A life size T-Rex outside a metalwork studio in Rutland, Vermont is observing safe Covid-19 practices.

The tradition is every first Monday of each month the entire school would gather for an assembly. This Monday the assembly was virtual for the first time. Instead of singing, Lift Every Voice and Sing together, we were muted and we heard a muffle Dr. Roland M. Carter version. This was the first assembly I cried.

This image of my dog sleeping on the couch, despite being an adorable take on the subject, is a visual representation of how many people have been feeling during quarantine. I made this meme on Snapchat a few weeks ago to make light of the way I personally have been feeling. After sending it to my friends and getting responses back about how relatable it is, I was relieved to know that I was not the only one feeling this way. The pandemic has caused a state of constant stress in a lot of people, which is very draining and results in higher levels of exhaustion. I know personally, this has caused me to feel isolated and alone, but the good thing about internet culture and memes is that it can show us that we are not alone in what we are feeling. And that sense of hope and community can get us through this, together.

During the Coronavirus pandemic crisis over the last few months, it has been very hard to keep in touch with friends and extended family. Because we are all stuck inside, and there aren’t many ways to reach out to people, it has been very hard for me to feel connected to my social circle. Luckily, my closest friends and I stay connected by calling each other on FaceTime at least once a week, and this image was captured during one of those facetime calls. I love my friends like they are family, and these weekly calls are what are helping me get through these lonely and monotonous times. My everyday life has been reduced to home workouts, schoolwork, and television. Working out at home and by myself often leaves me feeling discouraged, but I have been using this problem of mine as a way to stay connected with my friends. The girls in my group of friends have all started tracking our workouts and activity levels. We have all been communicating about our progress and occasionally we will also share new workouts with each other. This is really great because it is especially important now that we all keep our health at it’s very best in the case that we do catch the virus. I have realized that some of my friendships rely solely on common classes or certain activities and face to face interaction. Now that I do not have the opportunity to do such things, these friendships have started to fade. It’s hard to know the status of a relationship. Some friendships are strong enough to last through hard times, and some friendships fade when times get tough. Though it feels awful to lose a friend, it is more comforting to realize that maybe they were not great friends if they cannot stay in contact through this pandemic crisis. Although it is tough not being able to see friends and some family, it is important to stay inside and encourage others to do so as well. Going out to eat and going to places surrounded by people is only going to cause the number of cases to rise. Not only does going out put your own health at risk, but it puts the health of everyone you come in contact with at risk. Right now, it is very important to keep in mind that the best way to care for those you love is to stay away from them and stay safe.

I ordered a pizza lastnight from an Italian restaurant, I specifically told no one to take my last slice because I wanted to eat it for breakfast the next morning. I come to see at 9:13 am that it is gone.... I interrogated every member of my family and no one will admit to this Janus crime.

My wife and I live in a spacious two story home in a wonderful suburb of Los Angeles overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Bay. We are both 75 years of age, born 12 days apart. She returned from a volunteer trip to Tanzania March 5th when word of the corona virus was just becoming known. March 11th she became sick. Our doctor did not think she had the corona virus but recommended we practice safe distancing given our age and the unknowns about the virus. I moved downstairs in the house and lived in 3 rooms. She remained in the bedroom since she was ill and needed to rest. Thankfully we had the room to make this adjustment in our lives. The closest I came to her was standing about five feet from her bedroom door to say Good Morning or Good Night or chat for brief periods. We talked on our cell phones a few times but it proved too strange and did not accomplish the feeling of togetherness we hoped. We have lived apart in the same house since March 11th. She is better but still not all the way back to normal. This past Saturday marked the first time we were in the same room together since March 11th although we maintained the six foot separation. We have no complaints. Luckily we both have our health and she is getting her strength back. We have attempted to use our time well. She has become a history student and taken classes offered via our public broadcasting station. I have written a novel, just completed it Saturday. We both have become devotees of the old movies offered by TCM. Our Governor and our Mayor have done an outstanding job communicating with us and we faithfully follow all guidelines in hopes this pandemic will soon be under control. Our short term goal: we are close to the day when we can hug each other. Our long term goal: a vaccine is developed to make the world safe from this disease.

