Items

• 
  2022-10-30

  Silenced voices of the commoner

  The recent Covid-19 pandemic has had immense local and global ramifications, especially for us Victorians who have experienced the world’s longest lockdowns. It was a significant worldwide event which will certainly be looked back upon by future generations, just as we have analysed previous historical diseases, such as the bubonic plague. But how should archivists determine which sources, and likewise which voices should be permanently preserved within the historical record? Traditionally, an archive is a collection of documents that archivists have selected to be permanently preserved as sources for future historical or other forms of research. Initially, only scholars with an ambition to conduct historical research had access to archives, but their digitisation and free nature have ensured that anyone is able to access the documents they contain online. However, the process of creating both physical and digital archives is inherently flawed. Archivists have a formidable power to evaluate which sources are “worthy of inclusion”, and simultaneously which ones are not; essentially what compromises the historical record. Therefore, although archivists are characterised as unbiased and impartial individuals, they are inextricably influenced by “societal biases” in their decision-making, as they simply have to select what they personally believe will have value to future researchers. It has culminated in them privileging and prioritising the voices of individuals within positions power, which has indefinitely created “gaps within the historical record” through inhibiting the voices of those without it. Rodney G.S. Carter echoes the problem in asserting that the existence of archival “silences” is the “manifestation of the actions of the powerful”, which has a substantial impact on how marginalised groups produce and likewise form both social history and memory. Ariella Aïsha Azoulay has cautioned readers that “digital archives are no exception”. With this in mind, if we consider the 19-month impact of the pandemic upon Victoria, I am certain that archivists will acknowledge the voices of those within positions of power when determining what sources should be preserved. Of particular importance would be those of primary actors that shaped Victoria’s lockdown experience, most importantly the protagonist of the lockdowns, Premier Daniel Andrews (fig.1). Figure 1. Video of Premier announcing sixth lockdown, cited in Patrick Durkin, “’Recuring nightmare’: Victoria’s snap lockdown is the ‘new normal,’” Financial Review, August 5, 2021, URL: https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/very-concerned-victoria-faces-lockdown-after-eight-new-cases-20210805-p58g3o. I am aware of the threat of “information overload” both real and digital archives currently face with an abundance of available sources, but I would argue that the preservation of major political statements alongside previously supressed voices would be beneficial to any archive created surrounding the Victorian Covid-19 experience. A consideration of the experiences of marginalised voices would be imperative to a future historian, as it would enrich historiography by offering insight into the social-political dynamics of the event, and its psychological impact beyond official government and political documents. I will now consider the value of this “bottom-up approach” in capturing the Victorian pandemic experience from the viewpoint of the common man, me, a historically marginalised group within the realm of archives. I personally wasn’t too concerned about the first lockdown and its stage three and four restrictions as they would “flatten the curve” of infectious cases, providing our health system with the best opportunity to tackle the fast-spreading virus. Life as we know it changed though with only four reasons to leave home; shopping, exercise, caregiving, and work. The café I worked at had to shift to “take away only”, as many others (fig.2). Figure 2. The Food Republic Café, “covid update for customers,” Blackburn, March 23, 2020, URL: https://www.facebook.com/thefoodrepubliccafe. I was still able to work alongside my barista colleague and friend Max which was pretty good, and I was able to perfect my coffee artwork (fig.3). Figure 3. The Food Republic Café, “promotional post during lockdown 1” Blackburn, April 8, 2020, URL: https://www.facebook.com/thefoodrepubliccafe. I was also able to continue exercising and riding my bike, but I wasn’t able to see or visit any friends or family, which initially seemed like a fair sacrifice to make for the health and wellbeing of all Victorians (fig.4). Figure 4. George Vesnaver, Selfie on bike ride, April 10, 2020, photograph, Main Yarra Trail, Melbourne. However, after being continuously plunged in and out of lockdowns by the time the sixth one came about, I was very angry to say the least as representative within my covid journal entry (fig. 5). Figure 5. George Vesnaver, Covid Journal Entry, October 27, 2022, photograph, Kew East, Melbourne. Laura A. Millar’s observation that “the concept of evidence” must be broadened as opposed to its current restrictive and rigid format adopted by archivists has reaffirmed my belief that my experience and that of other regular people should not be forgotten. My sources may just seem like information to an archivist because of their form, but they are filled with evidence of this historic moment. Their eternal preservation within an archive would serve anyone wanting to write about the Victorian Covid-19 experience in the foreseeable future. For example, figure 2. would enable one to see how government information was disseminated via social media; the confirming and likewise conforming of political decisions. Figure 3. would reveal the way in which people adapted to Victoria’s first initial lockdown via humour, helping us remember attitudes towards the past event. Figure 4. would showcase a sense of normality during unprecedented times, through an ability to continue exercising. But most importantly the response depicted in figure 5. towards figure 1., a first-hand account of the psychological impact of the endless lockdowns instigated by those with political powers. Winston Churchill once said that “history is written by the victors”, so considering those with and without power survived the pandemic it seems only fair that all our voices should be recognised in the historical record.
• 
  2022-02-04

