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3/31/2020
This interview discusses the experience of Keith Anthony during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The interviewee discusses how the pandemic impacted his personal life as he reflects on the pandemic’s larger impact. He also speculates on how society will look moving forward.
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2020-05-20
I decided to start making a sourdough starter a couple months into quarantine like just about everyone else. I had a fairly large stockpile of flour in my cupboards because I bake fairly often, so I didn't have to worry about dwindling supply at the supermarket too much. My grandma taught me how to bake from a pretty young age, and my mom made bread with an electric bread maker for years, but I'd never attempted my own loaf without a bread maker, let alone a sourdough starter. A starter always seemed like something out of reach and far too difficult for an inexperienced bread maker, but with armed with encouragement and tips from some friends via Discord, I set out to make my own. These are photos of my process, from my beginning mixture of flour and water to my first sourdough loaf (and my starter's permanent 'home'). I'm fairly proud of it. It took me about 2 weeks to get the starter to really start; I'm guessing in part because I only had all-purpose flour and not the suggested rye flour. There was a lot of troubleshooting involved before it really started to mature. It's been an interesting process, and I'm really glad I tried it. Starters are far more resilient than I had previous believed, and the bread is fantastic. It's been a somewhat calming respite from everything, even though I feel fairly selfish giving myself that with everything that's happening.
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2020-07-12
As a teacher, I am concerned about having to go back into the classroom. I have preexisting conditions, live with at risk individuals, and don't want to die. While I know that private schools tend to be better funded than public schools, I was shocked and confused as to why the government would choose to prioritize institutions that are able to support themselves better in these trying times.
This item was added TAGS v6.1.9.1. I originally searched under the hashtag #schools. Within that search, I have chosen to add the following tweet because it discusses the opening salvos in an ongoing battle between States and Individuals vs the Federal Government over the allocation of relief funds.
Link to the NPR article: (https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/07/07/888793021/states-sue-education-department-over-allocation-of-pandemic-funds-to-schools?utm_campaign=npr&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_term=nprnews&utm_medium=social)
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2020-07-12
When the schools originally shut down back in March, professional sports league were quick to follow congruently. Distance learning doesn't necessarily carry over to sports. As Summer reaches its height, everyone is itching to return to school and get sports back on as quickly as possible. What this looks like is playing out differently in various job spheres.
This item was added TAGS v6.1.9.1. I originally searched under the hashtag #schools. Within that search, I have chosen to add the following tweet because it highlights the priority levels in the United States for different types of workers.
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2020-07-12
Screaming is not allowed on Japanese roller coasters in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The instructions to riders are "Scream in your heart" instead. Then they attached a video of two solemn-faced men taking a "fun" ride on the roller coaster. They wear masks and don't crack a smile or show any emotion at all. Yet this is the example visitors are supposed to follow.
(I edited the video down to about half its original length.)
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2020-07-03
"True Talk in Ten" is podcast about climbing out of 2020 with hope, gratitude, and authenticity. Judy shares interviews, stories, books, music, and mindful ways to approach the hard truths about our past, present, and future in the era of Covid-19 and Black Lives Matter. Judy Brewster is a 30 year educator and is currently an Elementary School Principal in Westchester County, NY. She is also a performing artist and community theater junkie. Give her 10 minutes, and she'll give you something to ponder in your classroom, at the office, in the green room, or around the fire pit! Stories are posted weekly.
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2020-04-14
Video produced by WGBY discussing museums throughout Massachusetts as they transition to a digital environment. The video highlights commemorations of Dr. Seuss, including programs at the Springfield Museum, as well as other programming at the Eric Carle Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston. The video highlights the thoughts of museum staff as they transition to an online environment, and shows some of the approaches that different cultural heritage sites are undertaking to continue engaging with their audiences.
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2020-05-13
Online Question and Answers session done with the School and Family Programs Manager at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. The piece reflects on the Virtual Quilt Project, as well as the experiences of being an arts and cultural heritage professional during the CoVid-19 pandemic. This object highlights how museums have been forced to change their practices in response to the pandemic, and the unexpected benefits from some of those changes at the Institute of Contemporary Art.
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2020-07
Eventbrite webpage for the virtual exhibit opening of Learned from Our Neighbors: Lessons from the Elizabeth Peabody House, which is housed at the West End Museum in Boston. The page lists what the event will include and how the exhibition was created. This object highlights how museums are attempting to engage with their audiences during social distancing, including community cultural heritage institutions.
