Items

• 2020-08-01

  No Smell, No Taste

  In August of 2020 while attending a course in Virginia I lost both my sense of smell and sense of taste. For 6 months I tasted nothing, and smelled nothing in the food I ate, or the candles, soaps, drinks, I bought. I did not smell trees, or grass, or flowers. Only habitual hygiene assured me that I myself did not give off an odor that I could not even detect if it was there. I slowly "relearned" smell and taste (that is my theory anyway). Much like it is difficult later in life to learn a language or change your perceptions, now many things are lumped together for me in terms of distinction. All citrus smells the same to me. Onions, garlic, and often other people smell exactly the same. I can no longer stand the taste of anything peach or mango flavored, though I still enjoy the fruits themselves. Having gone so long without smell or taste, it negatively affected every day life. Relationships, conversations, memory, awareness, and even my ability to focus deteriorated and made me realize how integral our senses are socially and physically. Some smells that I distinctly remember initiating a sense of nostalgia no longer elicit the same reaction in me. This is deeply saddening, as I suspect a significant portion of my memories are inaccessible or at least markedly more difficult to recall without a fragrance to tease it out.
• 
  2020-06-01

  Tastes like Home

  The pandemic changed so many things about everyday life, and even our food wasn't spared. Not only did the effects of COVID-19 attack our sense of taste, but it even affected those who hadn't contracted it. Going out to restaurants was completely out of the question, and to avoid spending too much money on take-out, my family continued to brave the grocery stores. There was a silver lining, though, because it started to change the way we felt about meals. I spent more time cooking with them back home in Vienna, VA, and now that I live here in Tempe I find a lot of those habits have stuck with me. I'm especially glad that I started baking more before I left home. Baking was a way to get the whole family together and give each of us something to look forward to that day, in a time when days kind of blended together and none of us knew what to expect. What's more, we'd all heard stories about how early COVID symptoms included loss of smell and taste, so I think there was a small part of me that was reassured by actually being able to taste what we'd all worked on together. I included a brownie recipe that I use a lot with this post, so you can try it if you like and get a taste for how it still offers me some comfort.
• 
  2020-10-09

  Traveling During The Pandemic For Top Surgery

  I traveled from Virginia to Texas for my top surgery. We drove all the way there and stopped in Tennessee on the way there and on the way back. I hadn't gotten the vaccine yet for COVID-19 and I was going to be going to a hospital in a different state that I had never been to. This is was the crazy decision I had ever made, but it was so worth it.
• 
  2022-04-12

  Abandoned Mask Found At Gas Station

  Mask I found while pumping gas. It's crazy how many masks are just dropped on the ground after using them
• 
  2022-03-25

  Virginia's Law Barring Mask Mandates Does Not Apply to 12 Children with Disabilities

  A news article from NPR talks about the parents of 12 children that challenged the newly signed law by Governor Glenn Youngkin to halt the enforcement of that law because it violated the children's rights under the federal American with Disabilities Act. This law would only give parents the right to choose for their own children. The group of parents have kids with health conditions that range from asthma to cystic fibrosis, which put them at heightened risk for COVID-19. What about other kids that have health conditions that make them a heightened risk for COVID whose parents didn't say their federal rights were violated?
• 
  2021-09-08

  Robert E. Lee Statue Removed from Richmond, VA

  The removal of the Robert E. Lee statue in Richmond, VA was removed because of the racist history of Lee and how he failed to represent the many people living in Richmond today. Richmond, VA was once the capital of the south, but today, it is an eclectic city full of rich history. The removal of the statue was because of the many BLM protests that took place during the summer of 2020 after the murder of George Floyd.
• 
  2021-08-21

  Virginia PrideFest Postponed due to COVD-19 Surge

  Video highlights why the cancelation of PrideFest 2021 was important. During this time in 2021 there was a COVID-19 surge, so for the safety of the community, PrideFest was canceled. This shows the difficulties that the community faced and the hard decisions that had to be made in order to keep the community safe, but also the city of Richmond.
• 
  2022-03-11

  The Hanover County School Board, in partnering with an anti-LGBTQ outfit, has declared war on its transgender students.

