Items

• 
  2020-05

  In 2020 We Ate Certain Foods Because We Stopped Buying Fresh Produce and Meat

  In late spring 2020, we begin to realize that it was too dangerous and too expensive to buy fresh produce and meat. The fresh produce was often out of stock for weeks at a time. Then other times the produce just seemed difficult to trust. The grocery store often had people without masks and the COVID numbers were rising. We really couldn't trust any fresh fruits or vegetables unless we cooked them. Eventually as the prices began to rise on fresh meats, we stopped buying those too. Eventually we found that the pandemic had completely altered our day to day eating habits. We didn't always trust restaurants for takeout since they had COVID outbreaks also. Living in a small rural town, we had limited options. This left us trying to buy a few canned foods at stores or ordering delivery of shelf-stable foods in bulk from online retailers. One of the things that I remember the most is how I began to struggle with my blood pressure. We were eating too many boxed and canned foods; not enough fruit and vegetables. My sodium intake was high and my potassium was low. We then decided we would start buying dehydrated vegetables and fruit. We tried not to buy canned versions that were preserved with salt. The main thing I remember is that one of the first meals that seemed so good and healthy was a meal of Anazazi beans. We had bought some in New Mexico the year before and really liked them. This time we bought a 10 lb bag and assumed that we may have to stock up as the pandemic continued on. We also bough dehydrated onions, dehydrated jalapenos, and other dehydrated mixed vegetables. We did an instant pot of the beans and what ingredients we had. We really enjoyed it. For the first time in weeks, it felt like a real meal. And this was a hot meal during a warm time of year, something we would normally never cook before 2020. Here is the instant pot recipe and with the ingredients we had, leaving out the ones we didn't have. We adapted as best we could. The original full recipe is linked for comparison. The recipe we found: Instant Pot Anasazi Beans Ingredients 2 cups. dried Anasazi Beans 6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed 4 c. low sodium chicken stock 1 c. water 1 fresh bay leaf (or 2 dried) 1 t. cumin 1 t. dried oregano 1 t. dehydrated jalapenos 1/8 c. dried onion salt and pepper to taste Instructions: 1. Place dried beans, crushed garlic cloves, chicken stock, water, cumin, oregano, bay leaves, dehydrated jalapenos, and dried onion in instant pot. 2. Close lid and pressure cook at high pressure for 25 minutes, then pressure release for roughly 15 minutes. Open the lid carefully. 3. Switch pot to soup setting. Stir occasionally for about 10 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper. 4. Serve. http://eliotseats.com/2019/01/27/instant-pot-anasazi-beans/
• 
  2021-04-10

  Muscogee (Creek) Nation provides mobile COVID-19 vaccine units to help rural Oklahomans get shot

  The Muscogee Creek Nation began a campaign in Oklahoma to provide COVID-19 vaccines to rural residents. The mobile vehicles feature refrigeration units and enough room for three nurses to work on administering the vaccine, completing the paperwork, and entering the data to the online system. "I'm not aware of anyone else taking vaccine into communities via a mobile unit so we are really excited to be able to expand this service into our rural communities and we hope to increase vaccination rates because of it," said Shoneen Alexander-Ross, Chief Performance Officer with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health.
• 
  2020-01-28

  IMMY Labs offers POD to help distribute Oklahoma vaccinations

  IMMY Labs is a local company in my area that had previously offered free COVID testing to Oklahomans. Starting last week IMMY Labs created a POD at the Embassy Suites in Norman, Oklahoma. This offered senior citizens and healthcare workers the opportunity to receive the Pfizer vaccine and automatically sign up for the follow up vaccination. The POD is processing approximately 1200 people a day. Before many people in my area were driving up to 150 or more miles, roundtrip, to try to get vaccines. This has greatly improved availability for the elderly in my area.
• 2021-01-07

  A Virtual Funeral is Now Normal

  On January 7, 2021 I attended a virtual funeral service for a friend's husband. This was the first time I had seen an online funeral. It was streamed on Youtube while the closest family and friends attended in person. I watched the service from my phone alone at work. It felt surreal. I recognized several friends on the tiny screen with familiar voices, but it felt far away. Since then I have spoken to a few people and mentioned how I felt disconnected to be on the other side of the screen. Many others had similar stories about these kinds of services. It was now normal to experience these things, but I can't shake the feeling of how much the experience continues to bother me. I hope some day online services won't be necessary.
• 
  2020-12-17

