Items

• 
  2020-10-22

  Julian Adventure

  Julian Adventure My story takes place in the fall of 2020 while many travel restrictions related to Covid-19 were still in place. Like everyone, my girlfriend and I, who are residents of San Diego, CA, had undergone lockdown for a period of time, only leaving the house for essential reasons. We worked from home, ate at home, and entertained ourselves at home. We avoided people as much as possible. Needless to say, after months of isolation, we needed to get out of the apartment. We decided to book an Airbnb in Julian, CA–a mountain retreat about an hour away from San Diego. Upon arriving at the Airbnb home, I remember we felt a bit nervous. How clean was it? Were there germs about? What if the owners did not disinfect the countertops? Driven by anxiety, we had brought our own cleaning supplies and went to work wearing gloves and masks. The place was already spotless, but cleaning it ourselves gave us a sense of control, a little certainty that we had done everything we could. The place sat on twenty-five acres of land with mountain views and horses about. We tried to feel at ease in our new environment and maintained limited, if any, contact with others. We avoided Julian town, but driving through it revealed significantly less people than usual. Although it was a nice getaway, the trip within the milieu of Covid-19 prevented us from fully relaxing.
• 
  12/04/2021

  Karen Porter Oral History, 2021/12/04

  Karen Porter was born and raised in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and still resides there, where she works as a custodian in the Bridgeman dorm at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. In this interview, Karen gives critical information on what it’s like working as a custodian during the pandemic, being the person the community relies on to keep things clean and safe. Karen also reflects on how COVID-19 has affected her life, including her job, family and friends, personal life, hobbies, and mental health. Karen shares additional insight on hot topics of the pandemic, like vaccines, government response, the healthcare system, and collective memory.
• 
  2020-06-17

  Quarantine Lifestyle

  A great video by Rach Gath on living a certain lifestyle during quarantine and how daily routine can change your life during this time.
• 
  April 5, 2020

  Rheana Galloway project2

  a look at the early stages of the pandemic through the eyes of Rheana Galloway.
• 
  2020-03-11

  CUNY closures

  I took this photo of my friend, Sarah, cleaning everything she would be touching in March of 2020, the same day CUNY announced they would be closing due to COVID-19. I remember thinking she was silly for her paranoia. I was in denial that anything was really happening, and I think that was me trying to keep myself calm in all of the uncertainty of what was going to be happening. Looking back, Sarah was valid in her fears of this virus. The seriousness of the situation did not hit me until the announcement of the closure of CUNY schools.
• 
  2020-03-11

  The Smell of "Clean"

  How I personally remember the pandemic is mainly through the olfactory sense. The smell of bleach and Lysol filled just about every public area during the time of the pandemic, and many things spent more time than needed being disinfected with bleach water. The smell of Lysol makes me feel a bit in despair since it is so heavily linked to a very lonely and sad time in the world. The smell of bleach makes me feel a bit ill now, even three years later. I had only ever used bleach for cleaning while at work, disinfecting changing tables and toys, but now I remember it as a time of sadness and sickness. The idea of "clean" will likely never be what it was years ago, and the population will probably never be able to live well knowing the existence of germs.
• 
  2020-04

  Sudden Change to the Nature of Library Work

  This story shows how pandemic radically changed workplace experience, including sensory memories, for my occupation as a library worker in Washington County Utah in April 2020.
• 
  2020-04-05

  How I started a business during quarantine in 2020

  During quarantine in the early stages of the Covid-19 Pandemic, I started my own pressure washing business. I realized that everyone would be at home almost all day everyday so I wanted to make a little money by cleaning neighbors' exterior parts of their homes. My parents had all of the supplies already so I just borrowed their pressure washer and garden hoses. I went door-to-door asking people if they wanted any pressure washing down and it turned out that almost everyone on my street and in my neighborhood wanted me to pressure wash their driveways and sidewalks. In 6 weeks, I made over $3,000 and that was a lot of money for me at the time. I learned a lot about business and how to negotiate a deal during this time. Mostly everyone I know was at home watching Netflix or playing board games during quarantine, but I was outside pressure washing for my neighbors.
• 
  2020-05-27

