Items

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  2020-10-08

  “Zoomed to Death”: Here’s the Science Behind Zoom Fatigue

  Students all over Australia experienced struggles with the pandemic affected learning environments, one of the most challenging at the a University of Melbourne was the use of Zoom calls for learning and how it impacted motivation to learn and overall fatigue.
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  2020-10-08

  Just curious

  A comic strip about Covid-19
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  2020-10-08

  2020 Election

  The picture above is a photo that I took of myself after mailing my absentee ballot for the 2020 election. This was something that was especially exciting amidst the difficulties that Covid-19 had caused in the United States and around the world. Due to the pandemic, most in-person voting was not happening that year. Instead, most people mailed in ballots. As a college student, I needed to register for an absentee ballot in order for me to vote in my home state of New Jersey. I remember that I did this while I was stuck at home over the summer. For me, during the summer of 2020, I did not feel as though I was accomplishing anything. Registering for my absentee ballot was one of the only things that I actually accomplished during this time. In addition, there was much unrest in the country, as well as on social media, that motivated me to register as well. As a 20 year old, this was the first Presidential election that I could vote in, which made it especially important for me. During the summer, with all of the unrest in the country, I was interested to see the areas in which I agreed with my parents, and the areas in which we disagreed. In such a disaster of a year, I wanted to be able to say that I had voted in the election, at the very least. It is my civic duty after all. I think that this photo is extremely interesting because it is a true time capsule. I am wearing a mask, which characterizes the Covid pandemic. The filter proudly states, “Just Voted!!!” and “Elections 2020”. There is a joy that is evident on my face; there is something exciting about being able to vote in your first presidential election. Throughout my life, I have learned about elections and have always wanted to take part. In the 2016 election, my high-school peers and I, who were nearly competent citizens, were forced to watch from the sidelines. There is also something particularly interesting about an election in an extremely difficult time. It felt important in a way that regular years might not.
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  2020-10-08

  Covid and the Impact

  the pandemic although is horrific and affecting many people can have a positive impact on some
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  2020-10-08

  Over half of Canadians embracing the joy of pandemic gardening

  One study from Dalhousie University reported that "pandemic gardens" became a thing this past summer as thousands of Canadians across the country spent more time outside growing their own food. This article also reveals the reasoning behind why people took to gardening as one of their main sources of entertainment during lockdown and even afterwards. The study shows that Canadians gardened for a multitude of purposes. Not only did they want to spend more time outside, but some were also concerned about food affordability due to the shortage of produce. This article will further illuminate how Canadians viewed gardening as one of their favourite pastimes during COVID-19 through an informative survey.
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  2020-10-08

  Jewish Melbourne: Plus61J podcast - A lap of Caulfield Park – Ashley speaks with Professor Sharon Lewin

  Ashley Browne talks to Professor Sharon Lewin, director of The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, about dealing with the pandemic
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  2020-10-08

  "The Nightmarish Challenge of Trying to Get an Abortion in a Pandemic"

  The article describes the recent challenges to obtaining an abortion in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic due to several states attempting to add further restrictions on abortion rights. It is important to understand that while it was already difficult for many to obtain abortions to begin with, the pandemic has added even more challenges for those seeking reproductive healthcare as well as more opportunities for anti-choice lawmakers to restrict abortion care.
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  2020-10-08

  Jewish Melbourne: Caulfield Shule Pre-Shmini Atzeret “Abridged Yizkor Service”

  "Go online with Caulfield Shule's Rabbi Ralph and Chazzan Dov Farkas this Yom Tov for a Pre-Shmini Atzeret “Abridged Yizkor Service” Thursday Night, 8th of October, 8.00–8.20pm"
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  2020-10-08

  Jewish Melbourne: Kehilat Kolenu website

  Kehilat Kolenu moved their services online. This screenshot of their website on 8 October 2020 provides a sense of what they were doing during Melbourne's lockdown.
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  2020-10-08

  COVID-19 in Lebanon

  An article outlining the COVID-19 situation in Lebanon and how it is straining the already fragile healthcare system.
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  2020-10-08

  A Viral Social Media Video Brings Crowd to Struggling Food Stall

  Baba ka Dhaba, a 30-year-old food stall in Malviya Nagar, New Delhi went viral on Instagram showing the sheer power of social media. The link below shows us an 80-year-old man named Kanta Prasad explaining how they barely manage to meet their basic needs during this pandemic. While showing the food he even broke down and cried in front of the food blogger Gaurav Wasan. Delicious and mouth-watering curries such as dal (lentils), Paneer Matar (cottage cheese and peas) and Aloo soya (potato soya curry) can be seen in the video which are only priced from Rs.30-50 (less than a dollar). This touching video reached 9 million views on Instagram in less than a day and even got support from Bollywood celebrities. Zomato, an Indian food delivery app even registered this stall on their app showing their support making #Babakadhaba one of the topmost trends on Indian Twitter right now.
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  2020-10-08