  This news article is from the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Richmond, Virginia. The article contains a recent review of the Hanover Country School Board seeking legal advice from a well-known hate group that disguises themselves as "Christian conservative legal group" also known as the Alliance Defending Freedom. Back in December of 2021, the ACLU of Virginia filed against Hanover County for discriminatory policies against transgender students. The pandemic has bought out numerous laws against the safety of LGBTQ students and individuals. This is just a small example of what queer children have been facing since the start of the pandemic.
• 
  2020-04-29

  Taylor Hubbard Oral History, 2020/04/29

  C19OH
• 
  2020-09

  The Sound of Learning - Teaching During the Pandemic

  On March 12th, 2020, all of the teachers and support staff in the high school where I work in Stafford, Virginia (A suburb of Washington DC) were called down to the auditorium and told by the head principal that our school would be shut down for the next two weeks as a result of Covid-19. Long story short, I did not return into that building until January of 2021. Even though I did not enter the building, between September and December of 2020, I toiled away teaching virtually via Google Meet from my basement. Teaching online was difficult - due to privacy concerns, students were not required to turn their cameras on - and none did. For the first time, I was teaching to a class of thirty without seeing anyone other than myself. Many students did not want to ask questions by unmuting their microphones, so instead they would type out questions, make comments, tell jokes, etc through the chat feature. Each time a student would send a message, my computer would make a small beeping noise. I learned to love this noise as it was the only reminder I had that there was someone listening to me. As a teacher, forming relationships is so central to the profession. At first, it seemed impossible to be a meaningful teacher when I had no clue what my students even looked like. But every time I heard that beep, I was delighted to know that someone was on the other side of that screen. Without the fear of immediate judgement of their peers, many of my students provided commentary on the lesson and made teaching fun. When teaching in person, I hate when a student tries to talk over me, so only dealing with a tiny beep was much more manageable and it was nice to see these kids communicate with one another while separated by the pandemic. Many articles that I have read have been incredibly critical of online learning, and some with good cause. I did not reach every student. Some fell back asleep, logged in then walked away, played video games, and even one of my students admitted to me that he was taking his dog on a walk during class. But hearing that beep reminded me that there are students out there that can make connections even when it seems impossible.
• 
  2020-12-30

  Black man wrongfully detained by maskless police officer tests positive for COVID-19, fiancee says

  Excerpt from article: A Black man who was detained by police in Virginia Beach, Virginia after being suspected for a crime he did not commit, has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to his fiancée, Shantel Covil.
• 2020-11-10

  Virtual Learning for the Parents of New Middle Schoolers

  As a mother of twin 12-year-olds who started middle school during the pandemic, virtually, there are many challenges we have faced. I am working from home during the pandemic and must help them both with school work. They are both in the gifted program, which makes the curriculum that much more difficult, especially since as 6th graders this is their first year in middle school. I find that on top of working from home, I have to learn the materials my children are learning before I can help them. As a parent, I have been forced into the teaching role, and there is not much anyone can do about it. The teachers are doing all that they can but virtual learning is difficult fpr all parties involved. As a history major, I am struggling to help my daughters in pre-algebra, an eight grade math class, and worry that the virtual setup may damage their academic progress. Also, there has been a major social development delay, as this is a transitional time.
• 
  2020-11-13

  Can Low Turnout at Local Christmas Events during Covid Alter Future Events?

