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Hope Gresser
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2020-05-04
"You're messing with my summer" High School Musical Meme
A meme quoting the movie High School Musical 2 -
2020-06-02
Daycare declines to take Ottawa nurse's son over other parents' COVID-19 fears
News story about a nurse's struggle to find daycare for her young son. Her son's previous daycare closed, perhaps permanently, he is far down the waiting list for emergency daycare for the children of frontline workers, and then a spot she did find him fell through when the parents of other children in the daycare, two of whom had weak immune systems and asked the carer not to take the child on as they feared he would carry covid19 to daycare from his mother's work at a hospital. She has not been able to work due to the unavailability of care, during a time when nurses are in high demand. However, the article also mentions that after a story on the situation was aired on the nightly television news, the nurse received numerous calls offering to watch the child for her. -
2020-06-02
Ottawa hospital workers protest exclusion from pandemic pay
While some health care professions such as doctors and nurses are receiving additional pay during the pandemic, others such as technicians and therapists are not leading to protests for a more inclusive pay policy. -
2020-05-22
Lineups & physical distancing could mean extra time in the sun
A tweet from Ottawa Public Health from during an exceptional heat wave warning that increased lines outside of stores and services due to physical distancing measures could expose people to the heat for longer than usual and that precautions should be taken to avoid heat related illness such as sun burn or heat stroke. -
2020-04-26
Cobourg Beach Relief Base Camp
A photograph taken while someone was walking their dog, of a cordoned off area of the park at Cobourg beach and the sign attached to the fencing. The sign reads "Relief Base Camp/ First Responders and Frontline Medical Staff/ CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC/ cobourg.ca/covid19" and the caption on the image reads "The waterfront trailer park is being used for frontline workers who need to isolate to keep their families safe (heart)" -
2020-05-22
Government operation to bring home pandemic-stranded Canadians almost complete, says MP
This news article chronicles the effort to bring home Canadians abroad in the face of the pandemic and tells the stories of a few individuals who returned home. Prime Minister Just Trudeau, speaking on behalf of the government, suggested any Canadians abroad who wished to come home at the beginning of the pandemic should attempt to do so by March 23 and the government organized flights to get those in countries no longer serviced by regular commercial flights or negotiated with governments under lock down to allow Canadians out. -
2020-05-06
"Chasing birds is not a reasonable excuse to be outside"
A meme poking fun at the giving of tickets during lock-down and restrictions on outdoor activities in various countries around the world by making it seem that a cat is getting a ticket. -
2020-06-01
Canterbury dance students put together online dance night during COVID-19 pandemic
Local arts high school dance program adapts their final summative pieces/display to an online format to allow it to go forward despite restrictions of gatherings. -
2020-05-25
Ottawa Farmers' Market to reopen with click and collect system
Developing 'a new normal' and allowing for the fresh summer produce so many want, the local farmer's market reopens using technology to reduce contact. However, when discussing this around the kitchen table, it was pointed out this does not fill the desire to pick the specific produce you want from a bunch spread out in front of you; it allows the vendors to decide which apples or lettuce you get regardless of its quality. -
2020-03-15
"Welcome back to courtship, Brad."