  How The Pandemic Changed My Life For The Better

  Learning how to ride a bike so I can go outside and exercise and be active. It shows I learned something new during the pandemic.
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  2020-10-08

  SNL Drops Guest Due to COVID Safety Protocol Violations

  @etalkCTV on twitter shares an article on how musical guest Morgan Wallen's guest appearance on SNL is canceled due to videos seen of him partying maskless. I am glad that people are being held accountable for not following the correct social distancing and sanitary procedures.
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  2020-10-08

  Essential Worker

  The object that I have uploaded reflects several aspects regarding the pandemic as it presents an implication as to the spread of Covid-19 throughout the United States, methods regarding the prevention of the transmission of Covid-19, as well as the efforts of companies, in this case Dollar General, to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. On its own, as the mask of a Dollar General Employee from Sevierville, Tennessee, the object brings with it the implication that, in the event that evidence for Covid-19’s spread within East Tennessee is lost, there was at least a concern within the Dollar General corporation regarding the spread of Covid-19 into the East Tennessee area. The object, as a photograph of a mask, also provides information about the ideas circulating at this time to mitigate the spread of Covid-19, such as the donning of a mask to cover the mouth and nose. The object also informs regarding the efforts of retail corporations, in this instance Dollar General, to curb the spread of the pandemic through their establishments and across the nation, such as providing official masks for their employees to utilize. The uploaded object is important to me because it is a reminder of the various reactions, primarily from customers, to the spread of the pandemic within a retail-based environment. Among these reactions has been the bulk purchasing of certain products once they are restocked, specifically Lysol and alcohol but toilet paper and hand sanitizer were also frequently bought in the early months of the pandemic, as well as the influx of various hand sanitizer and face mask based products to be purchased. Aside from what items are frequently purchased, the customers of the store also react frequently to the implementation of face masks within the store as many comment on their lack of comfort while a minority speak positively about their benefit in preventing the spread of Covid-19, though the majority of customers make no comment at all regarding face masks.
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  2020-10-08

  Life Indoors

  Taking classes at a university online for the 7-8 months has been a new experience that is new for a lot of people. Both professors and students alike are learning how to switch over to an online environment, and I think it is hard on everyone. But I am personally trying to make the most of it, even if I end up sleeping through my first lecture sometimes. I think it is important to document what the schooling or work life is like during this time because it is something we have not seen before. Spending the majority of my time at home, I have begun to rekindle past hobbies that I have had. I chose to submit a picture of the things I have crocheted because they were challenging in that I hadn't ever tried to make little characters or animals before this pandemic. I took the picture while on a video call with my friends because ever since this summer, we have chatted or video called to keep in touch with each other and "hangout," even if we have to be physically apart. This times online have been very meaningful to me and crucial in my survival of these times, because I tend to get very lonely and I know many people are struggling with mental health. My mental health is doing pretty okay despite everything going on, and I thank my friends for being there to talk and just have fun and take my mind off of everything challenging going on.
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  2020-10-08

  A Bright Light At the End of the Tunnel

  The first picture shown was taken while in Downtown, Phoenix. It was very shocking to me to see how many little tents and makeshift homes were here. The whole area looked like a miniature town. It is impossible to know if people were pushed there due to Covid-19 and the rising unemployment rate, but I wouldn't doubt the possibility. According to The New York Times, "Staggeringly High: U.S. Jobless Claims Remained Elevated Last Week" by Ben Casselman, millions of Americans remain out of work and that number has only been rising. Casselman also stated that 8.3 million Americans reported that they could be evicted from their homes within the next two months. Hearing all of this it also makes sense the homeless population is rising. It's hard enough trying to find hygiene products, food, and other essentials when you are homeless; I can't imagine what it's like during a global pandemic. I think something must be done to help these people along with those facing eviction and job loss. The pandemic is a human issue and its very strange that people put money before actual people's health and livelihood. The last picture I used of the rainbow is meant to symbolize a bit of hope in these gloomy times. I feel especially down lately, hearing about how many people have lost others due to the virus and how helpless the situation seems when many are making absurd choices. I remember I saw the rainbow while taking a walk- which is pretty much all you do while being safe right now. It had rained a bit but the rainbow lifted my spirits seeing all the colors and the vibrant greenery. The pandemic can't last forever, and I hope everyone can work together to stop the spread of the virus and implement change within our fragile health and economic systems.
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  2020-10-08