  Rosalind Leon Oral History, 2020/05/27

• 
  2020-06-01

  Cleaning up during quarantine

  During quarantine, I spent quite some time walking trails and exploring the great outdoors. The first trail I started out on was located on the Red Mountain campus of Mesa Community College. It was here that I noticed the large amount of trash scattered along the dirt trails. While on these quiet walks, I would have a lot of time to look inwards to heal myself, and yet look outwards at the trash building up. I then decided that I wanted to try and clean up as much trash as I could during my quarantine walks. I thus spent large amounts of my quarantine time cleaning up the desert alongside my loving fiance. We even turned cleaning up trash into a game; the person who collected the least amount would have to cook dinner when we got home. We had wonders spending time outside cleaning up miscellaneous trash scattered everywhere. This made me realize that we depend heavily on the earth, however, we sometimes forget to take care of our planet. My REL101 class helped me see that we can use our resources to help out, no matter how small the contribution. So please, spread the love and have fun while cleaning up our earth!
• 
  2020-04-01

  Covid Disinfection in Alife, Italy

  I decided to share this video because it will help future historians understand how a small town in Italy responded to the pandemic. This item is of interest to future historians because it shows how disinfecting the town center in a small town in Italy was deemed to be essential in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This video is critical for future generations and historians because it will allow them to understand what measures were taken. Future historians can use this video and compare it to pandemics from previous generations and discover what protocols are similar. This video is important to me because my family is from a small town in Italy and it is interesting to see the steps that the town took in order to disinfect the town. I also found it interesting to compare how the United States of America disinfected its towns and how it is similar to the town of Alife.
• 2020-12-14

  Thanksgiving during a pandemic

  This thanksgiving was not like another. For the first time in a while, we spent this THanksgiving under a lockdown due to Covid-19. Although we were locked down my family and I traveled to Florida to visit our grandparents because everything gets worse. Since we traveled it made it feel a little bit more like Thanksgiving but not entirely. We had a lot of delicious food that everyone helped make. Everything tasted so good and I was so full after. After we ate we all sat around and talked for a while. But, my siblings and I had to clean up and do all the dishes because the adult’s job was cooking and we had to clean. Later after some time had passed everyone started to go home, but my siblings and I really wanted to get an early start on the Black Friday deals. We all got in the car and drove to target. When we showed up at target we were shocked to find that it was closed. All the shops had closed early because of the curfew. We all thought this was crazy. Since target was closed we all just decided to go home and go to bed. It was a great Thanksgiving but everything still felt very weird.
• 
  2020-10-29

  Essentials that are hard to find during COVID-19

  I submitted this image because it represents the cleaning items that are essential in my life but have been hard to find because of COVID. Many people were restricted about how many Clorox wipes they could buy at the store. It was weird to go to the store and not find the cleaning products I need. When I found an item such as Lysol Laundry Sanitizer, I would send a text to my friends and family to let them know which store had them in stock. I would also try to buy several Lysol Laundry Sanitizers so that I could give them to my friends and family. Prior to COVID, cleaning products would not be a gift that you would give your friends and family, but it became a thoughtful item that you could give to your loved ones. For several weeks it was difficult for me to find Lysol laundry sanitizer. It was scary to go to the store and find the shelves empty. Luckily, I had already stockpiled prior to COVID so I had plenty for several months.
• 
  10/03/2020

  Lucy Li Oral History, 2020/10/03

  Lucy Li speaks on her experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the cleaning ritual she has developed, her new recognition of the need for social interaction, remote work and school, and how the economy’s dip will affect her generation. She finds work-life-school balance, feeling stuck in her apartment, and connection with others challenging. She finds that nihilistic memes, social media management strategy, and park walks with friends keep her grounded. Li finds hope in community resilience.
• 
  2020-07-03

  An Unexpected Spring Cleaning

  This story details my experiences with quarantine in my hometown of Palisades Park, NJ, and how I've tried to make the best of this situation.
• 2020-08-24

