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2020-04-08
Keeping Concerts Alive
The pandemic forfeited any chance of attending that concert or planned music festival. Although online meetings weren't anyone's favorite, the switch from in-person concerts to Instagram and Facebook live concerts was a success. These quarantine concerts were able to keep the public entertained in their homes while keeping the spirit of live music alive. -
2021-08-20
School District Facebook Post
This is a Facebook post from Cypress-Fairbanks ISD prior to the start of the 2021-2022 academic year. Cypress Fairbanks ISD (CFISD) is the 3rd largest public school district in the state of Texas and faced a lot of scrutiny for not enforcing a mask mandate. Their reasoning was due in part to Governor Greg Abbott ending the mask mandate in the state of Texas. CFISD released many of these "Fact Checking" posts to assure parents and the community that COVID safety was still a top priority. -
2020-12-03
COVID-19 Restrictions in Puerto Rico in English in December 2020
From the "Friends of Rincon" Facebook page, Marysol Cuevas, a realtor in Rincon, shares the December 2020 Covid-19 restrictions in English. The comments show that people were grateful to have access to the new restrictions in English. The restrictions read: 🏠 Curfew is from 9pm until 5am. Sunday is a "lock-down" day - you are only permitted out for emergencies 🍺 Dry-law (no alcohol sales) in effect 5am Saturdays until 7am Mondays. Restaurants are permitted to serve alcohol at tables on Saturdays 🛒 On Sundays, only supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations, hardware stores, a... -
2021-09-20
Vaccine Doubters
I have a screenshot of several anti-vax debates from my town's FB group. The poster was against vaccinating kids. -
2021-10-04
Thank you but... Get Out!
While perusing facebook, I came across this meme about healthcare workers being threatened with termination if they refuse to get vaccinated. -
2021-04-17
Hell-spot at Port Republic
In February I registered for the 1st Minnesota living history event organized by the Liberty Rifles. The idea behind it was that we would create an interactive living history event in conjunction with the National Park Service for the public at the Gettysburg battlefield. At the time, I hadn't been apart of an authentic event before, nor had I been to Gettysburg, so I was really excited for the event. I spent something like $800 improving my impression and so that I could be sure I met the uniform standards and guidelines. Unfortunately, two months before the event the NPS canceled it over Covid concerns. Needless to say, everyone was pretty bummed about it, but the LR event organizers had a plan B event in mind, so a few days after the news of Gettysburg being canceled we were told about the Hell Spot at the Port Republic event, and that we were going to portray the 1st Virginia Infantry (US). Covid cancelled a lot of events in the hobby, and for most of 2020 nothing was happening, much to our dissapointment. -
2020-04-02
False Rumors
In Alexis Akwagyiram’s Reuters article named “African governments team up with tech giants to fights coronavirus lies”, she details how African countries are partnering with tech companies like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp to ensure citizens are up to date with news on the coronavirus and prevent false rumors from spreading through these channels and eventually causing a spike in cases. In the article, Akwagyiram mentions how “false claims that garlic, beetroot, and lemons are an effective alternative to antiretroviral drugs' ' continued to spread in most African countries. However, those claims reached the African community here in the United States. My mom, a Ghanaian woman, trying to find ways to prevent herself from catching the virus, especially since she had to work during the height of the pandemic, found herself believing these said rumors. I remember entering the kitchen every morning to see her making a mixture of garlic, hibiscus herb, and ginger boiling on the stove and pouring them in cups for the family to drink. This daily routine took a toll on her health as she began to experience symptoms such as trouble swallowing, difficulty sleeping, and irritability after eating which her doctor later diagnosed as acid reflux. With my mom already having an underlying disease and being immuno-compromised, she had to start taking new medications to prevent the reflux from affecting her blood pressure. What was supposed to alleviate stress and prevent us from catching the virus, just brought more trouble to my family with us now having to worry about the effect of this new diagnosis on my mom’s well-being. -
2020-12-31
The Summer Your Librarians Became Youtubers...
