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2020-05

Staying Active

San Diego has always been known for its beautiful beaches, especially during the spring and summer seasons. Normally beaches would be crowded with people laying about and basking in the sun. But this photo shows the opposite. During the lockdowns in Spring 2020, outdoor activity was encouraged for anyone who wanted to stay active. The beach was no exception. However, we could not just go to the beach to relax; we had to stay walking and moving around. There was more enforcement at the beach to make sure everyone was moving and had their masks on. Due to the lack of travel, the beach crowd was smaller than normal. Parts of the beach were even blocked off to discourage people from going too far and breaking rules. Distancing rules were enforced pretty much everywhere.

05/19/2020

Trent Jansen Oral History, 2020/05/19

An oral history interview with Trent Jansen. Trent discusses how family and friends have been impacted by the COVID pandemic. He also talks about how his day-to-day work life has evolved during the pandemic. Trent additionally discusses his views that it is time to reopen businesses and get people back to work. He theorizes that mental health issues caused by shutdowns will result in worse long-term issues than the virus itself.

2020-08-26

Survey Finds Dog Owners Are Exercising More, Enjoying Working From Home During the Pandemic

According to Gallant’s survey, more than 68% of pet parents have spent more time with their pets than with people during the pandemic. An even higher number — 83% of pet parents — said they would continue to work from home after the pandemic. Finding a "fur"ever friend has been an unexpected silver lining during this challenging time. Gallant’s survey found that of the people who adopted since the pandemic began, more than 79% originally didn’t plan to adopt. More time at home means more walks around the neighborhood, too. About 40% of dog owners reported that they are getting more than 5,000 steps in every day compared to 21% of non-dog owners. "It’s not only safe to keep pets in the home, but also beneficial, as they can serve as a source of comfort during a crisis," Julie Castle, the CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, told PEOPLE back in March. "The companionship of pets has been shown to reduce stress and lower anxiety, helping people to feel calmer and more secure when the news from the outside world is distressing."

2021-06-19

Pet Adoption Comic NPR

This comic is fun, engaging, and informative. It talks about the increase in pet adoption during the pandemic and how pets helped a lot of people deal with emotional trauma. It cautions would-be pet owners not to jump blindly into adopting and to think about what will happen when life returns to normal. Separation anxiety can be difficult for pets to deal with, and owners need to have a plan for that.

02/21/2021

Joyce Lee Oral History, 2021/02/11

Mini Oral history interview with Joyce Lee

2021-01-31

Freezing Masks

I live in Massachusetts, which certainly isn't the coldest area in the United States, but it is definitely not warm during January and February. Whenever I go out in public areas, like when I am walking my dog downtown or going to work in Boston, I always wear a mask. I personally feel that wearing a mask is a personal responsibility that we owe to everyone else around us. I work for hours wearing the mask, and have no problem doing so because it's the right thing to do. However, it has been particularly cold in Massachusetts the past week or so, which has meant that my mask freezes almost immediately when walking around. The condensation from my breathing quickly freezes from the inside which makes wearing the mask even more uncomfortable than usual. Then, when I get inside, the frozen condensation defrosts and the inside of my mask is soaking wet (not pleasant!!). But at the end of the day, we do what is necessary for the common good, and winter and the virus will soon be behind us!

2020-09-30

Senior Year in NYC: The Monumental Moments - Strolling through Central Park

The costumes weren’t the only thing that made this Halloween spooky, the fact that trick or treating was a no-go and bars required you to sit, eat and wear a mask. **Fordham University, SOCI2200

2020-09-24

Horace Graydon: I want to live peacefully with you, politically, socially…

Horace Graydon is a community volunteer, avid walker, and advocate for disrupting the pipeline to prison for youth of color. Horace tells his story against the backdrop of his long-term sentences in federal penitentiary. In the end, Horace is hopeful, though, finding that his passion for his work now. Stating that he "took so much out of our black communities by when" he committed acts that led him to prison that, now, he is

10/17/2020

Emily Tyler Oral History, 2020/10/17

Transcription only: In this oral history interview, I sat down and interviewed Emily with a range of topics including: her background, employment, family, household, community, health, information sources, government, and the future. This interview was conducted at Emily’s apartment in Cincinnati, Ohio. Informed Consent was obtained previously before the interview.