  End of Freshman Year

  My photo is my farewell picture to my dorm room on the day I had to move out of it due to COVID-19. My freshman year of college was an amazing experience where I began to truly understand the person I was: a lover of politics, reading, and going out with friends. Once I finished my last midterm, I packed a few items to take back home for spring break, not once thinking I had spent my last night in my dorm. Spring break rolled along and we received the fateful email: classes would be held online. At this point, COVID-19 numbers began to drastically rise around the country and the world. The life we once knew had drastically changed. Daily occurrences were no longer permitted: concerts, sporting events, and breathing without a mask over one’s mouth and nose. As I made my way back to my dorm at Arizona State University, I felt a longing for the life we once lived. The life we had no idea would cease to exist. I opened the door to my dorm and the familiar scent of rose diffuser instantly brought back the hundreds of memories that college had gifted me. This was the room where I first felt independent, where I spent long nights studying and staying up late with friends. This was the room where I met my roommate, who is now my best friend. I had intended to come back to my new home, ready to continue the adventures that had excited me in the first three-fourths of the school year. However, COVID-19 changed everything. I packed up what was left and asked my dad to take a picture of me one last time. Now, my college experience is limited to a laptop screen back at my parents place. All extracurriculars have ceased. We communicate with our teachers and classmates through zoom. The pandemic has halted physical human interaction. Hopefully we are one day able to freely breathe without the fear of infecting each other.
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  2020-10-08

  Isolation & Madness

  The last time I traveled before the Pandemic shut down the world was November of 2019. I spent 11 days, quite literally wandering around Italy. I went with no plan - other than to visit the Vatican. I spent time in cafes and walking around the city. I made random conversation with locals and tourists alike. I allowed myself to listen to other's experiences to see if it was a venture I would like to experience. It was such an exciting experience. I actually made friends with a photographer who was travelling to Sicily for a nature shoot. She allowed me to tag along. We took a bus and once we got there we explored the small village. We had fresh fudge and freshly ground coffee. While she was at her photo shoot, I walked along the water and explored the remainder of the village which would easily have fit within 3 city blocks in New York City. As I describe that adventure, it has nothing to do with the pandemic and it's completely unlike what we are experiencing now. I was free to wander; something about being out in the open with no general plan is exciting and calming all at the same time. As I reflect on that time, I remember what happened right after. As people got sick, businesses shut down, people were restricted to their homes, I could think of nothing else except for this view from Doge's Palace. Casanova was the most infamous prisoner, especially since he was the only one known to escape. Just imagine what it must have been like. Making this walk over this bridge and this little sliver of light is the last you saw of the outside world. After that walk, it was just stone and candle light. I took this picture on my cell phone and as the course continued this term, I kept thinking about this picture. In a place like Italy, where religion is part of the culture, they were hit so hard by the pandemic. What must it be like there to be restricted to your home and all you can do is look out your window? The idea of only being able to see a small piece of reality while the world around you changes in extreme ways, not knowing what comes next or when it was going to happen. Imagine what went through prisoners minds in the early 1600s as this small image is the last thing they say. Do you think they found solace in a deity or faith? Those who were confined to their homes and were getting sick, what must have gone through their minds? The reason I wanted to submit this picture is because this pandemic really showed us, we are all human. By nature there are things we cannot escape and things that we come to appreciate. When we become restricted and slow down, we begin to appreciate what's around us no matter how big or small. The pandemic restricted me from travelling abroad and I lost a number of friends and family members but I had no restriction on my view of the world. I could still experience nature and explore and appreciate. The pandemic was a humbling experience. This picture is a visual representation of that experience. There's so much out there but only when we cannot explore at our leisure, do we stop to notice and take it in. It's only through isolation that we miss the world around us. Is it the isolation that caused madness or fear? Only being able to see such a small part of such a big world, it could drive anyone mad.
• 2020-10-08

  Covid-19: Keeping a Positive Mindset

  We all were taken by surprise when we heard of how fast cases sky-rocketed soon after the single student case at ASU, and for most of us, it has been a real struggle, whether it has to do with family, mental health, jobs, or school. Whatever it is, Covid-19 has impacted us all in at least one way. For me, this pandemic has taken me through a roller coaster of positives and negatives throughout the past 7 months. It is a given that the changes happening in the world have made it difficult to adjust, especially to learning. As a biological sciences major, virtual labs are extremely hard to understand to me, and sitting at home in front of a laptop all day is quite exhausting. However, I think that in light of what is happening, it is important to stay positive and think about how this pandemic can have positive impacts as well. For example, I believe that Covid-19 has truly positively influenced me and my state of mind, at least once I learned to adapt to it. When quarantine first occurred, it was so sudden and unexpected. We could not go to the gym to relieve stress or go out without a mask, which I forgot to bring half of the time. Although a month later of boredom, I realized what this meant in terms of life. Many times we all take things for granted, and we don’t realize what we have in front of us, such as the opportunities we have and to say that we are alive. The pandemic opened my eyes, and with usually being busy all day, I took the time I had during summer to try new things and figure out what I want to do with my life. I picked up my guitar for the first time in years and taught myself how to play again. I started painting again. I did all of the things I never got to do anymore because of how busy life was at the time before the pandemic. I did some research on physical therapy school at Northern Arizona University and made goals. I took the negatives and turned them into positives, and I would say I am a much more positive person than I was months before. Of course, this is only my individual situation, and Covid-19 has brought tragedy. However, I think this is an opportunity to adapt and to work on yourself, like I did.
• 2020-10-08

