Items

2020-04-13

My first mask

This is a photo of the first mask I bought/used when the pandemic began. I bought this mask a few months into the pandemic however, as I didn't feel comfortable leaving my house in the early days, I think I bought this around April 2020 if I'm not mistaken. I remember I was at Wal-Mart as my dad told me that they were selling masks there, at the time there was a shortage of masks and people were panic buying. I remember stores were packed, and people were almost exclusively buying toilet paper - I seriously think that's probably the weirdest part of the pandemic, people were also scalping toilet paper on Facebook marketplace, it was like a secondary currency (Not really but it was a precious resource apparently). They were selling masks at the register, in plastic bags for $1.49 I think; in all honesty I think I would of been better off not buying the mask but the atmosphere of panic kind of made me feel like an idiot for not having a mask. When I opened it up in my car I realized it was literally just a cut up black T-shirt; it was transparent, it didn't wrap around your face, it just hung there. Me being an idiot, I used it for a good solid month, it's a miracle I didn't catch COVID-19. I can't believe that they would sell that to people in Wal-Mart, I mean I think I was one of the only people who bought one so I can't be too upset; but still, people were desperate for any semblance of protection, and such a mega-corp like Wal-Mart felt fine profiting off of those anxieties. I'm not trying to insinuate that they should care, because they didn't get rich by being ethical.

2020-05-28

One Way Only Signs in Texas Stores

These are pictures of one-way-only signs posted in a Texas Walmart on May 28th and June 11 2020. Many stores such as HEB, Target, and Sam's Club also had similar signs in there stores. The purpose of these signs was to encourage the public to walk in only one direction on each aisle of the store. Stores created an elaborate zig zag pattern using this method. At the time, it was thought that the risk of contracting COVID could be minimized by keeping people from congregating in the same space such as going in and out of the same aisle entrance. Some peopled followed the signs, but it was not a state law so others did not. These photos are important because they show the great extent stores took to try and minimize the spread of COVID. Stores were very concerned about projecting the image of a safe shopping experience in their stores. However, they also hint at the legalistic bent many COVID precautions were beginning to take on. Another implied effect of this arrangement was that by encouraging all people to go in the same direction, stores increased the risk that their customers might catch COVID-19 as everyone was to follow the exact path the person in front of them had. This was the type of situation these signs were supposed to prevent.

2021-02-14

Journal - Starting the Service Industry Collection

This journal entry excerpt, written in February, expresses my frustrations with the experiences my friends and I have had working in the service industry during the pandemic, and why it is important to document that experience. During a time in which there has been a great deal of coverage about working from home, those of us without the option to had to adapt to the new procedures in an attempt to keep ourselves safe, and were often met with more aggression and defensiveness from customers than before. While some of this entry is me airing my frustrations, it gives insight into how I was feeling at the end of my time working for the service industry.

2020-11-11

Paid Leave Approval for COVID-19

My entire family had contracted COVID-19 and in accordance with company policies I was required to apply for mandatory paid leave for a minimum of 2 weeks and a COVID-19 test after that 14 day period. COVID-19 had a large impact on both my job and my family.

2020-09-28

Online School

Wat uup journal. I bought a truck. We named it republican truck because there is a national rifle association sticker on the windshield. There was also a sticker of a crazy man who looked like bob ross on meth. I decided to take that one off though because it was not appealing to look at. Today I helped marcus lemon win a game of kahoot in Mrs Gangos class. However lemon won under the name keith hurdle because keith needed the extra credit. Together we got every single question right, however keith wasn't even in the zoom call. It surprised us that Mrs Gagnon did not realize anything was wrong. Lemmon and I just went to walmart and then ate raw kool aid. It was hella good. It's like fun dip but instead of a dipstick i dip my finger. This was during online school because of covid.

2020-12-02

Q&A: How Walmart Canada shifted operations in response to COVID-19

Article on how Walmart is functioning

2020-12-04

Walmart Canada to give 85,000 workers cash 'appreciation' bonus as COVID-19 surges

Article about how Walmart a large retailer will pay its employees more

2020-11-29

#Foodislife Interview with James Morrell

James W. Morrell has worked with Wal-Mart for over 20 years. In this interview he describes his experience working for Wal-Mart before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020-07-22

Black Friday for Walmart Employees

What I have submitted is important to me, because while I have worked retail and understand the important of everyone being able to share Thanksgiving with their families and friends and also the importance of everyone’s safety during the pandemic, I happen to be someone that did not celebrate Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving day. My family was always working and instead of being home alone on the holiday, I went shopping by myself, or if I was lucky, with a friend. I’m beyond ecstatic for retail workers that will finally get to spend the holiday with their families and friends as some have not had the holiday off in over 20 years. Perhaps this year, we as a family, will celebrate on Thanksgiving day for the first time in almost 15 years.

