Items

2021-08-14

"Ways to Connect Despite Social Distance: Empower Ecuador"

When being part of the program Empower: Ecuador at my school, we were preparing ourselves to travel to Guayaquil, Ecuador to be present with the families in the community. The families in the community were called our neighbors. Prior to traveling and meeting families in person, each person from the class was given a bookmark with a picture of a neighbor and a brief description of who they were. We were supposed to pray for the person selected and have him/her in our hearts until we meet them in person. Due to COVID-19, we were never able to meet these people whom we felt very close to and it was very sad. Therefore, we were tasked with the beautiful idea of writing letters to them about our prayers and best wishes for them in times of trouble. After a couple of months, I received a message through Messenger, and to my surprise, it was the person I wrote the letter to. She was thanking me for the letter and for how happy she felt when she received it. Also, she shared the desire to get to know me more through social media. It was a beautiful moment and proof of how we could connect with each other despite the social distance. To express this story I am sharing a screenshot of a conversation through Facebook (messenger) with a neighbor from Guayaquil, Ecuador. She is telling me that she received the letter I sent and how grateful she is for it.

2020-03-15

Empower: Ecuador - Canceled (Personal Experience)

I was part of the group of student that was preparing themselves emotionally, spiritually, and physically to go to Ecuador and be present with a community in Guayaquil. During this class and for the entire semester we were in retreats together, reading, journaling, and sharing our hearts with each other. We built a community and were deeply connected with the mission of the program and the desire to go to Ecuador and meet the neighbors. However, exactly a couple of days before traveling the lockdown happened, and the plans were canceled. We did not know that the world was going to change so suddenly and immediately. I clearly remember the meeting we had to announce that the trip was canceled and how most of us were filled with sadness and crying. Afterward, we kept being in connection to Ecuador with our prayers and writings. We even wrote some letters to our neighbors in Ecuador. So, this story is to reflects how we can be in connection and engagement with others even during times of depression and distance and how in specific this program had to adapt through COVID-19. To express the story I chose the screenshot of an Instagram post from the Community Engagement Office at St. Mary's University.

2021-10-05

Child's Letter to Doug Ducey

Twitter user @amybchan tweeted a photo of a letter that a 7-year-old student wrote to Governor Doug Ducey. She tells him that she and her sister both got COVID and asks him to make masks at school mandatory. Governor Ducey has not only refused to mandate masks at K-12 schools in Arizona but he has punished public school districts in the state that have chosen to require masks by withholding federal funding meant for COVID mitigation strategies. Parents, students, and educators have been outspoken about this policy and the federal government has weighed in over the mishandling of these COVID relief funds. My children are in a district that requires masks and have put in a grant application for those specific funds but have been told that it is "pending review" and has not released the money to the district. It is hurting districts who are actually trying to keep students and families safe and rewarding schools for not following proven mitigation strategies. At a time when children under 12 cannot get the vaccine this is especially troubling to many Arizona families.

2020-03

A thank you, and a few questions

I attached a letter I wrote to my senior year English teacher and forwarded to the administration after my high school canceled the rest of my in-person school year in March 2020. When reading it, the reader should specifically acknowledge the timeline and therefore lack of information surrounding the pandemic, as well as the personal memories incorporated. This letter houses pent-up frustration, unfiltered emotion, and a lack of education surrounding the pandemic. As an 18-year-old who just lost the remainder of her senior year, I cater to selfish and emotional tendencies. The reader should recognize that I composed this letter before the CDC, scientists, and government disseminated lots of information and education about the virus, so it embodies the unawareness and confusion that surrounded the pandemic. Aside from that context, the reader should acknowledge the remembrances incorporated into the letter – through imagery and specific quotes, my memories and mourning become more internalized. Clearly, these images and memories can only be understood by members of the high school class or close peers. However, these details such as “alter ego outfit”, “alpha omega day”, and “mudslide” speak to personal experience during the pandemic and allow for my specific outlook. The letter I wrote bears lots of significance on my experience during the pandemic by allowing me closure and unleashed emotion. As a senior in high school when the pandemic hit, I never received closure with teachers, classmates, sports teams, etc. This letter gave some semblance of finality with my school’s administration and allowed me to express my concerns in an unfiltered fashion. Although reading the letter itself a year and a half later allows me to reflect on my emotions, the experience of actually writing the letter will never leave me either. I sat at my laptop, brainstorming what to write for an English busy-work assignment. I found it difficult to care about school anymore, after I had committed to Vanderbilt, and school moved to zoom. But, quickly, putting my feelings to paper resulted in an outpouring of passion, both positive and negative, and I cried, not sure why. Rereading the letter, as embarrassed as I am about my trivial concerns, I still return to the place of uncertainty, anger, and volatility. Even though I expressed lots of shallow ideas, the letter still bears relevance to me, as I’m proud of my honesty and vulnerability during that time.