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2020-07-08
Twitter post from the Boston Public Library that highlights a new, socially distanced printing service that they are offering to the community. Social distancing and new cleaning requirements have limited people's abilities to access printers if they do not own one themselves. This object emphasizes how libraries and other cultural heritage institutions are altering their services to fit the current moment.
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2020-05-01
Video produced by the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, informing the public of how to be involved in their Seat at the Table exhibit even as the Institute remains closed due to CoVid-19. The changes that forced cultural heritage institutions to transition to virtual communication and exhibitions, especially impact exhibits that focus on community interaction and engagement. This object highlights how museums have taken those exhibitions, and personalized them so that their audience can still participate in a socially distanced setting.
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2020-05-27
Video created by the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston as part of the activities for their Play Date events, which are tailored to families and young children. The video is aimed at younger viewers and models for them how to look at a piece of art, and includes some questions for the audience to ask themselves. As museums have transitioned more to digital spaces, they have had to create programming that can appeal to all parts of their audience. This video highlights how museums are continuing to engage with children during the pandemic, and how they are using their collections in an educational environment even at a distance.
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2020-05-12
During the quarantine I have had times of mania and have expended energy (i.e., gotten out my ya-yas) by creating solo softball videos. Creating a sports science quiz could also help occupy other people bored during the quarantine, e.g., teenagers.
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2020-06
Stores had lines outside them as they limited the number of people allowed inside. They would sometimes us an X to mark the 6 foot distancing rule while waiting.
This gave birth to memes about the x itself. One person compared it to a Road Runner cartoon because the road runner stood on an X and every time an anvil or some deadly object dropped on its head.
Another genre is the pirate stories. X's on maps marked where the treasure was buried. So all these X's around town could be very confusing while hunting for treasure.
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2020-06-29
This meme makes fun of the fact that people gathered in huge crowds during the Coronavirus pandemic. This person is portrayed at wondering if COVID only spreads in bars and restaurants or also in massive protests? Because apparently protests are allowed, but bars are closed. The "asking for a friend" part is funny.
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2020-05-19
During COVID there was no non-essential travel allowed. So vacations were canceled or never scheduled. We all had to JUST STAY HOME!
This meme tells us that this person told his/her suitcase that they weren't going on vacation and the suitcase was sad and sat alone on the stair landing.
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2020-06-28
This is a funny meme describing our lives in 2020. Despite being careful and "looking both ways before crossing the street," we will still get hit by an airplane.
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2020-06-05
During the first few days of the Black Lives Matter Protests, there was looting and rioting in some cities.
This meme is a humorous statement about that looting. The creator claims he/she wants to steal a penguin if looting starts in Boston. Mind your business if you see him walking out holding one.
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2020-05-24
There was a show on TV called Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? It was a quiz show with relatively easy questions. This meme mimics the show and asks what the scariest part of 2020 is. The choices are murder hornets, Covid-19, toilet paper, or Carole Baskin, who ran an "big cat" animal sanctuary and had a reality show play during the beginning of the quarantine.
You can see that the constant is having trouble deciding.
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2020-05-20
These parking lots were empty for months during the COVID pandemic. Businesses were ordered to close unless it was deemed a "essential business." Those businesses included grocery stores, home improvement centers, real estate agents, pharmacies, ranching, farming, food production, health care, motels/hotels.
As a result, retail, restaurants, small businesses, salons, gyms, and so many others suffered incredible financial losses. Many will not recover.
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2020-07-07
This is a silly pun about pandas and pandemics. Since the panda eats approximately 15 hours a day and so does a human being in quarantine, that's why it's called a "Pandemic."
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2020
The Onion is a humorous news outlet that publishes satire and jokes. But now, in 2020, there is nothing then can write that is crazier than what's really happening in the world.
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2020-06
This is a humorous meme about the idea of using lava to fight COVID-19. Don't do it! President Trump has suggested injecting disinfectant, getting sunlight into the body, drinking bleach, taking hydroxychloriquine as a preventative measure, and having it magically disappear with warm weather.
He hasn't yet suggested using lava, but stand by...
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0202-07-07
Masks are everywhere! I saw this gent in Target and was interested in his big mustache. He enjoyed having his picture taken
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2020-06-05
During the Buffalo Black Lives Matter protests, cops pushed an old man down and just left him there despite his head injuries. Trump tweeted this: “Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur. 75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment.”