  When Netflix binges lead to philosophical contemplation

  During the time of social distancing I have embarked on many a Netflix binge, as have so many others. Today I want to reference one line from one particular show that has been stuck in my head these past few months. “What We Owe To Each Other” is a line in the NBC series The Good Place, and is referencing the title of a book by T. M. Scanlon. The show deals with complex moral, philosophical, and even religious questions in a quirky, humorous way. I did not have much philosophy knowledge when I started watching The Good Place, nor have I read Scanlon’s book, but the show fulfilled its purpose in getting me to think a little more critically about the world around me, and to ask myself “what do we owe each other?” At this point in time everyone, myself included, is starting to feel the fatigue of living in a pandemic for months. It’s easy to think only of ourselves, of the things we’re missing out on. But what if instead we think about what we owe each other? Yes, wearing a mask can be inconvenient, but I owe it to the people I pass by in the grocery store not to intentionally put them at risk for infection. Their lives are equally valuable to mine. When I look at someone as I walk past them I think about what their story might be. Do they have children? Grandchildren? An elderly relative they care for? An underlying medical condition? What hopes and dreams do they have for the future? And shouldn’t I do everything in my power to help keep those things safe? When I think of it in those terms suddenly wearing a mask doesn’t seem all that difficult. I work in the healthcare field. You may think that means I’m going to talk about what we owe each other in a caregiver/patient relationship, but I feel like the previous paragraph applies in that scenario too. What I actually want to talk about is what we owe each other in an employer/employee relationship. Healthcare and other essential workers have been lauded as heroes by the media and the public, and I have received many emails from leadership at work thanking everyone for their hard work during these trying times. But what do words mean, if not accompanied by actions? We live in a capitalist society, and healthcare is not immune from profit-driven business practices. At my job, in order to recover from financial losses, leadership has decided not to give raises next year, and also to stop contributing to our retirement plans. This is in addition to cutting hours with mandatory use of paid time off hours, while still holding the same productivity expectations. But is that really what we owe each other? What about an employee’s children? Grandchildren? Responsibilities? Hopes and dreams for the future? If I can be ok with being inconvenienced to protect the lives and livelihood of strangers in the grocery store, can they not be inconvenienced for me? I believe that, in general, individuals are good. But as a society we have a long way to go.
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  2020-10-08

  Looking at the past for a better future.

  In this picture we can see my daughter and I enjoying a night out at the Arizona State Fair. During this time, we had an exceptionally good time out with perfect weather and atmosphere to enjoy this outdoor event. Coincidentally this picture was chosen on the topic of past and future and in the background of the picture there are dinosaurs. By contrast to this picture and the video link we can see how much things have changed in society to adapt to this pandemic that we are going through now. For this example, we can see how not just my family, but everyone was able to go out and enjoy commodities provided, to revel in and remember. Today this exact same event has had to adapt to these times regardless of individual wants to revert to a time when one can create memories during special events such as the state fair, and so it has had to limit this experience of rides for children and adults alike to a drive-thru of just the food that makes this event so memorable, such as funnel cakes, turkey legs and other carnival specific foods. This is an opportunity to be able to see how things were and how we can move forward in having events like this with added security measures to be able to enjoy the outdoors and socialize during these fun events. This is not an outlier of an example there are many rules and regulations that have been put in place on many events such as sports, religious practices and outings to even how one can spend time at the park with our children. It will be interesting to note how these impacts of societal change will shape not just our future but future generations as well. Covid-19 has affected not only our family or state but the entire world, this will be a time of change for everyone in which at a point in time we will be able to see what kinds of scars this left during the time and see how things have changed to better prepare or prevent such things from happening again and returning to a new sense of normalness.
• 2020-10-08

  Left alone with religion

  Everyone has gone through wildly different circumstances in the past 6 months, but due to the single same virus. I never thought a virus would be able to shut down the world as we know it within weeks; and in my young life I have taken a valuable lesson from all this: anything can happen at anytime, and to cherish the time you have. With this I don't mean anything in particular, I relate this to people, enjoying going places freely without fear, enjoying being with your family etc... Anything! Different things can happen in an instant, and learning to adapt to them is simply part of life. The time I had alone allowed me to ponder several issues in my life, such as religion; which is why I chose the Religion 101 class this semester. I could not have asked for a non-biased view and will carry lots of the knowledge I learnt into my life. Although I am personally agnostic as of now, I learned through watching others in the pandemic how religion can serve as something very important in providing faith and hope for many, whereas I thought before taking the course religion was a fraud and causes negative outcomes such as war. I have become more understanding on how it can positively benefit entire communities and change individuals lives, and while I continue to be agnostic I completely respect peoples faith's; as it is their personal relationship with their god. At the beginning of the pandemic, I had no idea I would come out on the other side with this perspective, and maybe one day this curiosity will lead me towards a more religious lifestyle, as I feel it gives life a purpose. Without a purpose, a need to do good and inflict positivity in the world, what is life truly for? These are just some of my thoughts at this time thank you Professor Shoemaker!
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  2020-10-08