2020-10-27

A long hike

Through the beginning of the pandemic, the smell of baked goods was wafting through the house whether it be cookies cakes pies, or something else entirely. This mixed with being inside for a long time and no longer having the physical activity and weight on my back school provide my weight was steadily rising. for much time I had ignored this minor inconvenience until I finally stepped on the scale and found that if compared to my previous weight I could now multiply it by 1.5 G’s. at this point, I decided to get back to something I hadn't done for several years to find a trail and hike it to the end. The next day I woke up earlier(and I am already a morning person) and walked by the hills until I found a trail that looked like it would have a decent length. I don't remember the exact location or name of this trail but it took me through the hills at the high points and a forest-like area on the low end. The path continued for miles and whether on an incline or decline was almost always very steep with a few more level areas to the top. After walking for hours I checked google maps to get a vague idea of how far I went and I learned I was 12 miles into the trail with no end in sight. I was also more than halfway through all the water I bought and didn't think to bring anything to snack on so at this point I decided to head back home but rested more frequently in the shade of trees I found on the path and enjoyed the breeze and view as I walked I heard birds chirping and while the heat made masks annoying it seemed to fade away. While I had not realized my goal of finishing a trail I still had done much that one day I walked more than in the past few months and it gave me the jump start to keep walking and even started running through the start of school witch I hate to say has hindered my efforts. Some teachers are blameless while others have made it so I don't have time in the day to relax even with my schedule that contains next to no sleep

0020-10-22

Saved By A Crippling Providence

My wife stopped walking on February 18th, 2020. On February 17, 2020, We had dinner at a friend's house in Paramus NJ. All was well. We had a great time of fellowship and drove the 1.3 hrs to drive home. The next morning when my wife got up to go to work, she had difficulty walking. It was MUCH more than difficulty, she could NOT walk at all. She screamed out in pain as she tried her best to 'still go into work'. To no avail, when I heard her cry in pain, I whisked her to the hospital. She was diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis. This was the first of two major hospital visits. Her MD MADE her stay home. February 27th....things started shutting down and by March we all know the history of what happened and is still upon us in this NOW PANDEMIC. Whether it was Providence of God or Life, My wife and I were homebound and 'quarantining' before the rules went into effect. It is now October and we are still in the 'woods' with this pandemic but my wife is doing better. This image I took in May of this year 2020. She was just starting to get back to walking. 3 months of pain and misery to be saved from the Plague of this Century. Saved by a Crippling Providence!

2020-04

The Room Gym

As for all of us around the world, we all experienced unique circumstances within our homes. For me, it was keeping up with my workout routine these past six months. The gym has become my second home over the past two years. It was where I can relieve my daily stressors and shut off my mind for an hour. The healthy lifestyle changes that I have made were greatly influenced by working out, so having the gym closed during the pandemic was a drastic change in my environment, along with the closing of schools. Right before everything was officially shut down, my mom and I drove to the nearest target to grab a set of dumbbells. By the time we got there, everyone was in a frantic state and the shelves were practically empty. Luckily, I was able to get my hands on a set of 10s and one 40 lb. They were the last of the weights, I cannot imagine what would've happened if we came five minutes later. These three dumbbells became the sole accessories of my workouts for the coming months. I knew it was time to get creative. In addition to some resistance bands I own, I obtained a shopping basket from my local market. To mimic the deep back squats, I would pile all my weights in the basket and grab two dining table chairs. Then I would stand on top while straddling the basket with my hands. Originally, I used my younger brother but he became too occupied with video games as quarantine went on. This repetitive movement would allow anyone to quit after the first month, but I kept on going. The idea of maintaining my strength no matter the lengths I had to go through was my key motivator. By using grocery bags filled with detergent bottles tied to a broomstick, laundry bags filled with clothes, I performed my exercises in the strict confinements in my bedroom. My parents were too busy focusing on not scraping any new furniture or floors that came with finished renovations. I was not allowed to workout outside my room, so this was another mentally challenging restriction. It is different weight lifting right next to an unmade bed, and I was so close to giving up almost every week. I would try to find loopholes, but nothing was going to change my parents minds. I had to keep pushing myself, no matter what. I knew if I gave into the temptations of my soft bed, I would never get back to exercising until the gyms re opened. What helped was going on daily isolated walks, so I could at least get out of my room for a little. As I am sitting here typing this memo, I am ever so grateful for the gyms reopening. With the limited equipment and lack of space, I am truly amazed that I did not give into the laziness. Though in other aspects of my life activity levels depleted, working out in my room was the one habit I kept consistent throughout.

2020-03-29

sign of courage

Early in the pandemic, when we were sheltering in place but were allowed to be outside for exercise (here in San Francisco), I started taking photographs of signs people posted in and around their homes. This became a daily activity while I was out for a walk. Usually the signs were fairly small and were posted in windows. But sometimes they were more elaborate, like this one with a quote about the nature of courage from Maya Angelou. It made me realize that courage isn't the absence of fear; it's something else. The longer quote includes this: "Having courage and showing courage means we face our fears." That has really helped me in this frightening time.