  Life in Covid

  At the age of 18, never did I expect that the end of my senior year of high school would be plagued by a global pandemic that has tested this world's ability to adapt and innovate on the go. On March 12th, 2020, was the last day of high school for me at Westwood High School in Westwood, MA. My fellow students were aware that Covid-19 had begun to take its toll on America. We heard rumors that the school administration was planning on taking a one week breaks to assess the situation at hand. I remember some students being excited that they would have a one week "vacation" and others being more aware that this one week break was really just a way for the school to say that school would be conducted remotely for the rest of the year. As I returned home that Thursday, I received an email from the school announcing that there would at least be a two week hiatus to deeply clean the school and plan for the future. At that moment, I knew my school year, spring sports season, final prom, and my summer were seriously altered. It is what it is. I am not a selfish person, so yes I was upset, but I knew these changers were for the better.
• 
  2020-08-17

  Pandemic at Planet Fitness

  With the pandemic, the lives of many people have changed. For me, I see the changes most significantly at work. I started working at Planet Fitness in January, before the lockdown. I enjoyed my shifts and loved interacting with members at check-in. When we returned to work in July, my work shifts changed significantly. One of my new responsibilities included enforcing our mask policy. Not all members were as accommodating and understanding, as the member featured in the photo collage. Most times when asking members to wear masks, they would apologize and put on their mask. Other times, member's responses varied from rudeness to annoyance. The most shocking aspect of working at the gym during a pandemic is the lack of empathy some people have. In our first month back, many members were coming into the club or calling the club, unhappy that Planet Fitness had resumed billing since they did not feel comfortable returning to the gym. Overall, while there have been some bumps in the road when it came to the reopening of the gym, it has been nice to regain some semblance of normalcy with going back to work and interacting with my members.
• 
  2020-06

  Political Activism in the Midst of a Pandemic: Fordham Neighborhood Clean-Up

  People gather on Fordham Road after the night of the looting to clean up the streets. It was amazing to see how many people were eager to get involved and help to clean up our neighborhood. I arrived at noon to help and there was barely anything left to do. This truly shows how much can be accomplished when everyone comes together and lends a hand.
• 
  04/11/2020

  Teboho Klaas Oral History, 2020/04/11

  Interview with bi-vocational South African pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church tradition who is also an officer in The Other Foundation, an LGBTQ+ rights organization.
• 
  2020-04-17

  Life In Isolation: The Coronavirus... Joyce Jones

  Frustrated Covid post I'm nonessential. The Birmingham university my museum is under isn't switching to online and they still have 400+ students living on campus. Ok, so our museum has been closed to the public for almost two weeks and the university has told all employees to work from home BUT us. I'm working remotely a little bit, but all the staff were told to come in today to deep clean the museum, which is an enclosed metal room and that's like ten-plus of us in one room. We have custodial staff who have the materials and knowledge to do this properly, but...
• 
  2020-06-11

  Mimi's Cafe & Bakery COVID Cleaning/Sanitation Guides

  I work at Mimi's Cafe & Bakery on the weekends as a server. These pictures are the cleaning and sanitation guides for the Front of House (FOH) staff. It's posted next to the main drink station servers use to get drinks for guests. It's an easy reference place and guide for all of the new COVID19 regulations! Mimi's in Columbus, Ohio did close down due to COVID19 in late March and re-opened in early June. My first day back was June 11th, which is the day I took these photographs.
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  2020-04-21

  Plague Journal, Day 39: Dreaming in CoronaWorld

  I'm keeping a Covid-19 journal. Here's the latest entry, describing our family's new routines; weird dreams; my laundromat reopening; presidential flailing; and the death of a friend's mother.
• 
  2020-04-12

  Plague Journal, Day 30: Pilers and filers

  I'm keeping a Covid-19 journal. Here's the latest entry, discussing the difference between pilers and filers and the power of scrubbing.
• 
  2020-07

  Visiting the ICA: Know Before You Go and FAQ

  Webpage of the Institute of Contemporary Art further explaining some of their reopening policies and answering likely questions. As museums are reopening, they require updated policies that are easily explained and accessible to visitors. This webpage offers further explanation on how new policies will affect visitors, and how visitors can obtain tickets to the museum once it reopens.
• 
  2020-06-13

