We’ve had my 10 year daughter journal her thoughts during the past year from time to time, and they’ve ranged from mundane (“we made a fort”) to outraged (“Black people are being hurt in this country and not being heard”), so I was curious what her reflection on a year in quarantine would be. Interestingly, her reflection is overall positive. This surprised me a bit, since she is doing online learning through the end of the school year, missed an entire season of competitive gymnastics and has not had a Girl Scout meeting in person in over a year. I’ll admit I’m relieved that her inner thoughts are about Minecraft, playing in our flooded backyard, and continuing to practice gymnastics at home rather than focusing on all that she’s missed. It makes me think that though this year has impacted my kids that to them, their childhood is still pretty normal. Now I just have to break it to her that when she returns to in person instruction next year, she won’t be able to listen to her music during class!

Interviwee Name: Margaret Geddes Interviewer name: Padraic Cohen Date of Interview: 3/13/2021 Location: Cochrane, Alberta Canada. Transcriber: Otter.ai + edits from Padraic Cohen Abstract: In this oral history, I interviewed my grandmother, Margaret Geddes on her pandemic experience as a senior. In particular, Margaret spoke about her youth growing up in rural southern Alberta, Calgary. Margaret grew up from a Roman Catholic family and she reflects on how religion changed for her throughout the course of the pandemic, as she was unable to goto in person masses; ultimately she believes her faith had been strengthened due to the pandemic. She also spoke about her experience with a prominent polio outbreak in Calgary in the 1950s and draws some interesting comparisons to the current pandemic. Margaret also goes onto speak about her experience with the COVID-19 vaccination, and shares her thoughts on the what it was like to sign up, receive and prepare for her next vaccination . She also spoke about how long she believes the pandemic will go on for, and how she will remain masking in public as a result of the pandemic skeptics out there.

The rules during covid had a great effect because it forced me to not be able to breath because I had to wear a mask. There was a rule that we had to quartile and I did not like that and it messed up my head. It was so boring. We also had to social distance for 6 feet and that was not fun.

My dreams for post-covid world To shop at my favorite stores To eat at the delicious mouth watering restaurants To explore the new books in the library To dance to the twisty, twirly music To laugh with my friends To hike through mother nature To learn at my school To exercise at boxing class To pray and sing at Church To have no mask To show the world who I am But for now I shop online I order pickup and eat at home I pick out books online I dance in my room I laugh at a distance I hike in my neighborhood I learn on zoom I don’t do boxing in a gym I don’t go to Church I have to wear a mask I can’t show the world who I am the way I did before For now I have to show myself a different way

The people, surfing on America, Their board. Relying on it to carry them above the waters of Bigotry and chaos, the board is old and Bloated with water, but it works. Then a wave, which we did not want to catch, a wave called covid hit the people and we were thrown off our board and into the water. Every time we tried to resurface, one of the currents that made the wave more powerful, Racism, Bigotry, power hunger and greed would pull us back under right as we were about to resurface. Dragging us deeper than when we were thrown off the board and slamming us into the sandy ground. Finally the wave had ceased and we, the people tried to swim back up, trying to get a hold on our board. I'm thinking about what I will do when we finally resurface for air. Maybe I will go to school and see multiple friends at the same time, watch some new movies instead of the ones that are being recycled. I look forward to the day when the people get back on our board and I can see my friends. Maybe people will have learned by then that racism, sexism, Homophobia and bigotry in general are our enemies, Who knows, as long as we’re dreaming.

I hope that life can go back to “normal” I hope that I can spend endless days with my friends. I hope that I can go eat at amazing restaurants. I hope I can spend birthdays with those I love. I hope that I can see a movie with my dad on a rainy day. I hope I can shop at malls with my mom. I hope I can see the teachers that have given me a great education. I hope I can safely travel with my family. I hope I can win a volleyball tournament with my teammates. I hope I can dance on the biggest stage. I hope I can sing at concerts with my choir. I hope and I wish that one day I can do all these things.

I hope that a post-covid world means to be walking down Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland, with the smell of vanilla wafting through the air with a churro in my hand. I hope that a post-covid world means I can go back to my favorite land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and have a vibrantly colored, fruity drink at the Cantina. I hope that a post-covid world means that I can stay at my favorite hotel, The Grand Californian, and can collect all the pressed pennies and pins I can imagine. But most of all, I hope that a post-covid world means Disneyland opens soon so thousands of cast members can get back to work.

