Items

• 
  2020-05-25

  First Hug in Months

  My family and I have always been really close, meeting for family days as often as we can. Family gatherings will begin and end with hugs. When the pandemic started, we ensured that we isolated from everyone, even each other, as we all live in separate households and my father and sister have autoimmune diseases, and I have asthma and two heart conditions. Basically, Covid-19 was dangerous for all of us and we were afraid not only to contract it, but even more so to possibly give it to each other. While we would talk over Google Duo and Zoom, it honestly was not the same as getting to interact in person. There is huge importance and one could even say power in human contact, in human touch. It can be something that inflicts pain or reassurance. In this case, I lost the reassurance of hugs and seeing my family in person. The first time I hugged my older sister after lockdown started was about three months after lockdown began. We had both been isolated for weeks without symptoms and without having gone anywhere, and we had both tested negative for it. It had been the longest time I have gone without hugging her. I cried.
• 
  2021-05-18

  Changes during the pandemic

  I chose this photo because of the differences between a before and after the pandemic. I took the first photo from Google, from an article titled "What Keeps People Coming Back to a Restaurant?" (Carol Lin Vieira) because I do not have an old one where access to eat was allowed, since for me it was common. The second photo was taken at my current job, it is located at 2065 Jerome Ave, Bronx, NY 10453. Before the pandemic started, we could go out and share with our families and friends, we could order food and eat in the restaurant, hang out, have fun and laugh, no need to be making reservations all the time. The pandemic changed our lives in a whole new way. Before we could be in groups and go to the park without the need to worry about whether other people could infect us. We had so much more fun because we didn't have to worry about whether restaurants would be open or not, whether we could go out and eat quietly away from home. During the pandemic, we can no longer do these kinds of things because we are separated. This is something sad, not being able to see your friends or family for fear of infecting us or infecting the people we love. Not being able to shake hands, give hugs, kisses on the face or share our food with other people. It makes me nostalgic to see how in my work the tables are empty and it is forbidden to eat, to remember how the restaurant was full with many people who laughed and told how their day, shared stories or dated someone. It is hard to listen to the sad voices of the customers when they ask when they can go eat. As I mentioned earlier, COVID-19 left many losses and many broken hearts along the way, it is a disease in which it showed us the value that each person has. Sometimes as teenagers we do not realize what we have, I chose this photo as an example of how little we valued the little things before and now we really need it. A single walk without a mask, sitting in large groups with your family in a restaurant, being next to someone who has already died due to this disease, among many other details. I think everything happens for a reason and from something so negative we learned something positive, we learned to appreciate the little things in life, to be more united with the family and to love more every day.
• 
  2020-12-31

  I could not hug my mother

  For my primary source, I selected a screenshot of me and my mom while we talked through Facetime. In this facetime we were in the same house but unable to see each other in person since she was infected with the covid-19 virus. Apparently, my mother became ill with covid-19 while celebrating the end of 2020 with close relatives, they were around 6 members of my family and they decided to go celebrate that day since they had not seen each other for a long time. That day I was working at night and cannot go to the party. Well, on the first of January I couldn't go to my house either since my co-workers called out and I had to do a double shift. I left the first of January around 3:00 pm from my work, before arriving at my house my mother called me and told me that she was not feeling well and that she believed that she was infected with covid because she had all the symptoms related to this virus. She went to do the test so I went to my girlfriend's house to wait for my mother to call me to confirm what we already suspected, around 5:00 pm she called me to tell me that she, my aunt and my cousin were positive . We could not leave our house for 16 days and only seeing each other through Facetime. I remember we took turns using the kitchen or leaving our rooms. To use the bathroom, we each entered with a Lysol to disinfect before and after using it. We used gloves and a mask when we left our rooms, so that I would not get infected. Today, 5 months later, my mother is still suffering the consequences of being infected, she gets tired when she walks for a long time and is in training since she has bacteria in the lungs as a result of covid-19. I decided to select this screenshot as my source because it represents what many people went through during the pandemic. Family that lasted months without seeing each other when before the pandemic they saw each other every day and grandparents without knowing their newborn grandchildren were some of the scenes that we could see during the pandemic. I am the only son of my mother and we have a remarkably close relationship. Never in our lives would we have lasted so long without seeing each other in person and without having hugged each other, it was very painful.
• 
  2020-12-11

