Items

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  2020-04-03

  My Neighbors and I

  My neighbors and I have known each other for multiple years, and are good friends. They came from India as immigrants back in 2000 and started a family, eventually moving in right next to us about two years before the pandemic. Once COVID hit, our usual Saturday night bonfires together came to a halt as we wanted to be safe and not spread the potential infection. Instead, they bought an entire fire pit off Amazon, and through the trees each Saturday night we continued our Saturday night bonfires together, just not next to each other. This was honestly a beautiful experience because no matter what we found a way to continue to connect with each other in a safe and timely manner! We still keep in contact to this day and reminisce on our old memories as neighbors.
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  2020-04-03

  My Brother's Keeper

  A comic strip about Covid-19
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  2020-04-03

  Light to the Darkness

  This picture I'm submitting is a picture of the rosary I've had hanging on the headboard of my bed since when I had covid. On April 3, 2020 I woke up to have some banana pancakes and my tea and discovered I couldn't taste anything and then tried to smell my perfumes and couldn't smell anything either. I knew it was covid. I was afraid and at night I'd cry and be anxious to the point where my anxiety made it hard to breathe and would think it was because of the virus. It was then that I realized my faith lacked. I got out of bed and went to get that rosary hanging with the rest that my mom had and I started praying. For the next couple of days leading to Easter Sunday, I'd pray and feel comfort knowing I had my rosary there. It made my days with the virus, bearable. A year and a half later, I still have my rosary hanging there. It has helped make everyday bearable and reminds me to continue having faith.
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  2020-04-03

  "Coronavirus: Western Massachusetts legislators call for 2nd investigation into Holyoke Soldiers' Home COVID-19 Deaths"

  This article published by MassLive reports on local legislatures' desire to issue a second investigation into the COVID-19 response at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home in Holyoke, Massachusetts, in light of the number of deaths among residents and the number of cases among residents and staff.
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  2020-04-03

  Coronavirus: Managing Your Mental Health

  A blog post from Banner Health about managing mental health during Coronavirus
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  2020-04-03

  The Game of COVID Life

  During the quarantine, my wife and I were having a hard time trying to adjust to our jobs being remote. We were not used to staring at computer screens for 8+ hours. The feeling of stress was overwhelming. I’m sure everyone in the world can relate to this experience. We really needed something to raise our spirits after time passed by and the world was still shut down. When my wife and I first got married in 2019, we had a problem of spending money on board games of all kinds. We ended up with a collection of 47 board games by the time COVID started (we began our marriage with about 12 board games). The thing is, with our jobs (my wife being a Public Library Administrator and I being a teacher and coach), we hardly had time to play some except a few. Who would have thought that we were unknowingly preparing for a quarantine. Our collection helped us escape reality for a bit each time we played. Game nights became a regular occurrence and we still hold them to this day. We were able to connect more as a couple and strengthen our relationship. The sounds of dice being rolled, cards being shuffled, and game pieces being moved remind me how board games helped us cope with the unexpected changes in our lives and recharge our batteries to keep going forward.
• 2020-04-03

  Online School

  While learning virtually, I got to wake up at 7am instead of 6am because there was no commute. I set my alarm on my clock that also doubles as a radio, so when the alarm goes off it plays whatever station the radio is on. I have it set as a classical music station. I would get dressed, go downstairs, and wait while doing something such as YouTube. Most mornings I didn't have breakfast before my first class. I logged onto my computer and to ZOOM at 7:55, 5 minutes before my class started. After my first 80 minute class, I would eat some breakfast at around 9:20 and then do my next two before lunch. Something that was good about being online was getting to wake up later than normal. However, one challenge was getting distracted while in class. Since the teachers couldn't see what I was doing I often would read in class or do something else with my hands. I also enjoyed the fact that online classes could and often would be let out early, something that can't happen in person.
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  2020-04-03