I am a children's librarian in rural Louisiana. We are approximately two hours away from all major forms of entertainment, so the library acts as not only a community hub but a place for children to learn and participate in extracurricular activities year-round... until Covid. Though our community hardly noticed the virus itself, the effects of being locked down soon took hold, and we were left with a community of children, families, and elderly people more isolated than they usually were. The depression set in. And my director had the fabulous notion to take what we did to the airwaves... Or rather the internet. Our seriously underutilized Facebook Page became the hub of activity, and overnight we went from librarians to Youtubers leading digital craft and art classes, Zoom creative writing workshops, and nightly bedtime stories. What initially began as a means to cheer up the children soon developed into full-fledged outreach. Local politicians, law-enforcement, and other community leaders read stories for us on our page as a means to connect with the people in our community. We did special digital story hours with schools once they opened back up in the fall, and also read stories to patients in the nursing home. Continuing with this train of thought, we partnered with our local American Legion Hall, which is located on a main thoroughfare and has large windows clearly visible from the road, to set up our annual "Christmas Around the World" exhibit (which features Christmas traditions from many different countries as well as Kwanzaa and Hanukah traditions) since there was no way to feature the display in our small meeting room safely. Every program was modified, digitized, and brought to the people of our community in the best possible way they could be... which turned the 'year of the plague' into a year of learning, cooperation, and ingenuity for us. -
2021-05-14
"Disinformation Dozen"
This article discusses "misleading claims and outright lies about COVID-19 vaccines that proliferate on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter". According to the article, 12 people are behind the majority of the misinformation surrounding COVID and the vaccine that leads to conspiracy theories. Many of these theories have led some social media users to avoid the vaccine and ignore scientific facts. It is scary to think that such a small group of people are in control of so much of what we see on social media. What this small group shares and communicates to users are so widespread... I can't open a social media app without seeing some sort of conspiracy theory about COVID or the vaccine. We are so close to overcoming the pandemic, but this type of misinformation is holding us back. -
2020
Humorous Memes About Quarantine and Covid
During quarantine I collected many humorous memes about staying at home and the problems that brought. All sorts of subjects were covered: cooking, getting along with your spouse/roommates, homeschooling the kids, learning to bake bread, being stuck at home, sanitizing, facemasks, people hoarding toilet paper, boredom, effects of isolation, etc. Here are a few of those memes. -
2020
Humorous Memes about Quarantine and COVID
During quarantine I collected many humorous memes about staying at home and the problems that brought. All sorts of subjects were covered: cooking, getting along with your spouse/roommates, homeschooling the kids, learning to bake bread, being stuck at home, sanitizing, facemasks, people hoarding toilet paper, boredom, effects of isolation, etc. Here are a few of those memes. -
2020
Humorous Memes About Quarantine and Covid
During quarantine I collected many humorous memes about staying at home and the problems that brought. All sorts of subjects were covered: cooking, getting along with your spouse/roommates, homeschooling the kids, learning to bake bread, being stuck at home, sanitizing, facemasks, people hoarding toilet paper, boredom, effects of isolation, etc. Here are a few of those memes. -
2020
Memes About Quarantine and Life With Covid
During quarantine I collected many humorous memes about staying at home and the problems that brought. All sorts of subjects were covered: cooking, getting along with your spouse/roommates, homeschooling the kids, learning to bake bread, being stuck at home, sanitizing, people hoarding toilet paper, boredome, effects of isolation, etc. Here are a few of those memes. -
2021-07-14
Olivia Rodrigo arrives at the White House
Olivia Rodrigo arrives at the White House to record videos promoting covid-19 vaccines. She'll meet with President Biden and Dr. Anthony S. Fauci. This Facebook comment feed shows a mixed reaction to President Biden's latest effort to get young people vaccinated. -
