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2020-07-18
Notes for Nurses
This is a photo from inside the COVID unit at St. Joseph's Hospital. Children all over the Phoenix area have been sending drawings and letters to the frontline workers, thanking and encouraging them to keep saving lives. The nurses on the unit have put them all over the windows and walls for everyone to see. -
2020-10-16
The scariest day as a Mom
It was February 22nd, 2020 in what seemed like a very normal day for my family. We were on a club softball trip with my oldest daughter in bright and sunny Palm Springs California. We drove up to Palm Springs in the morning and watched my daughter play her regular three games. Nothing unusual for us, she’s been playing travel club for two years. After a quick shower and out the door to join the rest of her team for dinner, I turn around in the care and see my very active two year old son completely lethargic with very little response to us. I immediately began to tell my husband that we needed to find an urgent care because I knew looking at my son that he was not getting enough oxygen. Not being from California, I started to Google “urgent cares near me” I found one not too far away but I was told they did not take walk-ins and referred me to another urgent care across the town. Furious, my husband drives like a madman to the next urgent care. The nurse immediately took us to a room where she said to me that he needed to have a breathing treatment on the spot and his fever was 103 so they would be giving him fever-relief medicine. After about thirty minutes-a albuterol treatment and two different fever-relievers, we were released with the understanding that he had had a respiratory something (they couldn’t tell us what exactly it was), we were sent to get prescription. Well as unluck would have us, all of the near pharmacies were closed. We finally ended up at a Walmart, who was also about to close, where I finally lost it as mom, crying and begging the poor pharmacist to please fill my son’s prescription. Thank goodness she agreed, probably because of this sobbing mess that I was. Either that was enough. My husband made the executive decision to drive back home to Phoenix that night. Twelve hours from the time we first left AZ to we were on our way home. That Monday, we took my son to his primary care doctor who also couldn’t give us much of a diagnosis other than he was suffering from a very unusual respiratory virus. He was never tested for COVID-19, but my poor son was on breathing treatments for a week straight and his 103 fever finally broke….5 days later. At the follow up, in the beginning of March, we were told that my son probably had COVID-19, although testing was not really happening at this time. My son made a full recovery by the time our whole State and Nation shut down. But the experience I had with this virus was terrible and that day that I had with my son was the scariest moment I have ever felt as a mom. I am sharing this story because one, I want people to realize that this virus can affect children and that it has also been around for longer than people may have realized. -
2019-06-06
I Can't Breathe
This was June 6th 2019. There were Black Lives Matter protests everyday for the last couple weeks. The world was angry and wanted people of color to be treated equally. Everyone in the photo is socially distancing and wearing a mask but still fighting for equal rights. No one forgot about COVID, yet COVID was not the only issue occurring in the world at that time. Arizona State University HST485 -
2020-03-01
Escaping From Our Daily Despair
Like most people living through these difficult times, I've found it exhausting to endure months without being able to see close friends and not being able to enjoy activities that I once took for granted. A lot of people have coped with these new, debilitating circumstances by adopting new hobbies such as baking breading and making pottery, but I've chosen to dig deeper into my favorite pre-pandemic hobby: reading. Before the pandemic hit my radar back in March (Like it did with most people), I had already amassed a collection of books that I had gathered from thrift shops or borrowed from the Phoenix Public Library. These books, whose topics ranged from Chinese science fiction (The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin) to 20th century European history (Reappraisals by Tony Judt), have helped me partially escape from the daily despair that came from watching the national death count tick up toward 200,000 people and the anxiety that comes with having friends and family who work in the vulnerable service industry. I feel guilty about escaping from our deadly reality into the pages of fiction, but it's necessary to prevent oneself from giving in to darkness and corroding your mental health. Besides, it's not like I have anything better to do with all of this time. Sometimes, I'd rather think about how it would be like to live in Ceres Station (The Expanse series) or to be constantly reincarnated (The Years of Rice and Salt) than to see the cold, hard reality around me (We're on the road to 300,000 dead by winter's end). Sometimes, you just have to drink the soma to get through this brave new world of ours. I just wish it didn't have to be this way. I just wish we had done better as a society. -