2020-08-10

Paste up street art, Ballarat

The pandemic has inspired a lot of creativity including street art. This example on a mail distribution box was spotted while walking in the local neighbourhood (walking being another popular pandemic past time). The design has a virus symbol together with a rat. ("The rat" is a colloquial term for Ballarat).

2020-03-27

“Bear Signs ILY in Northborough” A Bear Hunt in Northborough Massachusetts

To increase social connection without decreasing social distancing, Northborough, MA residents were encouraged to place a teddy bear in a visible location in or outside their house. Those walking outside or driving around the town could see how many they could find hidden among the community’s houses. This was done after a Facebook Live reading of the children’s book “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. This photo is of my family’s Bear out in our front window! Here is the related article that explains the Bear Hunt: https://www.communityadvocate.com/2020/03/25/northborough-families-are-going-on-a-bear-hunt/.

2020-04-04

Discarded Mask

I was walking through Highland Park when I noticed a mask on the ground. It seemed oddly poetic in this social climate; A dirty, discarded mask in a beautiful park.

2020-04-12

Park Closures

All New Jersey county and state parks have been closed to ensure the public safety. Due to the park closures it has been hard for us to go out for walks and to play.

2020-04-17

Life In Isolation: The Coronavirus... Marcie Doll

A virtual exhibition by the Evansville Museum of Art, History and Science

2020-04-16

Plague Journal, Day 34: Learning with Montaigne

I'm keeping a Covid-19 journal. Here's the latest entry, in which I battle depression by reading a few Montaigne essays, taking a walk:

2020-04-17T19:30

Isolation and Illumination

I included this video because in my own time practicing social distancing and social isolation, I noticed that my days and nights became dominated by two distinctive scenes, which is a rather harsh contrast to the variety of settings available to me normally. The first being the windows to freedom I had driving in the car to and from the grocery store, or occasionally to go through the drive through. The second is my home, or more specifically the bedroom from within which I have to sleep, study, eat and entertain myself. Whilst I had access to several peripheral liminal zones between these two, such as the balcony outside my bedroom and my local walking track when walking my dog. The neon lights and empty spaces of the outside world through the car window, or through the layer of social distancing in the grocery store exemplify so much of the feeling I have experienced in isolation. I can’t quite pin down this feeling with a pithy phrase yet, but I found that the physical confinement to settings which became routine was so much more traumatising than the lack of social connection which was for me almost an over surplus rather than a lack as I am constantly surrounded by family with both my mother, brother and occasionally cousin being confined to a small cottage house. I feel like the whole world became this strange liminal space in which daily communal expectations were suspended without being overturned with new expectations, I never really got the sense of ‘the new normal’ that others have mentioned.

2020-05-31T20:00:00

Self care through home workouts and building up confidence

During this pandemic I’ve had the opportunity to gain weight and confidence. The pandemic is definitely a terrible time to be in and I try to find positive things to do like working on myself. What I submitted is important to me because it will show the productivity that can still be done despite only being able to be at home.

2020-03-28

Woman wearing a protective mask during the Covid19 outbreak - Boston, MA

Photograph of a woman on Commonwealth Ave. in Boston wearing a protective face mask during the Covid19 outbreak.

2020-05-08

Family walking in Port Meadow, Oxford

A sunny spring day and a wider range of people than usual were walking in this public area, self consciously enjoying the air and exercise, but keeping physical distance.

2020-05-11

Lockdown Day 46 1st walk to the beach during daily exercise allowance period (6am to 9am)

South Africa was in full lockdown Level 5 (21 days) from midnight 26 March until midnight 16 April 2020. This was then extended by 14 days until 30 April 2020 Only permitted to leave homes if > - essential service - essential medical needs - essential food supply From 1st May 2020 change to Lockdown Level 4 Permitted to leave home to exercise between 6am and 9am each day within 5km radius of residence. Have to wear a mask and practise social distancing. This screenshot of Google maps shows the route which I took for my 1st walk from my place of residence (Faerie Glen Estate) to our local beach lookout point (Lucien Beach) at Margate on the South Coast of KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa. The beach borders the Indian Ocean. It was an immense pleasure to breathe in fresh ocean air. Some regulations at Level 4 are proving to be extremely frustrating as we are NOT permitted to actually walk on the beach. Many people appear to be ignoring some aspects of the regulations. South Africa COVID 19 infections = 10015 deaths 194 as at 11 May 2020 First infection recorded 5 March 2020 (local person returning from a skiing holiday in Italy)

2020-03-31

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