  Attending a Family Funeral During COVID-19

  Standing outside in the cold dry wind, everyone was wearing masks. Small groups were huddled together but each grouping apart from the other. This was not how it was meant to be. The week before Christmas, I experienced this attending a relative's funeral. The pandemic made a traditional funeral impossible. Typically the gathering would be large and focused on coming together for strength. The service was minimized to a graveside service where social distancing could be practiced. The death was not COVID related, but the resulting affects of COVID completely disrupted our most guarded family traditions. The inconveniences of daily COVID restrictions seem trivial in comparison to the large moments that can never be replaced. Our family hopes for a future day when we can properly mourn this loss hand in hand.
• 
  2020-06-16

  Class of 2020 Celebrated by a Rural Community

  The rural community of Tuttle, Oklahoma honored their class of 2020 high graduates with a sign made out of a round bale of hay. The round bale was located just off of State Highway 37 next to the Tuttle Grain & Supply. As part of the creativity, the bale had a sign saying: "Class of 2020" with comments such as "Proud of You!" and "Congrats!" as well as "Great Job!" The sign then covered the face of the hay bale in the design of a large face mask. The community was acknowledging the circumstances that altered the 2020 senior year and graduation to be a smaller event.
• 
  2020-11-03

  Voting Lines Stretched Across Two Parking Lots

  On November 3, 2020 I took a photo of the voting line that was spread across the Legacy Bank and Library parking lots in Blanchard, Oklahoma. The small community has several voting precincts and this is just one of them. At one point it was mentioned that people were waiting up to three hours to vote at this voting location. The crowd appeared to be somewhat spaced apart and some were wearing masks. The pandemic affected how people stood near each other, which would've been normally much closer.
• 
  2020-07-10

  Summer Coin Shortage Still Going in November

  On July 10, 2020 the local bank had a sign displayed that warned of the coin shortage that was caused by the pandemic. Due to the shortage, local businesses were limited in the amount of coins they could request from the National Bank in Blanchard, Oklahoma. On July 24, 2020 we decided to do our part and cashed in all of our coins. This gave us some extra cash and gave the bank some extra rolls of coins to distribute to the local businesses. Signs at local fast food restaurants still display their signs on the coin shortage and occasionally cannot make exact change. For certain restaurants like Taco Bell, they were encouraging over the summer to donate the remaining change to a charity they would then distribute the money to. This is example of how the pandemic has changed our lives in unpredictable ways.
• 
  2020-08-07

  Health Insurance Providers mailing reusable masks for medical appointments

  On August 7, 2020 I received a message from a relative that their health insurance company had mailed them a small envelope with a cloth mask. At the time in Oklahoma, masks were still fairly difficult to find in stores and reusable masks were still available mostly online at considerable costs. The elderly relative said that her and her husband were told to use these if they went to a doctor's appointment or to a hospital. The pamphlet also advised them on the best way to wash and dry the mask for further use. This is something that seems like a small cost to the company, but could benefit everyone if it helped prevent people from getting sick, especially from COVID-19.
• 
  2020-09-15

  US Postal Service notice on voting by mail during COVID-19

  On September 15, 2020 I received a post card mailer from the U.S. Postal Service. The message is: "If you plan to vote by mail, plan ahead." The reverse side had my information and a note detailing a list of suggestions to prepare for mailing in a ballot during the 2020 U.S. Election. Personally, I've voted in many elections over the past few decades and voted by mail for a long time before this election as well - I've never received any information like this. You can tell that during the pandemic there was going to be a lot of pressure on voting by mail. Personally, I turned in my ballot at least a month before the actual day in fear that the postal system would be overwhelmed in the days right before the election. This is the first year where voting by mail didn't seem like a convenience, but felt like it was a large part of election history. The pandemic seems to be shifting our daily lives in ways that no one would've expected at the beginning of 2020.
• 2020-10-12

