[Curator's note] Journal entries submitted as part of a class for Dougherty Family College.

In April 2020, as the Japanese national government dragged its feet on declaring a state of emergency or taking other strong actions, Gov. Koike Yuriko of Tokyo began holding daily TV appearances in which she encouraged the people of Tokyo to take responsible steps, including closing shops, working from home, allowing your employees to work from home, wearing masks, etc, as well as to avoid "the three Mitsu," meaning places which are crowded, closed-in, and involve close interaction. Someone then made this video game, in which you play as Gov. Koike, going around Tokyo and telling people "Mitsu desu!" ("You're too close!", or more literally, "this is crowding!"), to try to break up crowds.

In April 2020, as the Japanese national government dragged its feet on declaring a state of emergency or taking other strong actions, Gov. Koike Yuriko of Tokyo began holding daily TV appearances in which he encouraged the people of Tokyo to take responsible steps, including closing shops, working from home, allowing your employees to work from home, wearing masks, etc, as well as to avoid "the three Mitsu," meaning places which are crowded, closed-in, and involve close interaction. A video game was then released in which you play as Gov. Koike, going around Tokyo and telling people "Mitsu desu!" ("You're too close!", or more literally, "this is crowding!"). This video remixes her statements into an amusing EDM soundtrack.

This was an email sent from the president of the school relaying the message that all face to face classes were canceled and we will have to finish off the semester from home.

A friend of mine studied a broad here in MN, I had the privilege to get to know her during her senior year as a college student. With the whole pandemic, she wasn’t able to go back to her home country it was unknown when she will be able to return back. A week ago, she found out that today will be her chance to leave. Although we are both happy that she is able to go back home, it was sad to know that we wouldn’t be able to say goodbye to each other due COVID-19. Although it seems like she is just going back to visit her family, it studently hits me that we are actually living in a time like this. I really wish I was able to send her off and give her one last hug since we don’t know when we will see each other again. It’s not a goodbye, it’s a see you soon.

On April 8, 2020, I had to have a root canal redone. I had been in self-isolation since March 17, and it was unnerving to leave the house to have this procedure done since I have asthma. Catching Covid-19 would not be suitable for me, so having to lay with my mouth wide open for an extended period was not ideal. Unfortunately, the procedure could not wait. When I arrived at the dentist's office, my temperature was checked before I was allowed to exit my car. I wore a cloth mask into the building where I was required to wash my hands before interacting with the staff. Once I was taken to the back, I had to rinse with alcohol-based mouth wash for no less than 30 seconds. During the procedure, the endodontist wore a face shield and mask. Air was circulated over my face and away from both the dental assistant and endodontist towards the open door. The procedure took about an hour since they chose to examine the failing root canal, refill it, and seal the crown all in the same day. Typically this would require two visits, one to check and refill the root canal and one to seal the crown. After the procedure was done, I was allowed to wash my hands before putting my mask back on and then rewash my hands before exiting the office. Once in my car, I used hand sanitizer before driving home. By far, the strangest visit I've had to the dentist, but they made sure to take every precaution they could to keep their patients safe.

What will the future look like for new college graduates amid a global pandemic? #ASU #HST580

Graduates practice social distancing during their ceremony. Even during the pandemic important events and social gatherings can happen, with proper precautions taken. #ASU #HST580

A family sits together while waiting for the graduation ceremony to start. Even during times of crisis, it is essential that celebrations and recognition of achievements continue.

This is my mask, I wear it when I go out to keep me safe as well as others.

Staging area for the Logan-Magnolia graduation ceremony. Family groups are allowed to sit together in groups smaller than 10, but groups must remain at least 6 feet apart.

Gymnasium being setup for a social distancing graduation. This photo speaks volumes to the importance of a graduation ceremony for these young adults and the drive to find a way to keep some resemblance of normalcy.

Teachers at Sem Yeto sent a message of support to students. Out of hundreds of students only a fraction of them have returned phone calls, turned in assignments or logged on to live classes. Trying to find ways to connect takes innovation.

As more Americans embrace the idea of wearing face masks in public spaces, a new market has emerged for high fashion, novelty, or statement masks.

A sign showing how to make cloth facemasks out of handkerchiefs, posted at a FamilyMart convenience store near Iidabashi station, in Tokyo. A variety of handkerchiefs are for sale nearby.

A photo of a sales rack at a FamilyMart convenience store near Iidabashi Station in Tokyo, selling many styles of handkerchief, along with a sign showing how to make cloth facemasks out of the handkerchiefs.

BookOff is Japan's largest chain of used bookstores. For several weeks in April to May 2020, many if not all locations were closed. As of May 22, I noticed this one had reopened. A sign posted reads, roughly, "Please: To prevent the spread of novel coronavirus, standing and reading is forbidden. We ask your understanding and cooperation." お願い：新型コロナウイルス感染拡大防止のため立ち読み禁止。ご理解・ご協力お願いします。

Here are all the masks my family of four has. In the little jar to the left there are about four or five masks. We got almost all of them for free, except for four that I got from my friend who is using his dad's factory to make them. The company is called Jeffery Press. My friends' masks are called Face Armour. To be honest the price is a little high but that's just business. The painting masks on the left are from probably ten or eleven years ago when my dad redid the upstairs. The rest of the masks were gifts from my mom's cousin's wife who is a fashion designer for kids. The surgical mask was a graduation gift from my great aunt and uncle.