2020-04-07

Permission Slip for Essential Workers

This photo was sent to me from a former coworker that was “served” a “permission slip” as she called it, for being an essential worker during the pandemic while working for Walmart. It’s important because while we would normally think of an essential worker as someone who is in healthcare or emergency services, grocery employees were considered essential for the items they sold that were in serious demand during the panic of the pandemic. All hands on deck is the most appropriate phrase here.

2020-10-27

The New Smell of Walmart

Walmart. Not known for being the cleanest and best smelling place on Earth. In the past, I’d walk in and there would be always be an odd stench. One that smelled of old moldy bread and burnt bacon. However, I was very used to the smell given that I’d usually stop by here once a month after lacrosse practice to pick up gatorade for the following practices. Once COVID-19 struck. Walmart’s smell has changed significantly. The employees are constantly cleaning, wiping down registers, mopping the tile, and spraying down the carts. Now a distinct smell of bleach fills the entire store. The mask that I wear in the store isn’t enough to block out the strong smell of bleach. It’s so strong that it stings my nose. I hope that the smell of bleach can die down and oddly enough return to the regular old smell.

2020-10-20

Face Masks. Corona Virus Media

This media is a photograph of several shoppers leaving Walmart all within 6 feet of each other and wearing face masks. I chose this image because I work in retail and experience and enforce this requirement on a daily basis. The reality of wearing face masks while completing everyday tasks is still something that I personally am getting used to. Face masks create a barrier especially in the workplace because it makes it difficult to communicate with customers and coworkers. When working in retail stores you are supposed to create and maintain a connection with the customer in order to push sales. This is difficult to do when wearing a face mask because you have a difficult time speaking and maintaining a distance while shopping, selling, and cashiering multiple customers.

2020-10-16

The scariest day as a Mom

It was February 22nd, 2020 in what seemed like a very normal day for my family. We were on a club softball trip with my oldest daughter in bright and sunny Palm Springs California. We drove up to Palm Springs in the morning and watched my daughter play her regular three games. Nothing unusual for us, she’s been playing travel club for two years. After a quick shower and out the door to join the rest of her team for dinner, I turn around in the care and see my very active two year old son completely lethargic with very little response to us. I immediately began to tell my husband that we needed to find an urgent care because I knew looking at my son that he was not getting enough oxygen. Not being from California, I started to Google “urgent cares near me” I found one not too far away but I was told they did not take walk-ins and referred me to another urgent care across the town. Furious, my husband drives like a madman to the next urgent care. The nurse immediately took us to a room where she said to me that he needed to have a breathing treatment on the spot and his fever was 103 so they would be giving him fever-relief medicine. After about thirty minutes-a albuterol treatment and two different fever-relievers, we were released with the understanding that he had had a respiratory something (they couldn’t tell us what exactly it was), we were sent to get prescription. Well as unluck would have us, all of the near pharmacies were closed. We finally ended up at a Walmart, who was also about to close, where I finally lost it as mom, crying and begging the poor pharmacist to please fill my son’s prescription. Thank goodness she agreed, probably because of this sobbing mess that I was. Either that was enough. My husband made the executive decision to drive back home to Phoenix that night. Twelve hours from the time we first left AZ to we were on our way home. That Monday, we took my son to his primary care doctor who also couldn’t give us much of a diagnosis other than he was suffering from a very unusual respiratory virus. He was never tested for COVID-19, but my poor son was on breathing treatments for a week straight and his 103 fever finally broke….5 days later. At the follow up, in the beginning of March, we were told that my son probably had COVID-19, although testing was not really happening at this time. My son made a full recovery by the time our whole State and Nation shut down. But the experience I had with this virus was terrible and that day that I had with my son was the scariest moment I have ever felt as a mom. I am sharing this story because one, I want people to realize that this virus can affect children and that it has also been around for longer than people may have realized.