  Corporate Mask Mandates Not Being Enforced in Oklahoma

  I live in Oklahoma and there is currently no statewide mask mandate, nor has there been one since the business shutdowns started in March. When businesses such as Walmart and Walgreens began mask requirements, I assumed this would be at least a barrier of protection for those of us that wear masks. In Oklahoma City and Norman, both nearby larger urban cities, there are city mask mandates. These seem to be somewhat enforced in the stores and very few people are seen not wearing a mask in those cities. In nearby, more rural areas, such as Newcastle. Walmart began store or corporate mask mandates that forced customers to wear a mask. The door's entry was blocked by a guided entry path that led shoppers past a store employee that handed out masks for those that did not have one. This seemed to be a fairly good deterrent for those that avoided masks. By July I was noticing that customers took masks, but then later threw them in the trash. Employees were not enforcing the masks and some customers were avoiding those that didn't wear masks. In September we entered the Newcastle, Oklahoma Walmart and noticed that the entry had changed and Walmart was no longer acknowledging people that did or did not wear masks. By the beginning of October, as COVID-19 cases were reaching high daily numbers in Oklahoma, Walmart customers in Newcastle were now increasingly shopping without masks. My girlfriend and I used to count the number of people that didn't wear masks, it was a mental note of whether things were improving or dissolving. Now, we count those that wear masks. The number that wear masks are consistently lower, than those without. We have been to Walmart more than once since first of October where we were two of less than ten shoppers that had masks. The numbers seem to be on the decline and Walmart is not enforcing its own requirements. The last time we needed products from Walmart, we decided to go to Walgreens in Newcastle instead since it was less crowded. There were only five to six other customers besides us in Walgreens, but we were the only two wearing masks.
• 
  2020-08-19

  Clinton P. Roberts Internship Portfolio

  The Journal of the Plague Year will become a lasting memory and not just because it is preserved inside of an archive. One of the most memorable aspects will be the way our internship class grew to become a team. As we all look back to our first weeks, little did we know the scope of pedagogy we would need to experience before arriving upon these final days. Dr. Kole gave us the support we needed, but wasn’t afraid to introduce us to the “rapid” nature of a rapid response archive. The conversations of “wearing hats” became common terminology to describe all of the evolving jobs this internship would entail. Some days we were scholars thinking deeply about the concerns of silences. Other days we felt more like roving reporters gathering stories as they were developing. Our “marketing hats” were often in use as we promoted our Calls for Submissions. Undoubtedly, there were days we were required to stack our hats four high. As fledgling public historians, we accomplished all of these things and we did it together as a team. The word “team” seems the most obvious description, but for our group the most fitting term is “family.” This moment has already come and gone, yet it’s preserved for those that look toward it. I felt the need to devote my individual time to preserving those things that were at propinquity. That being said, the “Rural Voices” collection is something near and dear to me. Near because I live in the community that inspired this collection. Dear because it’s so much more; it’s home. I created it because of this familiarity, a familiarity that was disrupted by COVID-19 and I experienced firsthand. Moving forward, future interns will have the opportunity to continue what I have started. This collection was never meant to have only one voice and is only a reflection of its first voice. Every rural community has a wealth of history occurring and with each passing moment those voices fade. The “Rural Voices” collection was, and should always remain, a direct response to that silence.
• 
  2020-04-11

  During Pandemic, Community Adapts "Reverse" Parade to Honor 90th Birthday in Memorable Way

  Local resident Genelle Richey retired in 2012, dedicating 62 years of her life to teaching the youth of Blanchard, Oklahoma. Since then, Mrs. Richey's status of being a local educator and mentor as only grown in appreciation. On April 11, 2020 during the peak of COVID-19 shutdowns, the community of Blanchard expressed its gratitude to Mrs. Richey by organizing hundreds of participants to drive past her in a "reverse" parade celebrating her 90th birthday. She and her family gathered on North Main Street to greet the cheerful crowd as they passed. The event was organized by her family and mostly through Facebook to preserve the surprise to Mrs. Richey herself. The event took place between 3:00 and 4:00 PM on that Saturday, April 11. The parade featured vehicles displaying signs and decorated "float" style trailers. The line of vehicles were led by Blanchard Police and Fire Departments. Parade vehicles dropped off birthday gifts and took photographs to preserve the special event. During an otherwise quiet and uneventful month of pandemic closures, the community of Blanchard resiliently came together to adapt a memorable day for a very special woman. Submitted for the #ruralvoices collection. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580.
• 
  2020-06-28

  COVID-19 Cancels the Oklahoma State Fair, Rural Attendee Tells Her Personal Story of Breaking Tradition.

