Items

• 
  2020-06-01

  The First Hug

  The pandemic was a time of separation for all of us. The two weeks of isolation to lessen the curve turned into months of remaining at home, at least six feet away from friends and loved ones. As an intensely social creature, this was a time of anxiety and loneliness, despite being quarantined with my husband and three children. The person I missed seeing most was my best friend, Allison. We spoke on the phone daily, and attempted FaceTime (though it felt awkward to both of us). Prior to Covid, we saw each other at least once a day, working closely together to serve our church and meeting at the playground after school with our children. In April of 2020, we planned a coffee date with our daughters as a way to see each other and get out of the house. We went through the drive-thru line of a coffeeshop, and drove to adjacent parking lot. We parked opposite of each other, climbed into the backs of our SUVs, and had the first "coffee date" in over a month. Seeing my best friend's face, in person, brought me to tears - as did the distance between us. I needed a hug, desperately. As I drove away that day, I wondered when I would ever get to hug someone outside of my immediate household, when I would shake hands with someone, when I could high five my daughters' friends. In June of 2020, our church cautiously reopened for in-person services. Masks were enforced, and the six-foot rule was heavily encouraged. However, when I was finally in the same room with my best friend, I couldn't maintain the six foot rule. With my mask on and my hands carefully sanitized, I gave her a hug. It was one of the best hugs of my life.
• 
  2020-03-16

  A Warm Hug

  This personal item is a jacket I received from a customer back during the Spring of 2020. I was an essential worker at Lowe's at the time and quarantine had just been mandated. It was an extremely cold and rainy day; cold to the point of where the wind was blowing the doors to-and-fro and I could not ring up a customer without stopping to put my hands in my pockets. As I worked, a middle-age guest, comes up to register and noticed that I was shivering nonstop. She paused as she got ready to hand me her payment and asked if I needed another jacket. I smiled and told her “No, I’m okay,” but she persisted and asked again. I reassured her that I was okay and she nodded and smiled sweetly and told me “thank you” and to have a bless day. After she left, I did not think much about the encounter besides the fact that she was genuinely a sweet and kind woman. About 30 minutes later, the same woman approached me in my line again, but this time with a Target bag in her hand and jacket in the other. With a sweet smile again, she told me that she used the last bit of her cash she had on her to go buy me something warm so I would not freeze the rest of my shift. While it was a small act, it meant a lot to me considering that she was stranger and was willing to go that far to make sure I was okay. I was not able to give the woman a hug after the exchange (we actually gave each other a "COVID fist bump" out of solidarity,) but it honestly felt all the same. Her act showed me that despite race, gender, age, or orientation, we were all one in the same in that moment and that we were all going through the same trials, worries, and circumstances. To this day, I still have the jacket in my closet and I always wear it at home or outside when I need a warm hug. Whether there is an pandemic a war, or any crisis, going on in the world that experience taught me that it does not cost anything to be nice to another human being. Although there were many more hardships I experienced that year, I always looked back to moment for comfort and remembered that there was a sweet lady out there giving me love and endurance.
• 
  2020-03-14

  Covid Distance

  Me and my boyfriend were dating for about a year and a quarter when COVID hit, he's my best friend we were inseparable. Until covid hit, both of our families bad high risk members and it was to risky to see each other due to it putting our families at risk, it was about two months until I could see him, just see him and around three months till I could even give him a hug. I remember the first time we saw each other since the lockdown he was in his car and had to drop off something for my mom. I had to stand 7 feet away on the sidewalk and he wasn't allowed out of the car, it was heartbreaking. To see one of the people you love most in life for the first time in months and not be able to give them a hug, I just needed a hug. We are still together today, but this was hard on us as it was on many to not be able to to see or hug a loved one to protect one another is really hard even if it is to keep each other safe.
• 2020-03

