s happening all over town: love, in the form of a bright white heart, lit from the windows of empty Four Seasons Hotel rooms.

It’s in that same spirit that Philadelphians in this terrible time have once again proven themselves to be the beautiful souls of community, kindness and good citizenship that we have come to expect in times of need.

Just as it’s hard to keep up with the latest viral stats, and dizzying news of updated closures and mandates, it’s hard to keep up with all the stories of individuals, organizations, companies and communities doing good for each other.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t try. This week, we’re launching a new series, Small Acts of Citizenship, to highlight those who are stepping out of their bubbles—at a safe, and healthy distance—to be there for their neighbors.

Be inspired by these folks; know that we have each other’s backs; and help us out by letting us know of any efforts you’ve witnessed, or are involved in. We got this.

Related: How you can help during the coronavirus pandemic in Philadelphia

Photographer Kristen Kidd of Lansdale is offering gift cards to her photo studio for anyone who buys a gift card from a local business—even multiplying the value 10 times, up to $500. (The cards will be redeemable after the quarantine is over.) Find more on her website. Another photographer, Andrea Cipriani Mecchi, a freelancer whose business disappeared last month, is spending these weeks documenting families—from a distance, through glass—for free. (Though donations are welcome.) You can see photos here, and get in touch through her website for your own.



Citizens across the country have been concerned about the lack of medical supplies available for hospital workers, and one nurse in Philadelphia is among those doing what she can to help with the shortage: Gloria Friesen, or “Miss Muffet,” as her website dubs her, is a nurse in the Pulmonary ICU at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and is sewing washable scrub hats for members of her unit to keep them safe during this pandemic. She also provides patterns that enthusiastic sewers can attempt on their own at her website.

Local fashion design company Alice Alexander is among the many who have also been making and donating masks.

Tech entrepreneurs David Bookspan and Anthony Bucci this week launched Save Philly Eats, a website that partners with local restaurateurs to offer special (post-coronavirus) events, like a six-course home dinner with Laurel’s Nick Elmi (for $6,000). All the funds raised now go directly to helping the restaurants stay or re- open after the quarantine.

Header photo courtesy Unsplash