2021-06-03
My Covid Vaccine Experience
These are the two Facebook posts I made the day I got my first shot and my second. I received the Moderna vaccine. As a teacher, I was able to get mine sooner than many others. Many people I know had (and still have) reservations about getting the vaccine. I believe in science. I believe in vaccines. It is disheartening and dangerous to see so many Americans throwing away an opportunity to protect themselves, their families, and their community because of politics. Science should not be political. The vaccine did make me feel ill, especially the second one, but it was temporary. I would do it a hundred more times if I had to. A friend of the family said they would not get the vaccine because, "What's in it for me? Even if I get Covid, I am young and healthy, unlikely to die." I found that statement alarmingly self-centered. Getting the vaccine isn't about you as individual as much as it is about you protecting your community and the world. As the saying goes nowadays, "Until all of us are safe, none of us is safe." -
2021-04-19
Covid, my Next Door Neighbor
John, a close family friend who lived in the corner house at the end of our neighborhood. John, a father who held the best Fourth of July and New Years’ Eve Party growing up. John, a veteran and assistant coach to his son’s soccer team. John, who got covid. John, who spent months at the VA on ventilation and his family spent Christmas not knowing if he was going to make it. John was the first person who I personally knew who got Covid and watching the struggle his wife and children faced largely impacted me. My family had known them for years as my older brother and his youngest son were in the same grade, in the same little league, and even in the same classes. It was a very sudden progression as one minute his wife was posting photos of them together on Facebook, and the next minute my mother anxiously checked Facebook multiple times a day as that was the only outlet to post updates on John’s condition. Updates that were rapidly changing from John being in stable condition to being unsure if he was going to make it through the night. For months these updates were given through close family friends of John’s on Facebook. However, the last update came on March 19th, over 100 days after John had been in the hospital. The update started in big bold words “INCREDIBLE NEWS” as John was now in rehab and had a release date to go back home and hug his family. Before John got Covid, it felt like it was all just numbers. Increasing numbers of mortality, increasing numbers of positive tests. However, after watching the struggle John and his family faced for over 100 days as he battled Covid, the numbers became heavier and Covid was no longer a disease that seemed far away, covid was my next-door neighbor. The 17,000 people who have passed away from covid in Arizona were just like John, but their family and friends never got an update with incredible news. The weight of Covid has largely impacted everyone from those who have fought Covid, to their loved ones, to their communities. Covid was once something that was promised to go away in two weeks, now it is the root of many families’ struggle and grief. -
2021-04-17
Represent like Elvin Fourfeathers!
This photo was posted on the Social Distance Powwow Facebook page. Fourfeathers’s face seems to hold a thought captive. Was he going to say something to the photographer? What is he thinking? Would I even understand as a non-Indigenous person? What do the different pieces of regalia represent? Did the photographer take this pre-pandemic but posted now lamenting the loss of tribal gatherings? So many questions to such a beautiful photograph. You keep on representing Elvin. Teach us all. -
2021-04-14
Social Distance Powwow - Prayers for All Nations
Social Distance Powwow is a Facebook page created so Indigenous Peoples can virtually powwow together. Bear Cadman, a member of Dine Nation, submitted this photo of him and wrote "Prayers for all nations. Prayers for peace and healing. Love will win. Prayers for all of you the 5 finger nation." -
2021-04-18
Social Distance Powwow - Native Pride
Native Alec BigCanoe posted a photo of himself wearing his father's regalia on the Social Distance Powwow Facebook page. He looks forward to powwows starting again. -
2020-04-13
My first mask