2020-03-19T09:06-05:00
When the Airport Becomes a Library
In the middle of March in 2020, flight prices dropped dramatically. I took advantage out of this circumstance by purchasing a $75 non-stop round trip ticket on United from Phoenix to Chicago. My flight to Chicago on Monday, March 16 was somewhat full, and O'Hare Airport in Chicago was less crowded than usual. However, the Coronavirus situation quickly worsened each day. I returned to the airport on Thursday, March 19 for a 10:00 AM flight to go back to Phoenix. O'hare, normally packed with people during this aviation morning rush hour, was almost like a ghost town. It had only taken a couple of days to make the big drop in passanger traffic. It was earily quiet. The colorful walkway to the satellite concourse in Terminal 1 had just a few people, making it quite easy to hear Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue." When I got to the satellite concourse, it felt like a library. You could walk on the concourse with barely anyone around surrounded by little to no noise. It was if you owned the place. I went to Starbucks, a favorite among travelers in the morning, where there was no line. The workers enjoyed conversating among themselves. Walking past each of the gates, I could hear near silence as most were empty or near empty, with very few gate agents working in the terminal. As someone who had taken flights out of this airport since I was little, this felt very bizzare. I knew this was historic and I took a couple of photographs along the way. One of the things I've realized about the history of the pandemic, and major historical events in general, is that it isn't necessarily about what's added, but what is removed. The sensory details do not necessarily involve jolts to your senses, but perhaps the opposite. Like Lower Manhatten after the collapse of the World Trade Center, sometimes what you may sense during major historical events is near silence. No one on my flight that day needed to point out the sheer gravity of the situation; the silence spoke a thousand words. -
2020-09-29
FigureItOut's Livestream Concert
COVID-19 has made it near impossible for concert goers and fans all over the world to enjoy live music. Drive in shows have been happening across the globe but the band I work with felt like they could do more to bring the concert straight to the publics fingertips. Mike Weakly, a U of A graduate and great long time friend of mine, asked me if I would like to join him and his band for a livestream recorded performance for his album he just released titles "Searching For More". The set was made using social distancing safety parameters and all of the crew that was not the performing band wore masks at all times. The set was done locally at the venue known as the rebel lounge in Phoenix, AZ. It felt so good as a musician to get onstage again and perform even if it was just for a live audience. As long as you put passion into any performance, I believe you can portray the message you want to any group of people no matter what the environment is like. A lot of venues have been suffering from the lack of shows and events to host so many have been asking for donations or support from the Save Our Stages movement which is a fund to help venues stay open through such hard times like this. -
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. -
0000-08-01
Life Still Goes on
Although the pandemic temporarily placed a hold on what everyone could do, the pandemic didn’t place a hold on everyone’s life. The pandemic started in March around spring break of the Spring semester of 2020. Due to the pandemic I had to make a choice to stay in Phoenix and continue working and going to school or leave everything move back home. I made the decision to move home and start over. I was fortunate enough to get a job in these hard times which took up a lot of my time and distracted me from what was about to come. In August I had to make the decision of moving back to Phoenix for school or stay home and do school completely online. Although most of my classes are online anyways and this seems like a very small issue it was very draining for me. After many trips to Phoenix, many tears, and many panic attacks I made the decision to move. Due to the last-minute move and the stress that came with it I began to second guess the decision I had made. Every day I try to convince myself that it was the right decision and that I am doing good considering the situation we are all in. I also feel as though my mental health has been rapidly decreasing. With that being said, I know I am not the only one that feels as though the combination of no human interaction and online school that isn’t teaching us anything has caused mental health issues to increase. A good friend of mine created a group of classmates at the University of Arizona and composed a letter to the President, after being asked in a class how they were doing, explaining how bad they were doing. They received no response; it was a very good concept but not enough to make a difference. -