2020-10-12

Corporate Mask Mandates Not Being Enforced in Oklahoma

I live in Oklahoma and there is currently no statewide mask mandate, nor has there been one since the business shutdowns started in March. When businesses such as Walmart and Walgreens began mask requirements, I assumed this would be at least a barrier of protection for those of us that wear masks. In Oklahoma City and Norman, both nearby larger urban cities, there are city mask mandates. These seem to be somewhat enforced in the stores and very few people are seen not wearing a mask in those cities. In nearby, more rural areas, such as Newcastle. Walmart began store or corporate mask mandates that forced customers to wear a mask. The door's entry was blocked by a guided entry path that led shoppers past a store employee that handed out masks for those that did not have one. This seemed to be a fairly good deterrent for those that avoided masks. By July I was noticing that customers took masks, but then later threw them in the trash. Employees were not enforcing the masks and some customers were avoiding those that didn't wear masks. In September we entered the Newcastle, Oklahoma Walmart and noticed that the entry had changed and Walmart was no longer acknowledging people that did or did not wear masks. By the beginning of October, as COVID-19 cases were reaching high daily numbers in Oklahoma, Walmart customers in Newcastle were now increasingly shopping without masks. My girlfriend and I used to count the number of people that didn't wear masks, it was a mental note of whether things were improving or dissolving. Now, we count those that wear masks. The number that wear masks are consistently lower, than those without. We have been to Walmart more than once since first of October where we were two of less than ten shoppers that had masks. The numbers seem to be on the decline and Walmart is not enforcing its own requirements. The last time we needed products from Walmart, we decided to go to Walgreens in Newcastle instead since it was less crowded. There were only five to six other customers besides us in Walgreens, but we were the only two wearing masks.

2020-04-11

Walmart CEO says we're in the 'hair color' phase of panic buying

In recent weeks, Americans’ shopping patterns reflects how the coronavirus pandemic continues to evolve and affect daily lives. From hand sanitizer, disinfectants and toilet paper, now to hair clippers and hair dye are flying off shelves.

May 29, 2020

Newburgh IN Walmart Keep each other safe

These photographs were taken to document some of what people in Evansville and its Tri-State region saw and experienced as the realities of the Covid-19 pandemic came to the area in the spring of 2020. Many of these images represent literal signs of the time, while others figuratively depict signs of the pandemic.

2020-05-02

Newburgh IN Walmart Going the Direction

These photographs were taken to document some of what people in Evansville and its Tri-State region saw and experienced as the realities of the Covid-19 pandemic came to the area in the spring of 2020. Many of these images represent literal signs of the time, while others figuratively depict signs of the pandemic.

2020-05-09

Newburgh IN, Walmart 5 9 2020

These photographs were taken to document some of what people in Evansville and its Tri-State region saw and experienced as the realities of the Covid-19 pandemic came to the area in the spring of 2020. Many of these images represent literal signs of the time, while others figuratively depict signs of the pandemic.

2020-05-02

Newburgh IN Walmart (6)

These photographs were taken to document some of what people in Evansville and its Tri-State region saw and experienced as the realities of the Covid-19 pandemic came to the area in the spring of 2020. Many of these images represent literal signs of the time, while others figuratively depict signs of the pandemic.

May 2, 2020

Newburgh IN Walmart (5)

These photographs were taken to document some of what people in Evansville and its Tri-State region saw and experienced as the realities of the Covid-19 pandemic came to the area in the spring of 2020. Many of these images represent literal signs of the time, while others figuratively depict signs of the pandemic.

May 2, 2020

Newburgh IN Walmart (4)

These photographs were taken to document some of what people in Evansville and its Tri-State region saw and experienced as the realities of the Covid-19 pandemic came to the area in the spring of 2020. Many of these images represent literal signs of the time, while others figuratively depict signs of the pandemic.

May 2, 2020

Newburgh IN Walmart (3)

These photographs were taken to document some of what people in Evansville and its Tri-State region saw and experienced as the realities of the Covid-19 pandemic came to the area in the spring of 2020. Many of these images represent literal signs of the time, while others figuratively depict signs of the pandemic.

May 2, 2020

Newburgh IN Walmart (2)

These photographs were taken to document some of what people in Evansville and its Tri-State region saw and experienced as the realities of the Covid-19 pandemic came to the area in the spring of 2020. Many of these images represent literal signs of the time, while others figuratively depict signs of the pandemic.

