Carole Michalsen celebrated her birthday on March 16, 2020. Michalsen said, “The next day we went into a shut down.”
On March 17, the U.S. tightened restrictions as coronavirus cases surged and stocks took their biggest plunge since 1987. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States reached 4,600 on March 17 with 85 deaths. Cities and states across the country announced increasingly tight restrictions to slow the spread of the flu-like virus. Sun City residents began their tenure of staying home.
COVID restrictions, mandates, and lockdowns produced much lonliness for some Sun City residents. This lack of social interaction created an opportunity for Sun City resident and retired nurse Carole Michalsen to help keep her community uplifted and connected. (Photo by Christine Such/My Sun Day News)
Michalsen said, “I started to think, what can we do to keep in touch with the neighbors. Our neighborhood captain, Glenn Groebli, sent an email out asking neighbors to come out of their house one day a week at three o’clock and just wave to your neighbors. I started to think what can I do?”
Easter was coming up a month later, April 12, and Michalsen wanted to give neighbors a spring treat.
Michalsen said, “I thought now is the time I needed to establish an action plan to stay connected and promote well-being with the neighbors who were trapped in their home.”
Michalsen, a retired nurse, also makes beautiful hand-made cards and creative treats sometimes filled with her homemade soft caramels.
So, she combined her talent and her willingness to help.
Michalsen said, “I put together a little treat bag. As the coronavirus continued to progress, many people, adhering to these precautions, added an unexpected layer of strain to their day-to-day. Many were feeling especially lonely. It was an overwhelming and isolating time.”
What was in her Easter treat bag?
Michalsen said, “A little springtime chick with some candy. Some items to decorate a basket. I had little messages like, ‘do what makes your soul shine.’”
Michalsen continued to check on her neighbors with a surprise treat for all the holidays.
Michalsen said, “I took my granddaughter, Allyssa, with me to help. We had one neighbor who was with a walker and didn’t answer the door. We were concerned and Allyssa suggested we could hang the treat on the door and see if someone picks up the bag and then we would know she was okay. She enjoyed delivering the small gift.”
Unsurprisingly, many neighbors call Michaelsen their “Covid Angel,” as she continues to share positivity in a pandemic world.