  COVID-19 & Mental Health

  Tips from the Edmonton Canadian Mental Health Association on how to manage our mental wellness at this time of uncertainty.
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  2020-04-03

  Inside a COVID-19 Unit

  Video interviewing staff in a Sunnybrook COVID unit. The staff talk about the dedication of the team and the need to rely on one another for support and guidance.
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  2020-04-03

  It's Time to Consider a New Hobby

  This article shares how one Canadian passed the time under lockdown with a variety of hobbies other than baking bread. The author includes several activities which don't require much material such as knitting, calligraphy, colouring, and puzzles.
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  2020-04-03

  Some Canadians are turning to their yards to grow their food during the COVID-19 pandemic

  Canada's garden industry exploded during lockdown as citizens searched for new ways to remain productive. This article explores one woman's experiences gardening in Ontario and how she extended her garden's life throughout lockdown. This article will provide additional context to the role gardening had in Canada and the many benefits people reaped from a socially distanced activity.
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  2020-04-03

  Jewish Melbourne: Kehilat Kolenu Pesach drash

  Pesach in 2020/5780 came at the beginning of Melbourne's lockdown, and services were held online. Tal Cohen delivered a drash during Kehilat Kolenu's services.
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  2020-04-03

  Ms. Jones COVID Experience

  Ms. Jones had Alzheimer’s and was living with others like her prior to the pandemic. When she was isolated because of the pandemic she became anxious and confused thus causing her meds to be increased. She was found on the floor with serious injuries due to a decrease of nursing oversight. Her family did not want to cause her anymore stress so moved her to a hospice house so they could visit and she died a week later.
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  2020-04-03

  HIST30060: It's still May?

  HIST30060: I came across this cartoon on the Instagram story of Melbourne writer Zoe Foster-Blake when it felt like we were in our 5-thousanth day of April. Like historians summarize months, years and decades of time into short essays and books, movies condense long periods of time into montages. However, this past year I have really felt every minute of what would normally condensed.
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  2020-04-03

  Personal Email to Supervisor

  To say I missed coming into work would be an understatement. I thought being able to work comfortably in sweatpants would somehow make up for the lack of interaction, but by April several important dates had come and gone and I had no one to be with to celebrate them. Isolation on my birthday was the most difficult. I usually spent time with my family and we would celebrate together but all I had was a videochat with them and nothing else. Days melted together and my anxiety grew. I was missing the community I had when I went to work and it took "losing" it for me to fully appreciate what it is I had. I appreciated the fact that my supervisor was having us check in weekly, it was something I looked forward to.
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  2020-04-03

  Home brew hand sanitiser, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne

  During the first wave of the pandemic in Victoria hand sanitiser and the ethanol used to make it were in global short supply. The hospital Pharmacy collaborated with local gin distillery Suter & Sons to make its own home brew hand sanitiser.
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  2020-04-03

  Jewish Melbourne: Australian Jewish community management of COVID-19 pandemic – National Bulletin #3

  In the lead-up to Pesach, this update provides a summary of "the current status of Jewish community life in each State and Territory". It begins: "Jewish community organisations and leaders across Australia continue their efforts to manage the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Jewish institutions, families, individuals and, most especially, the elderly and vulnerable. We recognise with deep appreciation the continuing work being done by the Jewish community roof bodies in each State, the Crisis Management Teams of the Community Security Groups, shules, the Day Schools, the aged care sector, the welfare sector and volunteers, and commend them for the high sense of responsibility they have demonstrated. With the approach of Pesach, when families typically gather to celebrate the Seder, many individuals and families will be feeling the effects of physical isolation from relatives and friends. Perhaps in the future we will look back upon these times and appreciate all the more the joy of being able to celebrate Pesach with family and friends, and have all the more compassion for those who have nowhere to go on Seder night, and are all alone."
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  2020-04-03

  Jewish Melbourne: 'Zooming in on Pesach'

