The year 2020 is one that will undoubtedly be remembered by all. For most, the COVID-19 pandemic will come to mind when the memorable year is one day looked back upon. Parents will remember how they juggled working at home and learning the ins and outs of remote schooling as teachers will recall the challenges they faced when trying to adapt to molding young minds over Zoom.
It will take a while for the class of 2020 to accept the fact that they missed out on the anticipated events that end their high school careers. Those same graduates were the first to enter college, armed with the new norm of mask-wearing and social distancing, and long breaks with remote classes. While the year 2020 is one that tested educators, parents and students, it is also the year that Winthrop witnessed hardship and loss.
In March, not long after the start of the pandemic, the Town was deemed as the first in the Commonwealth to have a death due to the Coronavirus. The end of the year brought another loss when residents had to say a sudden goodbye to longtime ESP and kind-hearted volunteer, Amy Gallagher. As a shock to the community, the unexpected tragedy will leave the Town reeling well into the future. Halfway through 2020, Winthrop residents stood their ground and showed love for the Black community at the Black Lives Matter march, organized by Kathryn Monahan.
The march, which was set in motion after the tragic death of George Floyd, ran from Massa Park to the top of Shore Drive, where all participants got down on one knee for a moment of silence. Signs reiterating Floyd’s last words and declarations of justice were held highly by masked marchers of all ages. College student, Faith Hunt, held a sign that read ‘I can’t breathe’ in bold, black print against a white background, sharing the three words that Floyd said before he laid motionless on the ground in front of several police officers. Several Town officials, State Senator Joe Boncore and Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo were present for the peaceful walk.