Items

• 
  2020-10-28

  Disappearing Hotels?

  I submitted this image because it has a lot of significance to the town of Scituate, with it being the only inn/hotel in this town. The owner has to cut a lot of employees and other things because of this pandemic and they are not receiving any money to do what is normal. Local hotels are getting diminished, just like this one and if these go down, so is the history. There is so much history that is brought along with local objects and there is meaning that locals understand so we need to try and protect local objects, not just hotels during this pandemic.
• 
  2020-08-08

  Protest your faith.

  If you were to take a stroll down Main St. of Huntington Beach, you might be surprised by what you see. I work in downtown Huntington Beach. Protests around these three topics has been quite regular. With a vast mixture of people wearing and not wearing facial coverings as mandated by the state. On this particular day there was a "black lives matter" protest, which was accompanied and/or countered by Christian evangelists as well as a single individual protesting for the re-opening of California businesses. In overhearing a conversation amongst the Christian group, it seems they feel that Covid-19 has been brought on as a punishment to those who have not repented for their sins. Here God is used as an authority figure to insight fear and shame to outgroup members or non-Christians. The pandemic seems to have had an impact on the effect of community in religion in that members that choose to gather in person must view the pandemic in a light that cannot effect them.
• 
  2020-04-01

  REALM Project

  The Reopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) main website where one can access all of the reports, digital materials, results, and resources of the REALM project From their website: "As libraries and museums around the country begin to resume operations and reopen facilities to the public, there is need for clear information to support the handling of core museum, library, and archival materials. OCLC, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Battelle are conducting research on how long the COVID-19 virus survives on materials that are prevalent in libraries, archives, and museums. The project will draw upon the research to produce authoritative, science-based information on how—or if— materials can be handled to mitigate exposure to staff and visitors. To achieve these goals, the REALM project will: - Collect, review, and summarize authoritative research that applies to materials commonly found in the collections and facilities of archives, libraries, and museums - Ongoing consultation and engagement with a project steering committee, working groups, and other subject matter experts from archives, libraries, and museums - Laboratory testing of how COVID-19 interacts with a selection of materials commonly found in archives, libraries, and museums; and identifying methods of handling and remediation - Synthesize the above inputs into toolkit resources that support reopening and operational considerations - Share project information and toolkit resources through the project website and amplified by member associations and support organizations that serve archives, libraries, and/or museums."
• 
  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.
• 
  2020-07-11

  Pickleball Tournaments Lost

  Athletes at all levels have lost seasons as the pandemic has swept across the globe. For professional athletes in emerging sports, such as pickleball, the challenges must be immense. As an avid pickleballer, I've watched as tournament after tournament get canceled and the sport's forums (such as the Pickleball Forum on Facebook) have become sites of controversy as some counsel not playing while others deny the crisis altogether. Lost in that space, though, are the really personal challenges that so many athletes face, including professionals who are defining the future of the game. Steve Deakin, one of the top men's players in the world, posted this evocative statement to the Pickleball Forum on Facebook about the gradual loss of the 2020 pickleball season; with 223 likes, 74 comments, and 5 shares in its first two hours, Deakin's post clearly struck a nerve within the pickleball community. "I wanted to take this opportunity to reach out to the PB community. Please read this to the end if you can spare a couple of minutes today.....As you may or may not know, I took the plunge to pursue PB full time late last year. This was the best move I have ever made. It was scary and exciting all at the same time. I left a job that was secure to pursue what I loved to do. My business/brand was gaining incredible traction and then boom...COVID. My tournament earnings dried up, sponsors pulled back support, my clinics/camps cancelled as "lockdowns" were implemented in Canada. I was livid. I truly believed at that time this was a glorified flu and I asked myself "Why is the Canadian Government taking such drastic action?" I have never seen anything like this in my entire life. I took the time while I was in this "lockdown" to educate myself as my common sense told me something is not right here. There has to be a reason why our Federal Government is taking such drastic action by literally shutting our country down? Well, there is a reason. It's called a Global Pandemic. This is real and it is not a "hoax". The country where I am proud to call home, united as one (regardless of the political differences), and started this battle against COVID-19 together. It was not easy and we continue to adjust our lives today. Whether it be by wearing a mask, not gathering in large groups, or social/physical distancing, the majority of Canadians took it on the chin and did what was asked of us. I feel strongly we are in a great spot today because of these actions. Businesses are reopening safely, new cases are minimal, and most importantly, the deaths related to this virus are starting to dry up. The message here folks in unity. Not division. I have many friends down south in the US that I truly miss. I love this sport. I love the competition. I love the fans. I know I am not alone on this. However, what is currently happening in the US is tragic on so many levels. Trust me, I understand the importance of getting back to work and reopening/rebuilding an economy. As a new small business owner impacted by these shutdowns paired with slow, phased re-openings, I get it. It has been tough. On the other hand, I understand everyone's circumstances can be very different. What we all share though unfortunately (literally) is this virus. I know what I am going to say next may not be popular with everyone in the PB community but it needs to be said by a player that uses this sport as a source of income. Running tournaments in hot spot states in particular with multiple hundreds of registrants is just not necessary right now as cases soar and people die. I cancelled my tournament schedule for July and August to protect my Dad, my Mom, my wife, my kids, and my friends from this virus. This decision was easy for me. There is no amount of prize money and personal brand exposure that can replace them. I want nothing more than my friends in the US to band together and get healthy. We will eventually all get back on the courts safely and responsibly together. Now is just not the time for me. I appreciate every one of you that took the time to read this whether you agree with me or not. I will always respect your opinions on this subject. It's an extremely tricky one for sure. Stay safe and stay healthy."
• 
  05/23/2020