  Newspaper article by Rebecca Davis and Sophie Deutsch, published in the Australian Jewish News, explaining that "Religious organisations are reminding the community that they must not allow visitors into their homes for seders this Pesach, noting “these measures are about saving lives”."
• 2020-04-03

  Boredom Hike

  I’ve uploaded pictures of my hike to signify my boredom through this time. With just staying home, going on walks or hikes was like an event in your day/week. I don’t normally take pictures during my hike because it takes a lot to get good pictures and it’s a mostly boring desert when hiking. I was so bored that I decided to challenge myself and try to take good pictures on this mediocre hike. This is the type of little thing about this pandemic that everyone can relate to. I never would have done this without quarantine.
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  2020-04-03

  Boredom Hike

  I’ve uploaded pictures of my hike to signify my boredom through this time. With just staying home, going on walks or hikes was like an event in your day/week. I don’t normally take pictures during my hike because it takes a lot to get good pictures and it’s a mostly boring desert when hiking. I was so bored that I decided to challenge myself and try to take good pictures on this mediocre hike. This is the type of little thing about this pandemic that everyone can relate to. I never would have done this without quarantine.
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  2020-04-03

  Cruise Industry Crewmembers Heroes during Covid Pandemic

  The cruise industry is a tight-knit group, where it seems like everyone knows everyone else. The Covid-19 pandemic blindsided the industry, which was unprepared for how quickly Covid-19 would spread across the globe and amongst ships. Covid-19 stressed all health and sanitation protocols the industry at large had in place. This lead to some dire circumstances and a humanitarian crisis with Covid-19 outbreaks aboard cruise ships adrift at sea where they were denied port entry in numerous countries around the world. The following article is an appeal for help written early on in the crisis by Suzanne Westover, wife of Holland America Line’s Staff Captain Craig Ravesloot. Herself a former crew member, Suzanne uses her platform to remind the world that the onboard crew was working round the clock to protect the health and wellbeing of passengers. Her friends and colleagues at sea needed help, the situation was dire, what would we do if in the same position?
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  2020-04-03

  Emptiness Around Us: Empty Aisle

  A whole row of empty shelves at Target in Niskayuna, NY in early April. This shelf is normally fully stocked with toilet paper, flushable wipes, paper towels, and facial tissue.
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  2020-04-03

  Emptiness Around Us: Empty Shelf

  A scarcely stocked shelf of soap at Target in Niskayuna, NY in early April. The shelf here is normally fully stocked with hand soap. The note explains a purchase limit of 1 soap bottle per guest.
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  2020-04-03

  Emptiness Around Us: Empty Ledge

  An empty shelf at Target in Niskayuna, NY in early April. The shelf here is normally fully stocked with toilet paper, flushable wipes, and facial tissue. The note explains a purchase limit of 1 product per guest, although there was none to be had in the store.
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  2020-04-03

  Emptiness Around Us: Empty Rows

  A few shelves of boxed macaroni and cheese at Target in Niskayuna, NY in early April and a note limiting the amount one dry good per customer. Normally, these shelves are fully stocked.
• 2020-04-03

  My running journey

  A month or so into quarantine, when the restlessness of isolation really began to set in, my friends and I decided to begin a challenge-- we would all run for at least 30 minutes every day for eight weeks, increasing our times every week and trying to beat our own and each other's paces. We were all looking for ways to keep ourselves busy and figured it'd be a good opportunity to stay healthy and sane in quarantine. Our running challenge also ended up being a nice way for us all to remain close, which was difficult without seeing each other every day.
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  2020-04-03

  Thrive Not Just Survive - A series

  In March 2020 when we in Australia were first told to head into lockdown stage 3, I realised that my community although initially bought together in our mutual interest in renovation and property investing were also now all in this time together and I could use my networks and platform to assist us all during this time. So instead of selling courses I concentrated on bringing together experts to assist my community. I also incentivised people in joining my community by encouraging them to donate to Kids Help Line (who needed resources desperately as they only could answer 40% of the 9000 calls they were getting a week) by giving them for free access to my Your Property Success Club (normally $695pa). I raised $10,000 in 14 days for KHL and helped my community through the initial confusion and stress of the shutdown. I have received so many messages about how these trainings helped and served and I am so grateful for the support of my friends, family and network who quickly responded and gave their time so I could interview them over the 3 week period that these 15 episodes were recorded.
• 
  2020-04-03

  With exhibition and performance spaces shuttered, artists are relying on the generosity of patrons.