This is a photo of the first mask I bought/used when the pandemic began. I bought this mask a few months into the pandemic however, as I didn't feel comfortable leaving my house in the early days, I think I bought this around April 2020 if I'm not mistaken. I remember I was at Wal-Mart as my dad told me that they were selling masks there, at the time there was a shortage of masks and people were panic buying. I remember stores were packed, and people were almost exclusively buying toilet paper - I seriously think that's probably the weirdest part of the pandemic, people were also scalping toilet paper on Facebook marketplace, it was like a secondary currency (Not really but it was a precious resource apparently). They were selling masks at the register, in plastic bags for $1.49 I think; in all honesty I think I would of been better off not buying the mask but the atmosphere of panic kind of made me feel like an idiot for not having a mask. When I opened it up in my car I realized it was literally just a cut up black T-shirt; it was transparent, it didn't wrap around your face, it just hung there. Me being an idiot, I used it for a good solid month, it's a miracle I didn't catch COVID-19. I can't believe that they would sell that to people in Wal-Mart, I mean I think I was one of the only people who bought one so I can't be too upset; but still, people were desperate for any semblance of protection, and such a mega-corp like Wal-Mart felt fine profiting off of those anxieties. I'm not trying to insinuate that they should care, because they didn't get rich by being ethical. -
2020-04-06
Johnson and Johnson Vaccine Diary-Day 1
DAY 1: On 4/6/21, I received a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson/Janssen vaccine courtesy of my university. Although out of my control, I was determined to not experience side effects. I woke up somewhat late, so I only had time to eat half a Cliff bar on the way there. I did not drink that much water either. I finished my shot at 11:46am. I don't really mind needles, but I will say that the vaccine shot hurts very slightly more than the flu shot. I think the needle has to stay in for longer. Nevertheless, it was just a short pinch, not bad at all. The process was very quick. After my shot, I sat in the lobby, where I was instructed to wait 15 minutes just in case I had a bad reaction. After my fifteen minutes were up, I received my vaccination card. Although many people do, I chose not to post it on social media. I carried about my day as usual. It was only around 9:30pm when I finally started to feel the side effects. It was ironic because right after I told my friend I felt fine, I felt the aches. Throughout the night, my body felt sore and achy, like I worked out the day before. Stretching made it feel better. At 11:30pm, I was getting fever symptoms. I was extremely tired and had chills, despite being told that my skin felt very hot. I kept shivering despite being wrapped up in a blanket. While I was uncomfortable, the side effects were more of a mild inconvenience. If need be, I could've continued to carry on my day. But it was getting late and I had an early exam the next day, so I decided to snuggle up in a blanket and watch videos until I fell asleep. -
2021-04-05
Greenlee County (AZ) Health Department's Daily COVID-19 Updates through April 5, 2021
The Greenlee County Health Department uses its Facebook page to disseminate daily information related to the COVID-19 pandemic to its residents. The daily COVID-19 statistics are displayed as an image on the daily Facebook post, which allows examination of the department's content and messaging before and after the pandemic. Governor Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency in Arizona on March 11, 2020, which seems inconsistent with GCHD's daily posts from that period. Language on the GCHD posts consistently advised residents to stay home if they felt ill, rather than being consistent with Governor Ducey's voluntary Stay Home orders. For example, the March 30, 2021, press release to update a new active COVID-19 infection in Greenlee County reads as follows: "For Immediate Release, Tuesday, March 30, 2021, Greenlee County, Arizona. Public Information Contact: Steve Rutherford (928) 865-2601 NEW RELEASE - COVID-19 Positive Test in Greenlee County The Greenlee County Health Department is investigating one (1) new confirmed case of COVID-19. The case will put our current total at five hundred and sixty-nine (569) confirmed Greenlee County COVID-19 cases... We would like to remind the community to use masks appropriately when outside of the home, practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently, and do not go into the public when you are feeling sick, unless you are seeking medical attention." These updates demonstrate a significant dichotomy between the rural and urban experiences during this pandemic. -