A tweet speculating as to how the pandemic and resulting restrictions may effect the online dating scene. It suggests it will slowing it back down since dates and physical relationships cannot be started as easily due to social distancing. -
2020-05-11
Park Safety Signs
Photograph of signs in Bowring Park which read, "SITE SAFETY/ Wash your hands regularly/ Keep a safe distance of at least 2 metres/ Cough or sneeze into the crease of the elbow or a tissue/ Avoid contact/ Avoid touching your face/ Stay at home if you are ill/ St. John's" and "AVOID CROWDS AND MAINTAIN 2 METRE DISTANCE/ St. John's" The image was taken for the Instagram account which follows two dogs in St. John's, Newfoundland, Lola and Georgia. The accompanying caption mentions that the park had previously been closed and was then reopening to the public. -
2020-05-08
Local Grain Supply and Curbside Pick-up Setup
Photograph taken while parked outside the Ottawa Valley Grain company waiting for our order to be delivered from inside the mill to our car. With the increase in interest in back-to-basics hobbies like baking (especially bread) it is near impossible to get any kind of flour in grocery stores or large online suppliers. While they too have been sold out at intervals, this company of local grain producers milling their own goods, has been offering large bags of a variety of flours during this time. The sign on the left reads "Ottawa Valley Grain/ ONLINE ORDER PICK UP HERE/ ONLINE ORDER PICK UP PARKING" followed by their phone number to call when you arrive to let them know you're there. The one on the right "Thank You/ Ottawa Valley Grain/ For Still Working/ During This Hard Time" -
2020-03-10
Prep for a Pandemic
A single panel illustration giving ideas of ways to prepare for the pandemic. -
2020-05-04
A Way Forward
A single panel comic/ piece of artwork shared across multiple social media platforms pointing out the unsustainable nature of "returning to normal" after the pandemic and the potential opportunity this gives us as a society to make changes towards sustainability. The artist is an environmental advocate and farmer. -
2020-05-14
Please! Wear Da Mask
A image of the instagram famous dog Bert the Pomeranian, looking forlorn and holding a sign which reads, in mock childish writing to make it appear that he is the one that wrote it, "Please! Wear Da Mask." This image has been frequently shared on other people's Instagram stories as a plea for wider-spread use of masks. It taps into the influence of social media stars and popular accounts, such as those dedicated to dogs to promote healthy habits during the pandemic. By having a dog say it the message is softened for those who find it confrontational while still getting its point across. -
2020-06-01
City of Kingston - No Forced Evictions at Belle Park Petition
Petition to halt the removal of a homeless encampment in a Kingston park. The eviction is not occurring entirely because of the pandemic but was moved up with the rationale of health concerns. -
2020-05-28
Social Distancing Circle Response
A tweet by a Toronto Star newspaper columnist and instructor at the University of Toronto, pointing out that the painting of 'social distancing circles' on the grass in Trinity-Bellwoods Park, which had previously been overcrowded, is a reasonable and tempered response as oppose to closing the park entirely. -
2020-06-01
"Celebrity couple William Shakespeare and Jane Austen practice social distancing during the COVID-19 crisis."
A comedy account, featuring figurines of Jane Austen and William Shakespeare wearing cut down bandaids and fabric as masks and pretending to navigate a pandemic world as the historical figures would. -
2020-05-29
Summer camp in a time of pandemic: A 'large bubble' with pricey, private COVID-19 tests
The time honoured tradition of summer camp in northern Ontario, usually drawing children from across the country and around the world, especially the Northeastern United States is obviously not viable in its usual form during the pandemic but some camps are lobbying to be able to open nonetheless, with strict precautions, they say. -
2020-04-29
Stand With Striking Workers Digital Poster
A digital poster outlining the demands of workers in the online shopping/delivery/grocery staging a one day strike to urge the public to boycott the companies involved on the day of the strike. -
2020-03-16
Food Hoarding Then and Now Thoughts
A post in which a university student reflects on the historical precedents and potential of current events. The accompanying caption reads: "As a History student, I can’t help but think that we will look back at what is currently happening in the world and we will feel gravely disappointed in ourselves for the selfishness many seem to have during this pandemic. For those who know me, you know I love to study propaganda and food has always played an extremely important role in propaganda and I couldn’t help but think of these two posters while hearing about everything that is happening right now. The authors of @humansofny have compared COVID-19 to a world war, calling it this generation’s world war. This will be the defining conflict of our generation and we have the power to determine how we appear one hundred years from now. We can choose to hoard essentials that everyone needs, or we can try to make sure everyone gets enough. Please. Be responsible when you shop. Be selfless during times like this. We are only as strong as our weakest link and in times like these we must do everything to protect that weak link in our society. Be kind. Be patient. We can get through this together." -
2020-05-25
