[The Pandemic in Photos ]

I remember waking up on a Saturday morning in March. I had just canceled my plans with my friends the night before. I went downstairs and the news was on, the world leaders had declared an international pandemic. Less than a month ago I was sitting in class discussing this topic and I had laughed at the people who thought we would not be returning to school after March break. But here I was sitting in my living room on the second to last day of break and not only was school canceled until further notice, but everything was closed. This cannot last that long I thought to myself. No way the government can keep everyone in their house for two weeks. I was wrong. 

 

It is now May and the stay at home order has lasted two full months. In Connecticut Phase 1 of the reopening plan just began on May 20th. I passed by a restaurant yesterday that had customers sitting outside. The first real human activity outside of homes in months. It is the beginning of returning to our old lives. Higher officials are saying we will not be returning to our old lives for a long time, at least not until a vaccine is invented. This is deeply concerning because the economy has plummeted severely. Local businesses and restaurants are struggling to reopen and stay open. However, it is not just the economy and local businesses that have been affected. 

 

My goal for this project was to capture in photos and write about the impact that COVID-19 had on the community. I began taking photos in stores and in places that were once crowded and crammed with people. In grocery stores cleaning supplies, toilet paper, tissues, and paper towels have become scarce. Customers are only allowed one supply of each if they are lucky to even find any. Some stores have even gone the extra mile to only allow one roll of toilet paper per customer. I would have never thought that toilet paper and cleaning supplies would become the new gold. Be careful when you are shopping because grocery stores have lined aisles with arrows to prevent people from getting too close to each other. I have made the mistake by going the wrong way several times. 

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 I was shocked when I drove down Greenwich Avenue to find an almost empty street. The once crowded street that was nearly impossible to find a parking space on is now a ghost town. It was like living in an odd dream, but also a nightmare. Yet this is not a dream or a nightmare, this is real life. 

 

Almost every corner you turn everyone is wearing a mask. The world leaders have decided that wearing a mask in public protects you and others from catching COVID-19. This new item has now become a new style for everyone. The Portugal Vogue magazine had a couple kissing through masks in the March/April cover. Fashion designers have even claimed to be working on masks and other pandemic accessories. A year ago if you told someone the new fashion would be face masks, I think they would have thought you were insane. Yet here we are with the hottest trend in every fashion magazine. 

 

Let's remember the real reason we are all home. COVID-19 has swept through the world faster than anyone ever predicted it too. It has affected many who have lost family or friends to this deadly virus. It has caused pain and suffering to those who have contracted it. It has almost taken out entire populations of elderly homes. It has caused loved ones to stay separated to slow the spread of the virus. It has caused children and teens to have rashes and skin irritation. Coronavirus found in these children resembles Kawasaki disease, which is a very serious illness that causes swelling and inflammation in the blood vessels. It has taken the lives of many and has left even more people with the loss of loved ones. 

 

In this dark time, we have still had moments of brightness and hope. I was lucky enough to have the United States Navy Blue Angels fly over my house several weeks ago. All my neighbors were sitting on their balconies waiting for the fighter jets to appear. The loud jets zoomed past just in time for me to capture a few photos. However, the jets were not just entertainment they had a much bigger picture as to why they were flying over New York and Connecticut. The flyover was to show appreciation to the health care workers who are on the front lines fighting COVID-19. The jets were given a path specifically marked out so they would fly over as many hospitals affected by COVID-19 as possible. The moment gave a little hope to some of the doctors and nurses who have put their lives in danger to save the lives of others. 

 

For many seniors, including myself, our senior year was cut short due to the pandemic. High schools and colleges across the country hosted online proms and graduations. Even John Krasinski hosted a prom and graduation on his YouTube show SGN. Celebrities have brought light to the situation by hosting at home concerts and other shows from their living room. Many have included their wives, husbands, and kids into the show which has brought laughter to many during this terrifying time. 

 

Communities have come together to fill food pantries as food and other essential items have become scarce. People are also buying hot meals for those who need them. Neighborhoods have worked together to keep children entertained. All over the world, children and adults go on walks in search of teddy bears that are hidden in windows. My family found about thirty or more on a walk. People are also getting creative and making signs with rainbows to show appreciation to health care workers. 

 

This pandemic has been a dark time for everyone, but communities are coming together to support each other. Staying home has helped decrease the number of positive tests and the number of deaths from COVID-19. One day our society will return to the daily activities we all used to partake in, but for now we must support each other. This is an unusual situation that was not expected, but now that we are in the middle of it the most important thing is to take care of each other. We may have to stay six feet apart, but we can still support each other from a distance.