  Chengdu has new confirmed cases of COVID-19

  There is four new confirmed cases in Chengdu, China and the source of this outbreak has not been confirmed. All patients have been admitted to hospital and receiving treatments now. Sadly, there was a girl who did not know she was positive and she went to bars, restaurants, hair salons, etc. and these places had to be temporarily closed to be disinfected and trace the closed contacts. The girl was being cyber bullied by many because she was spreading the virus even she did not know she was confirmed, this has lead to a social conflict with many people defending her and many cursing her.
• 
  2020-11-25

  Unimpressive WinCo Precautions

  While going grocery shopping for Thanksgiving, I was surprised to see this green bean display that people were going through with uncovered hands. Though most of the bulk goods at WinCo have been partitioned into pre-packaged bags, some of the produce is still open for people to touch. I know that COVID isn't highly transmissible via surface contact, but it was still off-putting to see people touching food that others would eat. I'll be washing my vegetables more thoroughly after seeing this!
• 
  2020-11-18

  With Cases Surging, Colleges Turn To Students For Help

  As COVID-19 cases at universities surge, universities have started to hire students to help with contact tracing.
• 2020-02-08

  Virus and sports

  the artical talks about how you could get the virus playing sports
• 
  2020-04-03

  Arts-and-Crafts-to-Go

  Customers who had placed online orders could use the new "curbside pick-up" service in a rather unique shopping experience for arts and crafts that reduced in-person contact, and by extension, the virus's transmission. #NortheasternJOTPY *Northeastern University
• 
  2020-03-22

  Maintaining Friendships at Home

  During the Coronavirus pandemic crisis over the last few months, it has been very hard to keep in touch with friends and extended family. Because we are all stuck inside, and there aren’t many ways to reach out to people, it has been very hard for me to feel connected to my social circle. Luckily, my closest friends and I stay connected by calling each other on FaceTime at least once a week, and this image was captured during one of those facetime calls. I love my friends like they are family, and these weekly calls are what are helping me get through these lonely and monotonous times. My everyday life has been reduced to home workouts, schoolwork, and television. Working out at home and by myself often leaves me feeling discouraged, but I have been using this problem of mine as a way to stay connected with my friends. The girls in my group of friends have all started tracking our workouts and activity levels. We have all been communicating about our progress and occasionally we will also share new workouts with each other. This is really great because it is especially important now that we all keep our health at it’s very best in the case that we do catch the virus. I have realized that some of my friendships rely solely on common classes or certain activities and face to face interaction. Now that I do not have the opportunity to do such things, these friendships have started to fade. It’s hard to know the status of a relationship. Some friendships are strong enough to last through hard times, and some friendships fade when times get tough. Though it feels awful to lose a friend, it is more comforting to realize that maybe they were not great friends if they cannot stay in contact through this pandemic crisis. Although it is tough not being able to see friends and some family, it is important to stay inside and encourage others to do so as well. Going out to eat and going to places surrounded by people is only going to cause the number of cases to rise. Not only does going out put your own health at risk, but it puts the health of everyone you come in contact with at risk. Right now, it is very important to keep in mind that the best way to care for those you love is to stay away from them and stay safe.
• 
  2020-04-27

  My blog/diary: 04/27/2020

  My name is Egor and i write my thoughts and emotions in my blog https://starcatcherrus.tumblr.com every day for more than 6 years. And i want to share some of posts about life in self-isolation. And also i'm working in a city hospital as a radiologist.
• 
  2020-02