This is an oral history of Heather Martens by Monica Ruth, about her experiences of the pandemic. Heather shares her experiences as an administrator and facilitator of staff in her work role, her thoughts on pandemic life at home, and as a mother and partner. Heather also speaks a bit about conflicts over mask wearing, and what she hopes the future holds.

Performing and visual arts organizations in Denver, Colorado have received more COVID-19 relief funding. This newest round of funding, totaling almost $900,000, comes from the COVID-19 Arts & Culture Relief Fund.

On my way out to work today, my sister told me she loved me. It was an "I love you" filled with fear and uncertainty. I felt her words echo in my chest and I still feel them ringing in me as I write this post. Every Asian woman that I know and care about has experienced being undermined, fetishized, and harassed for being an Asian woman. For several of my close friends, this has led to sexual violence. I think that is why yesterday’s mass shooting targeting Asian massage parlors hit so hard for me. In his own words, he wanted to “eliminate the source of his temptations.” It takes a lot more than " being at the end of your rope" or “having a really bad day” for someone to commit such a heinous crime. Believing Asian women are submissive and hyper-sexual, calling covid “kung-flu” or the “china virus”, and taunting Asian women with “me love you long time” has real consequences. It dehumanizes Asian women and makes them objects. Objects are easier to harass, sexually assault, and kill. We can not dismiss racism, misogyny, and xenophobia against Asians anymore. Lives are at stake.

The vaccine card is now a flex to have and is something that makes you cool. Not having the vaccine is frowned upon and makes you not cool if you refuse to get it. In the past flu vaccines aren't something you would flex or show off but with covid we do show off the vaccine.

Working out is something very important to me and with the pandemic going on I see many people wearing masks incorrectly so I made this funny tiktok to show how dumb people look when they dont wear their mask correctly in the gym.

Today is Thursday, March 18, 2021. Saturday, March 13, was the first anniversary of the Friday the 13th that essentially broke the world, and that was our last day of normal. Or at least that’s how we all remember it now. On Monday, March 15, 2021, the students at my high school returned in “full swing” for the fourth quarter of the school year. I mean by full swing that we have no A and B days, and we are not all virtual. We still have an asynchronous day on Wednesday, but we all know that will soon go away. Many kids are staying virtual, and I don’t know how long that will be an option. So, we have had three days of students back on campus, and I think I would be much more concerned if I myself were not vaccinated, but I am fully vaccinated, and my husband completed his two-week waiting period a couple of days ago, so my house is “safe.” (Though I don’t totally feel that way yet) I don’t work on Wednesday right now, so we celebrated being fully vaccinated by going to an outdoor brunch, which was totally socially distanced, and I appreciated it a lot. I digress, though… school feels like school again. Sure, we limit the number of students who come into the library at lunch, but they are here, the halls bustle, and kids' noise in the hallway trails through our open library doors between periods again. Unfortunately, we are jumping back into things right in time for state testing, so we got this week of “bliss” before things become chaos of finding computers to test, getting students to make sure their computers are updated, and the general panic of finding space and making schedules that comes with any year of state testing. I want things to continue to trend in a direction where I don’t have to rescind all this hope a couple of months from now.

Disposable mask found along the north bank of Rio Salado across from Tempe Beach Park.

White & blue disposable mask on the south bank of Rio Salado near Rural Road.

White disposable face mask. State farm building in the background.

A new day, new trash along the Rio Salado. White, muddy mask found on the south bank just after east of Mill Ave.

As of today, we as a society have been struck by two major pandemics, COVID-19 and Racism. Although both of these pandemics aren't an easy fix it is important to acknowledge and remember those that have lost there lives to these two catastrophes. On each of the two sheets, I wrote down the names of 100 people that have lost to either the virus or police brutality in the United States on the backside of each sheet I wrote 'Black Lives Matter' and 'Covid-19' to signify the cause of death for the said group of names. I decided to sew the two sheets together to show how in both instances racial discrimination and bias can be accounted for as reasons for the death of these individuals. For this project, I wanted to make a piece to remember the people behind the statistics, to humanize them in an otherwise forgetful world, and to say their names.

The meme about the Covid 19 pandemic describes the differences in how people were cooperating to save the world together, comparing the WWII images from the front and the image of the man sitting on his phone in bed in 2020. Referring to the fact that in 2020 in order to help save the world people had to quarantine at homes rather than fighting in the fields.