  Sharon Annesley of Blanchard, Oklahoma tells the story of how the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the traditions of the Oklahoma State Fair. Her text document story chronicles how the State Fair changed over the years, but had never been canceled. She details how this will affect the local economy of vendors, agriculture, and local tourism. She also describes what a typical day for her and her husband would be at the fair and the long-standing tradition it has become to them. Text document authored by Sharon Annesley. The story is titled under the heading “COVID-19 CANCELS THE OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR” (June 28, 2020) The story features personally gathered information and accounts by Sharon Annesley. This document was hand-submitted in a physical form for submission to Clinton P. Roberts for the #ruralvoices collection. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580.
• 
  2020-08-09

  Oklahoma School Reopening Requires Teachers to Be Creative with Their Precautions

  With the reopening of Oklahoma schools, teachers are doing their best to create preventive measures in their classrooms. Dibble, Oklahoma third grade teacher Ms. McDaniel was inspired by online plans for creating class dividers out of PVC pipe and transparent shower curtains. The dividers allow the students to interact with one another, see the classroom board, and see the teacher without being able to breathe directing on other students. Oklahoma schools have not instituted a regulation for masks or other protective measures and only have offered recommendations. This has left individual school districts to provide their own rules. In this particular school some students wear mask, some do not, and others have opted for virtual learning. These desk dividers become a way for teachers to have structural PPE where individual PPE may not exist. Ms. McDaniel made five large cross section dividers that can protect up to twenty children. Ms. McDaniel researched, purchased, and fabricated all of these on her own. Her ingenuity is an example of how rural schools and rural teachers have had to be more creative with their methods of precaution. Submitted for the #ruralvoices collection. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580.
• 
  2020-06-14

  Preparing for the Public Again: Supplies Needed for Reopening Oklahoma Business in Phase 3 During COVID-19

  Starting June 1st, Oklahoma Governor Stitt's Phase 3 of Oklahoma's reopening began. The Richey Insurance Agency of Blanchard, Oklahoma has still not opened partly due to the company's employees being in the vulnerable categories. One of the other reasons is the difficulty in obtaining much needed cleaning supplies and the creation of new office protocols to maintain CDC suggested safety measures. Being a small independent business in a rural area, we are not given strict corporate or state regulations to enact. Instead, we are reliant on state and CDC information as well as our own ingenuity of how to best observe these suggestions. Some of the items that we've recently obtained include: plexiglass barriers for two desks, new easily cleanable office chairs, automated hand sanitizer stations, 70% isopropyl alcohol for spray bottles, bulk bottle of hand sanitizer, brightly colored tape for marking distancing locations on the floor, emergency masks, emergency gloves, and document exchange trays. All of these items are newly purchased and weren't necessary before COVID-19. The barriers will help maintain sanitary work spaces and create social distancing gaps. The chairs are especially important because they are replacing the previous cloth chairs. These new chairs' entire surface is either vinyl or metal, making it easier to clean after every customer. The social distancing rules will be a maximum of four customers in the office. This is approximately one third of its usual heavy customer points normally. All of these changes are based on a downward progression of COVID-19 cases to prevent our employees from unnecessary risk. Right now, three of the employees work from home and will continue until the office is officially open. Currently the new COVID-19 cases are on an upward trend in Oklahoma, with 225 new cases on Saturday June 12th, the single largest day since the beginning of the outbreak. With numbers like these, Phase 3 seems to be more of risk than we had planned. Much of the ramp up to open will be stalled until Oklahoma numbers show a significant decline. Personal story submitted for the #ruralvoices collection. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580.
• 
  2020-06-14

  Message of Hope Left on Control Box Near a Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Memorial

  On June 16th I took a picture of a message that is on a control box for the traffic light on Main Street in Blanchard, Oklahoma. The message is located near a memorial statue that was dedicated to Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Tony K. Burris for his valor during the Korean War. The message of hope was first spotted in early April when the lock downs of COVID-19 were well underway. The message of hope reminds the local residents that hard times have been witnessed before and like those times, "We Will Get By." The message is located on the North East corner of the intersection between State Highway 76 and U.S. Highway 62; many people drive past this prominent intersection daily. The message itself appears to be spray painted with a stencil. Since the message's arrival, no one has attempted to remove it - despite a strict city stance towards graffiti. This message seems to resonate with locals for the sheer fact that it has remained in its location past several public events in the general area that normally would've caused a reaction to have any other graffiti removed. The framing of the sign, the flag, and the statue in the same photograph really resonates with me. This is the way rural people see and feel the sense memory of past sacrifices, the resiliency that resides in hope.
• 
  2020-06-05

