community

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/11/13/wurstbar-jersey-barber-covid/

Wustbar is a bar in New Jersey, USA, owned by Aaron Khan. Last week a member of staff was diagnosed with coronavirus so to be safe, Aaron decided to ask all of his staff to isolate and get tested. He shared a message on Instagram saying they were closing the bar. Aaron was booked for a haircut that afternoon at the barber shop two doors down from his bar and he rang the owner, Andre Fersa, to tell him what had happened and cancel his appointment.

Andre had an idea. He offered to work at Aaron’s bar over the weekend to keep it open and he brought a friend with him to help. They refused to accept payment for their work and gave all their tips ($300) to the workers at the bar who were isolating. Andre said he could relate to Aaron’s situation because at the start of lockdown earlier in the year he had to close his barber shop for three months. He got by on savings, but it was difficult. Aaron says he will never forget Andre’s kindness.

The Wutstbar staff posted on social media after the weekend, “We love this community and couldn’t ask for better neighbours.”

-        Why did Aaron close his bar when only one of his staff had coronavirus?

-        Why do you think Andre offered to help out?

-        Why didn’t Andre and his friend accept payment for their work?

-        Why did they give all their tips to the usual bar staff who weren’t working?

-        What is a community?

-        What does this show us about how coronavirus is affecting communities?

-        What can we learn from Andre Fersa?

-        If Andre needs help in the future, who do you think might step in to help? Why?

-        What is the impact of a good deed or an act of kindness?

Why is this about community cohesion?