2020-05-20
Escaping it All
This tent is where my father and I slept for a couple of nights during the beginning of the pandemic. We camp a couple of times a year because it gets so hot in Phoenix, which is where we live. But this trip wasn't just a heat escape, it was break from all the noise and the fear in the world. We originally were going to an official campsite however they were all closed due to the Covid-19 outbreak. This didn't stop us though, we just began driving on random dirt paths with my 2004 Toyota Corolla. After probably 10 dirt roads we finally got lucky and found a place to set up camp. There were even a couple of other people camping, don't worry we kept our distance. There were some points when I thought we would have to call it quits but I am so glad we didn't. If you've never been camping I highly suggest you try it. It's a great place to just relax your mind and focus on the simple things in life. Which is why one of the first things we did was turn off our phones. Being able to just live in the moment is something I don't take for granted anymore. It's so easy to get caught up in news and media, but when you're out in the woods none of that applies to you for that time. My dad loves being outside in nature away from everything, but he has glaucoma and can't drive. I know how much these little trips mean to him. If it was up to my dad he would be camping for months at a time. He's retired so I can see why but I don't have the time to do so. I just want this to me a reminder that doing small stuff like this can really go a long way. Especially in times like these. Thank you for reading my story and I hope you all are doing well during these times. -
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. -
2020-07-10
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 concerns that these types of disasters cause are just as impactful as the disaster itself, and COVID-19 has proved that to be true more than ever. -
2020-09-15
ASU COVID-19 Interview Image
This picture is of me taken after an EOSS Social Roundup interview about my experience with school, work, and life during the COVID- 19 pandemic. This picture was also uploaded to the Arizona State University Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation Instagram page (asunursingandhealth) and scholarship page. This interview will be incorporated to a video that will be shown to incoming first year students. The goal of this project was to clarify any questions that any future students may have and provide comfort to them through the firsthand experiences of multiple students at Arizona State University. Students were taken to various parts of the Downtown Phoenix Arizona State University campus and were asked questions pertaining to their involvement in campus, class, and how they incorporated safety measures while attending on campus. Personally, I was able to give detailed responses about how professors handled in- person classes and what measures they took to keep their physical students safe. I was also able to share my work experience at the university during this pandemic. I work at the university residential hall and Sun Devil Fitness and Wellness Complex. I was able to give a detailed description of how we, at my student jobs, have taken various measures to keep a safe and sanitary environment to keep our residents and patrons safe through this pandemic. My interview was also able to give an insight of living on campus during this academic year. I was able to answer questions about precautions that has been taken by university housing to keep their residents safe from this virus and reduce the potential spread. Overall, I hope that my insight given in this interview will put future incoming students at ease or encourage them to come to campus. All of this is to show the students that we are taking various safety measures to keep them at low risk and show them that they are in our best interest. -
2020-10-06
Arizona Senate Debate Amid the Pandemic
Political Debates have been a challenge for candidates and debate commissioners. After Trump's contraction of COIVD-19, more precautions are taken for in-person debates. In the U.S. Senate debate between Senator Martha McSally and Mark Kelly had a glass barrier between the candidates to prevent the spread of the virus were one of them to contract it and not know. -
2020-09-21
QUARANTEENS
QUARANTEENS is a collection of art from around the world, but with a heavy focus on the Phoenix scene. And obviously by teens in quarantine. It contains a loose and colorful agglomeration of visual art, text, and ideas that sometimes contradict each other, but always in a good way. -