  Miles and Miles Away

  This is a picture of how far away I was from someone I hold dear to my heart.  My grandmother. My grandmother lived next door to me my entire life. I've always considered myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend so much time with one of my favorite people on the planet. All of my friends would always speak about how they were going to visit their grandparents for the weekend or how they had to text them to "check-in" since their parents had instructed them to. For me, It was never a burden or a reminder; it was always a privilege. As a result, when the issue of covid emerged, I was concerned about my grandma. She'd recently purchased an apartment in Florida and was currently residing there part-time. I was continually reading about the terrible things that were happening to the elderly as a result of Covid-19. Days passed, and before I knew it, it had been months since I had seen her. I tried to contact her as much as possible, but it wasn't the same. All I wanted to do was give her a big embrace and have a meaningful talk with her face to face. The first time I saw my grandmother was an unforgettable experience. I'll never forget how it felt to be clinging to her and not wanting to let go. I'll be eternally glad that my grandmother dodged covid, and I'll make sure to keep her close to me.
• 
  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.
• 
  2021-07-27

  Out of Touch

  When I spent the Thanksgiving 2019 holiday with my family at my grandparent’s house, I had no idea that my hug goodbye would be the last hug I could share with my grandmother for a very long while. With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the CDC pushed multiple changes to prevent the spread of the virus which included social distancing. Both my grandparents are at high risk with underlying health conditions, so possible exposure to the virus was not an option for them. For us, social distancing also meant family distancing. Thankfully, I was able to have regular meetings with them on their front porch. We kept one of the front doors closed to separate us, and we talked from a safe distance. It was not the same as what I was used to and I missed the closeness that we once had, but they were moments to cherish as I did not know when I would get to hug them again. Sadly, I was not the only individual forced to find new ways to stay in touch with family members. All over the internet, heartbreaking pictures and videos surfaced showing families separated by hospital windows, mothers giving birth without family in the delivery room to support them and hold their new baby, and people ‘touching’ their loved one’s hands through glass barriers. These moments showed how the coronavirus left many families out of touch. Once the virus started to slow down and vaccines became accessible, I was finally able to spend more time with my grandparents without the physical barrier. Lots of people are talking about a ‘new normal’ now that cities are reopening and people are getting to go back to their lives. For me, getting to hug my grandmother again was a sign that everything would be okay, and life finally felt normal.
• 
  2021-05-04

  Dreams Six Room Poem

  This is from an assignment in Paula Flynn's 5th grade class at Franklin Elementary School, in Santa Monica, CA. Hugs, relief, and happiness. Sunlight shining through trees at all angles. Laughter and chatter, both mushed together to create a beautiful moment. The wonderful aroma of food, once more able to be shared. Hope, joy, and love. Was the coronavirus caused for a reason?
• 
  2021-04-02

  #JOTPYFuture from Sarah

  Hoping for widespread vaccination by summer so I can hug my friends and family. #JOTPYFuture
• 
  2021-03-17

  First hug in a long time

  A lot of people probably have this same kind of story, but I'll go ahead and tell my version of it. My wife's 93-year-old grandmother lives in an assisted care facility nearby and, of course, has been forced to be very isolated throughout most of the pandemic. However, because all of us have now been fully vaccinated, we were able to go and see her in person a couple of days ago. The most heartwarming moment was when my wife and kids were able to give her a hug for the first time in a long time. I'm sure as more people get vaccinated, they will have more of these kinds of stories to tell.
• 
  02/21/2021

  Jack Wick Oral History, 2021/02/21

  This is a mini oral history interview with my father, Jack Wick, regarding silver linings during the pandemic.
• 
  2020-11-07