It never occurred to me that a virus starting in Wuhan, China could create a significant impact in other countries far away. Nevertheless, here I am sitting in isolation, or as our government calls it "social distancing." Myself, and all the other college students have had to convert to online learning. Which has not been that bad, but there are some times where I have missed a class or two to gain more snooze time. Online school has made me realize how much I miss being in the physical classroom. The aspect of repetition every week kept my mental health stable. I as well as many others have also had to deal with heading back home to our parents. Just as I caught a glimpse of independence, I'm back under my mother's rule of "my house my rules." My mom works for DCFS (child protective services) and is considered an essential worker. She as well as many other essential workers are commonly face to face with the virus on the daily. Specifically, my mom has to evaluate houses in Aurora and Elgin, Illinois, where the virus is hitting Kane County the hardest. It's scary to know that someone in my family can be easily exposed to the virus. But I understand that she has to do her job and keep children safe, especially during a pandemic where she has told me, "people become crazier when they're stuck in their houses." In the first month of being back home, many arguments were had with my 22-year-old brother and mom, so I decided to move to my dad's house and have been here ever since. Many other families have experienced the same problems with communication and alone time as it is hard when you're stuck with one another for 24/7.

This is the official guidance from the National Park Service Superintendent for the Appalachian Trail National Scenic Trail on the continued suspension of all volunteer activities on the AT. It is a continuation of a previous policy.

This is a video of me and my brother playing madden and talking smack. Playful, explicit language!

One of the major grant funding agencies for library and museum projects has extended deadlines for grant applications and has instituted other flexibilities.

This phone crashed on me the beginning of last week. While I waited for my new phone to arrive in the mail, it was at first liberating to be without at phone. I didn't check the news as much, didn't feel as weighed down emotionally. However, it quickly became more anxiety-producing to not have a phone. It was harder to communicate with the outside world. When I did have to call someone, I used my husband's phone. This prompted friends to worry that I was laying in a ditch somewhere. It felt very good when that package arrived from Apple.

I am currently a rising junior studying at Bates College. This semester has been extremely tough for me, as our school switched to remote learning about halfway through due to the Coronavirus, forcing myself and the entirety of the student body to go home and continue classes online. When the administration announced that we would be required to leave campus on Friday, March 13th, the student body had the opposite reaction of what the faculty had hoped would happen. As opposed to packing up and getting away from campus immediately, the vast majority of the student body, including myself, partied like there was no plague that could kill us all. I began to appreciate how important genuine human interactions were- sober or not- and knew that this switch to strict isolation in my home would certainly act as a stressor for the mental health issues I had been dealing with for most of my life. The move to online learning was particularly tough for me, as whereas some of my peers still had set lecture times with their professors and classmates on Zoom, all of my course's professors made the choice to either just post powerpoints and video lectures, or, in one case have us continue to work through the class material, teaching ourselves the ideas in small groups (which turned out to be particularly ineffective, as the groups were mostly focused on dividing up work amongst ourselves). This setup not only completely threw my sleep schedule off, where I was falling asleep around 4 or 5 in the morning, and sleeping till 2 or 3 in the afternoon, but the lack of human interaction and the inability to put myself in a working environment led the time I had dedicated to getting my assignments done extremely unproductive. As the end of the semester neared, the considerably lighter workload that had been given to us became much heavier, as I planned out a schedule for me to finish all my course assignments in 2 weeks, then 1 week, then 5 days, and then 48 hours. When mapping out that last plan, I knew that I had to follow it to a T, and it will be one of the hardest things I ever had to do. However, much like the first 2 months in isolation, I continued to be extremely unproductive, despite staying up however long it would take for me to finally get to work. The stress had finally got to me, and I hit rock bottom the morning after I had successfully carried out the most important parts of my 48-hour plan. COVID-19 was the stressor for my mental health issues to impact my life like they never had before.