2020-09-21
We get more followers in times of crisis’: As pandemic limits in-person action, activism goes digital
PHOENIX – Civil rights marches. Anti-war protests. Rallies against gun violence. Public demonstrations historically have involved the “mass mobilization of bodies,” according to Tiera Rainey, program director for the Tucson Second Chance Community Bail Fund and an organizer with Black Lives Matter Tucson. But when the novel coronavirus struck, prompting warnings against crowds and close contact, Arizona’s new reality of social distancing forced organizers to rethink that framework. -
2020-09-02
Experts fear pandemic could spur dramatic spike in homelessness
PHOENIX – For more than three decades, André House just west of downtown has provided food, showers, temporary housing and other services to Arizonans experiencing homelessness or poverty. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of families seeking such services has almost doubled, said Ash Uss, the faith-based nonprofit’s coordinator of advocacy and partnerships. “We have had families who show up and say, ‘I was just evicted,’ or ‘I’m about to be evicted,’ or ‘We’re living out of our car,’” Uss said. “The need is greater than it ever was.” On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention implemented a nationwide temporary eviction moratorium through the end of the year to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Under the order, landlords cannot evict renters who meet certain conditions: “exhausted their best efforts to pay rent, seek Government rental assistance, and are likely to become homeless due to eviction,” according to a statement from the White House. However, the latest efforts may have little impact for those already struggling to secure housing. A July report from University of Arizona researchers suggests the spike in people seeking homeless services at André House and elsewhere in metro Phoenix may be just the beginning. Researchers found the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic shutdown could increase the state’s homeless population – about 11,000 as of January – by 16% to 42%. “I think everybody needs to take this very seriously,” said Claudia Powell, associate director of the university’s Southwest Institute for Research on Women and co-author of the report, which put the number of at-risk renters at 365,000. “It will be a bigger crisis than we can imagine if we don’t act soon.” -
2020-09-25
Avoiding Sickness while Traveling
I’m sitting in the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport waiting for my flight to go to Chicago Midway airport while I’m geared up like doctor. I have my goggles on I purchased for my biology labs in college and my black face mask. I’m going to be seeing family, and much of my family is very old. I feel guilty being roped into going but I have to go. I’ve seen many people take off their masks for no apparent reason and I’m essentially blind because my goggles keep fogging. If there’s any obvious errors in this, that’s why. -
2020-09-24
Watching Pre-March 2020 Movies and TV Shows
I’ve spoken with a few friends about this strange phenomenon I experience sometimes when watching movies or TV shows now. When watching a movie, when I see a large number of people in a room together without masks I get a short bout of anxiety. I immediately think, “What are all those people doing in a room together without masks on?” But then I remember that the movie I’m watching was filmed before March 2020. I’ve noticed my roommates do the same thing when we watch movies together. I distinctly remember this scene in “Gone Girl” where there are many people in a large room walking around and one of my roommates said, “Wow, look at all those people in a room together.” I think this shows that while many of us view the pandemic as a temporary moment in history and will “soon” be over— the pandemic has still embedded fears and anxieties in me that I would otherwise not think about. How I would approach normal things i.e. walking around in a grocery store or watching a movie, I now approach in a completely different way. I don’t think these fears or anxieties will last very long after the pandemic is over. It’s just interesting to see the ways both my friends and myself behave towards completely normal things pre-March 2020. -
2020-09-01
‘We all need to brace ourselves’: Experts fear pandemic could spur dramatic spike in homelessness
By Jessica Myers | Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship -
2020-08-22
‘We don't turn anyone away’: As virus forces some nonprofits to cut hours and services, refugee aid group works overtime
by Jessica Myers for the Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship -
2020-09-17
Hermit HERALD VOL 1 ISSUE 64
cell tips -
2020-09-16
Refugees & Immigrant Community for Empowerment (RICE)