A sign posted near the entrance of a supermarket in the Edogawabashi area of Tokyo, reading roughly "To Customers: We Request You Wear Masks." お客様へ：マスク着用願います。

Wild goats take over Welsh town amid coronavirus lockdown

Since mid-March, my school has been doing online distance learning (ODL). And due to ODL, my kitchen counter has become my one-and-done workspace. It is my classroom, my art room, my breakroom, and, still, my kitchen counter. It has become a bit cluttered with my laptop; a desktop; a keyboard, mousepad, and cd drive; two sets of earbuds; my Eiffel Tower art project; a water glass; some random candy; a charging cable; an empty yogurt cup, a grapefruit half, and some eggshells from breakfast; a pencil; a USB drive; the list goes on. On the floor and table behind the frame are even more art supplies; a computer case that has been empty since March; my school books, binders, and notebooks; more pencils and pens; a graphing calculator. Almost everything I could possibly need during school – books, food, pencils, etc. – can now be found within a five-foot radius of where I sit; in effect, further limiting the already negligible distance I travel every day. 10:00 am. In the middle of my first period class.

Reflecting the acute job losses and financial hardships that have struck so many citizens, churches and organizations across the city have opened or accelerated local food drives to assist those who have fallen on hard times. Moreover, the curb-side pick-up employed by this particular pantry reveals how the virus has even transformed acts of charity and humanitarianism into missions that must be carried out at a safe distance.

This image shows the day that school was officially suspended at Florida Gulf Coast University

This photo shows the price for a gallon of unleaded 87 octane gasoline in west Wichita, Kansas. With COVID-19 driving people indoors and lockdowns shutting down businesses, fuel prices plummeted as a result of both reduced demand and an international oil glut.

Reduced-contact service hits the gas stations like this Quik Trip in west Wichita, Kansas, whose storefront conveys yet another manifestation of the "new normal." Aaron Peterka, Northeastern University

NBC news on Instagram shares a photo of a couple waiting to get married at a socially distanced marriage booth in Anaheim, CA. Many weddings were postponed or cancelled as a result of the virus, but many couples have still gotten married in the face of it all.

This image shows that in the era of politics social distancing is regarded very differently by people with different ideals.

4WWL Eyewitness News

The Ellis Marsalis Center for Music distributes food to Musician's Village residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This meme depicts Indiana Jones from the ride in Disneyland trying to shore up the economy with the $1200 stimulus check as it was first going out and not really being able to close the gap. Personally, I don't think the US government is doing enough to help people in perilous situations and a $1200 check doesn't really go that far for people who are low income, especially when people have to worry about healthcare, rent, and food. Many may have lost their jobs or cannot work due to being high risk and/or not being able to do their jobs online for various reasons.

The Ellis Marsalis Center for Music distributes food to Musician's Village residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

An image shared on the Santa Cruz, CA subreddit showing the beach in front of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on day 60 the Shelter in Place along with some responses to the photo. This beach is usually very busy, especially on weekends during summer, and usually full of tourists visiting the amusement park. Because this beach is so busy there is usually a lot of trash here in the sand. I used to live near this beach when I live in Santa Cruz, and it is very weird seeing it empty like this at a time when it should be busy.

Due to enforced social distancing and the cancelation of many High School traditions such as Senior Prom, some students took to alternative methods to continue traditions. As seen in this photograph, two students (Connaughton, Madison and Forrester, Trinity) decided to commemorate their Senior Prom with an afternoon photo shoot at Stansbury House in Chico California.

We used to do bar trivia in Redondo Beach, CA every Wednesday night. Now that everything is closed, the quizmaster, John, from King Trivia decided to do events through Zoom. It was surprisingly easy! The quizmaster would bring us all into a room of about 50 different screens (many were couples sharing a webcam). A couple people were in Australia and Costa Rica, which they wouldn't normally be able to do at an in-person trivia! Once all the questions were asked in the joint room, our teams were sent to our own 'breakout' rooms where we could discuss the questions and come up with answers. This night was also costume night so several people were dressed up, though by this point near the end of the game only a few of us still had our costumes on. We didn't win but we had a good time!

After I heard an unusual amount of honking, I stepped outside my home to see my neighbor decked out in her graduation cap and gown with an arch of balloons waving to friends and family who drove by in a series of cars honking and holding signs.

A Facebook post promoting a free fish fry for New Orleans Musicians at Sweet Lorraine's Jazz Club during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A flyer describing why Still Perkin' employees are on strike after being called back to work during the COVID-19 pandemic and how the public can support them. Striking workers demand hazard pay, paid sick leave, PPE, safety protocols, and adherence to phase 1 safety guidelines. The Still Perkin' strikers connect their struggle to that of all New Orleans Hospitality works and striking sanitation workers.

