As case numbers dropped in New York, in late August, Ruth’s building allowed family members to visit — outside, at opposite sides of a long table. But on days when Ruth dines downstairs, Judy said, she can notice the difference in her mother’s voice. In November, a day before her 97th birthday, Ruth fell in her apartment and hit her head, telephoning Judy from the floor when she could not get up. Mother and daughter were finally able to spend time together, four hours in the hospital emergency room. Judy grabbed the first appointment, in order to get in before someone in the building tested positive and the doors shut again.

Source: New York Times January 01, 2021 10:00 UTC