This type of thread reminds me of a scene in To Kill A Mockingbird when Mrs. Radley is dying (I think it was that neighbor--been a while since I last read it). The street is covered with straw, to quiet the sound of passing vehicles, out of respect and comfort for the dying. It seems to me if your street was covered up with hay or straw one day, you'd either know why or want to know who was gravely ill.

SRS