2021-01-19

Essential Business Continuity Stipend – November 3, 2020 Election

This is a letter I got in the mail from the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar, that was sent to anyone in the county who worked at the polls on "the four days prior to or on Election Day". The letter accompanied a $100 stipend that the county was able to provide to election workers for the November general election because they received a grant from The Center for Tech and Civic Life. The following is an excerpt from the letter that mentions the challenges COVID provided to election working: "I want to personally thank you for being a key part of our Election team and for helping to keep voting safe, secure, and convenient under the uncertain conditions of a global pandemic. Your service as an Election Worker ensured that every voter who showed up to the polls was helped with ease and accuracy and that our ballots were processed securely and accurately. The November 3, 2020 election included many new challenges and obstacles that we had never faced. We overcame them together and had a very successful Presidential Election. You did a great ["great" is bolded and underlined] job – from learning our new electronic poll books, to taking the necessary precautions with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and social distancing."

2021-05-27

Teachers Rock

Right before COVID-19 hit my husband made the transition from active duty military to reservist. After eight years we were finally given the gift to settle down and live a "normal" life. January of 202 we moved into our home and three months later we were facing a quarantine. That same in the midst of that my daughter started kindergarten. It was a moment I had thought of for quite some time. In my mind, I would take lots of pictures, walk her to her class and tearfully walk back to my car and having a pity party about my growing girl. Instead, my daughter spent her first day at home in front of a computer while I fought to get into her virtual classroom. For months we dealt with virtual than in class then back to virtual learning as COVID cases peaked. My daughters Kindergarten teacher was the only constant bright light throughout the school year. Through it all she worked tirelessly to make sure the kids had a positive school experience. She went out of her way to make sure the school brought them joy in the midst of the chaotic year, having her in my daughter's life became personal to my family. At the end of the school year she sent out her last newsletter thanking parents but the reality of it is- she was a complete rockstar and we will forever be grateful. I wanted to share her last newsletter in hopes that it reflects an ounce of how difficult this school year was for teachers and how resilient children were.

2021-01-29

Letter to future generations - Pandemic experience

I submitted a letter or my experience of this pandemic. The reason why it’s important is because it tells my experience of the pandemic and describes what affect it had on me. It relates to the pandemic because it tells a story of how I feel during it.

2020-03-29

Start of 14 days of quarantine

Since March 2020, the Chinese government requires a mandatory 14-day quarantine in hotels for everyone who enters the country to ensure no cases from aboard will cause transmission within the country. This is the confirmation letter that I received after I was placed in the quarantine hotel, it indicates the date and time of my entry and the time of the end of quarantine.

2020-07-20

On Learning: Importance and prevalence of education

It is my last year of undergraduate studies and a really crucial year for the transition into Medical School. Experiencing such a thing as this pandemic at such a momentous period in my life was intimidating at first but gradually transitioned into a much required reflection. The lockdown had started at the end of the Spring semester and the importance of school and studies started to fade away into what seemed like a never-ending holiday. The semester then ended and summer seemed like an extension of the holiday even though entrance exams were just around the corner for Medical School. Two months went by in a flash and nothing but a lazy attitude was accomplished. I then recieved this letter in an email from my grandfather who was half-way accross the world. The letter was a short story about his life and the educational aspects of it. He was clearly reliving some of his memories from when he was my age and wanted to impart some much needed advice onto me. Without knowing my mental state at that point, he knew exactly what I needed and could somehow sense my cowardice. His letter gave me a "kick in the butt", which was much required. From the letter; arose in me a certain kind of motivation that had escaped since the start of the lockdown. The letter is a small example highlighting the privilege of an education. It exemplifies the importance of learning, which can be useful for every student. The yearning to learn must never stop, especially at a time such as this.