Powwow circuit disrupted by COVID-19
Article describing the cultural and financial impact of the cancelling of powwows across Canada. While the impacts are significant there is also the feeling that cancellations are necessary and that life and powwows will go on in the future. -
2020-03-29
Payment Options: Now Include Toilet Paper
A joke found on social media, showing an payment box from an online store which has been edited to include toilet paper as one of the accepted methods of payment in reference to the hoarding and resulting scarcity of toilet paper in stores. -
2020-05-18
Very good boys are joining the fight against coronavirus
A screenshot of a instagram post sent to me by a former roommate showing a pug wearing protective equipment so it can work as a therapy dog with reduced risk of spreading the virus. -
2020-05-13
The Sounds of a Health Pandemic
Music Professor examines the media's use of sound and music to portray the health pandemic -
2020-05-24
Indigenous families given new lease on life as pandemic opens up housing options
This article relays an unexpected benefit to the pandemic. Because more people are staying put, putting off moving for work and school, among other reasons, there has been a downturn in the rental market. This has opened up better and more plentiful housing options for those struggling to find accommodations for large families when builders and landlords prefer smaller single or two bedroom units. Centres which aid women leaving abusive relationships and indigenous people (or both), such as the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, are finding this a particular boon, allowing them to clear their waiting lists/backlogs and find housing for clients previously in limbo. -
2020-05-26
Universities aren't planning cuts to tuition to compensate for online classes during COVID-19 pandemic
Article regarding the call for a reduction in university tuition for the upcoming school year/term from the Canadian Federation of Students and student governments across the country and the refusal of many major universities to do so. The universities rationale is that the quality of education will not be effected by the move to predominantly online/distant classes and that they are fulfilling all their obligations. The article outlines the decisions of each of the major Canadian universities including Dalhousie, McGill, the University of Toronto, the University of Ottawa, Carleton, Queen's, the University of Winnipeg, the University of Alberta, and the University of British Columbia. -
2020-05-25
Queen's University Student Trustee and Rector Call for Tuition Decrease During Pandemic
In keeping with the Canadian Federation of Students and Student Governors from Universities across the country, the Undergraduate Trustee and Rector of Queen's University at Kingston call for a reduction of tuition for the upcoming school term to reflect the quality of education which will be received in predominantly online/distant learning classes and the decreased potential for student earnings through summer employment to pay for school when many seasonal industries, such as tourism, have been closed completely due to the pandemic. -
2020-05-19
Alberta's 'Wine Ninjas' Are Grown Women Playing Boozy Ding Dong Ditch
A news article about a group of women in Western Canada who started a group, which then became a trend, where they dress up in costume and deliver wine and other treats to unsuspecting residents who may need a pick-me-up. The game 'Ding Dong Ditch' as referenced in the title is one where people, usually children or teenagers, ring a doorbell and then run away and hide as a joke. In this case they are brightening up people's days while avoiding physical interaction which could spread the virus. -
2020-03
Covid Spread Tweet
A tweet joking about the spread of covid-19 being like young women who feel they need to travel to find themselves. -
2020-03-19
"Trending in Canada"
A screenshot of a tumblr post which is, in turn, a screenshot the original poster took of twitter trending topics which initially seems as though the #endthelockdown hashtag and sentiment was gaining popularity in Canada, but that hashtag was shown to have been frequently used with the additional hashtag #morons, suggesting that instead Canadians were angry that anyone would hold such a sentiment when there is still a significant risk of infection. -
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" -
2020-04-28
'It's a slap in the face': Toronto doctor says he was told he can't enter local TD branch
A news article in which a doctor and professor at the University at Toronto relays his and his family's experiences of being turned away from their local TD Bank due to their potential exposure as health care workers. -
2020-05-14
Police see a spike in speeding and stunt driving during COVID-19 pandemic
An article discussing the rise in incidents of extreme speeding while roads are empty due to individuals staying home to avoid the virus. This includes a widely publicized case in which an 18 year old student driver was caught going 308 km/hr on the QEW highway near Hamilton, Ontario in his parents' expensive car. -
2020-05-28
Boarded up Bars in the Byward Market: Kinki
Many establishments in the popular shopping, dining, and bar area of the Byward Market have boarded up their front windows with plywood to reduce the chance of robbery while they remain closed due to the pandemic and restrictions of gatherings. The Kinki restaurant did not board up its windows but did place a sign informing any would-be robbers that "ALL CASH, BEER + BOOZE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS PREMISES." Many of the shops and restaurants which did not board up its windows has similar signs. -