  Covid Dog Shows

  I have shown dogs for thirty-five years, which is my hobby and passion. Before Covid going to a dog show was a social event for all humans and canines involved. Exhibitors would greet each other with high fives and hugs. Ring stewards handed armbands to exhibitors, and judges would give placement ribbons to exhibitors and shake their hands when leaving the show ring. Both winners and losers were hugged in congratulations and condolences. Dogs could cue off of their exhibitor's facial expressions and were not leary of strangers who approached them. Dog shows were a laid back and social environment. When the pandemic created shutdowns in every aspect of life, dog shows all but disappeared in Arizona from the middle of March until early November. A few kennel clubs have opted to offer hosting dog shows with "Covid Rules" in place. Starting in November, showing a dog became "different." An exhibitor had to sign a "Covid survey and waiver form," have a scan temperature taken when entering the show grounds, wear a mask at all times, pick up armbands set out on tables and verbally declare the armband was received. When entering the show ring, a specific entry point and exit point was utilized, and exhibitors had to be six feet apart while in the show ring. After a judge examined each dog and determined placements, the exhibitors would stand six feet apart by placement placards and then exit the ring taking their placement ribbons off a table by the exit. There was not any physical human contact made between exhibitors, ring stewards, and judges. The physical challenge of running with a dog while wearing a mask restricted breathing, making showing a dog difficult. If a dog won at the show and a picture was taken, the photographer would offer to "photoshop" the judge into the photo with the dog and exhibitor or everyone socially distanced. In addition to no human interaction, dogs were unsettled by people wearing masks. Showing a dog in a Covid environment has become tiring and stressful, and going to a Covid dog show is not fun even when you win.
• 2021-01-19

  Rules I had to follow

  Rules that I have had to follow were at school where we had to wear a mask also social distance and only able to walk in a certain direction also when you are sick you have to stay home and wash your hands. My feelings about it all are good I just don't like wearing a mask all day. I also feel like it's a little hard to not give your friends a hug or anybody a high five I feel like that's really the hardest part about this.
• 2021-01-11

  COVID-19:first occurences

  It was a cool, crisp, Monday morning. January 13, 2020. I remember the day so clear that I could recall it in deep detail. I had just returned to school a few days prior. I went on my new iPhone 11, which I had just received as a Christmas present, and began texting friends. I soon went onto an app called TikTok, went onto the for you page. There was lots of silly videos. Then, suddenly, I saw a video joking about some virus in China. But it was in China!! So for away. I thought it would never make it to America. I began researching it but time was limited. I thought it was just a regular virus, I doubted it wound affect me. I quickly ate an English Muffin with creamy apricot jelly and butter on top. I got in the cary and talked to my mom on the way to school. "Mom," I muttered as my brother sat silently in the front seat while I was in the back seat of the Prius, "what is this corona thing I heard about?". MY mom breathed out harshly and then back in. She promised me that it was just a little virus in China and that everything would be okay. We hugged goodbye, little did I know that in a few months, she would be the one of the only people I could hug. Then I went to school and said hello to my friends. To be completely honest, there was one of them that was not super kind to me, for privacy's sake, we are going to call her Bailey. I asked my not so friendly friend, Bailey if the had heard about Corona (which was the slang everyone was using to refer to it). "Ya duh!" she replied, "It's a huge virus that China created!". I was not interested in starting conspiracies. Then I went to class and my mind continued spinning for the rest of the day.
• 
  2020-08-14

  Australian Health Worker quote on comforting patients

  Giving someone a hug when they're feeling upset, that's my go to and now we're not allowed to do that. It breaks my heart. Quote from Female aged 30, Aged Care Nurse. Image created by the Health Worker Voices project: https://mspgh.unimelb.edu.au/healthworkervoices
• 
  2020-10-04

  Kids Now Know to Ask "Are you in a meeting?"

  This Tweet shows one of the major changes in our society and home lives. With so many people working from home children have learned to approach their parents and ask if they are in a meeting before saying anything else.
• 2020-08-22

  Social Distance

  2. A simple sticker has now become such an important concept in my current life. At first, I remember seeing them and thinking that this measure was a little extreme and really not needed. Now, my whole mindset has changed. At stores, I am now that person that dislikes if you’re too close to me. It makes me feel like I’m covered with germs if we have to squeeze by each other in an aisle. If I’m paying for something and you’ve already started unloading your items in your cart to pay and moving near me, it makes me feel very disrespected. Something so small such as personal space is now a thing that I think about every day. While at times it helps me to feel safe, it also impacts my personal life too. Things like random hugs, hanging out with friends, playing soccer, or just being able to touch another human being. Socially distancing represented by this small sticker has taken over how I live my life.
• 
  2020