  Victorian State Government "Suspected Case" fact sheet

  Government fact sheet for people who have been notified by their doctor as being at risk of infection and have now developed symptoms. You have been notified by your doctor as being at risk of infection with the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and you have now developed symptoms. You must isolate yourself in your home, hotel or health care setting until your doctor has informed you that it is safe for you to return to your usual activities. Please read this information carefully. What is novel coronavirus? Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. The most recently discovered coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus that can cause an infection in people, including a severe respiratory illness. What is a suspected case? A suspected case is someone who has symptoms or signs of novel coronavirus and who is being tested for infection but has not found out the results of the tests yet. Until the results are known this means there is a risk that you could have novel coronavirus infection and could spread the virus to other people. As such, it is very important that you follow the recommendations outlined in this fact sheet. What do I need to do? Your doctor will arrange for you to be tested for the infection. It may take a few days for the test results to be returned. If your symptoms are serious you will need to remain in hospital isolated from other patients to prevent further spread of the virus. If your doctor says you are well enough to return home while you are waiting for your test results you will need to stay isolated and monitor your symptoms as described below. Stay at home or in your hotel room • Isolate yourself at home until you are advised of the results by your doctor. – You should not leave your house except to seek medical attention. – You should stay in a different room to other people as much as possible. Use a separate bathroom if available. – Wear a surgical face mask when you are in the same room as another person and when seeking medical care. – Do not go to work, school, university, work or attend public places or events. Do not use public transport or taxi services. • Where possible, get others such as friends or family, who are not required to be isolated, to get food or other necessities for you. • If you have difficulties getting food or necessities, call 1800 675 398 for support. • If you need a translator first call 131 450, then request the hotline on 1800 675 398. More information is available on our website: dhhs.vic.gov.au/novelcoronavirus • Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only. Going outside If you live in a private house, then it is safe for you to go outside into your garden, balcony or courtyard. If you live in an apartment it is also safe for you to go outside into the garden while wearing a surgical mask. You should, however, go quickly through any common areas on the way to the garden. Wear a surgical mask if you have to move through these areas. Monitor your symptoms If your illness gets worse, you should call the doctor who cared for you or the emergency department where you were assessed. If it is a medical emergency (for example, shortness of breath at rest or difficulty breathing) you should: • Call 000 and request an ambulance • Inform the ambulance officers that you may have novel coronavirus, and they should take precautions. What happens if my test is negative? Your doctor or a Public Health Officer will advise you if you are can cease your isolation. If you were in self-isolation at the time you developed your symptoms, for example because you have been in contact with a confirmed case or travelled to China, you will need to continue isolation until the 14 days since last contact with the confirmed case or from your arrival in Australia. You should continue to carefully monitor your health for up to 14 days after your last contact with the confirmed case. Report any new or returning symptoms to your doctor in this period. You may be required to be tested again. You do not require medical clearance to return to work, university or school. If you have stayed in isolation and remain well, then they are safe to return to their usual activities. What happens if my test is positive? A Public Health Officer will contact you to find out more information from you and provide you with further information. You must remain in your home or accommodation until further tests are completed and you have become well. After a discussion, a specialist may be involved to further assess your illness. A Public Health Officer will conduct an assessment to advise when it is safe to return to normal activities. If your condition deteriorates, seek medical attention: • Notify the department or Public Health Officer managing your care by calling the number provided to you. • Follow the direction of the Public Health Officer who may advise you to go to a doctor or a hospital, and will agree with you how you should get there. • Call ahead to the doctor or hospital and inform them that you are a confirmed case of novel coronavirus. • If you need to leave your home or accommodation to seek medical attention, put on the mask provided to you. • When you arrive at the doctor’s surgery or hospital, tell them that you are a confirmed case of novel coronavirus. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath: • Call 000 and request an ambulance • Inform the ambulance officers that you have novel coronavirus. People who you have had close contact with including family members and people you live with will need to isolate themselves for 14 days since their last contact with you. Looking after your well-being during isolation Being confined to home for an extended period of time can cause stress and conflict. Tips for looking after yourself include: • Talk to the other members of the family about the infection. Understanding novel coronavirus will reduce anxiety. • Reassure young children using age-appropriate language. • Think about how you have coped with difficult situations in the past and reassure yourself that you will cope with this situation too. Remember that self-isolation won’t last for long. • Exercise regularly. Options could include exercise DVDs, dancing, floor exercises, yoga, walking around the backyard or using home exercise equipment, such as a stationary bicycle, if you have it. Exercise is a proven treatment for stress and depression. • Keep in touch with family members and friends via telephone, email or social media. • Keep up a normal daily routine as much as possible. • Arrange with your employer to work from home, if possible. • Ask your child’s school to supply assignments, work sheets and homework by post or email, or if the student can join the class using online options. • Don’t rely too heavily on the television and technology. Treat self-isolation as an opportunity to do some of those things you never usually have time for, such as board games, craft, drawing and reading. • If you are struggling to cope you call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Where can I find out more information? Call the Department of Health and Human Services on to discuss any questions you have. If you need a translator first call 131 450, then request the hotline on 1300 651 160. For Victorian updates to the current incident, go to: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/novelcoronavirus For national updates: https://www.health.gov.au/news/latest-information-about-novel-coronavirus For international updates: https://www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/novel-coronavirus WHO resources https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
• 
  2020-03-30

  Babylon Bee - Physical Contact Guide

  Babylon Bee satire on the best ways to avoid physical contact during the coronavirus outbreak