  HIST30060: Canberra Test Centre

  This photograph depicts negative popular responses towards public messaging about the pandemic. On the Canberran road sign, a sticker reads, “The media is (the virus) lying to you. Turn off your tell lie vision.” At the bottom of the corner, a sign points towards a PCR test centre. This photograph was taken in February 2022. It is likely that this sticker was posted by a Freedom Rally protester. In January 2022, the Freedom Rally attracted thousands of protesters to Canberra in protest of the government’s response to the pandemic. The “Canberra Convoy” drove from all parts of the country to protest in front of parliament house. While the protesters’ concerns primarily revolved around the vaccination mandate and media censorship, the movement evolved to include all manner of political concerns, including housing affordability, the rising mental health crisis, religious freedoms et cetera. This photograph illustrates how the government measures and media coverage of the pandemic were not universally accepted but rather hotly contested in some places. The Freedom Rally, for example, attracted over 100,000 people to the nation’s capital. The photograph further shows popular anger towards the media coverage of the pandemic. The Australian Broadcasting Channel in particular attracted the ire of the anti-vaccination and anti-mandate movement for contributing towards increased fear of the virus and support for the vaccine.
• 2021-10-05

  The Road Rager

  It was late October 2021. The quiet and muted reactions to my provocative liberal bumper stickers on my Toyota Prius became louder and louder as the pandemic restrictions concluded. I was drinking my kale smoothie when I heard loud shoutings while waiting for the light to turn green. I immediately felt fear as I thought a violent incident was happening outside. I looked to my right and left and noticed an angry truck driver. As I pulled my window down, I thought about how much life had changed during these last two years. Folks crippled with COVID anxiety and forced inside had returned to the jungle that is car traffic. The result? Anger at the other side. Anger at those they deemed responsible for their restricted life. Anger at those who they believed were trying to muzzle and isolate society. The noises subsided, and I noticed I had just thrown my medium Burger King Drink at the car. Was I the angry road rager? Yes.
• 
  2022-06-25

  It's called projection

  This is a tweet from RealLyndaCarter. Lynda Carter is famous for her role in the Wonder Woman TV series. Here, she is expressing anger at those who hated COVID safety precautions wanting to control what people do with their health on abortion.
• 
  2022-01-21

  School Apologizes After Viral Photo Of Teacher Taping Mask To Student's Face Outrages Parents

  This is a news story from Your Tango by Nia Tipton. This is about a middle school in Pennsylvania, where a video of a teacher taping a mask to a student caused outrage. The photo was taken at Pennfield Middle School in Hatfield. The photo went viral and appeared on Sean Hannity's website. The middle school announced that they are going to conduct an investigation over this scandal. Parents also expressed their anger at school board meetings over this. The mother of the student getting his mask taped to his face says that she never intended for the story to go viral. She used the photo to gain support from a Facebook group prior to a school board meeting. She says that other individuals in the group took it upon themselves to spread this story further.
• 
  2020-05-18

  How are you feeling today?