  "caring for those sick with Covid-19 and preventing others from becoming so remains the priority in New York City, as in the rest of the country. But how can we look out for others particularly affected by the crisis? Citywide closures of nonessential services have devastated the arts at every level: Exhibition and performance spaces have shuttered indefinitely, and thousands of New Yorkers working in creative industries, many of them freelancers, have seen their livelihoods disappear with no assurances about when they’ll be able to work again." Artists are struggling and this article demonstrates some things that can be done to help.
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  2020-04-03

  Plague Journal, Day 21: Kid fight

  Here's the latest entry, which discusses the time sludge of Corona-World, along with my atrophying parenting skills
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  2020-04-03

  Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health Orders: April 3 - April 4, 2020

  These orders offer guidance on the maximization of healthcare availability, the compounding and sale of over-the-counter hand sanitizer at pharmacies, the continued expansion of the available pool of medical personnel, and public health guidance on the operation of garden centers/nurseries as an essential service.
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  2020-04-03

  Yakutians ask to stop the disastrous health care reform (Якутяне просят прекратить губительную реформу здравоохранения)

  “In the appeal to the head of the republic, we cited as an example letters from the junior medical staff of the Kobyai medical ambulance station of the Kobyay ulus, residents of the national Evenki kyuptsa of the Ust-May ulus and the primary trade union organization GBU RS (Y)“ Yakutmedtrans ”.
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  2020-04-03

  Malaysia's indigenous people flee into forests to escape coronavirus

  "After blocking the entrance to their village with logs, half the people of Jemeri fled into the surrounding forest in fear as the coronavirus spread in Malaysia, infecting the first indigenous 'Orang Asli' person."
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  2020-04-03

  Central Asia and Coronavirus: When Being Nomadic Isn’t Enough

  "COVID-19 is revealing a great deal about the character of Central Asia’s people and their governments. "
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  2020-04-03

  CIF Statement Regarding 2020 Spring Sports

  State media release issued by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announcing the cancellation of all remaining spring sporting events for the remainder of the school year. Although many classes were able to transition to online learning, team sports were not replicable in quarantine with mandatory social distancing orders in place.
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  2020-04-03

  Donated Picture Books for Distance Learning

  Picture books donated to Princeton Elementary School by the Colusa County Library sit on display for students to choose from. With the closure of school campuses and public libraries, students did not have access to borrowed books during the COVID-19 pandemic and relied on donations to continue their literary learning. #ASU #HST580
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  2020-04-03

  Revised Princeton Joint Unified School District Campuses Closed Announcement

  Informational graphic used by Princeton Joint Unified School District to inform students and parents of meal and packet distribution schedules during campus closures. This informational graphic was released in response to prolonged social distancing recommendations requiring the district to remain closed past its planned reopening date of 04/20/2020. #ASU #HST580
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  2020-04-03

  The Trevor Project highlights mental health issues and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth amid COVID-19

  The Trevor Project notes concerns with physical and social distancing as it relates to LGBTQ youth. The Trevor Project also highlights their 24/7 crisis line and various mediums for contact which LGBTQ people can call or use if they feel they are in need of help or support. I feel extremely grateful to have an organization like The Trevor Project already established during times like this. I know what it's like to struggle with mental health issues, and I have been fortunate enough to have great support. I know that is not the same case for everyone, and I'm grateful that The Trevor Project can help those in need. #ASU #HST580
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  2020-04-03