2020-07-19
Queen Charlotte Lodge Shows Complete Disregard to Haida Indigenous Peoples
QQueen Charlotte Lodge boats are filmed by Haida People racing through their waters and endangering traditional Haida fishing practices. When confronted by a Haida man, a QCL fishing boat captain informs them that these Indigenous People do not hold sovereignty over Haida Gwaii and further, accuses them of not managing their island properly. This is quite the irony considering the Haida have lived on this island for at least 6,000 years. -
2020-07-17
Haida Woman Tells Queen Charlotte Lodge They Do Not Have Consent to Continue Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Haida woman Leeann Brown, reminds Queen Charlotte Lodge that they are not welcome on Haida Gwaii island during the pandemic. Many of the lodge’s boats are venturing too close to Haida fishing nets and traps which threatens their food supply. With such disregard to health of the Indigenous on the island, Brown explains how the Haida show their disagreement with lodge operations and reminds them that this land is sovereign to Haida Gwaii. -
2020-09-22
Mask Sign at Retail Store
This image of a sign at a store, posted on Facebook, hit home with the woman who posted, whose daughter works for a retail store and had recently dealt with an extremely aggressive customer. While there is not information regarding where this sign was posted, many small businesses who want to protect their employees are posting similar messages to express their frustration with those refusing to follow mask ordinances and store policies. Stores and restaurants are often private property, meaning that even if states don't require precautions such as masks, businesses are still allowed to have their own requirements before allowing customers to enter. -
2021-03-28
Motherhood during a pandemic
I am researching the unintended consequences of the pandemic. One way to find some answers is to learn what real people are going through. It is easy to find people’s thoughts about the pandemic on social media, so I took to my mom groups and found people willing to let me share their thoughts anonymously. In the first screenshot, a mom talks about how she is trying to stay positive through the pandemic. From losing her job temporarily, to missing her work and family, to missing simple everyday things like shopping, this mom is feeling the brunt of lockdown in California. It is easy to pick out the negative consequences of the pandemic, but she looks for positivity anyway. The next mom is worried about how her child is going to come out on top due to homeschooling. She wants advice on how to keep her son motivated and not give up when things get hard. There is no way to tell exactly how this pandemic has affected our kids, only time will tell. But there have definitely been some unintended consequences. This example shows that while we are parents and we love our children, we have no idea what the teachers were doing to help our kids through each class before the pandemic. Perhaps one consequence of the pandemic will be a larger respect for teachers. I plan to further use social media for my research, along with academic studies, and oral interviews. -
03/13/2021
Paul Jason Baker-Nicholas Oral History, 2021/03/26
Paul Jason Baker-Nicholas gives an oral history interview about how COVID-19 has affected the LGBTQ+ Community. -
2020-03-03
NAACP encourages continued use of masks
Everyone is so eager to get back to "normal". Everything is reopening, people are feeling safer, and politicians are being reckless. The NAACP and @DrChrisMD is urging people to continue to be safe and wear a mask. People commenting did not seem to think we need to worry anymore, maybe they are right. -
2021
Center for the Study of Racism, Social Justice & Health
COVID-19 TASK FORCE ON RACISM & EQUITY. The site looks at the science and humanity behind the Covid-19 Pandemic through a social justice lens. -
2021-01-28
Silences in the Archive
As I've been reading through the archive and seeing the stories shown, I have been struck by one important missing group from the narratives of Covid-19: Those who haven't taken it seriously. There are countless stories of people who see the wilful ignorance and even maliciousness of those who either don't believe Covid is important or is simply a hoax, there is little to no input from those kinds of people themselves. This cannot be blamed entirely on the archive, to be sure. Every contribution here is voluntary, and if you are someone who is already disinclined to believe that Covid is important then you are less likely to attempt to talk about it in this space. Moreover, as this archive was created by and shared among academics, it is less likely to reach people who largely only use sites like Facebook on the internet and exist in their own bubbles. There is also the point that giving a space and platform to toxic conspiracies is not exactly a great idea. We live in an age of alternative facts and wildly different sources of news and entertainment. Future historians using this archive will need to keep in mind that most of what is presented here is just one of the many realities people have been dealing with this past year. -