  A Daily Routine: Masks Go in the Washing Machine Before Entering the House

  The photograph depicts what the washing machine always looks like at my house in Oklahoma, multiple cloth masks inside. It has become our daily routine of placing our masks in the washing machine as soon as we get home from public places. Before we only used masks to go to the post office and grocery stores, the only two public places we went with other people there. Now that the June 1st Phase 3 of reopening Oklahoma has begun, we have noticed more and more people everywhere we go. As people are becoming more active and very few wears masks, we've begun having to take multiple masks with us everywhere to remain vigilant and have backups. Our daily routine now includes placing our masks in the washing machine as soon as we enter from the garage, before going further into the rest of the house. If we go somewhere that includes carrying lots of things that touch our clothes, then we will also throw our daily clothes in the washing machine immediately. On one occasion we came face-to-face with a person without a mask that was actively coughing without covering their mouth in the produce section. We skipped purchasing any produce that day and went straight home. On days like that, we would immediately wash whatever clothes we were wearing, to prevent spreading anything in to the house. Photographs like this are a constant reminder of how our daily routines were completely changed because of COVID-19.
• 
  2020-05-31

  Plexiglass Barriers Are Becoming the Norm for Businesses Re-Opening During COVID-19

  The photograph depicts two plexiglass barriers suspended over counters at a Domino gas station in Blanchard, Oklahoma. These barrier are suspended from wire chains connected to the ceiling. These barriers act as a "sneeze guard" much like similar system have placed in restaurants in the past. Much like CDC recommended social distancing, these barrier act to protect employees and customers while they stand closer than six feet for transactions. This particular barrier at Domino was installed specifically in response to COVID-19. Local businesses, such as Domino, Spencer's Grocery, Subway, and China House were just a few of thoes that had been observed with these plexiglass barriers installed since COVID-19. In addition, local state and federal government offices such as Gayla's Tag Agency and the Blanchard Post Office had made the transition to these plastic protective barriers as well. As many locations make the shift to re-opening, the plexiglass barrier has become a growing standard of how people do face-to-face business, even in rural communities. Personal story submitted for the Rural Voices collection. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580.
• 
  2020-05-31

  Internet Upgrade Occurs Just as COVID-19 Fears of Contact with Others and Staying at Home Heightens

  The sign depicts advertising to encourage people to sign up for Pioneer Telephone's Fiber Internet in Blanchard, Oklahoma. As a rural community, we had been waiting for fiber access for quite awhile. We are close enough to the Oklahoma City area to see the capability grow, but were too far away to benefit until recently. The local company Pioneer promoted the coming of the internet upgrade for the past year. I had already signed a contract to receive this upgrade in October of 2019, but by chance my neighborhood's service was ready until March 2nd just as COVID-19 concerns were starting to become more widespread. On March 25th state-wide restrictions put in place by Governor Stitt's executive order closed non-essential businesses, limited public gatherings to no more than 10 people, and enacted the "safer at home" protocol for those over 65 or with underlying medical conditions. During this time period I had restricted my exposure to just a few of my closest family in order to protect the older members. Pioneer called the last week of March to set a date, just as the biggest restrictions were occurring. I decided to move forward not realizing how the idea of a person entering my house would change my thoughts just a week later. The utility companies often send people to do work orders, which had never bothered me in the past. When Pioneer arrived on April 3rd to install the upgrade, I began to realize that this would feel very different. For the past month, we had postponed family nights, group dinners, and outings. During that time, we wouldn't dare answer the door for a sales person or go to grocery stores without a mask. The entire month was mostly just Kelly and I in my home with few outs beyond my work or my grandmother's house. The process was somewhat stressful because of how much the COVID-19 situation had changed since signing up for the service. When the man arrived, I noticed he was cautious about how he entered and the social distancing he kept from us. He did much of the organizing of his equipment in my driveway from his pickup. He was a contract worker for Pioneer and his helper was a young man of about eighteen. The two came inside, with the young man doing most of his work from my attic. This was the first time someone other than a few close family members had entered my house since the executive order. His distancing and professionalism helped alleviate many of the concerns. Once he left we used sanitizer wipes to clean door handles, just to be safe. The time he was in my house was cordial and friendly, but it was far from the normal way rural people would act in circumstances like this in the past. There were no handshakes which would've been a standard practice for many people in these encounters. This situation depicts the feelings of uncertainty and the changing of routine habits that occurred during COVID-19. Many of these changes were gradual, subconscious and only visible once we reflected upon them. Personal story submitted for the #ruralvoices collection. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580. #HST580 #ASU
• 
  2020-05-29

