Girl, 9, who became pandemic pen pals with lonely care home resident, 100, meets her for 1st time one year on

A nine year-old girl who became pen pals with an elderly care home resident to keep her company during Covid has finally met her friend one year on. Waverly Smith got to meet Ruth Overton at Bridges at Ankeny care home in Ankeny, Iowa, last week where Ruth lives.

Waverly said: ‘I started writing to Ruth, and it was fun.’ She quickly grew to trust her pen friend and said ‘I could share with her things I couldn’t tell anyone else.’

And Ruth says she was touched by how quickly she bonded with Waverly, explaining: ‘It encouraged me that I was a little connection with her. It’s amazing how much we have connected.’ Recalling the surge of affection during their first meeting, Ruth said: ‘I just fell in love with her.’

Waverly and Ruth regularly exchanged letters throughout Covid, while Ruth was isolating at her care home to try and stay safe. The elderly woman ended up catching the virus, but made a full recovery and has since celebrated her 100th birthday.

Ruth has also completed her Covid vaccine, meaning she is able to welcome visitors again – with Waverly among the first to come and see her. Waverly told KCCI: ‘It was fun seeing her in person.’ The pen pals now plan to continue their friendship as Covid.

Psychologists warn the mental health impact of Covid may outlast the physical issues caused by the disease.

Many older people with existing health conditions have dramatically declined from not being able to see or hold loved ones, while suicides among children have rocketed during school closures.

The US has now recorded 30.4 million Covid infections, and 551,000 deaths. More than 150 million doses of Covid vaccines have been administered, raising hopes the pandemic may finally be drawing to a close.

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