Refugee and Immigrant Community Empowerment Center (RICE) is a community-based, non-profit organization dedicated to serving and assisting Refugees, Asylees and Immigrants in the Phoenix Metropolitan Statistical Area, created to close the service gaps that remain after the 90-day resettlement period. RICE is directed by a team of leaders from all over the globe and that works directly with local partnerships to strengthen social services and prevent unnecessary hardships for immigrants and refugees. By advocating and promoting education, dialogue and awareness, RICE identifies the potential for new opportunities then integrates them back into our refugee and immigrant communities. MISSION STATEMENT The RICE mission is to aid refugees and immigrants in becoming self-sufficient and contributing members of the economic growth of the community by creating resources and opportunities to training and education in preparing for employment in the community. -
2020-09-14
International Rescue Committee (Phoenix)
The International Rescue Committee helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and regain control of their future. -
2020-09-03
Fewer planes and much less noise
I was offered a job at Arizona State University at the last minute. How last minute? I had already started teaching on campus in my previous position when I got the official offer. We moved to Tempe, AZ in the offseason. The rental market was full of pricey AirBnBs, but not a lot of homes for rent. I have two kids and a dog, so we set our sights on a house. I also wanted to be close to ASU, preferably walking distance, but I knew that was a big ask. We did, however, find a home. It’s walking distance to Rio Salado, downtown Tempe, and ASU. The catch is that it’s in the flight path for the Phoenix airport. When a plane flies overhead it sounds like a long, dull roar. It’s so loud you can’t hear yourself talk or talk to anyone around you (if you’re outside). Before COVID, the planes flew in and out of the airport like taxis. I counted how often they flew overhead, and it was about every 54 seconds for most of the day. Sometimes it felt so loud you didn’t want to sit outside. Post-March, however, everything has slowed way down. There are fewer planes, and that means we sit outside a lot more and enjoy our outside space. I recorded the sound of a plane passing overhead while I hung up laundry to dry. It gives a sense of how long the sound takes over the area. -
2020-06-15
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office answers Frequently Asked Questions regarding Covid-19
This is a list of questions posed to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office regarding department policies and procedures regarding the Covid-19 pandemic. This list was made to provide answers to the public regarding safety and security issues within the jails. The questions range from how many active cases are present in the jail (as of date of publication) to how/when inmates are released to availability of cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment. -
2020-04-13
Preventing the Spread of Covid-19 in County Jails in Maricopa County
This press release was written and published by MCSO (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office) to detail the steps and protocols put in place to keep employees, staff and inmates safe and healthy during the pandemic. It also outlines measures put in place for patrol units to keep them and the public safe during the pandemic. -
2020-03-15
Security Changes in Maricopa County Jails in Light of Covid-19
This is a press release that was published in March, right at the time when the US was really starting to get hit with the pandemic. At the time this was published, there were no confirmed cases of the virus in the jails, but the Sheriff's office began increasing security and limiting access in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus within the jail population. Even at the beginning, it was evident that this would not be a flash in the pan type incident but a long lasting event that would require rethinking the 'everyday normal' to keep people safe and healthy. -
2020-08-30
My experience reporting for A Journal of the Plague Year
I wanted to articulate my experience with the COVID-19 stories fellowship. It was a great experience hearing about how different communities have been affected and their struggles with the virus. I also talked about my virtual reporting process. -
2020-07-20
Private prison contracts complicates COVID-19 precautions
The contracts for Arizona's private prisons require nearly all of the beds to be filled. This story articulates the difficult balance between keeping inmates safe during a pandemic and satisfying the contracts. -
2020-08-26
Arizona nonprofits boost aid to help refugees impacted by COVID-19 pandemic
By Sarandon Raboin/Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship -
2020-08-05
Many Navajos face pandemic without running water, tribal members urged to ‘lift each other up’
By McKenzie Allen-Charmley/Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship -
2020-08-13
Given history of discrimination, can community help Black-owned businesses survive COVID-19?