  Cursed year, Covid era 2020

  I would say its pretty safe to assume that the majority of us were unfazed the very first time we heard of a virus breakout in wuhan, even though having played the mobile game Plague Inc. you would know that because of the dense population distribution china & india are two of the best places for a virus to start from. I would say other than the zombie movie like “leaked” videos that surfaced on social media no one really took it seriously until about march. That’s when I want to say the real pandemic fear started to creep in, there were multiple new cases showing up everywhere around the world, this is when things really started to get crazy, to begin with there was a weird shortage of toilet paper worldwide, not only that but grocery stores were a nightmare, it was the prepare for an apocalypse. People lost all sense of rational thinking & started hoarding food in a very animalistic selfish way. For a whole month everytime you go grocery shopping the shelves were almost empty, drinking water was scarce ,finding toilet paper was almost impossible. Personally as a 20 year old fit healthy male that wasn’t surrounded by any family or elders in the area I couldn’t care less If I got it, I was naïve& selfish for thinking that way, I had just suffered the lost of close friend to a car accident so I wasn’t in the best headspace. months go by… and I received news that three of my uncles & aunts got it, it was during that time that school was turning to online classes & terrible would be an understatement for my academic performance at the time, I was very busy & too into my head that a couple days went by & I got a follow up news that my uncles actually passed away, he was one of the kindest souls to me & I cannot think of one bad memory of him, yet I felt a void , I wasn’t sad nor that I cried & that in a way did more damage , It was just the countless deaths around me this year that had me completely numb emotionally, it just all felt so unreal, more than that is the long distance & not being able to travel back to comfort my dad through his hardship was the hardest part. To God we belong and to God we shall all return إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ‎, On a more positive note my cousin said on her birthday “I am not counting this year in my age because I didn’t use it”.
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  2020-10-08

  A Different Perspective

  I never realized how important a simple walk to the store was until Covid-19. To be honest I never realized how important a lot of stuff was. A daily event of going to school was no longer a daily event because of a new virus going around. Going to work was a task I used to complain so much about until I was on quarantine and wished I still had the option to go. Sitting in the house decorating a face mask because the new normal would be to wear them anytime you are outside. The most annoying thing about the face mask would be the scabs I get on my ears from it being too tight. Also,not being able to do a hard activity because the mask will make you struggle to get your breath back. And the worst part of it all is not knowing when it’s going to be over. Everyday we get different results of the amount of cases and different ways we can protect ourselves. The way this pandemic affects you is all based on how you view it in my opinion. Many people took the opportunity to start a business or learn a new hobby. I personally would say a good outcome of it would be having enough time to invest in yourself. During this pandemic I had time to update my resume that way when the first phase was ready I could apply for new jobs. In addition, I got better at braiding hair which is something I felt I never had enough time for. I’ve always wanted to learn since I never liked the way other people braided my hair. When I was younger I would ask for braids just so I could avoid having to get my hair straightened. When I was learning I actually used to just rebraid my hair over and over since we had to be separated from everyone. This outbreak was something that was very dangerous and also hard to adjust too. I'm used to being able to go out to eat every weekend and maybe watch a movie in the theater when I’m done. The corona virus has closed gyms, movie theaters ,indoor dining, casinos and many more. The dining wasn’t such a setback to me because it was summer time but now we’re back to quarantine basically because winter is coming.Sitting outside for lunch will no longer be an option and delivery will become everyone’s new favorite. Being able to do activities outside gave some relief from covid but now it’s all gone. Although it’s a worldwide pandemic, I feel you should always try to make the best out of your situations even if they may seem unable to adjust to. Staying positive and trying to adapt to this new lifestyle is something I’m still growing into. If you take everything as a chance to grow eventually you would look at life differently.
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  2020-10-08

  The Time to Grow is Now

  2020 was a year that started with a struggle. On December 6th, 2019, my childhood best friend, Collin, died from a drug overdose. He was the first person that was my friend in this world. 3 days before my 21st birthday, he was gone. I have never grieved a person like this in my life. The pain stuck with me like nothing I had experienced. No matter where I was or what I was doing, I could only think of Collin. In February, right before everything shut down, my friend Jeff and I went to New York City. On Collin's birthday, we went to a drag show, and I could feel the world breaking under my feet knowing he couldn't be there. During quarantine, he was always on my mind. I was stuck in a house with 4 other 21-year-olds for months on end. It was suffocating. Processing trauma and grief in a world without distractions as been one of the hardest challenges of my life. I recently moved back to my hometown where I am surrounded by memories of Collin and other past traumas. It is especially difficult to process traumas in a new place during a pandemic. A hug has never felt so cherished. Community has never felt closer but also so far apart. I am grateful for the friends I see and people I am close to in a new way. While the world can feel like its crumbling, there is always a smile to be had. I can now smile when I pass places I went with Collin as a kid. The world slowing down has made sit with these feelings in a way I never could before. I had so much time to feel everything. Collin's name makes me smile and I feel so blessed to have known him. COVID made my world slow down enough to get through this loss.
• 2020-10-08