  Missing Hugs from Little Big Momma

  While we've lost so much in this pandemic, the most precious thing I've lost is the ability to give my mom a hug. I won't allow myself to put her at risk, I am out in the world and she is safe in her home.
• 
  2020-08-08

  Pandemic in Paradise

  During this pandemic the state of Hawai'i has suffered a hit to our economy of tourism and many families and business have suffered many losses. Loss of income, jobs with benefits, housing and livelihood have taken a catastrophic drop through out the island chain. The new normal of wearing masks have not just become a requirement amongst the population but many have taken to making masks as both a way to make money and pass the time while on lock down. We have never seen our beaches not filled to capacity with people during the day time no matter what time of the year it is and for the first time we see nature both calm, serene and untouched for the first time in decades. Communities have come together to ensure the rules and policies are followed in certain areas of the islands to keep their families safe from many visiting tourists who have not quarantined during their stay here in Hawai'i. The government has issued a 14 day quarantine to any visitors from outside of the Hawaiian islands to keep the disease under control and from spreading into many of the local communities. The state of Hawai'i's numbers aren't as severe as the mainland United States but continue to grow in numbers. Numbers that continue to keep our famous beaches closed to not just the visitors but for the locals as well, the economy is at the lowest it has ever been and even worst than after 9-11. My job at Starbucks provides a great way to distract people from the chaos going on in their lives and around the world, I've learned that this one on one contact with someone may be the only contact some people ever get in their day to day lives. People look forward to any human interaction these days especially when our lives start off with work and end with home, no in-betweens. What I miss the most is hugging those around you who are closest with you, it's a social norm to hug someone here and is as formal as a handshake when you first meet them. I even find myself being unable to recognize someone with their mask on even if I have known them for years, that saying "I never forget a face" has definitely been put to the test. But what can I say? Until this pandemic is under control and we find a cure this will continue to be the new normal of today.
• 
  2020-03-24

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

  Sara Black, a teacher at Glen Lea Elementary School is shown hugging students before they board a school bus. Due to school closures for at least 14 days, it is assumed that she is saying goodbye as they are unsure when they will see each other in person again.
• 
  2020-05-10

  Mother's day COVID-19 style

  My grandma lives alone and has not gone out since a shelter in place order has been implemented. So for mother's day, some of us gathered in her garage and backyard to spend some time with her. Sadly, we could not hug her or eat lunch indoors with her, but at least we got some time with her face-to-face.
• 
  2020-04-28

  New Love and New Hobbies

  I have been trying new things to get creative as well as finding new love during this crazy time.
• 
  2020-04-23

  Care For A Loved One

  The change in relationship of an adult and their parent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 
  2020-04-11

  I Just Want A Hug

  I just want a hug. Nothing means more to me right now in the time of crisis than a hug. I am not much of a hugger. By me saying that I want a hug, that must mean something. It is strange to go visit your family and having to stay more than 6 feet away from them. Overnight we went from being able to hang out with our elderly family members to now not being able to hug them. I miss hearing my great-aunt say, “Give me some sugar” when she wants a hug. I miss being able to see my extended family. I miss being able to go over and hear stories about their life. I feel that the coronavirus has taken time away from that! I just want to shop. I want to be able to go to the store without just going to get groceries. It happened overnight. I miss being able to shop. I don't even want to buy anything. I just want to go look. I have only been able to shop online. I will not buy anything online, but it’s nice to know that if I ever wanted to buy a $100 blanket, I know where to find one. I want to go to Ross and Goodwill. I mis being able to just walk in the malls. It has been a month! It may not sound like a long time, or like I have an addiction, but trust me, it is hard when your life comes to a halting stop. Not shopping with friends is hard. We would go at least once a month. We just shopped to shop. Sometimes we went shopping for my apartment or for clothes, but now we can't do that. Before the quarantine, I would hang out with my friends at least once a week. Now we have not physically hung out for a month, which has been very hard.