Vandana Ravikumar/Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship -
2020-07-29
Arizona dairy farms pivot from restaurants to food banks as COVID-19 shifts demand
By Sarandon Raboin/Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship -
2020-08-07
COVID-19 threatens migrant, officer safety at cramped ICE detention centers
By Jessica Myers/Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship -
2020-08-11
'Keeping the culture alive’: Native dance goes digital during pandemic
By McKenzie Allen-Charmley|Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship -
2020-07-11
The Governor Killed My Father
When Kristin Urquiza's father Mark Urquiza died in July as a result of Covid-19, she wrote a scathing obituary, that was published in the Arizona Republic. She wrote: “His death is due to the carelessness of the politicians who continue to jeopardize the health of brown bodies through a clear lack of leadership, refusal to acknowledge the severity of this crisis, and inability and unwillingness to give clear and decisive direction on how to minimize risk." As its contributors, we added this to highlight the very real costs of the pandemic in the working-class and non-white communities that have been hardest hit by the virus. In this instance, Kristin Urquiza wrote an obituary that called out Arizona Governor Doug Ducey for his inconsistent and inadequate response to the crisis. This message highlights the degree to which the virus is not just a biological phenomenon but also a political one. -
2020-07-09
Arizona dairy farms pivot from restaurants to food banks as COVID-19 shifts demand
By Sarandon Raboin | Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship -
2020-07-05
Phoenix Mayor declares crisis as federal government fails to assist
Phoenix Mayor Gallego highlights the city in crisis as corona cases surge. Gallego also notes that her requests for federal assistance have largely been ignored. The Mayor talks about overwhelmed health centers in the state and the lack of tests available. Arizona continues to be a global hotspot for the virus for the past few weeks. As a hometown Phoenician, it saddens me to see my sates role in the pandemic story. Just this week Arizona went back into partial lockdown as ICU's filled up. I want to keep adding Arizona stories to the archive in order to document the poor response here from both the government and public. The state traded in a few weeks of being fully reopened for potentially months of re-lockdown. -
2020-05-31
Picking Up Brunch
COVID has really made me re-evaluate my eating habits. I've seen so many amazing restaurants and bars close during the pandemic, and it has made me hyper aware of the need to shop local. Due to the economic impacts of the virus, I've stopped ordering from chain restaurants, and I find myself only ordering from local vegetarian and vegan restaurants who I want to see stay in business. Beyond worrying about the economic stress placed on local restaurants, current events have been eye opening regarding the values of certain businesses. There have been restaurants and bars in both Phoenix and Tempe that are reporting several COVID-19 cases among staff but have refused to close. One such example of this has been Zipps Sports Grill, where the manager waited nearly a week before disclosing a series of COVID cases among staff. In other places, such as Mill Avenue in Tempe or Old Town Scottsdale, photos have emerged of patrons packed together at bars without any masks at all. It is unconscionable to watch these businesses-- some of which are legitimately at the center of public health outbreaks-- refuse to close, placing business interests above human lives. Beyond these public health concerns, some restaurants have outwardly supported police or penalized employees for supporting protesters following the murder of George Floyd. The popular chain Starbucks, for example, initially banned the wearing of "#BlackLivesMatter" pins until public outcry forced them to update their policy. While a lot of restaurants and bars have been terrible, there have been other restaurants which have adapted in really awesome ways. The photos attached here capture my experiences picking up brunch at one of my favorite restaurants in Phoenix, The Coronado, a self described "{Woman + POC + LGBTQ Owned}" vegetarian spot in Phoenix. Early on in the pandemic, the restaurant made adjustments to ensure pick-up would be safe. As you can see in these photographs, the line is clearly marked with red tape so patrons always stay six feet apart, there is never more than one guest in the restaurant at a time, and masks are required. Although not pictured here, inside the restaurant, a plexiglass barrier has been set up to ensure there is a shield between the employees and the patrons, and payment is contact-less