  Healing Hands Community Clinic Response to COVID-19

  Sharon Annesley of Blanchard, Oklahoma tells the story of how her rural church created a non-profit community clinic. She also details how this small rural clinic adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her text document story chronicles how the clinic attempted virtual visits but was limited by technological access. Sharon details that clinic patients often elderly or generally without resources, had limited internet access which produced new obstacles for patients of the clinic. She also articulates the ways the clinic attempted to address these difficulties as they wait to reopen the clinic to the public in June. Text document authored by Sharon Annesley, Member of New Beginnings Church - Blanchard. The story is titled under the heading "HEALING HANDS COMMUNITY CLINIC RESPONSE TO COVID-19" (May 29, 2020) The story features photographs of the community clinic.
• 
  2020-05-27

  New Beginnings Church Community Garden Started Amid COVID-19

  Sharon Annesley of Blanchard, Oklahoma tells the story of her rural church starting a community garden amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Her text document story chronicles how the church received the land and how they decided to create a garden that not only served their congregation but anyone in the community that wanted access. Sharon details what members contributed to the maintenance and what vegetables were growing there. She also articulates concerns that members expressed about potential food shortages and a garden's ability to address those concerns. Text document authored by Sharon Annesley, Member of New Beginnings Church - Blanchard. The story is titled under the heading "NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH COMMUNITY GARDEN STARTED AMID COVID-19" (May 27, 2020) The story features photographs of the church garden. Sharon Annesley hand-submitted the physical copy of this document for submission to Clinton P. Roberts for the #ruralvoices collection. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580.
• 
  2020-05-28

  New Beginnings Church - Adapting Church Services Amid COVID-19

  Sharon Annesley of Blanchard, Oklahoma tells the story of her rural church and how it adapted their services during COVID-19. Her text document story chronicles the ways they were affected and adapted to the pandemic. This includes transition to virtual church services and transitions back after Oklahoma's loosening of restrictions upon churches in May of 2020. The church eventually created separate services between two church locations to allow the elderly and high risk members to attend exclusively in a safer environment than the rest of the lower risk members. This text document is authored under the name "Sharon Annesley, Member of New Beginnings Church - Blanchard, Blanchard, Oklahoma." The story is titled under the heading "NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH - ADAPTING CHURCH SERVICES AMID COVID-19" (May 28, 2020) The story features a photograph of the church. Sharon Annesley hand-submitted the physical copy of this document to Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern, for submission into the #ruralvoices collection. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern.
• 
  2020-05-29

  Interview with 5-Year-Old Emily about her Doll "Corona Barbie" and Missing School During COVID-19

  This is an interview from May 29th 2020 with five-year-old Emily of rural Oklahoma about COVID-19. She talks about her doll she named "Corona Barbie" in which she used a high neck dress to cover the doll's mouth like a mask. Emily also talks about missing family vacations, missing school, and especially missing her teacher Mrs. Looper. Growing up in a rural area, she was most excited to be able to share videos of her chickens hatching via Facebook Messenger Kids during the pandemic. Photograph included that inspired the interview is of the actual "Corona Barbie" mentioned in the interview. The photograph was taken on March 16th, 2020. Submitted for the #ruralvoices collection. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580. #HST580 #ASU
• 
  2020-05-26

  Grandmother Grateful for Opportunity to Visit Husband's Grave for Memorial Day During COVID-19

  Jo Ann of Blanchard, Oklahoma visited her husband's grave on 05/26/2020. She was taken by her grandson and his girlfriend to visit his grave. Before the restrictions of COVID-19 set in March, Jo Ann had visited her husband's grave almost daily for over five years. Since the restrictions of the pandemic, she had only visited three times. She said she was very grateful to be able to spend some time with her husband who had been a veteran in the Korean War. Jo Ann said she was looking forward to this pandemic ending so she could resume her normal visits. Submitted for the #ruralvoices collection. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580.
• 
  05/28/2020