2020-09-13
QAnon Knows No Borders, even in Nova Scotia
This article details a far-right political conspiracy and its existence in Nova Scotia. -
2020-10-01
"Hugs over Masks"
This photo shows two children wearing shirts that say "hugs over masks." -
2020-12-08
Julie's Paint Party
This photo illustrates how one Canadian business is hosting paint parties for those who are either beginner or experienced painters. These Zoom meetings connect people not only across Canada, but beyond where a community partakes in one of the most popular hobbies during COVID-19. -
12/02/2020
Flynn Connelly Oral History, 2020/12/02
This oral history is a retelling of what it was like to attend college, graduate from college, and then hunt and find a job during the Covid-19 global pandemic. -
2020-05-09
"If Someone Shares the ‘Plandemic’ Video, How Should You Respond?" - The Atlantic Monthly
The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated economic shock have created fertile conditions for the development and spread of conspiracy theories, especially about the nature of the pandemic. These conspiracy theories have begun to permeate the lives of many Americans, disrupting personal relationships through arguments and disgust. In an article for the Atlantic Monthly, journalist Joe Pinsker provides readers with advice on what to do if someone in their personal circle shares conspiracy theory videos, particularly the Plandemic documentary. Rather than be combative and insulting, Pinsker advises his readers to be emphatic and understanding. This allows readers to pivot the conversation toward addressing the conspiracy theorist's concerns, while also not causing them to be more entrenched in their positions. When these tactics do not work, however, Pinsker advises readers to give on them as a lost cause. -
2020-10-05
The Pandemic in Prisons: Covid-19, Repression, and the Carceral State
This podcast episode is from the Revolutionary Left Radio podcast featuring show host Breht and guests. -
2020-11-13
ロックダウンでも「サンタには特別許可証」(2020年11月13日) - "Special permit for Santa" even in lockdown (November 13, 2020)
新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大で各地で外出が制限されるなか、サンタクロースがプレゼントを配れるか不安に思う子どもに対し、イタリアのコンテ首相が「特別な許可証」があると答えました。 イタリアでは現在、外出制限を伴うロックダウンが導入されています。5歳のトンマーゾくんはコンテ首相に対し、サンタクロースの外出を制限しないよう懇願するメールを送っていました。コンテ首相は12日、フェイスブックで「サンタさんは国際的な特別許可証を持っていて、世界中の子どもたちにプレゼントを配ることができる」と答えました。さらに、「サンタさんはマスクをして適切な距離を保っていると言っていた」と付け加えています。トンマーゾくんがサンタクロースのためにツリーの下に消毒液を置いておくと約束したことには、「素晴らしいアイデア」と応じました。また、コンテ首相はウイルスの撃退だけでなく、他のプレゼントをお願いすることも忘れないよう呼び掛けました。 Italy's Prime Minister Conté replied that he made a "special permit" for children who were worried that Santa Claus would be able to give out presents as the spread of the new coronavirus restricted his outings. In Italy, lockdown with restrictions on going out is currently going on. Five-year-old Tommaso sent an email to Prime Minister Conté begging him not to restrict Santa Claus from going out. "Santa has an international special permit and can give out presents to children around the world," Conte said on Facebook on the 12th. He added, "Santa said he was wearing a mask to keep a proper distance". To keep Tommaso's promise by the disinfectant under the tree for Santa Claus was a "great idea." In addition to fighting off the virus, Prime Minister Conté also called on him to remember to ask for other gifts. Video translated by Youngbin Noh -
2020-08-31
Jewish Melbourne: CSG - Check on your mates
This is a post by Community Security Group (CSG), encouraging people to look out for each other: "Humans are social animals. We crave connection. As we spend more time in our homes, cut off from friends and family in a bid to stop the spread of the virus, the lack of physical touch can be mentally challenging. For people who live alone especially, this extended lack of contact may be particularly tough. But just because we’re physically distant from each other doesn’t mean we can’t still be emotionally close. Maintaining regular human connection is more important than ever as we navigate these difficult times." -
2020-10-02