so no cash or checks are allowed to reduce contact spread. The Coronado has also been fairly active in Phoenix, using their platforms to highlight the needs and successes of local organizations. It's also possible that they have THE BEST french fries in all of Arizona. This pandemic has forced me to re-evaluate my values as a consumer. I don't want to give my money to irresponsible, uncaring, super chains who are more concerned with profits than ethics. Luckily, there are a lot of awesome restaurants in Phoenix that have great safety measures and great community engagement. I hope when this pandemic ends people will remember which businesses put profits over people and will continue to shop critically. I know I will. -
2020-06-19
Mask Up Phoenix
As case numbers in Arizona continue to rise, governor Doug Ducey has finally allowed cities to mandate the usage of masks in public spaces. This is the official City of Phoenix Instagram account publicly supporting face masks. -
2020-06-10
Gracias por su preferencia
Restaurantes Peruanas en el área de Phoenix poniendo posts en un Facebook group que se llama peruanos en Arizona. Los posts avisan que los restaurantes ya están abiertos. Seguro necesitan clientes después de tanto tiempo de cuarentena. -
2020-05-31
"The virus is racism"
Demonstrations against police violence have been taking place in Phoenix, AZ, as in many U.S. cities, following the May 25 killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. On the same day, Dion Johnson, also an African-American man, was fatally shot by police in North Phoenix. I took these photos at a peaceful march in support of Black lives on May 31. In keeping with public health guidance, almost all demonstrators wore protective masks to guard against spreading Covid19. But as one hand-lettered sign put it, "the virus is racism." -
2020-05-18
Echo Magazine May Cover
This is the May cover for Echo, an LGBTQ magazine that has been in print for over thirty-years in Phoenix. The cover reflects the omnipresence of coronavirus, from the man in the face mask to articles about finding peace in a challenging time. -
2020-04-03
Virtual Arizona Pride Call
This document is a description and outline of the first Virtual AZ Pride event. -
2020-04-01
Virtual Arizona Pride Logo
With Phoenix Pride postponed, Virtual AZ Pride emerged as a new, virtual event meant to build community. This is the original logo for Virtual AZ Pride. -
2020-04-01
"Virtual Arizona Pride"-- Echo Mag
Echo Mag, an LGBTQ news source from Phoenix, provides an in-depth account of Virtual AZ Pride's goals and purpose. From the article: "With an attitude of resilience, the community bands together to put together a Virtual Pride weekend April 3-5" -
2020-04-01
"Coronavirus postponed Pride, so the party is going online. Here's how to celebrate"
This article notes the shift from Phoenix Pride to a new virtual Pride event. From the article: "To fight the spread of the new coronavirus, Phoenix Pride 2020 was postponed. But members and allies of the LGBTQ community can still celebrate this weekend, online from the safety of home." -
2020-04-01
"The Best (Virtual) Things to Do in Metro Phoenix This Week"
One of the events mentioned in this article is the newly formed Virtual AZ Pride. The article speaks to community excitement about the new event. From the article: "Arizona Pride It’s been nearly 40 years since activists organized the first Pride march in Phoenix. This year, the annual event will get a new twist, as people avoid large crowds to help stem the spread of COVID-19. The first Virtual Arizona Pride event is happening on Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5. Expect an eclectic lineup of conversations, film screenings, music, comedy, drag storytimes, performances, and pop-up shops. The free virtual event is a way to support the local LGBTQ+ community, experience work by local creatives, learn more about Arizona LGBTQ+ history, and show a little love through online donations to participating creatives if you feel inspired to do so. You can find the daily schedule online." -
2020-05-16
Virtual Arizona Pride Presents: Third Saturdays
Following the postponement of Phoenix Pride in April, a group of activists and organizations came together to host the first-ever Virtual Arizona Pride. The response was so positive that the team behind #VirtualAZPride decided to continue online programming every third Saturday of every month. As their website explains "Our Third Saturday series will feature a select, curated day programming similar to what you saw at #VitualAZPride, from partners old and new." This flyer (designed by Felicia Minor) provides an outline of the *first* Third Saturday event, and shows the range of programming such an event holds. -
2020-05-11
A Journal of the Plague Year
A Journal of the Plague Year