2020-04-22

An Older Woman Shares A Message For Her Family

Instagram account southernseniorlivingnews posts a photo of a woman holding up a whiteboard with a message to her family reading "Hi family, I'm hanging in there. Hope everyone is safe. Miss you all. Thanks for the letter to my Concord friends! <3 Mom". COVID has made it way more difficult to see and communicate with loved ones who live inside an assisted living, nursing home, or other community for older adults. Protecting them also means restricting our contact with them and that can be extremely difficult for both parties.

2020-05-04

A CLOSER LOOK: in prison and COVID positive … what happens next?

This article talks with several people who have loved ones at correctional facilities across Arkansas. One woman explains that her loved on, Derek Coley, age 29, housed in the Cummins Unit, was due to go before the prison board for possible release in June but instead he died from Covid. He told staff he couldn't breath, was taken to the infirmary where they called an ambulance but he died before it arrives. Another incarcerated person sent a letter from an outside hospital to notify his family he was sick with covid, the prison never informed them. A third person said they were tested for Covid, had the virus, and were sent back to their cell, never isolated, and didn't receive any follow up care for days. The article also outlines the state correctional facilities Policy/Procedures for notifying next of kin.

2020-10-04

A Pandemic Wedding

I chose to submit a letter that my fiance and I will be sending out to guests of our October 4th, 2020 wedding. My fiance popped the question two years ago and ever since then we have been planning our dream ceremony. Something about us as people, we LOVE a good party. Nothing sounded sweeter than inviting our friends and family to join us in celebration. As COVID-19 surfaced in the world, we watched as our dream day slowly seemed less and less likely to happen. Now, I think a lot of people wonder, how can you possibly have a wedding right now? How can you be upset that people are choosing not to come? At this point, for us, it is not about being upset over people choosing to come or not to come, it is about my fiance and I being able to celebrate each other as a queer couple on a day and in a space that has always felt out of reach or off limits altogether. When we sat down to draft this letter, I was feeling angry. Half of my wedding party has canceled (one of the grooms party canceled just today), our guest list went from 180 to 25-30, dinner has been canceled and we will not be having a traditional reception but an elongated cocktail hour. We sat with the reality. My calm has been found in those that will be joining us. Our nearest and dearest. Overall, our people are the most important and we want them to feel safe while being able to join us in any capacity that they are able to. It has taken some creative thinking but we have managed to plan an intimate ceremony for everyone that will be joining us in person and via live-stream. What we have come to realize is health and safety of our loved ones is most important to us and giving grace to those around you is really the only way to not loose your sh$! in the world right now. I'm ecstatic to celebrate how we can and ultimately, to create a covenant with the person I love the most. We have a lot of time together, might as well revel in all this sweetness.

2020-08-09

I'm sorry my love.

Dear son, I am so sorry you are having to live through these crazy times. You are only three and don't understand why we can't go see your grandparents and your friends. I know that it sucks that we can't play outside and living in an apartment makes it even worse. It will be over some day soon. I am so proud of you wearing your mask anytime we have to go somewhere. I am so glad you're in such good spirts at all times. When all of this is all over we will go and visit family and friends. We might have lost a year but my love we will go on vacation and see our family and friends. Just a little longer and we won't have to wear our masks. Until then my son keep strong and we will get through this.

A tweet showing a picture of a dog and a letter from the dog owner's neighbor offering to walk the dog or dog-sit after the pandemic.

2020-05-12

Letter to the Neighbourhood Puppy Tweet

A tweet from the WeRateDogs account which features pictures of dogs and gives them a rating, usually above 10/10. The tweet shows a golden retriever puppy, named Arthur, and a letter the dog's owner received from a young neighbour which reads "Hello neighbor,/ My Name is Troy/ I'm in 4th grade and I'm just wondering if maybe after this virus you need a dog sitter and if so I can Take your dog on walks and more"

04/22/2020

Mr Darcy's COVID greetings

This meme resonated with me because I'd noticed several other aspects of society that reverted to Austen-esque practices during COVID-19. Emails became more like letters; personal and sometimes lengthy. People really began to enjoy walks in pairs again. It forced us all to slow down and consider one another more. (For unit HUM404) Creator: Twitter user Hannah Long / @HannahGraceLong using a still from the BBC's 'Pride and Prejudice' miniseries.