  Adjusting to COVID

  COVID-19 has taken the world by shock and disbelief. It affected everyone from around the globe to your local neighborhood. Fortunately, I never had COVID, but my life was flipped upside down and I’ve never experienced such a life changing event, while sharing the same struggles with people around the world. In a strange sense, we were separate but fighting together and it really gave me hope that we can overcome this pandemic. I work for a coffee shop and I remember after the hectic holidays, I took a vacation out to Las Vegas with my partner in January 2020. I heard about COVID back then on the news but it was relatively new and was mostly located in China. I wasn’t worried about it because I never thought it would end up like it is now. Around the end of January, COVID started to spread at a fast rate and the death tolls we’re climbing like nothing before. There was no vaccine and medical professionals around the world were struggling to combat the virus. At the same time, I fell ill with the flu. I checked myself in at a clinic and the waiting room was packed! Every single patient was sick with flu like symptoms and were waiting for a doctor. That’s when it really hit me. This was more serious than the flu. This was more than something you hear on the news. This was something that is happening now, at home. Thankfully, I just had the flu and recovered over the week. But even in that week, COVID became the center of attention and grew even more. Before I knew it, the governor of Illinois ordered a lock down and everything closed and everyone was quarantined at home unless you were an essential worker. My work closed for 2 and a half months. It felt like a long and slow home vacation. I stayed busy and my dogs really enjoyed my company at home. Overall, it was so shocking. My life was normal, going to work, hanging out with friends and even going on vacation. To now, everything is slowly opening back up. Mostly everyone is wearing masks but I’ve been more mindful because of Corona. I wash my hands every chance I get and I don’t go out, unless it’s for essentials or work. As much as I would like to travel, I know better than to endanger myself and the people around me. Together we can get through this and we’ll be back to normal in no time.
• 2020-10-08

  Fear of the Unknown

  Although I have been fortunate enough to say that no one in my family has contracted the virus thus far, that's not to say that it hasn't had an impact. Since the discovery of the virus, there has been an abundance of mixed information, terrifying rumors, and confusing data. There have been times when one could think there was nothing to worry about, and other times when one could feel uncomfortable leaving his/her home. Overall, the most terrifying part for me is all the things we don't know about what's going on. Along with that, is not knowing when you or a family member might have it. I'm sure we have all had our scares during this crisis, but one in particular really frightened me. My dad has been in and out of hospitals for over 5 years now, and it has been a rollercoaster of emotions for me and my twin sister. The most recent time he was in the hospital, he was transferred from my small hometown to a hospital here in Phoenix. In his condition, and after everything he has lived through, we knew that he would not survive if he contracted the virus. It sounds pessimistic, but if I were to go in-depth about his medical history, anyone would agree. With that being said, we were terrified about him being in a major phoenix hospital at the peak of the pandemic. Not to mention the medical facilities he would have to regularly go to after the fact. So far, he has not contracted the virus, but the stress remains present even more so than it has been in the past. Sometimes the stress and concern that these types of disaster causes are just as impactful as the disaster itself, and COVID-19 has proved that to be true.
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  2020-10-08

  Is this our future?

  I look at this photo of my granddaughter wearing a mask and cannot help but think this might be her future. When I was her age, we did not have to worry about such horrible things like a deadly virus taking lives locally and globally. But if this is to be her future, then it will be second nature to her, because she will have grown up with it. I still find it hard to believe that my granddaughter at three years old, and my three grandsons have fallen in line with the protocol of changes this pandemic has brought to our doorstep and what they now have to endure. Sure, they may have some complaints about missing their friends. Who wouldn’t? But in today’s world, we have the luxury to still communicate through technology. I am not saying it replaces social interactions, but it does keep us connected to our friends and family, which is so crucial in all aspects of our lives. They did have a choice to attend school physically or virtually; they chose to take classes online. By staying inside and only going out when necessary, they are protecting themselves and others. The rest of the world needs to understand how serious Covid-19 is, and I know so many do. But some still do not believe it is real or that serious. Some of those people I know personally, and it drives me insane! But do you blame them when every day you see in the media many high-profile political leaders stand in front of the camera before the masses and make fun of other high profile politicians for following the CDC Covid-19 protocol so as not to spread the virus? What examples are they setting? There is no respect shown for those who have lost family and friends or those infected with Covid-19. Why are we told not to worry the virus is not that bad when thousands have and still are leaving this world because of being infected with the virus. So, it is no wonder this type of influence has caused such unrest between officials trying to control the virus and those fighting against them. Here in NC, the populous are fighting our governor on closing the doors of different establishments, such as retail stores, restaurants, salons, non-essential establishments, churches, etc., when the pandemic is at its highest. If the virus has leveled and not spiking, he will go into one of the softer phases, more lenient to the establishments and all in lockdown. What is surprising and so disappointing is in so many church leaders' attitudes—how they have handled the pandemic from the very beginning. You can expect a lot of rebellion from some of the retail industry, restaurants, clubs, and so on. But when you witness on the news a church with its community, not following the Covid-19 protocol, passionately holding a rally against the governor’s mandates, you wonder what the logic really is behind their actions. Apparently, it is not about spreading the virus. It is disturbing, like a scene from a bad movie; it is so unbelievable. It confuses me because we learned in church to love and care for one another. Still, these churches' leaders chose to sue the governor, instead of protecting the parishioners and others from a worldwide pandemic, leading by setting a good example. The virus hit the state hard. The governor mandated the closing of all church doors. He did not have a sinister plan to take people's rights away. The governor is desperately trying to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and asking the cooperation from NC. Once all settled and under control, the doors will open to the churches as well to life itself. The churches' leaders are not thinking of their people's wellbeing or the rest of the world when a virus of this proportion is spreading worse than the flu. The leaders of the churches that are suing are causing unrest between their congregation and the governor. They should be following the guidelines set by the governor and the CDC by using new and inventive ideas to service and protect their communities from getting through these difficult times. Some religious communities are coming together and putting their brains to work, coming up with creative ways to continue to carry on their religious traditions. Documentaries have shown religious organizations across the globe, organizing ways to continue their spiritual practice and rituals. Friends have shared their experiences of what their churches are providing for them to keep the connection of faith alive. These stories are refreshing and give me hope, but it does not make up for the injustice because a federal judge overruled the governor's mandate and opened the doors. So, are we mixing religion with the government? I am so proud of my grandchildren for understanding and being more compliant with this horrific pandemic than the adults we see on social media. If one has true faith, one can worship anywhere because my understanding is the god these parishioners believe in would accept praise and worship from anywhere - not exclusively a church. The question is, who really has the power and who has always driven that power?
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  2020-10-08