  When the pandemic caused many local annual events to become canceled or adjust their presentation, I did not think of how it would affect the Christmas Holiday events in Virginia. The Norfolk Botanical Gardens, "Dominion Energy's Garden of Lights," has kicked off its holiday light display and events with a walkthrough known as the "Million Bulb Walk," tram rides, family events such as crafts, and readings of the Polar Express for over nine years. Due to local Covid-19 restrictions, many of these events are now canceled or offered with limited capacity. Generally, the week before Christmas until January 2 is reserved for drive-thru only. However, the garden has canceled the Million Bulb Walk and open the Garden of Lights as limited capacity tram rides or non-contact drive-thru only events. My family and I drove through the drive-thru event last month, and the garden was figuratively dead. Usually, traffic is backed up blocks away from residents anxious to get into the gardens, particularly on the weekends. Despite choosing a peak time on a Saturday, I only saw two vehicles. What usually is a 90 minute to 2-hour event was finished in less than 20 minutes. With so many events canceled and places shutting down permanently due to operation costs exceeding incoming cash, I have to wonder if low turn-out will forever alter the Garden of Lights. The NBG is a non-profit organization, and the Garden of Lights is one of their primary fundraising sources. An underwhelming turn-out could cause financial strain on the garden that could hinder future events.
• 
  09/19/2020

  Emma Matheson Oral History, 2020/09/19

  This is an interview with a college freshman and her experience with the pandemic. This mainly covers how the year changed during the 2nd semester of high school, and the resulting summer.
• 
  09/20/2020

  Maria Simpson Oral History, 2020/09/20

  This interview is conducted by a college freshman who interviews another college freshman about her experiences during lockdown. It covers how she dealt with isolation, how her high school experience had changed, and all the emotions and nuances that came with this strange new COVID-19 reality.
• 
  2020-03-24

  Virginia School teacher hugs student goodbye before school closures – Henrico County, Virginia

  Sara Black, a teacher at Glen Lea Elementary School is shown hugging students before they board a school bus. Due to school closures for at least 14 days, it is assumed that she is saying goodbye as they are unsure when they will see each other in person again.
• 
  2020-06-05

  Welcoming Aboard the SECNAV

  Masked up and spaced apart, the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) welcomes Secretary of the Navy Kenneth Braithwaite aboard after they dropped anchor at the Norfolk Navy Yard following a 5-month tour of duty to the Middle East theater of operations and a 2-month "sustainment cruise) off the Virginia coast. The Truman remained at sea after the conclusion of their Middle Eastern cruise due to COVID-19 concerns and the need for deploying carrier groups to quarantine before getting underway and replacing the Truman in the Navy's operational rotation.
• 
  2020-05-14

  Local Diner Feeds Grocery Store Staff

  This Facebook post details how the Viriginia Diner donated lunch to the retail workers at Wakefield, Virginia's Great Valu Market. This post illustrates some of the ways in which the community of Wakefield came together to help one another in the pandemic.
• 
  2020-04-23

  House of Hope Food Pantry Donations

  This Facebook post by House of Hope Food Pantry in Wakefield, Virginia showcases some of the donations made to the food pantry following the outbreak of Covid-19
• 
  2020-03-31

  Pino's Pizza Offers to Feed Community

  This is a post made by Pinos Pizza, a pizzaeria in Wakefield, Virginia. Following the shortage in groceries across the country due to Covid-19, Pino's offered to feed anyone locally who was unable to secure groceries. Prior to the pandemic, there wasn't a single restaurant in Wakefield that even offered delivery. Regularly, these local restaurants aren't exactly full of business given how small the Wakefield community is. In some ways, the pandemic has forced Wakefield to somewhat modernize.
• 
  2020-04-27

  Virginia judge rules indoor gun range can reopen, dealing a blow to Gov. Northam's shutdown order

  This article is important because it details that even politicians are having difficulties with maintaining the rules of their citizens.
• 
  2020-05-12

  COVID-19 and Me

  Self Reflection Piece
• 
  2020-05-08

  Crushed Endeavors? Learn Adaptability!