Of course memes cropped up instructing us how to know if our grandparents were actually ANTIFA agents
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2020-07-13
My name is Emily Small Michon, I live in Seattle Washington, it is 1 in the afternoon on a day that used to be called Monday. When I first heard about Covid-19 I had no idea it would affect us this drastically. It felt surreal working at coffee shop watching children put toy dinosaurs in their mouths and how everyone seemed to start paying with cash in spite of the need to be more sanitary. Then I got sick, it was a weird 48 hour flu with a headache and throwing up accompanied by a very sore throat. The night after my headache and throwing up went away my lips were huge. They looked like they had been pumped full of Juvéderm injections or something. I tried to get tested but they told me I didn't meet the criteria since I didn't have a fever or shortness of breath.
I was then fired from my job for "trying to get out of working." They sited that I had requested shift coverage from two shifts even before getting sick, they said it seemed like I “did not want to work”, and also mention that I had failed to stamp enough paper cups during my shifts and had had some interpersonal conflict with coworkers. There was a lot of drama at that job and I certainly was not the only one who had been part of the conflict. This all came without any prior complaints or disciplinary actions. Fortunately, I was still able to get unemployment since the company I worked for (Cafe Vita) is large and never responded to inquiry about my job separation.
During this time my ex-boyfriend who was also my closest friend became being overly attentive, sweet and concerned about me. He would FaceTime me every day, he sent me a book he thought I would like in the mail and almost every morning would leave cute or funny animal videos in my inbox with messages like I hope you see this when you wake up and have a good day. This didn’t last very long and things turned a corner when I asked if he wanted to watch a movie together… like a shared screen sort of pandemic deal. He strangely responded with, "I don't know that seems like something people in a relationship do." It seemed completely ridiculous to think that you couldn't watch a movie together during a pandemic just as friends but I did want to be in relationship and this had been an area of contention for us for a while so I finally put my foot down and said I could not continue with things the way they were because it wasn't fair to me. It was really painful losing my favorite person, the person I was closest to and enjoyed talking with the most. I know this sort of loss is nothing compared to the stories of people who have lost loved ones.
This was just beginning of course. Since then a massive uprising has begun that I feel particularly invested in and yet at the same still an outsider. I have not altogether found my place or decided how much I am willing to sacrifice. There are many people who are putting their body and their life on the line. I was out protesting the night Summer Taylor was killed. For those of you who don't know they were a young Seattle protester who was murdered by vehicular assault while protesting on I-5. The police neglected to blockade one of the off ramps though they had promised to secure the area, and that was their job and responsibility to do. The driver, Dawit Kelete, can be seen in a video maneuvering around two cars acting as safety barricades for the protesters who were chanting and dancing shortly before the brutal crime occurred. Another protester Diaz Love was also severely injured and for a time in critical condition. Upon regaining consciousness, Diaz was confronted with the death of their friend and an overwhelming amount of hate mail in their inbox. They still quickly posted that this would not affect their dedication to the cause.
There have been over 60 recorded attempts of vehicular assault during the protests and with the current gains being made by the black lives matter movement. Since this is my personal story, I will tell you that I have also experienced cars acting like they want to run me over. The first was a cement truck who drove up onto the sidewalk towards me. The entire time the man glared at me from piercing blue eyes surrounded by sunburnt skin. This occurred in the capitol hill area somewhat near where the Cal Anderson protests were taking place. For those of you who don't know those were the protests where Seattle protesters received the brunt of police violence. Tear gas and munitions were utilized on an almost nightly basis, however the people persisted, and this led to the establishment of the Capitol Hill autonomous zone (CHAZ)...later known as the Capitol Hill occupied protest or CHOP. The other two incidents happened in my own neighbourhood on two different occasions when I was out for a run. I live in very white residential neighborhood in north Seattle. Both times the drivers made eye contact with me and I nearly had to jump out of the way. It confused me, sadly, because I am a white female and I am not used to experiencing this type of targeting. I am still baffled at what assumptions they would be making about me in my non-descript jogger’s clothes and my now natural hair color. Perhaps they assume all Seattleites are liberal? Maybe it was the inherent misogyny of white nationalists (I think we forget that they hate all women too), then again it could have just been angry men taking out pandemic related frustrations on vulnerable pedestrians....... I will never know.