May 2, 2020

Newburgh IN Walmart

These photographs were taken to document some of what people in Evansville and its Tri-State region saw and experienced as the realities of the Covid-19 pandemic came to the area in the spring of 2020. Many of these images represent literal signs of the time, while others figuratively depict signs of the pandemic.

May 1, 2020

Evansville IN Neighborhood Walmart Sign of Times (2)

These photographs were taken to document some of what people in Evansville and its Tri-State region saw and experienced as the realities of the Covid-19 pandemic came to the area in the spring of 2020. Many of these images represent literal signs of the time, while others figuratively depict signs of the pandemic.

May 1, 2020

Evansville IN Neighborhood Walmart Sign of Times

These photographs were taken to document some of what people in Evansville and its Tri-State region saw and experienced as the realities of the Covid-19 pandemic came to the area in the spring of 2020. Many of these images represent literal signs of the time, while others figuratively depict signs of the pandemic.

2020-06-04

June 4th and the store is still low on supplies

I was hopeful that the stores would recover quickly from the panic buying taking place in March. But here we are in June and the local Walmart, once restocked only stays that way for a day. For a while my neighbors were trading supplies, toilet paper for sugar, garbage bags for dish-soap. But at this point it is getting frustrating. I always had my favorite brands before all of this started. Now, I am lucky if I can even find a similar product. I left the store on June 4th just happy I was able to find cheese at all. Every recipe I cook tastes a little bit off because I had to replace one or two ingredients. I just don't understand all of this. I heard that farms are dumping milk and killing off their entire farm. Meanwhile we are being told there is going to be a meat and dairy shortage. Hopefully things start to look more normal now that they have re-opened California. We are supposed to be going to stage four soon.

2020-04-08

Empty Shelves

The photograph shows a woman standing next to empty shelves at a Walmart. This is very true for the COVID-19 pandemic as nearly all of the stores went out of stock for certain things, especially toilet paper. In fact in my personal experience, there was no food available at the Walmart next door.

2020-03-11

Clearing Supermarket Shelves

A few days before the official national lockdown, people were panic buying and clearing shelves at store. Non-perishable foods such as SPAM, pasta, and other canned foods were being taken off shelves. Essential items such as Clorox wipes, toilet paper, rice, and bottled water also seemed to be popular among panic-buyers. Here are photos of two large stores, Costco and Walmart, where shelves were cleared and people were almost fighting over items.

05/21/2020

Despite Purchase Limits, Shortages Persist in Important Disinfectant Categories at Walmart During COVID-19.

Important disinfecting products such as Clorox wipes and Lysol remain in short supply, despite the limiting of one per customer at the Newcastle, Oklahoma Walmart. These products are important in the disinfecting of the COVID-19 virus for both homes and businesses. These products have been difficult to find since at least mid-March of 2020. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580. #HST580 #ASU

05/21/2020

Walmart Uses Detailed Floor Signs to Alert Customers of Social Distancing Rules During COVID-19.

Numerous floor signs depicting rules for social distancing were observed in the Newcastle, Oklahoma Walmart. Of these floor signs, four different designs were displayed. Each of these signs are focused on alerting customers and directing foot traffic to encourage social distancing during COVID-19. The long blue signs were placed along high foot traffic areas to remind customers of the 6 Foot Social Distancing rules. Other signs were displayed at the ends of aisles directing shoppers to enter (green) on designated ends and exit out (red - do not enter) on the other end. The traffic rules were displayed throughout the store. The smaller blue square signs mark social distancing areas in the checkout sections. This checkout floor signs designate stop points for shoppers to wait at, allowing six feet gaps between each customer. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580. #HST580 #ASU

2020-03-31

Social distancing marker in Walmart

Social distancing markers placed on the ground in Walmart to encourage people to stay 6 feet apart at all times.

2020-04-16

Journal of a Walmart employee

Journal entries.

2020-05-03

small Masks businesses

With the lack of masks being sold in and through stores, people have now been making small businesses of their own by sewing and making them. People have gotten really creative with their masks lately. I've seen bandanas, scarves, and oddly enough plastic shields over their faces. Currently, our local Walmart is being cleaned out of all its fabric. Last time I checked it was pretty much empty. People are taking orders for others and selling homemade masks. I have 3 co-workers who sell them, one even sells ones with sports team patterns. I just bought a patriots one for my grandma. I just never thought about people making a living off of masks, its a good time for people to learn how to sew if anything.