Jewish Melbourne: Chabad on Carlisle Weekly Message for Sukkot
This is a weekly video message from Chabad on Carlisle to their congregation. This one is for Sukkot and encouraging people to donate to their charity appeal. -
2020-08-16
Jewish Melbourne: Chabad on Carlisle food for isolated seniors
Chabad on Carlisle 'Cookoff August 2020': "A great team of very hard working volunteers cooked up delicious Shabbos packages today which will be delivered to isolated seniors. (Covid-safe protocols were followed). We may be physically distant but the love and care is always there! A big thank you to the awesome volunteers!" -
2020-09-15
Jewish Melbourne: Chabad on Carlisle Q & A with the Rabbis about Rosh Hashanah
On Tuesday 15 September Chabad on Carlisle held an online Q&A with their Rabbis, along with musical entertainment, for Rosh Hashanah -
2020-04
Family facetime
At the start of lockdown it became clear that my family would not be able to see each other for a while. Most of my family lives in Sydney, some of us live in Melbourne, regional Victoria and Canada. In response, my sister initiated a Coffey Family FaceTime every night at 6:30pm with whoever was available. However, this meant teaching my grandmothers how to use Facebook and how to start a call. More than 8 months later and both my grandmothers still can’t turn their video on without direction and also can’t start Facebook calls. This call kept us together when we felt far away. Celebrating father’s day and birthdays and anniversaries on FaceTime made some moments more memorable and some feel more lonely. Face timing each other was fun until there was a family dinner in Sydney and you couldn’t leave the state. However, there were fun moments, stirring up my parents dogs by yelling “walkies” or “dindins” and then leaving the call, FaceTiming on empty trams and using the weird face effects to confuse my grandmother about who’s camera was whose. The call gave structure to the days spent inside and caused me to talk to my grandmothers and extended family more about the current world events. HIST30060 -
2020-09-26
Family Fights
HIST30060 My family is pretty large: I have two brothers, a sister….and a whole menagerie of animals! Gracie dog is the best, but we also have another dog, several cats, a rabbit, and a variety of feathered friends. My siblings live interstate, so we’ve been barred from seeing them since February because of border restrictions. During lockdown, we’ve been keeping in touch by having consistent arguments on our family group chat about how to rank our pets from best to worst. My brother frames it like a ‘best and fairest medal’, as you’d receive in sport. The conversations remind me of when we all used to live together at home, and they’ve provided a nice reprieve from more ominous discussions about the pandemonium enveloping society. I think the notion of ‘reprieve’ is central to the power of animals in this plague year: they distract us from our pandemic woes and force us to take a sabbatical from our anxieties. -
2020-09-18
Jewish Melbourne: Rabbi Ralph Genende for Rosh Hashanah
For Rosh Hashanah, Caulfield Shule's Rabbi Ralph Genende pre-recorded a sermon and a short video celebrating apples and honey -
2020-09-20
Jewish Melbourne: Caulfield Shule Rosh Hashanah online
While synagogues were closed under lockdown for Rosh Hashanah, Caulfield Shule provided a 'Rosh Hashanah highlights' service online before Rosh Hashanah started, as well as a standalone video of the Chazzan singing a "Rosh Hashanah Highlights Medley" with a choir in Israel -
2020-09-28
Jewish Melbourne: Caulfield Shule Yom Kippur online services
Due to the lockdown, Caulfield Shule was unable to have a Yom Kippur service. Instead, they pre-recorded abridged Kol Nidre and Yizkor services, and livestreamed an abridged Neilah service after Yom Kippur had ended. -
2020-09-29
Jewish Melbourne: Caulfield Shule Avinu Malkeinu
Caulfield Shule was locked down and unable to hold a Yom Kippur service in person, so as part of their online content they posted a video of "Chazan Dov Farkas and Kolot Min Hashamayim singing Avinu Malkeinu. Dov was recorded in Melbourne, the choir recorded in Israel, which was all blended together with the help of technology!" -
2020-09-29
Jewish Melbourne: Caulfield Shule making Sukkot decorations
A video as part of the online programming for Sukkot from Caulfield Shule: "Batmitzvah girls Shaylee Klinger and Hanna Sion teach you how to make Sukkot decorations" -
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" -
2020-10-09
How Kids are Coping
This is an example of how our local school district is helping children navigate and make sense of this pandemic.