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2020-04-12
I'm keeping a Covid-19 journal. Here's the latest entry, discussing the difference between pilers and filers and the power of scrubbing.
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2020-04-11
I'm keeping a Covid-19 journal. Here's the latest entry, from a decent day in CoronaWorld (including receipt of new masks), all things considered.
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2020-04-10
I'm keeping a Covid-19 journal. Here's the latest entry, featuring sirens, 1,000 dead New Yorkers, real estate concerns, and a videoconference Passover seder.
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2020-04-09
I'm keeping a Covid-19 journal. Here's the latest entry, discussing depression, Robert Caro, my closed tennis court, baking, and CoronaBody.
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2020-04-08
I'm keeping a Covid-19 journal. Here's the latest entry, in which I battle unwarranted rage, stoke warranted rage, and allow my mom's exercise regime to crack my armor.
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2020-04-07
I'm keeping a Covid-19 journal. Here's the latest entry, including observations on the bonds between New Yorkers sparked by the thoughts of Daniel Kahneman, fast and slow. "I head to my windows for the city’s 7 p.m. ritual cheer for the health care workers, first responders, laborers making the city function, saving our lives. It's a modest gesture, but the bonds radiate, neon pink."
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2020-04-06
I'm keeping a Covid-19 journal. Today's entry, with updates on The Girlfriend, face masks, the family, and a few 12-step kernels I'm finding useful in CoronaWorld.
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2020-04-05
I'm keeping a Covid-19 journal. Today's entry, with more thoughts about my time in Indonesia, its parallels with New York City in CoronaWorld, and a bit about baking:
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2020-07-12
When the coronavirus first started, online learning seemed like it could be fun in the interim. Working from home, avoiding a commute, and dressing less informal all were wonderful treats the first two weeks; as the quarantine and education questions stretched on, these same treats are now driving educators insane. In Pennsylvania, these concerns over reopening have led to voluntary halts on some of the most important social aspects of high school: sports and extracurriculars.
This item was added TAGS v6.1.9.1. I originally searched under the hashtag #schools. Within that search, I have chosen to add the following tweet because is reflective of a general mood of uncertainty that is present around almost all aspects related to schools reopening.
Link to tagged article: (https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/schools-suspend-sports-due-to-health-concerns/523-1dd67802-ac20-49a2-b0e3-f4a54f43b45d)
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2020-07-13
"In one school, she said, there’s one full-time teacher, a part-time teacher and an education assistant. There’s no administrator, which raises a new host of problems during a pandemic.
“'When there’s no administrator on site, and a kid gets sick, what do you do?' Douglas said. 'Who’s gonna be responsible for that child?'
"But the barriers to remote learning are also greater up north, she said.
“'A lot of us don’t have Wi-Fi abilities at our homes,' Douglas said. 'We pay an exorbitant amount of money to get Wi-Fi. And for us to do online learning, it’s been a challenge for many members. I’ve had members who have paid upwards of $700 for their Wi-Fi, just to do the distance learning.'”
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2020-07-13
"Indigenous bands along the west coast of British Columbia say their borders will remain closed to tourists and non-residents, despite the economic impact, as they work to raise awareness about the threat COVID-19 poses to their communities."
"'A lot of our communities are remote and testing is not easily available,' she said. 'If you’re in Port Alberni, or Nanaimo, or Victoria, or somewhere (else), you can get testing and get results in 24 hours. It’s not the same with our communities.'
"The closures have resulted in disputes between Indigenous groups and local businesses.
"The Haida Nation in Haida Gwaii have turned away non-residents at the ferry terminal, discouraged leisure travel and called on two local fishing lodges to rethink their reopening plans."
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2020-07-13
"Many Canadian snowbirds — retirees who spend their winters in warmer climates — are concerned about travelling south, especially to the United States."
"Undoubtedly, they are influenced by Global Affairs Canada’s ongoing COVID-19 travel advisory, recommending that Canadians “avoid all non-essential travel outside Canada and to avoid all cruise ship travel until further notice.” The ban has meant that Canadian insurers are not issuing travel health insurance for people who ignore the advisory, putting snowbirds at risk for health expenses related to COVID-19 and other ailments."
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2020-07-11
"Saturday’s mobile clinic was organized by Ottawa ACORN, an advocacy group for low and moderate income families. It approached Ottawa Public Health to help organize the clinic, which was supported by The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO, Ottawa Inner City Health and the Ottawa Paramedic Service. The Ottawa Mission supplied hot meals to staff and those waiting to be tested, and the company Honey Group brought its mobile SMRT testing booth, which offers contactless testing."