  A comic strip about Covid-19
• 
  2021-09-24

  Mert Erden interviews Danny Rollo about Living Through COVID-19

  The contributor of this item did not include verbal or written consent. We attempted to contact contributor (or interviewee if possible) to get consent, but got no response or had incomplete contact information. We can not allow this interview to be listened to without consent but felt the metadata is important. The recording and transcript are retained by the archive and not public. Should you wish to listen to audio file reach out to the archive and we will attempt to get consent.
• 
  2020-04

  Clean Hands and Empty Spirits

  This story is a small snapshot into how I felt mentally, and smelled, heard, and touched physically during April 2020. It talks about how the smells and noises around me at the time contributed to my worsening mental state and the feeling of hopelessness. This is important to me because it was this time that I learned that I am mentally stronger than I think and that I can get through rough patches with the help of my husband. It was not a fun experience, but I grew from it.
• 
  2019

  Men In The Mirror

  These are all doodles I made during the pandemic when I felt myself crashing, self-sabotaging, or just critical condition emotionally. The drawing on the left is the most recent drawing I made. It shows that I have a heart that is depressed and a mind that is rotting away with a confused face. In the background, you also see the word help radiate from me. This symbolizes how I feel about my education. I feel like, during the pandemic, I'm not able to bounce ideas back and forth on my own, so being alone, I get lost and overcrowded. The one on the top right also expresses my view of myself. It shows that I have a bright flame that either gets drowned with depression or fueled with anger. This relates to the pandemic because when everything got shut down, I Felt very divided with what I was doing and who I was. Lastly, the bottom right picture shows me at a table looking at my hands with a bowl of fruit and pills. This was drawn about halfway through my fall 2020 semester because I have focused on medication. Still, they made me also feel emotionless and more confused about my own personal identity and where my heart was with my art if I can't express it. After this drawing, I became numb and ended up not doing most of my finals and leaving me empty for a while during winter break. The only thing that got me out was seeing my family again after seven months of not really seeing anyone close to me. I also stopped taking meds and had a withdrawal effect at the begging of my spring semester. Now I'm just trying to keep my head up to return to normalcy and see my friends that closely monitored me before knowing how I get affected by certain things.
• 
  2021-05-08

  The Difference that 473 Miles Makes

  My story is about the differences between two states; Illinois and Tennessee and their handling of the pandemic.
• 
  2021-04-22

  How Covid-19 has Affected My Life - Kyra Smith

  The Submission that I uploaded is a reflection on how the pandemic affected my life. What I shared in this story is personal, and might seem choppy because I do not do well when expressing personal stories and feelings to others. I hope this helps someone to know that they are not alone.
• 2020-03