  トランプ氏「コロナ感染は神からの祝福」豪語のワケ(2020年10月8日) - Mr. Trump "Corona Infection is a Blessing from God" A reason for the bold statement (October 8, 2020)

  トランプ大統領が新たな動画を公開。「感染は神からの祝福だ」と話しました。 　7日、ツイッターに投稿されたメッセージ。トランプ大統領は自らに投薬された未承認の抗体薬を絶賛しました。しかし、この動画には批判の声も。 　そもそも、こうなったのは誰の責任か。副大統領候補による討論会。現副大統領は上司の擁護に追われます。 　共和党・ペンス副大統領：「皆さんに知ってほしい。大統領は最初から皆さんの健康が第一だと考えていた。ワクチンなどもまもなくできる。大統領のリーダーシップで」 　果たして、そうなのか。例えば、マスク。大統領がしていなかった期間はあまりに長く、感染発覚後、スタッフの前で外す様子も確認されています。対策は十分なのか。トランプ大統領はいまだに陰性かどうか明らかにされていません。その一方で、バイデン候補との討論会には意欲を示しています。新たな動画でこう主張しています。 　トランプ大統領：「抗体薬は無償化する。皆さんの責任ではないのです。中国の責任だ。中国は大きな代償を払うことになる。 [I have personally translated the debate from Japanese to English and thus, it might not be the exact meaning/words from the actual debate.] President Trump releases a new video. "Infection is a blessing from God," he said. The message posted on Twitter on the 7th. President Trump has praised the unapproved antibody drug he had been given for treatment. However, there are criticisms against this video. Standford University, Subramanian said she was appalled by Trump’s comment that his diagnosis had been a blessing from God. “It really makes my stomach turn,” she said. “So would he say that the 210,000 Americans who died, they were cursed by God?” In the first place, who is responsible for this situation? Kamala Harris: “On January 28th, the Vice president and president received the information that this pandemic will cause death and yet they did not tell the citizens. Debate by Vice Presidential Candidates. The current Vice President is busy defending his boss. Republican Vice President Pence: "I want you to know. From the beginning, the president thought that your health was the number one priority. Vaccines will soon be available. Under the leadership of the president." Is that actually true? For example, a mask. The period that the president was not wearing the mask was too long, and it has been confirmed that he removed it in front of the staff after he was known to have the virus. Are the measures sufficient? Moderator: “(Last month) During the even at the White House, people in the front row were not social distancing, most did not wear a mask, and a lot of people from that event was found to be infected. Do you think the citizens will follow the president despite this incident?” Vice President Pence: “There are great deal of speculations. But a lot of people who participated did receive the test.” President Trump still has not stated whether he is a negative or not. On the other hand, he was enthusiastic during the debate with Biden. In the new video, he insists "The antibody drug will be free. It's not your responsibility. It's China's responsibility. China will pay a big price. Please remember that."
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  2020-10-08