  They’ve survived earthquakes and Prohibition, but can Bay Area bars survive coronavirus?

  This newspaper article examines how some of the oldest bars in the San Francisco Bay Area are withstanding the COVID-19 global pandemic. #ASU #HST580 #SanFranciscoBayArea
• 
  2020-05-04

  Reopening a restaurant with masks and gloves in Sarasota, Florida.

  To reopen the Outback Steakhouse of Sarasota, FL we are required to wear masks and gloves. Only fifteen out of sixty tables are open for customers. We set up an extensive cleaning regime every thirty minutes to ensure the safety of staff and customers. *"Date" as submitted: May 4, 2020 after the governor's lift of the stay-at-home order
• 
  2020-05-01

  Visalia's MAGA Mayday rally urges Newsom to reopen California

  This image illustrates the irony of the protests within the Central Valley. There are currently 743 positive cases within Visalia's county (Tulare County), and 40 deaths within that county as well.
• 
  2020-04-27

  "The Hermit Herald" vol. 1 Issue 22

  Restaurants being ruined; Different rules for different states; test Kits for CV inaccurate; proposal for Attending stadium events.
• 
  2020-04-29

  Miami InterContinental Hotel Starbucks has Re-Opened!

  Miami InterContinental hotel supports with social distancing by creating directional signage for their Starbucks. A new way of being a customer during the pandemic.
• 
  2020-04-12

  Some Churches Fight to Open on Easter Despite Coronavirus Shutdowns

  The article is about how because some states have excluded churches from social distancing rules and others haven't, lawsuits are being filed as Church leaders are being charged for holding services violating states rules. Others are fighting for their right to congregate, regardless of the potential harm that could come from such gatherings. It goes on to discuss the disparity between some Govenors views and their legislatures; stating Kansas as an example where the State Supreme Court had to get involved.
• 
  2020-03-22

  My Life in China During the Coronavirus

  Ten weeks ago, I was in Beijing. I did not have to wear a mask, I did not have to get my temperature checked. I was with a close friend of mine. While they were worried about this virus, I shrugged it off. "We have a new virus every year," I said--"This will be no big deal, I'm not worried." I still feel terrible about that conversation exchange. A few weeks later, I was canceling my holiday to South Korea. A couple weeks after that, China had reached 40,000+ cases. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before. I was stuck inside. I slipped into what felt like an endless ocean of the blues. I felt sad, worried, I was contacting those most important to me almost every chance I got. Now, after 10 weeks, China is slowly starting to return to normal. This picture, taken by Joe Larrea, shows me out and about for the first time since the pandemic began. We have been teaching online for 7 weeks now, with uncertainty on when we'll go back. However, it's nice to see that the city is finally starting to come back to life, even if it is still not as booming as it usually is. We still cannot leave without masks, or enter anywhere without temperature checks. But the country is slowly starting to open up again. What's considered normal is starting to return, albeit at a slow rate. Now, the rest of the world is reaching the problems that China experienced a few weeks ago. Hopefully, the rest of the globe can combat this as well, and one day it'll all seem like a bad dream.