  Foreigners in Japan given extra 3 months to renew stay due to coronavirus

  Kyodo News article about Japanese government granting visitors a three-month extension on having to apply to renew their visas.
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  2020-04-03

  Arts-and-Crafts-to-Go

  Customers who had placed online orders could use the new "curbside pick-up" service in a rather unique shopping experience for arts and crafts that reduced in-person contact, and by extension, the virus's transmission. #NortheasternJOTPY *Northeastern University
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  2020-04-03

  New Market Square, West Wichita, Kansas

  Despite most stores and shops being shuttered in the popular New Market Square, both Best Buy and Michael's Arts and Crafts maintained a curb-side pick up service for customers who had placed online orders. #NortheasternJOTPY *Northeastern University
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  2020-04-03

  Workouts Called on Account of Virus

  This image of west Wichita's sprawling Northwest YMCA captures the vacant parking lot and the abandoned rock climbing wall that would normally be crawling with visitors. However, the well-publicized closures did not deter some patrons from attempting to gain entry before being sorely disappointed by the signs posted on the doors; a site witnessed just moments after this photograph was taken. #NortheasternJOTPY *Northeastern University
• 
  2020-04-03

  Quiet Lunch Hour, Part II

  West Wichita's Hurricane Sports Bar and Grill, facing west. All neighboring businesses in this small shopping center alongside 13th Street shut down, including the ICT Bike Shop and the Great Clips Hair Salon, since the state had deemed them non-essential businesses. #NortheasternJOTPY *Northeastern University
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  2020-04-03

  Quiet Lunch Hour

  The Hurricane Sports Bar and Grill on 13th Street in Wichita, Kansas, sits empty during what would normally be a busy lunch hour. The banner on the far right indicates the restaurant's open carry-out and delivery services. #NortheasternJOTPY *Northeastern University
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  2020-04-03

  Virtual Arizona Pride First Press Release

  This is the first official press release from Virtual Arizona Pride.
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  2020-04-03

  Virtual Arizona Pride Presenter/Performer Information

  This document shows the guidelines for presenters and performers at the first Virtual AZ Pride event. In addition to logistical challenges such as scheduling, this document also shows the care put in to ensuring online safety and security of the space.
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  2020-04-03

  Virtual Arizona Pride Call

  This document is a description and outline of the first Virtual AZ Pride event.
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  2020-04-03

  Support Your Local Auto Shop

  With COVID-19 forcing numerous businesses across the nation to close, automotive shops such as this one in Wichita, Kansas, remained open during the lockdown, having been declared an "essential business" by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly's administration. Despite being open, local small businesses buckled under the strain of dramatically reduced customer traffic and revenue; a problem that still persists as Kansas, and the country, continue to face COVID-19's devastating physical and economic impacts. This sign along Tyler Road portrays one way that local businesses attempted to survive the economic malaise created by the virus's outbreak. As of May 4, 2020, the official end of Kansas's stay-at-home order, this discount appears to have been discontinued. Photo taken by Aaron Peterka
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  2020-04-03

  Stay Strong, Kansas

  Taken near the intersection of Central and Tyler Rd. in west Wichita, Kansas, this sign encourages Kansans to hold fast during the lockdown. At the time, only drive-thru service was available, reflecting the reduced-contact, socially-distanced measures implemented by restaurants to limit the virus's spread. Photo taken by Aaron Peterka on 04/03/2020, four days after Kansas's government-ordered "shelter-in-place" order went into effect.
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  2020-04-03

  Student accessing wi-fi on closed campus.

  I went to the closed UNO campus to pick up supplies from my office in the International Center on a Friday afternoon about two weeks into the closure. A student had pulled a table and chair from the courtyard into the covered patio so he could access the building wi-fi.
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  2020-04-03

  Car Wash Sign Advocating Hand Washing

  Having been temporarily closed due to the outbreak, this Wichita car wash sign instructs passersby on proper hand washing procedures. Image taken on April 3, 2020.