  Time to Slow Down and Reflect

  What I have learned the most through COVID 19 is how much hate there is in the world. I am a miniscule piece of this planet and if I can strive and share a positive attitude, I would want that for everyone else. Life isn’t perfect, but we can try to be more respectful, caring, and understanding of others. This time of quarantine has really shown me how much I needed to slow down. Slow down and really reflect and meditate what is truly important to me now, and what is important to me and for my future. The hate that we focus on in our society comes from years and years of hurt and hatred. But it’s time for a change; it’s time for us to learn about each other and get to a point where we can all respectfully understand each other. You can never understand what everyone is going through, but they go through it every single day. It’s important to make sure others aren’t alone, and that healing takes time. The constant grind that we live going to work, being social, going to school, and traveling gets tiresome and the quality time of it all gets drowned by the stress and drama. We can use this time of quarantine to stop and realize what truly is important for our health: mental, physical, and spiritual.
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  2020-10-08

  My COVID Experience

  My COVID experience has been mostly unremarkable. I am a fairly introverted person to begin with, so quarantine wasn't really a big deal for me. The only new thing to have come from this experience is having to wear a mask. Thus, why I added a mask to an image drawn of myself with a mask on.
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  2020-10-08

  Vice Presidential Debate Precautions

  More precautions are now taken for in-person political debates. In addition to sitting at least 6ft apart, the vice presidential debate featured two glass barriers between the candidates to prevent the spread if one of them unknowingly contracted COVID-19
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  2020-10-08

  Plot to Abduct Governor Gretchen Whitmer

  A ring of COVID-19 skeptics have targeted Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in a kidnapping plot.
• 2020-10-08

  How Covid-19 took over the world

  It has been such a crazy time witnessing how this pandemic has evolved these past couple of months. I clearly remember how queasy I felt once I heard that there was a positive case confirmed at my university. The environment around campus just seemed a bit odd; everyone felt confused, anxious, and even a bit fearful. At that moment, people really didn’t use masks and were downplaying the virus as if it wasn’t anything to worry about. This made me feel a bit hesitant to wear a face mask since I didn’t want people to think I seemed too exaggerating. As the days passed, the number of positive cases drastically increased not only on campus, but around the world as well. At that point I knew it wasn’t a simple virus and that I shouldn’t care about others’ opinions in regard to face masks. I started to be very precautious and wear my face mask everywhere I went. Eventually, the transition to virtual classes was instituted and I got to stay home for the rest of the school year. Although I felt safe staying inside, the news and social media was very successful at causing anxiety in my household. It was very overwhelming to hear the progression of this virus and how many people were losing their lives because of the pandemic. This made going out to buy groceries such a fearful experience, especially since not everyone used their masks which could have exposed so many people to this deadly virus. I remember asking myself, will wearing a mask become the new norm in this society, will we have to get used to carrying face masks everywhere we go just like our purse or identification card? I remember learning about the bubonic plague, or the Spanish flu in my history classes, but I never imagined I would experience a pandemic myself.
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  2020-10-08

  SF Public Library + SFMOMA giveaway

  SF Public Library has partnered with SFMOMA to provide free art kits at mobile library locations. I live in the city, and thought this was a neat way for the library to engage with people while their branches are closed.
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  2020-10-08

  LitCovid- open access database to new and peer reviewed literature

  LitCovid is a website created by the NIH to provide free access to all academic papers and studies published to PubMed about COVID-19. The database makes it easy to search for specific types of studies, and is broken down into different categories (such as mechanism, transmission, prevention, and forecasting). It is quite jargon-heavy since it is a collection of academic papers, but can be really useful for learning more about the disease.
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  2020-10-08

  In the times of a Pandemic

  The year of 2020 has been a difficult year for everyone. No matter if your young, old, rich, poor, a new born, or a high school student. Things has been pretty tough. The world introduced to a virus that could kill people known as the Corona Virus. Into the 4th month of the year, children were forced to stay home, and the working class unless they were an essential worker were moved to work from home. Who would have thought that big companies would have majority of their workers take advantage in the work from home program. Many Americans had found themselves taking on new challenges that they didn't think they were ready for. Children are no longer going to school, but instead they are learning through a virtual experience. Their parents are not only working from home, but also taking on a second role as teacher to help their children. This year has been a whirlwind for many, but through meditation and allowing our lungs to be filed with the air that we breath, everything takes a standstill. With this being said, I have found new hobbies and ways to help my well being in this chaotic year. I chose to highlight the Namaste photo because it represents the fact that we need to all take a deep breath and say everything is going to be okay. I hope that you can do the same by breathing in and out, and focusing on the good!
• 2020-10-08

  An Unsure Election

  The experience of the election is changing. As a poll worker, I'm seeing this first-hand.
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  2020-10-08

  Watch Me Grow Right Through The Concrete Cracks

  The story behind this image is something I hold true to my creative process, in aspects of the pandemic, what I would like people to know is that even when life seem colorless with no blossom, we have the capacity to make something beautiful out of pain, fatigue and tiredness because humans are relentless and resilient, like a flower growing right through the cracks.
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  2020-10-08

  How COVID-19 Has Impacted My Life

  This story talks about my experience amidst the pandemic, and how it has impacted my life. This is important to me because this time is so unusual and is definitely going to be a huge part of history.