  COVID- College Freshman Edition

  My introduction to COVID-19 was something I will probably never forget. March of 2020 I was in my freshman year of college halfway through spring semester. It was being rumored that COVID was taking over the US and people were dying from this virus. I was uncertain, as the rest of the country, as to how many more people were gonna die and truly how contagious this virus was. I had some knowledge on the virus because I actually did an informative speech on COVID back in the Fall of 2019 in my public speaking class. At the time of my speech there were about 10 possible cases within the US. That number today is about 27.3 million in our country alone. Everyday became uncertain with health and travel which both played a major role in my life. I attend my university in Pennsylvania, and I live in Florida, leaving me 900+ miles away from my family. Being 18 at the time, having rumors of our university closing down scared me. I became afraid of how I was supposed to pack up everything on my own, find somewhere to keep it or a way to ship it home, and be on an airplane, and finish my freshman year of college during a global pandemic. There were then rumors of states shutting down and people being unable to travel in and out which made my situation even worse and my stress levels to increase. Spring break was approaching, and many schools developed the same plan- close schools and universities down for a few days and go from there. This turned into schools remaining online for the remainder of the school year (3 months). This is where my story gets fun (heavy on the sarcasm ). Before I flew home for spring break my mother called my school and specifically asked if the university planned on shutting down so that way, I could properly plan out my flight, pack up my room and put everything in storage. The university said that they did not plan on doing so and if plans changed, they would notify us. Well….. I flew home two days later on a Sunday and once I landed, I got an email from the school that we would be remote for the rest of the spring, fall 2020 was uncertain and that all residents needed to move out within week time. I was filled with anxiety and anger. I now had to find a storage place, figure out how I was going to transport everything because I didn’t have my license, and if Florida and Pennsylvania would let me travel. This also meant that I had to pay for another flight to school and back home as well as a hotel. I was able to book my flight, work with Res Life on a timeframe to move my stuff out and a storage place with a way to transform. My main issue once I landed was a place to stay. Everything in the country began to close including hotels. I did not book a hotel in advance because I was told that I could stay on campus, but of course when I arrived, I was told otherwise and had to find a hotel. Once again, my mother made a phone call and was able to get me a two night stay at a hotel. In the end I was able to pack up everything and fly home without getting the virus, it just took a lot of hoops to jump through to get there.
• 
  2020-01-22

  Diary of a Quarantined Teen: 2020-2021 Edition

  Here lies a photo of my monitor, which I believe represents my current experience as a junior in high school. Pictured on the monitor is classwork, the bane of many students going through distance learning. It connects to the pandemic as most, if not all, students are being forced to go online to complete classwork and connect to Zoom classes as we suffer through our teen years. The internet is where many have come to meet new people, find answers, and much more, which all starts through our electronic devices. Personally, my devices have kept me sane since the pandemic first struck, but also became a major source of anxiety. This miracle holds numerous games in which I can release my stress and anger through, such as Valorant and Minecraft. In addition, it allows me to communicate with my friends through Discord, something that most teens utilize. However, it is where I sit for hours starting from as early as 7:30 am, to as late as 3:00 am, just for school. This may not be the healthiest thing to do, especially since all of this occurs in my bedroom, a place that used to be my haven. What was initially my safe space became a source of a multitude of emotions, such as stress, anger, joy, and much more. There is no longer a true feeling of comfort in any place I can think of, which really is the most disappointing part of it all. But, it’s just part of being a quarantined teen, right? During this quarantine, I believe I have changed for the better in most aspects, though my mental health has reached the lowest point it has ever gone. I’ve made so many new friends, something that I believe is somewhat hard for me, so I consider it a significant accomplishment. Most importantly, I have learned to prioritize myself. Although I’m not quite there yet, big decisions take baby steps, and thanks to it, I feel like I’m slowly getting better mentally. Unfortunately, I have also lost and drifted from friends, and lost a few people in my life due to the virus. As much as I want to feel sorry for myself, to just cry and complain about the unfairness of life, almost everyone is going through something due to the pandemic, so the best I can do is to stay silent and keep on pushing.
• 2021-01-22

  Covid Exposure

  We have a night nurse (NCS) come over to take care of my 3 month old sister. One night we were eating food when the night nurse came down and said that she had bad news. She said that she tested positive for Covid but still decided not to wear a mask when telling us and came really close to us. We had to tell her to put on a mask and go because she asked if she should stay regardless of having Covid. This was a week before Christmas so of course it ruined all of our plans and didn't have anyone over. A couple days later after she confirmed she had Covid, we went to get a rapid test, and a normal test in both of my nostrils with a total of 4 swabs and i was very much against it. They all tested negative. We then got tested again a week later with again another 4 swabs. We had a total of 9 swabs so far because i also got one in early quarantine. They felt like they were stabbing at my brain and one time gave me a gushing bloody nose. Luckily we still tested negative but Christmas wasn't as good all because our night nurse didn't tell us that she had an exposure (which she new about for days before telling us). After a couple weeks she tested negative and came back.
• 
  2021-01-20