  California’s Racial Justice Crisis is COVID-19 in Prisons

  This article, written by three University of California professors, highlights the racial justice crisis inside US prisons. Due to their architecture and systems corrections facilities find it nearly impossible to keep covid-19 out or slow the spread of the disease. In California the incarcerated populations rate of covid is 650 percent higher than that of the general population of the state. Once introduced into a facility covid spreads rapidly due to overcrowding, lack of ability to social distance, and a shortage of soap and other cleaning supplies. While many people in the general public feel that inmates chose to commit a crime and therefor should do their time others argue that they should not be made to die for their crimes due to covid.
• 
  2020-04-28

  Humans of Covid-19 AU: Suzy Suzet

  “My life was so different to how it is now. I had a very good hourly job and social life. I really want it back like that. The distance is so hard and awkward. I miss my lovely clients whose house I clean. It has totally changed my life. I do a lot of charity work with the Singapore community to occupy my time without work. We help each other with whatever we can. We give food to people who need it on a continuous basis. Many people aren’t earning money right now, but a way to survive is by helping each other. I hope that my family is safe over in Indonesia. Indonesia is one of the worst Asian countries for COVID19. It is very serious. I really want to shout out to my people “this is the worst thing and listen to the government’s warnings!”. I always remind my family: stay at home. Don't worry about food or money, I will provide. Just don’t step outside the house. I really appreciate the Australian Government, they are doing the best. The cases have slowed down, and there has been a good response and togetherness from all of the people. We must always be aware of what the government is saying. Always listen and do it, it’s not that hard. This is not a holiday, lock down is lock down. I have to go outside to make money. The rest are very lucky to work from home.” Instagram post on Suzy Suzet, cleaner, and her experience during the pandemic, which was created by a psychology student living in Melbourne who was interested to hear about how COVID-19 was impacting on different peoples’ lives.
• 
  2020-01-20

  Cleaner from Tongliao, Inner Mongolia

  In the ward, patient Sun Yingcun always pays attention to personal hygiene. Every day, he tries to collect the domestic garbage for the convenience of cleaning by the cleaner. Every time the cleaner comes to clean up, he will say "thank you" every time. He also asked the cleaner how many patients would say "thank you" and pick up the living garbage for cleaning? An uncle from Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, said: almost half of it.
• 
  2020-05-31

  Work Score

  This was important to share the type of things American's are shopping for when we go into the stores. This cleaner has been approved by the CDC to kill COVID-19 and was something I was overly excited to buy for my office. I may have paid more for it than any cleaner in my 23 years, but worth it.
• 
  2020-05-18

  Bring your kid to work day

  Teachers in Fairfield are required to clean out their classrooms with school closure for the remainder of the year. Daycare's are closed and many teachers are forced to bring their children with them to pack up their classroom. This U.S. History classroom is normally full of vibrant students. The distance requirements in the district mandate that educators pre-schedule pack-up times so a limited number of teachers are on campus at a time. Canyon Bell (Pictured) is helping mommy clean. The campus is empty.
• 
  2020-05-13

  "Another virus victim" iPad procreate drawing

  We are cocooning in Donegal. Our house is beside my husbands parents. They are clearing their house. It’s almost like clearing a path to death :( They are getting rid of stuff they aren’t using. Me and my husband aren’t stuff gatherers...but this was a memory he wanted to recapture. The sound and smell of coffee being made. We don’t have a coffee machine so there’s no pint in buying a new one when this one works. Also I miss going to coffee shops.
• 
  2020-04-05

  Neighbors prepare for surge. 1 of 2 - Scituate, MA

  Image of cleaning/disinfectant supplies in stock for home use, after new warning from Gov. Baker.
• 2020-05-08

  Coronavirus and Latin American Families

  Text
• 
  2020-04-27

  Costco Cleaning Procedures

  Costco has made it the policy now that at cash registers, after each use by a customer, they will be disinfected by a team member with paper towels and a cleaning solution. In addition to the plastic barrier present at each register, this is to help slow the spread of the disease.
• 
  2020-04-05

  COVID 19 Journal: 04/05/2020

  COVID 19 Journal by Kaitlin Whalen written 04/05/2020.
• 
  2020-04-17

  Cleaning Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA

  Some Bourbon Street business are maintaining their cleaning schedules even with reduced, or non-existent, foot traffic on Bourbon Street.
• 
  18 March 2020

  Trolley wipes

  We can wipe our trollies, but no toilet paper.