2020-05-13

A letter to the Coronavirus

This has been something similar to a journal entry for me, in how I have been feeling about the virus as a Sophomore in College. #CSUS #HIST15H

2020-05-13

New Normal(A letter to myself)

The following document is a letter to myself in the future. I am reflecting on the "new normal". I write about my experience and the growth I am experiencing during this pause in history. #CSUS #HIST15H

2020-05-10

Mother’s Day 2020, in a Covid-19 Pandemic

My daughter wrote this note expressing the fears around the virus, why she didn’t send flowers, and even a note is scary now, fear of contagion. My grandsons made the card.

2020-04-01

Letter Writing In Support of Great Scott TEMPLATE

Beloved Allston/Boston venue Great Scott was denied a lease renewal. People across the country have banded together to write to the venue's landlord offices. This template facilitates the process and may have increased the number of letters written.

04/04/2020

A Letter to the Class of 2020

A Letter I Wrote to the Class of 2020 (specifically high schoolers) who have missed out on senior year activities and traditions. Originated as a text.

2020-03-30

An essential employee's letter of passage during statewide stay at home order

The letter entails details of an essential employee's reason to be out travelling during a statewide stay at home order. This employee is a take out worker at a common corporate chain restaurant.

2020-04-29

Dear Corona 1.0

An open letter to COVID

2020-04-22

A Letter from 4-year-old Hattie to her Great Aunt, New Orleans, LA

A letter from 4-year-old Hattie Jane Parker of Josephine, Alabama, dictated to her mother, to her 73-year-old great aunt in New Orleans, LA. The letter reads: "I hope we can visit you soon. We can come visit you when the germ is gone. We are at the beach right now. We are having fun swimming and Dada got a new sticker book for me, We want to have fun with you but we can't until the germ is gone. 'Hi Shaun the Sheep!'"

2020-04-24

NIVA Campaigns Congress to Give Independent Music Businesses A Lifeline

"The National Independent Venue Association has sent a letter, backed by over 800 venues and promoters, to Congress in an effort to push for federal aid."

2020-04-27

Daily letters to Vincent in the Nursing Home

when I could not visit my husband in the nursing home for 1/2 hour each day, I decided to write him a one page letter each day with my thoughts or doings. This is because he cannot pick up a phone on his own nor could he hear my voice register if we did talk on the phone. At first I delivered these letters, then the nursing home determined they had to let the germs evaporate for 48 hours. So now I send them though USPS and they probably still hold them for 48 hours before he gets them.

A Fresno State t-shirt that was mailed to students from the athletic department.

2020-04-16

Fresno State Athletics gives their student athletes a shirt and letter during COVID-19. in the mail

I play volleyball at Fresno State in California and I received this in the mail from my athletics department. It is so cool to see them send out their love to every single one of their athletes during this time. The Fresno State Athletics Department cares about their athletes and it was a nice feeling to get this in the mail. They also gave us a shirt to remember this time for the rest of our lives. No dogs down but also go dogs!

2020-04-07

Letter to students from teachers

Letters of hope

2020-04-06

A Letter to My Future Self

Short text

2020-04-03

A day in the life

A college student's personal experience during COVID.

N/A

Open Letter to Cook County Regarding COVID-19 and Cook County Jail: Protect Public Health through Decarceration

Open letter that calls on the Cook County Jail to decarcerate in order to protect those inside from the spread of coronavirus. #HIST5241

A paper from neighbors to other neighbors asking for personal protective equipment donations to a local hospital.

2020-03-23

Letter from neighbors asking for donations of masks and gloves to local hospitals

Everyone on our block received this note asking us to donate any PPE (personal protective equipment, an abbreviation I did not know before the epidemic) to local hospitals. The note exemplifies the shocking failure of national preparation in the US and the way that medical professionals are looking anywhere and everywhere for standard equipment. They are doing this in advance of the horrible days that we know are coming. Our community has had only a few cases, but that won’t last. That the richest nation in the world has no masks, is scrambling for hospital beds, and will soon see deaths of not only older and medically vulnerable but also masses of poor people because of our refusal to provide health care, housing and living wages to all is just horrific, embarrassing, and sickening. My husband makes beautiful hand made tables and chairs. He found a box of gloves and 4 masks. We’ll ask friends to hunt too. This is not how we prepare for a pandemic.

2020-03-26

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