  Native Nations Lose Elders, Maintain Hope

  Scrolling through social media, I have been bombarded with innumerous posts that tell the now familiar tale of the passing of tribal elders due to COVID-19. Angry, sad…crushed – My entire being is blitzed with many emotions as I sit here reflecting on the recent news of the death of yet another elder from my own Nation, the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. Being made up of just over 1400 enrolled tribal members, the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, like many other Native Nations, has come upon a time of extreme crisis. It has been stated by many that losing a tribal elder is the equivalent of burning down a library. This analogy is sufficient for many Native Nations although when considering the current state of language and culture for “smaller” Nations, this does not suffice. Every Washoe tribal elder that is taken from this world prematurely could be equated to the burning down of an entire country as our language has been designated as an extinct language by linguistic anthropologists because of the low percentage of fluent speakers remaining. This catastrophe has called for champions, for warriors. Warriors are those who sacrifice for the greater good, for the betterment of the collective. Washoe warriors have once again become numerous. Women and men, younger and older have taken up our positions to defend what we have left. This mobilization is reflective of the wide variety of skills and experiences Washoe people maintain. A foundational principle in Washoe culture, yeyelu, demands that we stand together. Seeing many Washoe upholding our traditions of protection offers me hope. Scrolling has become a task, one wrought with trauma and heart ache but more importantly of hope. HOPE. In prayer, Patrick DéɁileligi Burtt (Red Burtt from Wa She Shu St)
• 2021-01-20

  Rules I have to Follow

  In quarantine, we have had to wear masks to avoid the spread of COVID-19. I agreed with the rule through most of 2020 but I have become angry at the fact that everything is still closed. We have flattened the curve as we were told to at the beginning but now we are just causing more homelessness and depression from quarantine and the loss of jobs. Other rules we must follow are those of eating outdoors and not having large gatherings. All these rules have one goal, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 but it is really getting annoying at this point.
• 
  2021-01-19

  Reflections on Covid from the perspective of the Immune compromised.

  Personal Reflection
• 
  0001-01-17

  Poor Royals

  Awww poor rich, self-absorbed people. In the past week we surpassed 2 million global deaths from COVID. Our nation’s capitol was attacked by domestic terrorists led by an insane person who thinks he is king. Families have lost jobs, been evicted, and can’t feed their kids. Social injustice runs rampant. Yet this is breaking news on Yahoo. Stop it. Just stop it!
• 
  11/27/2020

  CJ Willingham Oral History, 2020/11/27.

  The Oral History interview is with CJ Willingham and she describes her experiences and views during the pandemic year. CJ gives her encounters during the initial pandemic and how the pandemic is affecting her now. She explains her perspective on more than the pandemic. CJ shares her knowledge on protests, police brutality and police reform.
• 
  2020-11-06

  Cop Car Vandalized

  After the protests turned violent cooled down in Des Moines, Iowa, there was still a lot of anger. One group decided to vandalize this cop car to send a message to the public/media. This is a picture from a social media post of the cop car.
• 
  2020-10-24

  "There is a before and an after. Treat yourself gently." - Red Blood, Black Ink

  A poem about the times, and how it drags on. Transcript: [People say this new thing - well, that was before. We casually delineate - oh, but then quarantine. No, this was after March. I hear the same tired, bitter tone in myself. Of course, I say, then covid happened. I mock my own choices; grit my teeth about finances, sneer about my English degree, sigh about loans from college. I regret what I didn’t appreciate. What I took for granted. I get angry at my past self - the trouble she didn’t avoid. But I also hear - each of us, just a little, being gentle to each other. Well, you didn’t know, we say. It’s okay, we say, you will find something. Oh, tell me about gardening. Tell me about those new hobbies. Tell me about the crack in the floor you spent a week trying to refinish. Tell me about the new show you’ve been watching. It’s okay if it’s not much. It’s okay if you have no idea what the future looks like. It’s okay, none of us do. Be gentle to yourself. On this side of events, we care more, listen harder, value time with others. We talk about birds and we notice clouds and we have slowed down. There is a before and an after. Treat yourself gently.]
• 
  2020-03-13