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2020-07-12
"She met her pastor for a grief counselling session at St. John’s Lutheran Church that afternoon, but the meeting was unlike any she’d had in the era of physical distancing. They sat less than two metres apart from each other, and weren’t wearing any masks. They were sitting inside the “God Pod:” a 4-foot by 6-foot enclosed meeting space that looks like an altered and pandemic-proofed confessional booth."
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2020-07-11
This past Saturday, I went to the craft store at the local strip mall with my mom. I needed yarn to knit some lace onto a project I have going and she, upon hearing this, called a single 93 year old lady we do the shopping for during the pandemic and asked if she would like any yarn since she knits too, and she did. It was 1 pm when we were there and the line to get into the local Loblaws grocery store was the longest I have ever seen it. I counted at least 14 families in line, which would mean it would likely take them as much 30 mins to an hour to get into the store.
The other notable fact about the line is that it contained multiple children. Up until recently the policy was that only one individual per household was allowed in the store at a time and parents were not allowed to bring in children. As this policy has react parents and guardians, according to my mom who does our groceries, have started bringing their small children, sometimes in groups of 4 or 5. There are two sides to this of course, because firstly, many do not have the childcare to do others but the children often do not understand or observe social distancing in the stores.
As we drove around to leave and saw the line my mom exclaimed "Well that settles it! If ever I was tempted I am not doing groceries on a Saturday! No matter how desperate we are! It is never that busy on weekdays!"
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2020-07-13
A meme shared on an instagram story without a source which reads: "Coronacoaster/ noun: the ups and downs of a pandemic. One day you're loving your bubble, doing work outs, baking banana bread and going for long walks and the next you're crying, drinking gin for breakfast and missing people you don't even like.
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2020-06-24
A text message I received from my brother where he shares a new emoticon created from keyboard characters which he discovered has been created during the pandemic which represents the classic plague doctor mask of the early modern period, which is frequently being used now as a reference to the current pandemic and the need to wear masks.
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2020-07-12
A mural by an unknown artist in Vancouver depicting two women in surgical masks with head/hair coverings surrounded by small blue birds with a small message on its left side which reads "to all the essential workers of B.C. Gracias"
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2020-05-29
Self-guided activities that are part of the Play Date event series for children and families hosted by the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. As museums had to transition to virtual engagement and shut down their physical sites, they had to find new ways to interact with their audience. This was especially true for events tailored for younger audiences, who might not find the same enjoyment from a virtual museum as opposed to the physical space.
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2020-06-02
Panel hosted by the Boston Globe on how museums may change and grow in response to the CoVid-19 pandemic. The panel includes the directors of the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum, the Museum of Fine Art, and the MIT List Visual Arts Center. This video panel offers an reflection on how museums in Boston began to think about their reopening, and what policies they had in place over a month before some officially reopened their doors.
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2030-12-31
This story evokes the message of sacrifice, similar to what we have been feeling during lockdown; it feels as though we have had to sacrifice our recreational lives. However, I have used the theme of sacrifice to show that although we all have to sacrifice something, we are doing it for a good cause and we are doing it to help each other. By sacrificing our outdoor life, we reduce the chance of spreading infection to everyone around us, and if everyone was to agree to this ideology, we would all be helping each other drastically. That is the message being inculcated within my short story; one may have to sacrifice something, but by doing so they are ensuring the wellbeing of multiple others.
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2020-07-10
Essay written by the Barbara Lee Chief Curator of the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, reflecting on a piece of art in the museum's collection. This specific essay highlights the photographic series Rifts on Real Time, created by Leslie Hewitt. The essay itself reflects on the concept of time during of time during the pandemic, and the large amounts of time people have spent inside. In relating the thesis of the art to a common experience for some during the pandemic, the essay highlights how museums are relating their collections to the experiences of living in 2020.
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2020-07-01
Facebook event created by the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston to highlight their reopening schedule, and the free admission they're offering. The page also highlights timed tickets to control crowds, and what parts of the museum will be available when the museum reopens. This object highlights the conflict museums face in bringing back visitors and draw attention to their offerings, even as they need to continue limiting crowds.
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2010-07-13
I wrote a reflection of my experience in quarantine and what I learnt during this difficult time.