  *Judy Ortega, Marymount University
• 
  2020-03-15

  Fear of the unknown

  Few people were there, those who were had masks but almost every section was clean or had few items left shortly into the Pandemic scare.
• 
  2020-04-24

  Rural America

  This image is of an old family homestead in rural Virginia. You'll notice that there are no people in the photograph. This is because, in rural areas of America, not much has changed. The COVID-19 pandemic barley even effects places like this, as self-sustained and poverty is the way of life every singe day.
• 
  2020-03-14

  Wealth of Nations

  The image shows the aftermath of a grocery store two days after a state of emergency was issued in Virginia and all schools were closed due to Covid-19
• 
  2020-04-13

  Prominent Virginia pastor who said ‘God is larger than this dreaded virus’ dies of covid-19

  This article explains that a pastor from Virginia named Gerald Glenn still held in-person services at his church. The governor of the state ordered that all non-essential businesses and gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited. However, the pastor continued with his in-person services. According to him, his God and preachings needed to continue because they're bigger than the virus. On Saturday, April 11, the pastor passed away due to coronavirus. His wife also tested positive with COVID 19.
• 
  2020-04-22

  Personal Impact of the Pandemic

  A Word document file of what my experience with the pandemic has been as well as the impact it had on my family
• 
  2020-04-14

  Pastor Who Defied Social Distancing Dies After Contracting Covid-19, Church Says

• 
  2020-04-13

  Coronavirus Political Cartoon -- Tomb of the Unknown Delivery Guy

  This political cartoon plays on an iconic symbol of US national chauvinism: the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This tomb, located in Arlington National Cemetery, commemorates the lives of soldiers that were given for our country whose remains cannot be identified. The cartoon draws this tomb and, in place of the original inscription, reads, "Tomb of the Unknown Delivery Guy." In these unprecedented times, Americans have turned to relying on delivery men and women to bring food to their door in order to limit social contact, and thus prevent the spread of the virus. As such, these delivery people's jobs are deemed "essential," whereas they still hold low status within our economic and capitalist system. They are being compared to the unknown soldiers because of a key word: unknown. They are risking infection to supply Americans with food, yet they are still under-valued by those eating the food they supply. While the country's situation should allude to the importance of low status jobs, including but not limited to the delivery people, it is highly likely that after the pandemic has ceased, these workers will continue to be unknown. By employing a well-known "American" symbol, this comparison and social commentary is made abundantly clear to the American people without needing textual explanation.
• 
  2020-04-02

  Welcome Home

  The first person in our neighborhood to be diagnosed with Covid-19 spent more than a week in an ICU in Fairfax, mostly on the brink of death. Walking my dog today I saw this sign in his yard. It's nice to have some good news right about now.
• 
  2020-03-30

  Virginia Stay at Home Order

  This is the order to stay at home issued by Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia, which at this moment says it will stay in effect until June 10, 2020 unless something changes.
• 
  2020-03-08

  Bare Walmart Shelves

  At a Walmart in Fredericksburg, VA, all of the shelves that are usually stocked with water are completely empty. This picture shows that when there is a pandemic, people panic buy which results in shelves staying empty for days and maybe weeks.
• 
  2020-03-28

  The Giving Tree (Linden, VA)

  The Giving Tree, an organic market in Linden, Virginia (about one hour west of Washington, D.C.) shifts to online pick up only in response to Covid-19. The old country store across the highway remains open with no restrictions, because the owner thinks the whole pandemic thing is being exaggerated.
• 
  2020-03-15

  "In June, a campus without students is peaceful. In March, it is eerie and sad."

  In an email to faculty, students, staff and alumni, the President announces the closure of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia for the rest of the academic year.
• 
  2020-03-18

  George Mason statue at George Mason University

  The week of March 8th, George Mason University students were on spring break. It was extended to include the week of March 15th. Originally two weeks of online instruction would follow, but by March 16th the university moved online for the rest of the semester. Staff were encouraged to telework as much as possible. Whoever added the mask to a campus landmark made a lighthearted comment that reflects the ongoing changes to university life.