  Kelly McDaniel Oral History, 2020/05/28

  Interview with Kelly McDaniel of Blanchard, Oklahoma by Clinton P. Roberts on 05/27/2020. Kelly speaks about her experience of visiting a rural doctor's office during COVID-19. Kelly comments on the changes of procedures and the anxiety of possibly having COVID-19. Submitted for the #ruralvoices collection. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580.
• 
  2020-05-17

  Rural Oklahoma Church Members Attend Online Services During COVID-19

  Sharon and Dan Annesley of Blanchard, Oklahoma attend online services of New Beginnings Church. The Blanchard area church began offering Facebook Live streaming of their services starting 03/22/2020 and continued until 05/17/2020. Before March neither of them had ever attended an online church service, but it soon became a weekly routine during the COVID-19 restrictions. For nearly two months, Sharon and Dan attended the services each Sunday morning by driving to a local area for access to Wi-Fi and viewing on their laptop from the car. The photo captures the last time members Sharon and Dan attended online services before Oklahoma's COVID-19 restrictions were lifted for churches. Starting 05/24/2020, limited in-person services for New Beginnings Church reopened on 05/24/2020 as online streaming simultaneously will continue.
• 
  05/27/2020

  Kris McDaniel Oral History, 2020/05/27

  Interview of recent high graduate Kris McDaniel of Blanchard, Oklahoma by Clinton P. Roberts on 05/27/2020. Kris speaks about changes to his senior year of high school and the unique ways his rural town created a drive-through graduation ceremony due to COVID-19. Kris also speaks generally on what it was like to be a young person in high school, missing key moments due to the pandemic, and what he wants future people to know about this experience in this rural community. Submitted for the #ruralvoices collection. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580. #HST580 #ASU
• 
  05/21/2020

  Despite Purchase Limits, Shortages Persist in Important Disinfectant Categories at Walmart During COVID-19.

  Important disinfecting products such as Clorox wipes and Lysol remain in short supply, despite the limiting of one per customer at the Newcastle, Oklahoma Walmart. These products are important in the disinfecting of the COVID-19 virus for both homes and businesses. These products have been difficult to find since at least mid-March of 2020. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580. #HST580 #ASU
• 
  05/21/2020

  The UPS Store Limits Number of Customers Inside the Store to 3 to Observe CDC Social Distancing Guidelines

  The Norman, Oklahoma UPS Store has changed their policy customer capacity per CDC guidelines to encourage six foot social distancing. This particular store only allows in three customers at a time. On previous days there has been as many as ten people waiting in line inside while others use the mail box section or shop their shipping supplies. This limit of three customers is designed specifically for the six foot social distancing practice to be observed. Beyond the three customers, requires that people must wait in line along the sidewalk outside the business. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580. #HST580 #ASU
• 
  05/21/2020

  Walmart Uses Detailed Floor Signs to Alert Customers of Social Distancing Rules During COVID-19.

  Numerous floor signs depicting rules for social distancing were observed in the Newcastle, Oklahoma Walmart. Of these floor signs, four different designs were displayed. Each of these signs are focused on alerting customers and directing foot traffic to encourage social distancing during COVID-19. The long blue signs were placed along high foot traffic areas to remind customers of the 6 Foot Social Distancing rules. Other signs were displayed at the ends of aisles directing shoppers to enter (green) on designated ends and exit out (red - do not enter) on the other end. The traffic rules were displayed throughout the store. The smaller blue square signs mark social distancing areas in the checkout sections. This checkout floor signs designate stop points for shoppers to wait at, allowing six feet gaps between each customer. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580. #HST580 #ASU
• 
  05/18/2020

  Community Says Thank You to Local Healthcare Workers, First Responders, and Essential Workers Through Signs

  The local community of Blanchard, Oklahoma offers their gratitude to the local healthcare workers, first responders, and essential workers through thank you signs. These signs were spotted in front of dozens of locations including businesses, churches, homes, and even government offices. The collage only represents a selection of three that were of a different design. Personal story submitted for the #ruralvoices collection. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580.
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  05/18/2020

  Teddy Bear Hunt and Sidewalk Chalk Art Become Popular Outside Family Activities for Children During COVID-19