2020-05-28
Boarded up Bars in the Byward Market: the Aude Dubliner
Many establishments in the popular shopping, dining, and bar area of the Byward Market have boarded up their front windows with plywood to reduce the chance of robbery while they remain closed due to the pandemic and restrictions of gatherings. While some remain plain, or are painted black, other establishments chose to hire muralists to liven up the natural wood with images related to vibe of each bar. The Aude Dubliner Irish pub in the Market has some of its windows covered with murals depicting small items of significance for the pub in addition to plastered posters explaining the shut down. While there are more murals and posters around its corner, no photographs were taken out of respect for the homeless individuals taking advantage of the patio and overhang there as a place to sleep. -
2020-05-27
Boarded up Bars in the Byward Market: Heart and Crown Posters - Keep Calm
Boarded up Bars in the Byward Market: Heart and Crown Posters Many establishments in the popular shopping, dining, and bar area of the Byward Market have boarded up their front windows with plywood to reduce the chance of robbery while they remain closed due to the pandemic and restrictions of gatherings. While some remain plain, or are painted black, other establishments chose to hire muralists to liven up the natural wood with images related to vibe of each bar. Some also plastered the wood with posters. One such poster display is on one of the boarded windows of the Heart and Crown pub not taken up by murals. Riffing off the popular Second World War posters in Britain which read "Keep Calm and Carry On" they read "Keep Calm and Shop Local" as well as "Keep Calm and Support Local Artists" in an attempt to create a sense of solidarity and duty when facing this crisis. They were created by the Byward Market itself. -
2020-05-27
Boarded up Bars in the Byward Market: The Heart and Crown Murals
Many establishments in the popular shopping, dining, and bar area of the Byward Market have boarded up their front windows with plywood to reduce the chance of robbery while they remain closed due to the pandemic and restrictions of gatherings. While some remain plain, or are painted black, other establishments chose to hire muralists to liven up the natural wood with images related to vibe of each bar. The well known Heart and Crown Irish pub in the Market has some of its windows covered with murals depicting small items of significance for the pub in addition to plastered posters explaining the shut down. Text on the murals reads "28 YEARS" (a reference to the pub's time in business) "HEART + CROWN" and "BACK SOON" followed by a small black heart. -
2020-05-27
Boarded up Bars in the Byward Market: Chateau Lafayette ("The Laff")
Many establishments in the popular shopping, dining, and bar area of the Byward Market have boarded up their front windows with plywood to reduce the chance of robbery while they remain closed due to the pandemic and resulting restrictions of gatherings. While some remain plain, or are painted black, other establishments chose to hire muralists to liven up the natural wood with images related to vibe of each bar. The boards on the windows of the Chateau Lafayette, often called simply "the Laff" by locals, read "It's going to be OK./ We'll be back." A sentiment which at the beginning of the pandemic, in late March, was comforting but now seems overly optimist and distant. -
2020-05-27
Keep Your Rent Poster: 'Didn't Pay Your Rent? What Comes Next?"
A flyer/poster stapled to an electrical/telephone pole at the corner of McArthur Avenue and the Vanier Parkway, next to a now well known mural in support of frontline workers and across the street from a large grocery store. The area around this pole hosts several apartment tours and the Vanier neighbourhood has a reputation as an area which, in some part, hosts numerous impoverished individuals. The poster is promoting the movement for non payment of rent if circumstances are such that it is impossible during the pandemic, and the prevention of eviction during the pandemic. This is a contensious issue; there are those who feel landlords are profiting from misery and the basic need for shelter while others do not feel depriving landlords of income is the answer and that the renting of properties is a perfectly legitimate method of earning a living. The sign reads "DIDN'T PAY YOUR RENT?/ WHAT COMES NEXT?/ Jobs lost./ Hours cut./ Bills to pay./ Families to feed./ CONNECT WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURS" followed by several different contacts -
2020-05-27
'Front Line' Mural in Vanier
Based on an initial sketch called 'Front Line' which was part of a fundraiser to provide brown-bag meals to health care workers, this mural by artist Dominic Laporte is positioned along the side of the busy Vanier Parkway across from a Loblaws grocery store. -
2020-04-07
Chain Email of Covid Jokes
Text copied from a chain email received from my aunt in Winnipeg which is simply a list of one line jokes about covid and the pandemic. -
2020-03-17
Accessing Healthcare and Preparing for the Worst