Shakespeare's observation of duality withstand the test of time as the world stands still in fear of pandemic. Appreciation of front line workers cover the headlines billboards. Governor Cuomo shares a letter received from a Kansas farmer who donates N95 mask to New York. Workers unite and organize a rent strike, leading a social movement. Yet, even as we navigate through such difficult, historical moment together, there are people out there that take advantage of others' hardships. This coronavirus newsletter that provides daily update on the pandemic illustrates a stark contrast between the mindset of good and evil.

A user shared a screenshot of a wedding photo they recreated in Animal Crossing on the reddit.com/r/AnimalCrossing subreddit. The virus canceled a lot of plans for people and people are finding new and innovative ways to still have a celebration of the event in the safety of their own homes. Video games have been a good resource for socializing safely for those able to access them.

Socially distanced press conference in support of striking hoppers organized by the City Waste Union held in front of City Hall. Hoppers (a.k.a. garbage collectors excluding drivers) employed by Metro Services Group through a temp agency are on strike and have subsequently been fired. The hoppers are on strike to demand PPE and hazard pay during the COVID-19 pandemic. Metro Services Group replaced striking hoppers with prison laborers who are paid below minimum wage.

It is extremely weird to think that we are living through history right now. I mean, yes, we always are, but this time it is different. This is one of those things that future generations will study in their history classes. Countless terms have been manipulated into our everyday speech and obsessively ingrained in our thoughts: Pandemic, Coronavirus, Quarantine, Social Distance… These titles which seem to be taking over news headlines and social media will end up only a chapter in history. The coronavirus won’t be the main focus of our lives anymore. Right now that sounds impossible, but in time, the obsession will expend itself. It will dissipate, and somehow, things will go back to normal. So, how will we keep history in check? How will we make sure all of our stories go unforgotten? Everyone misses life right now. COVID-19 has killed millions and damaged families and changed all of our lives. Information surrounding the pandemic is reported 24/7. There is never a minute of silence. Frankly, it really depresses me. Just waiting for good news, I focus so much on the most recent developments and news stories. All I really seek, though, is to skip forward to better times. I am a junior in high school. I just turned 17 last month, and I could never explain how exciting the prospect of going back to school is or to even think about attending college next fall! Yet, I’m so nervous that all those experiences are going to be somehow lesser. There is just so much to look forward to, and I’m really scared that I won’t get to fully experience any of it. That no one will. I’m preoccupied with this notion that time is fleeting. However short or long my life may be, it pains me to know that I’ll never be able to fully live it. It’s just not possible. I have to try my best, but life really is too short. That’s why you have to live every single day and make the most of all that comes your way. I take these months, and I’ve used them lazily and without passion. Sure, this time has provided me with college research opportunities and family time, but I want to be out there doing something. I don’t quite know what that means, but it’s more of a feeling rather than a set idea. And not being able to do anything...it sucks. It spawns feelings of purposelessness. But in truth, I only hope to somehow come out stronger and happier. Despite the tragedies that plague us, I’ve made it my mission to find the good in every single day. And I can only hope that all of us can uncover these moments together. To better times. XOXO. Sophie :)

Socially distanced press conference in support of striking hoppers organized by the City Waste Union held in front of City Hall. Hoppers (a.k.a. garbage collectors excluding drivers) employed by Metro Services Group through a temp agency are on strike and have subsequently been fired. The hoppers are on strike to demand PPE and hazard pay during the COVID-19 pandemic. Metro Services Group replaced striking hoppers with prison laborers who are paid below minimum wage.

This is a flyer that seems to have been passed out in the Westlake and Pico Union neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Currently these neighborhoods have the highest death counts for LA County. Many of these people are lower socioeconomic status and non-white. Many of them have front lines jobs that cannot be done from home and live in more crowded neighborhoods.

Es un video con dinosaurios dibujos que estan hablando del coronavirus.Es una broma pero tambien es un video sobre lavarse los manos.

A digital flyer for the Solidarity Press Conference organized by the City Waste Union. Hoppers (a.k.a. garbage collectors excluding drivers) employed by Metro Services Group through a temp agency are on strike and have subsequently been fired. The hoppers are on strike to demand PPE and hazard pay during the COVID-19 pandemic. Metro Services Group replaced striking hoppers with prison laborers who are paid below minimum wage.

This is a screenshot of a Reddit.com/r/AnimalCrossing. In the game, players can send letters to their future selves. This person sent themselves a letter for 2 months after the beginning of quarantine, thinking it would be over by now. I think it really highlights how we weren't prepared for the virus, nor did a majority of people anticipate being under lockdown for this long.

Es una broma del corona virus.

I've been interested in finding out how people are faring downtown Los Angeles, CA where there is a large homeless population. This image was shared on the r/losangeles subreddit of Reddit.com. It is striking to me because it shows how homeless are still out on the streets during the pandemic, making their rough situation even worse.

This image is a meme about a popular joke made at the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic that there was not really a virus and it was just a government ploy to get everyone to stay inside in order to change the batteries in the electronic birds.

This humorous meme shows that many people are bored and are getting crazy with their shopping while quarantined.