BY KAREN BOSSICK

Arielle Rawlings retreated to her home and family in the Wood River Valley after her research lab in Boston was shut down. But she doesn’t intend to spend her time while here loafing and reading summer beach novels.

Rawlings informed the Wood River Jewish Community on Sunday that she would be happy to help seniors, those who are immunocompromised and those who have to self-isolate for some reason get groceries, collect prescriptions and help with other necessary tasks.

“Back in Boston there was a lot of outreach happening after the news about COVID-19 spread and I know there are a lot of elderly people in the Jewish community who might need help,” said Rawlings.

“I do feel some risk to myself but the limited research we have shows that the risk is not very much for young people. And I’m lucky to have a very healthy family.”

Rawlings studies poverty policy in the United States at a research center at MIT. Before that she spent time teaching middle school students in India.

She decided to return to the Wood River Valley after her brother’s college campus was closed, figuring she could use this time to visit with him and her parents Greg and Enid Rawlings.

“I just hope others will be comfortable and willing to help those who are not able to do things for themselves,” she said.

Rawlings public offer of help came on a day that CNN circulated a story about a couple in their 80s who sat in a Bend, Ore., parking lot, tears in their eyes as they tried to work up the nerve to enter a supermarket for groceries.

The first case of coronavirus in Bend had just been reported and they were very aware that those in their 80s are at greatest risk should they contract the virus.

Finally, the woman flagged down a young woman who was headed into the store and handed her a hundred dollar bill and grocery list through the car window.

“Look out for your neighbors. Look out for the other folks in your community,” the young woman told CNN. “People are really scared, but kindness helps.”