I don't have the virus and didn't lose my job. I AM in the dangerous older age group, so I've been quarantining. It's been 7 weeks now, and I'm still LOVING it. I love it because I'm an introvert and have too many interesting things I can do at home. I'm getting more creative than in my normal life, producing art and writing, doing more cleaning and decluttering than I would normally be willing to do. I'm also getting creative about using my time and making do with the foods and supplies I have on hand. I keep informed about the virus (and mourn for those who've lost their lives, and feel for those who aim to heal the sick and those who've lost their jobs), but I'm not plugged in 24/7. I'm excited to hear about the creative new ways people are figuring out how to work and connect and thrive. While this is a tragic and difficult time, it's also a creative and growth time, which I think will leave its mark.

Dear reader, Today I take this more seriously than submissions of the past. I have shaved my head.... my father was trying to give me a clean fade but slipped so I turn he shaved my head. I currently have a line in my eyebrow like Charlie puth, Its kind of a vibe though.

Yesterday I found out that all my big papers and finals are due on the same day, I’m not excited for it but I’m going to try to get them all done early.

Week 1 of my quarantine tales, Today I did homework and played Madden.

So I am no story teller...I just wish to document an experience... Masiphumelele, affectionately known as Masi, is a township of an estimated 40 000 people in the South Peninsula of Cape Town, South Africa. If you know our townships, you'll know many of the residents live way below the poverty line at the best of times... hugely exacerbated by something like COVID-19 lockdown. So a huge initiative is feeding the people. And it is in this context that I experienced the absolute beauty of our people... Private individuals from all walks of life...many more affluent than their Masi neighbors...but not necessarily so... freely and generously giving of their time... money... energy... love...to come alongside Masi and deliver food parcels. Perhaps even more beautiful was the spirit of the Masi people. So welcoming... genuinely...not just because they may receive a food parcel. Children running alongside the vehicles, smiling, wanting to talk to the 'visitors' (not fully understanding social distancing 🤗). Residents going out of their way to help the donors find the intended recipients... they themselves not having much... but being sssssooo happy for a neighbor who might receive a parcel... even when they didn't and could well have done with one... the absolute gratitude and sadly the relief on the faces of those who did receive... just a basic parcel...but it meant meals for 2 weeks. And the heartbreak for the volunteers delivering the parcels... knowing that for every one who received, 100s more needed but wouldn't get... but not letting that sadness stop them... rather swallowing their own pain and carrying on with the work... knowing that at least a difference was made for a few people...like the story of the starfish. We often look at what COVID-19 has taken from us, and there is much lost. It has also given us so much...a glimpse into the beautiful souls of so many beautiful people...a privilege

The Anecdotal Experience of Edward David Botterbusch I’m a college student at the University of Arizona, and I’ve been in quarantine for close to seven and half weeks. During the start of the major restrictions, I was in Tucson after quickly returning from a spring break trip. I helped friends quickly pack-up their dorms and get ready to return back home. By March 18th, everyone I knew in Tucson had either quarantined themselves or traveled back to their respected homes. As for me, I was getting ready to isolate myself in my apartment. But being an out-of-stater living by myself, I was afraid of the cabin fever. As time progressed, I noticed that my hometown of Denver was getting hit hard, and the Governor was ready to start isolating the city as well as declaring stay-at-home orders for the rest of the state. Afraid of what that meant and the shortages getting worse, my friend, Brandon Gehrke, flew-out to stay with me; he arrived around the end of March. For the next month, we both stayed indoors while only going out for groceries or much needed walks. Yet, we both noticed the situation was better in Tucson. Back home, Denver experienced shortages and greater isolation all the way into late April. Yet, we were able to start buying everything we needed in early to mid April, and there were still many people going outside- joggers, people in the parks, etc. Eventually, Denver reached similar conditions and with the promise of re-opening the state in May, my friend returned back home. Though it’s early in the pandemic, more and more of normal life is returning, and things are looking better going into the summer.

Thoughts, observations, musings, some News content and every day activities of a woman from Bowen Island, British Columbia. Sue Hurn emailed to Catherine O'Donnell, who uploaded

Ninety-five percent of New York City's right around 200 passings from the new coronavirus had fundamental wellbeing conditions, however practically half were younger than 75, as indicated by information distributed by the city's wellbeing division on Tuesday. The passings, just as information on cases and hospitalizations, emulate the examples found in different urban communities with significant episodes. New York City had more than 15,000 Covid-19 cases starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, the biggest flare-up in the U.S.