  How The Pandemic Changed My Life For The Better

  Learning How To Ride A Bikw
• 
  09/20/2020

  Julia Norton Oral History, 2020/09/09

  This interview gives insight into a high school senior's experience with dealing with Covid-19. *This interview is about Julia's experience and perspective on the Covid-19 outbreak.
• 
  2020-08-28

  Trump Violates the Hatch Act

  I saw this post on Twitter from an user who is looking for the original creator the corrected NYT headline photo. Trump blatantly violated the Hatch Act by holding a portion of the RNC at the White House. In addition to this illegal act, organizers did not promote proper social distancing at the event and many people were present without masks and in close proximity to each other. The NYT failure to accurately report the situation is irresponsible as it lends credibility to an illegal act and a dangerous situation.
• 2020-08-11

  Back to Normal Life

  In the middle of March, COVID-19 was in full uproar and actions were being taken at the state level in order to combat the crisis. On the individual level, many people around college-age were preaching on a variety of social platforms information about the pandemic and what actions should be taken. Many were preaching that staying at home was the best option, and it didn't matter if you wanted to hang out with others, we all had a job as humans to help each other out by staying home. Nearly every single individual who spoke out on the subject no longer practices what they preach. As the months passed from March, everyone soon forgot about what they said, and with case numbers remaining prevalent, many still went back to their normal way of life. July 4th was the biggest turning point for college aged kids returning back to normal, with it being an opportunity for parties and other social gatherings, soon the normal kick-backs and late-night hangout sessions returned. Since that time just over a month ago, it seems that everyone is hanging out with their friends again, with many social media posts being centered around hanging out with people after so long. The amount of cases has only risen, yet everyone returns to their normal life as if it is safer than March or April. While it may be that everyone has became desensitized to COVID-19, the threat is still out there. Normal K-12 schools have resumed online, and many are soon returning in-person, with colleges following suit at the end of August. The cases will only be increasing and almost no one who virtue-signaled to each other at the beginning of the breakout are maintaining their social-distancing or remaining safe.
• 
  05/08/2020

  Greta Oral History, 2020/05/08

• 
  2020-04-08

  Plague Journal, Day 26: Everything enrages

  I'm keeping a Covid-19 journal. Here's the latest entry, in which I battle unwarranted rage, stoke warranted rage, and allow my mom's exercise regime to crack my armor.
• 
  2020-04

  Tweets from Inside a Prison 4/19-4/25/2020 by Railroaded Underground

  These images follow the Tweets of an incarcerated person from April 19th through April 25th, 2020. In them they discuss their feelings of anger and depression, worries about mental health from being in lockdown 23 hours per day, overcrowding, begins defenseless, politics, elections, self medicating, like others on prison wine called "pruno", how they are not supposed to wear masks at all times but the guards are not, and that though it was declared by prison authorities would not transfer inmates due to concerns over spreading covid that has not been the reality.
• 
  2020-07-08

  "We understand some of you are upset, but please direct your feedback towards us"

  A tweet from Ottawa Public Health addressing those who have been taking out their anger regarding the city's recent move to mandate masks in public spaces towards business employees attempting to enforce the rule.
• 
  2020-07-05

  Where to Vacation

  Social Distancing has been the name of the game since day one; even as doctors and health professionals have struggled to understand the virus, staying six feet apart has always been a recommendation. As the President has flouted the rules of the CDC, Department of Health, and others people have grown angrier and have began to place a greater amount of blame on him. This item was added TAGS v6.1.9.1. I originally searched under the hashtag #ThisYearMySummerVacation. Within that search, I have chosen to add the following tweet because it describes the anger that people feel towards the President over his handling of the coronavirus
• 
  2020-06-28