  Photograph collage shown is from Blanchard, Oklahoma where teddy bear hunts and sidewalk chalk art are popular activities for children to do with their families during COVID-19. The teddy bear hunt is nation-wide activity that was initially based off the book Going on a Bear Hunt by author Michael Rosen and illustrator Helen Oxenbury. Children are encouraged to spot teddy bears on walks with their families and participating houses place stuffed animals or drawings in their windows. Another similar activity that was easily spotted in the same neighborhoods in Blanchard, Oklahoma were detailed chalk art. Children draw pictures on the sidewalks in front of their homes or could view other home's artwork during family walks. Messages of hope or words of praise to essential workers for their dedications were seen as well. Each of the activities coincided with the rise of family-oriented outside walks that were becoming popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580.
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  05/18/2020

  Exclusive Hours for Senior Grocery Shoppers Help High Risk Group Avoid Large Crowds During COVID-19

  The photograph is of a grocery store sign in Blanchard, Oklahoma that has exclusive hours for senior citizens. Starting 03/18/2020 the grocery store, Spencer's Grocery, instituted a 6:30 to 8:00 AM seniors only (60+ years old) shopping period. This has been in practice ever since and offers those in the higher risk category a less crowded alternative way to shop for groceries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580.
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  05/18/2020

  Oklahoma Rural Schools Publish Newspaper to Creatively Reach Students Through Distance Learning Requirements

  The Oklahoma public schools in Dibble, Washington, and Lexington published five weekly newspapers that offered lessons for Pre-K through 12th grade students. This collaborative effort was organized by the three school district to offer distance learning while overcoming the lack of internet access to rural students. These papers were delivered for free to every student in each of the three school districts. Oklahoma public schools were ordered closed by Governor Stitt beginning March 25th and remained closed through the end of the school year. Dibble teacher Kelly McDaniel, a weekly contributor to the 2nd grade math and science section of the paper, provided the examples for the photograph. *Original text in "Creator" and "Contributor:" Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580
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  05/18/2020

  UVC Sanitizing Station Becomes a Daily Routine for Processing Business Mail During COVID-19

  Kelly is processing mail for Blanchard, OK insurance agency. The office utilizes a PurLite UVC Sanitizing devices that uses two strong Ultraviolet bulbs to eliminate bacteria and viruses in 30 second intervals. The device was purchased specifically to improve cleaning efficiency of mail-in forms and payments while decreasing risk of COVID-19 exposure to employees. This process requires multiple areas that must not cross-contaminate. These include a hot area (unprocessed mail), destroy area (mail to be shredded), and a clean station that awaits further processing by other employees. The process of sanitizing mail has become a daily routine as increased mail-in payments and mail-in signature forms have replaced walk-in requests during COVID-19 quarantine. Original text in "Creator" and "Contributor:" Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580
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  05/18/2020

  Toilet Paper & Paper Towel Supplies Slowly Return, but Concerns Keep Purchase Limits in Place During COVID-19.

  After nearly three months of toilet paper and paper towel shortages, a local grocery store in Blanchard, Oklahoma has paper goods in stock for more than a few hours. Monday morning deliveries normally sell out within the first hour or two. Today toilet paper and paper towel were in stock in to the early afternoon hours, but limits on purchasing these items still remain. Signs worn shoppers that the purchase of paper products are limited to one per customer due to fears of hoarding and/or shortages. These restrictions have been in place since mid-March, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. *Original text in "Creator" and "Contributor:" Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580
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  05/18/2020

  Meat Shortages and Buying Restrictions in Grocery Stores During COVID-19

  For the last few weeks the grocery store in Blanchard, Oklahoma has had a restriction on the purchase of meat products due to shortages during the COVID-19 quarantine. The sign alerts potential purchasers with, "ATTENTION CUSTOMERS!!!" describing restrictions to meat purchase quantities and portions for certain items. This is one of the first "food category" restrictions within the store. Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580
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  03/22/2020

  Photo of Kelly from Oklahoma sewing face masks for an ER nurse in FT Worth, TX that was working without a mask during the COVID-19 medical supply shortages

  During the morning of March 22, 2020 Kelly and Clinton of Blanchard, OK received a phone call that Clinton’s cousin was working without protective medical masks at a FT Worth, TX hospital ER. Through the day Kelly rushed through sewing & fabrication of medical masks from their spare bed sheets. Kelly intends to have approximately five ready the same day and will mail them the following morning. *Photo and description by Clinton P. Roberts, MA graduate student, Arizona State University, March 22, 2020. *March 22, 2020 - during COVID-19 pandemic *Clinton P. Roberts, MA graduate student, Arizona State University,