Photo taken by my girlfriend while I shave my head after not having access to a barber in over a month.

Suffolk University Interfaith Center online programming during pandemic

Suffolk University Interfaith Center online programming during pandemic

Suffolk University Interfaith Center online programming during pandemic

Suffolk University Interfaith Center online programming during pandemic

“The County of San Diego has reported today, April 22, 2020, that there is one confirmed positive case of COVID-19 in the area covered by Pala’s zip code, 92059. By law, the County is not able to provide any identifying information about who this individual is, where they live, or their current health status (i.e. hospitalized, quarantined at home, etc.)…The dots on that map are not associated with any specific address; rather, they are placed in the geographic center of the area the zip code covers. Therefore, the dot on the map for Pala is not indicating where the confirmed positive individual lives…I encourage you not to spread rumors or misinformation about this case or make any attempt to discover who the confirmed positive individual may be. This is private information that none of us has, and spreading rumors only serves to stir up fear and panic.” #IndigenousStories

Suffolk University Interfaith Center online programming during pandemic

Suffolk University Interfaith Center online programming during pandemic

Suffolk University Interfaith Center online programming during pandemic

Suffolk University Interfaith Center online programming during pandemic

Suffolk University Interfaith Center online programming during pandemic

Suffolk University Interfaith Center online programming during pandemic

Suffolk University Interfaith Center online programming during pandemic

“In an effort to protect the health and safety of the community and our elders and to further prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Pala Band of Mission Indians and the Cupa Cultural Center announced the Postponement of the 2020 Annual Kupa Cemetery Warner’s Gathering.” #IndigenousStories

Suffolk University Interfaith Center online programming during pandemic

Suffolk University Interfaith Center Online Programming During Pandemic

“After careful consideration, the Pit River Tribal Chairperson has made the decision to close our site office to the public due to the increasing concerns related to the COVID-19 virus. This includes cancelling all in person meetings and not allowing anyone besides employees inside any of our buildings..” #IndigenousStories

"Due to a confirmed case in our community...funerals may take place under the big house ramada up to an hour before cremation." #IndigenousStories

Suffolk University Interfaith Center newsletter, sent out to Suffolk Community during pandemic

“Per the US Environmental Protection Agency's regulations for public water systems, our trained and certified operators carefully test each month the water produced by our two wells. The test results confirm that our water is safe to drink and to use for cooking, washing, and so on. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has not been detected in drinking water supplies, and based on current scientific evidence, the risk to water supplies is low.” #IndigenousStories

Suffolk University Interfaith Center newsletter, sent out to Suffolk Community during pandemic

Suffolk University Interfaith Center newsletter, sent out to Suffolk Community during pandemic

Suffolk University Interfaith Center newsletter, sent out to Suffolk Community during pandemic

“This afternoon three Round Valley residents tested positive for COVID-19. This testing was performed at Round Valley Indian Health Center. Per protocol Mendocino County Public Health has been notified and will work together with our community to ensure steps are taken to keep our community as safe as possible.” #IndigenousStories

Suffolk University Interfaith Center newsletter, sent out to Suffolk Community during pandemic

Local photographers, inspired by other groups across the country, are offering families photo sessions from the safety of their own front porches. The Arizona Front Porch Project photographers are donating 30% of proceeds to local charities. Families choose props and locations, and can get creative with their photo sessions.

Suffolk University Interfaith Center newsletter, sent out to Suffolk Community during pandemic

“As the coronavirus pandemic and response to it continues to affect just about every aspect of our world, we remain committed to the principle that the health and safety of our community is the most important priority.” #IndigenousStories

Local photographers, inspired by other groups across the country, are offering families photo sessions from the safety of their own front porches. The Arizona Front Porch Project photographers are donating 30% of proceeds to local charities. Families choose props and locations, and can get creative with their photo sessions.

Local photographers, inspired by other groups across the country, are offering families photo sessions from the safety of their own front porches. The Arizona Front Porch Project photographers are donating 30% of proceeds to local charities. Families choose props and locations, and can get creative with their photo sessions.