  P.E.I. sees rise in anti-outsider sentiment as COVID-19 travel restrictions ease

  "...with cottage owners now arriving on the Island, several people with out-of-province licence plates have had their cars vandalized, have been confronted or have had nasty notes left for them in incidents known locally as 'plate shaming.'" Article discussing hostility from locals to those with out of province license plates as they fear they may be carrying coronavirus into Prince Edward Island.
• 2020-06-17

  The pandemic experience

  In Bhutan the first positive cases tested was a foreigner or a tourist. When we heard that we have one virus affected person, the country was statue for once. His wife and the Bhutanese tourist guide were next suspected cases in Bhutan. Even the family of guide was suspected and all the restaurants he stayed was also suspected. Guide's family and workers were quarantined for the first time for two weeks. All the citizens were horrified, scared, worried, perhaps there was mixed feelings inside. After two weeks they were all tested negative which was relieve for a country. After the incident, the government of Bhutan started contacting Bhutanese citizens outside Bhutan, the students, workers and officials. They were kept under correct guidance to save themselves from being affected. As day passes by, government started sending planes to get them. The government of Bhutan had already prepared the hospitals and segregated the places to people coming from outside. The highly equipped with facilities resorts were booked by government. The isolation places were also prepared beforehand. The King of Bhutan and government of Bhutan, in collaboration initiated to the citizens, also constructed houses, reduced taxes, prepared rations, introduced apps to scan, started training more Desung's for duty, Bhutan Broadcasting Service started new program called 'Chikthuen' to entertain people in quarantine. They invite health officials to update about the coronavirus in country, they also invite government officials to inform and share their plans about the improving things in country. One of quarantined student who returned from outside blogged in YouTube, she was happy to be quarantined in Bhutan, as they get all the facilities starting from toothpaste and brush. She says that it was very pleasure that they are equipped with all the needs and wants in Bhutan, but she also shares that it was mundane to be quarantined indoor for longer period as we have never been locked throughout the history. The government of Bhutan has taken good measures to improvise the system of education. Since Bhutan have never experienced the technological life, it is hard for students get used to it. Of course we used to get touch with desktop in schools and colleges, but we never studied and taught from online. The biggest issue of almost all the students is that they can’t study well and they can’t focus on what they are being taught. However, the government had order that school going students will be taught from BBS television, while college students are meant to cop up with online teaching and learning. As a student we are thankful to our government that they are protecting and concerning about us, however as a pandemic grows it will be even difficult to decide our future. There’s fear, anger, worrisome, uncomfortable and unbalanced feelings in the mind of all the people. The way of living was completely changed in country; in the markets, in hospitals, homes and towns. In the town and markets we walk with mask on mouth, with distance from friends and families that we had been together till now. In general every step was observed by duties, Desung’s and polices. It was very indifferent from all the history throughout the history. As positive cases goes up, the fear grows, develops sorrow, becomes unstable and feels dizzy that one day will my family or friend survive out of this pandemic? It was one morning that; I was checking instagram, suddenly at once there was 10 new positive cases at the pace of shock and fear, I wondered will there be death cases and will the positive cases grow even more tomorrow. Nevertheless, I was confirmed that due to existence of dual system of government in Bhutan; the political and religion. While political takes care of people with its developmental laws and on the other hand religious takes initiative to perform many types of ritual for the benefit of all the sentient beings. So, Bhutanese believes that, due to religious blessings we are safe and sound without any death cases till now. it doesn’t mean that we are back to normal, how much we are blessed or how much we get used to social medias; we still have unbalanced and mixed feelings inside that developed since pandemic. We are advised to stay indoor; the streets were found only with couple of people, schools and colleges were closed. It was uneasy to use social media every day; the life was mundane, sudden dynamic, the sudden indifferent lives thus introduced.
• 
  2020-05-07