2020-05-02

Cops and Toilet Paper

I was down to my last roll of toilet paper. I had ordered more but knew it may not come for another two weeks... something had to be done. First I went to Fry's… No toilet paper, Then Safeway and Target...no toilet paper. I had almost been defeated but decided to try out Walmart. As I was walking in I saw about five police cruisers parked in front of the store. As I approach the toilet paper aisle I am greeted by an officer telling me to wait in line if I wanted toilet paper. After a short wait I make out with a 24 pack. #REL101

2020-05-03

small Masks businesses

It has now been a month or two into the pandemic surrounding my local area. Many local businesses are never going to open again because they have been out of business for too long. Walmart is also out of fabric because people have been making a living off of masks now. 3 of my co-workers are even selling and sewing masks. How interesting is it too that now people are selling them with specific designs like sports teams. I just bought my grandma a patriots mask the other week for $7. People come in all the time for masks since I work at a grocery store, to begin with, we never sold that many. Now we have people ordering them through my previously mentioned co-workers and picked up later. I didn't even think that these would be a business.

2020-05-01

Cops and Toiltet Paper

Getting toilet paper in the COVID-19 pandemic

2020-04-30

The Great Grocery Store Run

Throughout my whole life I have never seen people so scared and/or lost like I did during this pandemic. Hearing on the news that the COVID-19 pandemic was sweeping across the country and that we were encouraged to stock up on essential supplies I decided to head to the nearest Walmart and get the things I would need for daily life to continue. As I walk into the grocery store, I could immediately feel the panic that was upon every individual that was in the building. Shopping carts full to the max as well as almost everybody having on mask and/or gloves. Shelves were almost completely empty with nothing really left for the workers to stock them back up with. People fighting over items that we considered very small and unimportant just a few days ago. I was completely shocked at just how real this invisible virus had become to everybody,and what people were willing to do to make sure that they were able to survive. A day I will always remember as the Great Grocery Store Run. #REL101

2020-03-14

The Reality of a Pandemic

Walmart, which is usually known for having large quantities of any and all goods you could ever need, is shown being completely out of toilet paper. It shows the reality of this pandemic, and the obsession to "horde" what is seen as neccesities. Not pictured is the meat section completely empty, as well as all the bicycles being sold out, both of which were the case on different occasions. #REL101

2020-04-11

Criolladas: Porque somos seres así?

Presidente: Solamente puede salir una persona por familia. Peruanos: Vamos de paseo familiar al supermercado.

2020-03-29

Wiped Out Bulk Cereal

Shoppers wiped out the bulk cereal aisle at Walmart in Belmont, North Carolina.

2020-03-29

Stay Six Feet Back

A sign at the Walmart in Belmont, North Carolina, warns to stay six feet back from the shopper ahead of you, demonstrating how corporations that still operate for "essential needs" are making moves to protect their shoppers.

2020-03-29

Rationing at Walmart in Belmont, NC

Walmart in Belmont, North Carolina hangs signs in the toilet paper aisle limiting people to how many products they can purchase at once. They state: “we respectfully ask you to limit your purchase to 1 per item.”

2020-03-29

Empty Shelves at Walmart, Belmont, NC

Empty toilet paper and paper towel shelves at the Belmont, North Carolina Walmart. Many shoppers persist in getting their groceries and still gather items that they deemed essential and chose not to wear masks.

2020-04-12

Ghost Towns

In the first few weeks of this pandemic, every grocery store was bustling with no food available and low storage of cleaning supplies. This week, things took a turn for the worse and are kind of creepy. Browsing through the nearest Walmart with my mother, we noticed it was actually extremely quite in the store. When we started paying attention, there was almost noone in the store, the emptiest I have ever seen a Walmart. When we did see someone, they would kind of scurry off in order to keep their distance. Me and my family understand the situation in all but it appears that some people are taking this entire thing way to far as to be afraid to even be seen in public.

2020-03-30

No bikes left at Walmart

Even bikes are in hot demand during the hysteria caused by this pandemic as this shot from Walmart can attest to. Photo is from a Walmart in Scottsdale, Arizona.

2020-03-13

Aisles at Walmart on Rochambeau Drive were out of toilet paper since Thursday

This photograph was taken at a local Walmart in Williamsburg, Virginia. This Walmart ran out of toilet paper and the store was struggling to restock the toilet paper. This photo is an example of "panic buying." As the number of confirmed cases in Williamsburg increases more people are stocking up on supplies.

2020-01-29

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