The attached image is a screenshot from an Instagram story I posted on March 17, making light at the end of a few days of attempting to access medicine and joke about my growing confidence in my ability to handle the pandemic situation, even if I did end up ill. Directly following the declaration of a state of emergency in Ontario, in March, I realized I was running low on a maintenance prescription I take and had no refills left on it. To have my family doctor back home, in Ottawa, fax it to a pharmacy in the London, where I was attending the University of Western Ontario at the time, it usually costs $30 out of pocket, so I wanted to see if I could get an appointment before I tried that. I checked the student health website to see if they were restricting appointments and all seemed normal so I called. Plus, with my asthma and history of respiratory infections, I thought it would be a good idea to have a Flovent (steroid) puffer (inhaler) on hand in case I do get sick. I was on hold for 40 mins only to have the receptionist get exceptionally snarky with me and eventually tell me they were not taking regular appointments at that time. So, I called my family physician's office and they/she not only faxed the prescription I was low on but also the puffer and waved the renewal fee. The receptionist said many doctors are doing this to avoid people requesting in person appointments to have prescriptions done, as those are covered in socialized health care. Having the puffer available to me if I began having difficulty breathing is greatly reassuring both in that I would be less likely to require other medical intervention with it at my disposal, but also that I would not be taking up resources from someone who might have the disease worse or be at a higher risk than me, an otherwise health young woman. -
2020-05-19
Dancing Queen, Stuck in Quarantine
A meme taking the lyrics to the ABBA song Dancing Queen as sung in the movie Mamma Mia and changing them to express the sentiment of being young and wanting to be out and having fun but being restricted by the pandemic -
2020-05-26
"Because of Covid-19 6 ft apart at all time's." Sign
A sign a child made in a Toronto neighbourhood to remind people of what physical distancing in. The child expresses concern for his community, the world, and for his baby sister especially. The sign reads "Because of Covid-19 6 ft apart at all time's./ And wash your hands every one has [illegible]/ we need our neighborhood I have a Baby sister so I want every one to be [illegible] to be safe and the world." It features two drawings, one of a boy and girl 2 "feet" (semicircles) apart with an x over their heads and another with a boy and a girl 6 "feet" (semicircles) apart with a check over their heads. While it was likely a serious project for the creator, the friend who took the picture because she was amused by drawing when she saw it on a walk around her neighbourhood. -
2020-05-20
Toronto renters are now staging protests outside the mansions of their landlords
As many are struggling to pay their rent due to reduced earning potential or lay offs due to the pandemic, the #KeepYourRent movement has emerged urging nonpayment of rent. To highlight the perceived hypocrisy of landlords and their organizations demanding rent, and claiming they will themselves face hardship without the income, this article discusses tenants protesting in front of the estates of their landlords and the reactions of the landlords to this event. -
2020-05-24
'The strangest Ramadan ever:' Ottawa Muslims celebrate Eid with drive-in prayer
This article relays photographs taken and interviews conducted at an Ottawa mosque during physically distanced Eid al-Fitr services. -
2020-05-08
Physically Distanced Line-up outside LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario)
A line of people queue using tape lines on the sidewalk 2 meters apart in front of the LCBO location at the Ottawa Trainyards. Those retail spaces allowed to open are limited in the number of people they can hold at one time to permit physical distancing, meaning any additional shoppers must wait outside for other customers to leave. Despite some backlash liquor stores were listed as essential businesses by the province of Ontario from the beginning of the state of emergency in late March. This was in acknowledgement of that fact that there are those within Ontario society with a physical dependency on alcohol and if their access was restricted it might result in an unnecessary strain on the health care system. Not only would time and resources be used if an individual required medical assistance due to withdrawal, they might also be unnecessarily exposed to the virus while seeking treatment. Some industry services have been limited, however; the Beer Store, the only store which buys back empty bottles, is no longer doing so. This is a blow to those who collect bottles on the street or from recycling bins as an income. -
05/21/2020
Union wants masks to be mandatory for OC Transpo riders
News article regarding calls from bus drivers and maintenance workers for Ottawa-Carleton (OC) Transportation to make the wearing of masks on public transport mandatory in the city for their protection. *Josh Pringle, CTV News Ottawa -
03/24/2020
Social Distancing:Is Everyone Zooming Without Me? Comic
A four panel comic addressing both the distress of isolation while social distancing, the fear that opportunities for socialization are being missing while isolated, and poking fun at the trend of having large, multi-person online video calls. This comic is part of an ongoing autobiographical and comedic series of comics by Dami Lee. As such, the comic also shows how the pandemic has made its way into everyday life and ongoing business and artistic pursuits, creating a wealth of new experiences around which artists may base their work. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-IQb8UAigc/?igshid=14wukruz8k51d *Dami Lee, @dami_lee on instagram*screenshot/ instagram post/ comic*Dami Lee, @dami_lee on instagram