  Racism towards Asians during quarantine

  Many Asians, especially elderly Asians, were mistreated during the Covid-19 pandemic. Discrimination towards Asians has severely affected their life on many respected. They were verbally, physically attacked because many people consider them as the source of this pandemic and spread their anger towards many innocent people.
• 2020-06-02

  Thoughts

  It's currently June 2nd, 2020. I'm sitting in my room at 2:47am thinking about how the world is slowly falling apart. I didn't know that Friday would be my last day in school, my last day in those hallways rushing up the stairs to Chemistry for the final period of the day. I didn't think it would be the last time I spoke to my friends and teachers face to face. Every day is a new problem, right now there are protests all over the world following the black lives matter movement. Cops are out of control, abusing their power and killing innocent people. Stores and homes are being looted and burned down. I've been watching the news and our "president" has ordered the military to open fire if they start looting. It would seem the world is falling apart as I sit at home. The pandemic may have helped our environment but it shows that our kind is ruthless. They can't stay at home and have to protest the virus. I sometimes wonder what they think they are doing, you can't protest a virus. Stay home, you are the reason the cases keep going up. The racism and abuse of power taken on by the cops who are meant to protect us has got out of control and everything is being publicized. I wish it would stop. It's important that I got this off my mind because our children and grandchildren are going to learn about this. It's important they know how terrible our president was during this time and how stupid people can be. They should know that millions violated the stay at home order and caused our cases to rise. They should know that while everyone was at home, police were outside giving masks to WHITE people in Central Park while beating up minorities in lower income area because they didn't have a mask or weren't social distancing. They should know how terrible America really is.
• 
  05/09/2020

  Hating on Runners -- Brooklyn, NY on "PAUSE" ("Policies Assure Uniform Safety for Everyone")

  The say you can't take 2 things away from Amercians -- their guns AND THEIR RUNS. As "quarantine" continues New Yorkers are in a tizzy of fear and anger towards runners not wearing masks. "Corona shaming" those not following social distancing rules has become a favorite past time of restless and anxious city folk. *iphone photo
• 
  2020-05-14

  Is Depression a Smptom of this Pandemic?

  Biography
• 2020-05-12

  Bolsonaro's silence on artists' deaths reflects disdain for Brazilian culture

  Artists criticise Brazil's president, Jair Bolsonaro, for ignoring the recent deaths of several authors, artists, and actors. Bolsonaro once cited a dictatorship-era torturer as his favourite author.
• 
  2020-04-30

  Restrictions? How One Commentator Sees Them as Further Evidence That Australians Have Been Hoodwinked. The Case of Andrew Bolt.

  Commentary on an Australian right-wing pundit
• 
  2020-04-29

  Dear Corona 1.0

  An open letter to COVID
• 
  2020-04-30

  A text message to my Minister about my anger at the US government

  A text message to the Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship I attend describing my anger at the government for encouraging fear rather than alleviating it and for leaving the sick and the poor with no good choices.
• 
  2020-04-19

  'Liberate Colorado:' Large crowds gather at State Capitol to protest COVID-19 stay-at-home order

  Hundreds gathered at the steps of the State Capitol Sunday to protest Colorado’s COVID-19 stay-at-home order, which protesters argue is an overreach of the state’s authority.
• 
  Taken on a walk through Logan Square, Chicago

  "Capitalism is the Virus"

  During this pandemic, it is not hard to notice the flaws that have been exposed in capitalist society. COVID-19 has shown what the effects massive layoffs and a surge of unemployment has on the economic infrastructure. There is a weak, built foundation behind capitalism—the framework is insufficient in providing for a large portion of the American public. As many of us are ‘sheltered in place’, unemployed, and struggling to pay rent, another worry places pressure on the public—the failure of the economy, and another Depression era. Anxieties are high, and the reasoning is valid. #DePaulHST391
• 
  2020-03-11

  Meme About Healthcare

  This is an Tumblr post making fun of the lack of affordable healthcare in the US. It's one of many examples of humor created in response to the pandemic. #HIST5241. *Date Shared; 03/11/2020