In those first few weeks of lockdown I just remember a feeling of solidarity with my neighbors. We were all separate, all isolated, but all working toward the same goal. Throughout our neighborhood people had written with chalk on the sidewalk, we took walks every day and saw painted rocks, teddy bears sitting in windows, art and signs of hope and comfort. For a homeschool art lesson I had my sons do chalk splatter painting on our driveway and then taught them about Jackson Pollock. I wrote lyrics to Bob Marley songs and drew pictures of rainbows on the sidewalk. We baked bread, cinnamon rolls, all things warm and cozy. Our family was together in a special way, we appreciated the time together. We went on hikes and fished in the backyard pond and although there were zoom appointments and conference calls, life was moving at a slower more relaxing pace. We were hopeful and confident that by doing the right thing we were saving lives.

This meme honestly describes how peoples quarantine was like. The meme shows someone "exposing" someone of drinking a lot of wine. Which makes me wonder if it was a good thing that people were able to spend more time at home or was it more of a bad thing. My quarantine was similar to this meme, in the sense that I had no motivation to do anything but watch tv all day and eat bad food.

NBC’s Lester Holt hears from voters in the battleground states about the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, the social justice movement and their 2020 decision.

Pop shares his heartfelt thoughts on issues concerning social justice, NBA athletes' use of their platforms and the coronavirus pandemic.

NEW YEAR. NEW SOCIAL JUSTICE OUTLOOK. 2020 will be remembered for the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide civil unrest spurred by killings of unarmed Black men and women by police officers. With a new president in office, what will social justice look like in 2021? Get your questions ready and join the conversation tonight at 7:30 p.m. on NBC 6 Voices with Jawan Strader on the NBC 6 Facebook and YouTube pages.

Peru, which continues to suffer from high COVID-19 transmission rates, has lifted quarantine restrictions for international travelers. The Peruvian economy has been undermined by a loss of tourism, its affected restaurants, hotels, guides, transportation, and other facets that depend on foreign capital. The only catch is that you have to have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to arrival. All of this hints at the importance of money and influence after all-it's mostly wealthier travelers who would have the money to travel for leisure and access to COVID testing. But...what about everyone else on the plane?

As the U.S. continues its battle against COVID-19, it is also battling a rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans. A recent report found that hate crimes against Asian Americans in major U.S. cities surged by nearly 150 percent in 2020 —even as the number of overall hate crimes fell. Stephanie Sy looks at how the violence has marred one community, and how they are coming together in its wake.

2020 began as an optimistic year. In January, I decided to apply to the Public History MA program at the University of Colorado, Denver. We were living in Amarillo, Texas, and dreaming of a home that allowed us to thrive in our chosen fields, something that was unlikely in our hometown. So in early March of 2020, we decided to make the out-of-state move to Denver, Colorado. I had not yet been accepted to a grad program, and my husband did not have a job in our new city. "We'll figure it out." That's typically how it goes for two easy-going free spirits: set the destination and let the journey figure itself out. We looked forward to our April 4th move date as the reality of the Pandemic slowly set in. I was thankful for my workplace shutting down because it gave me plenty of time to pack up the house with a blissful ignorance for the year to come. I packed, taped, and organized dozens of cardboard boxes while dreaming about my sunny balcony in Denver. I planned going away parties and meticulously arranged coffee meet-ups with my closest friends. Against my best efforts, the in-person experiences faded away as the isolation began to set in. "No worries," I thought, "this will only last a couple of weeks." Oh, how wrong I was. I'm typing this story on March 18, 2021, for an assignment that was given online after a lecture that was presented online. A year later and my life continues virtually. We moved with hope for our future. We weren't hoping that the future involved facing our deepest emotional issues or learning how to love each other in complete isolation. It certainly did not contain a life of unemployment and disappointment. Slowly, begrudgingly, we got to know ourselves and began to heal from years of emotional suppression. I was diagnosed with ADHD for the first time in my life. It changed everything, and I owe my current success to the therapist that offered a discounted rate in my time of need. My husband learned just how deep his depression went. But most importantly, we learned that we could do it, that we can hold on long enough to see the light at the end. My husband just accepted an incredible job, and my academic life is flourishing. Even as I grew increasingly annoyed at the idea of a "bright side," the bright side came and lit up just how far we've come as people and as a couple.

FOX 35 takes a look at the past year as we get closer to 2021.

The Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy and the Social Justice Initiative host a conversation on the Coronavirus Pandemic through the Lens of Racial and Social Justice. Moderated by Barbara Ransby from the Social Justice Initiative, panelists include Dr. Linda Rae Murray, Aislinn Pulley from Chicago Torture Project, Ald. Rossana Rodriguez, Ald. Jeanette Taylor, Detention Watch Network's Gaby Viera and Reyna Wences from Organized Communities Against Deportations. This program was edited by CAN TV

After the murder of George Floyd people hit the streets demanding justice for him and many others who have died at the hands of public officers. After many days of protests, riots and military intervention, the Sacramento community proves to be a strong band of citizens, business owners and political leaders who have each other's back.

The new NFL season kicks off tonight and it will be different from years past. The coronavirus pandemic has forced new protocols for fans, players and team staff. Additionally, players are calling on the league to do more to address social injustices. Darrell Green, an NFL Hall of Fame inductee and vice president of strategic marketing for Halodine, joined CBSN to discuss the upcoming season.

Join us for a dynamic discussion on how organizing and social movement tactics and methods are changing in the COVID-19 era of physical distancing. Participants will learn what the priorities of social justice networks and organizations are, and how they have changed in the time of Coronavirus. We will also discuss what leaders in the field have been learning about power building in light of these changes. Participants include: LaTosha Brown, Founder, Black Voters Matter Fund (https://www.blackvotersmatterfund.org...​) George Goehl, Director, People’s Action (peoplesaction.org) Michelle Miller, Co-Founder and Co-Director, coworker.org (info@coworker.org) Archon Fung, Harvard Kennedy School (Moderator) This event is part of the Democracy and Justice During Pandemic virtual series.

“Even as an adult, I’m 31, when I feel depleted or I have nothing left, even as a mother, I call on my mom,” said Nikkia Hines, of St. Louis Park. Hearing Floyd breathlessly call for his “mama” in the video that has now been seen around the world is what called mothers everywhere to action. “His mother had already passed and that was his last straw,” said Hines. “That part. I can’t…I can’t verbalize how I feel.” - reporting by Courtney Godfrey

When we think about racial equity gaps in higher education it typically centers on how BIPOC students face much lower odds of earning a college degree. This is definitely true, but those who do make it to graduation also face inequities in college and in the job market post-degree.⠀ ⠀ A study of 2016 BIPOC college graduates found Black and Latinx students experience the longest time to completion, borrow significantly more than other students, and receive the lowest pay after graduation. This means Black and Latinx graduates spend less time earning wages and are more likely to have higher debt when graduating. It took me five years to earn my degree, while I also worked a full time job to pay tuition. The racial wealth gap we have doesn't just occur while employed but long before it.

Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli, an Aztec dance group, is a mainstay in Twin Cities' activism. I've been lucky to see this incredible group sharing dances and songs along city streets, highways, and public spaces.

During the pandemic, hate crimes against the AAPI community have significantly increased. Our people had been unjustly blamed by previous leadership for the virus, and little hateful comments here and there have now grown into full blown terrorist actions. THIS is why words matter. THIS is why leadership matters. I urge you to speak up, stand up and be an ally to the Asian community-- especially for our elders. We are hurting, angry and scared, but the future can be a brighter one if we stick together. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to make this piece for @calendow. I've noticed my own fear and uncertainty during these times. I worry for my kids and my family, but being able to use my art to shine a light during these dark times gives me courage. We can do this together. #ProtectOurElders #StopAAPIHate #AAPI #AsianAmerican #PeoplePower #Solidarity #RiseUp #womenshistorymonth #filipinaartist #sandiegoartist

Joe Biden credits the LGBTQ community while appreciating the "broadest and most diverse" coalition of support ever seen in a successful campaign for President. Swipe up in our stories for more.

I'd been trying to get a COVID vaccination appointment on the State of Arizona's website since late January. Finally, on the evening of Monday, March 15, I found a couple of slots open on the following evening at the State mass vaccination site at the Arizona Cardinals Stadium. It was about a 35-mile trip, and my wife drove me out there. Once we got to the site, everything went really smoothly and the staff were very pleasant. I got my first Pfizer dose and an appointment for April 6 for the second. It was nice to see the ASU banner at the site. Altogether, the travel time and the process on site took about an hour and forty-five minutes. I feel immensely relieved.

A popular rabbi is claiming that the vaccine for COVID-19 “could make you gay.” And it's all part of Bill Gates's plot to "cull global population." Swipe up in our stories to read more.

It’s like getting to wear a costume all 31 days of October. Honestly, just keep wearing that spooky mask all year long. • • • • #womentypewed #ladieswhodesign #girlsmakingmagic #creativewomen #womenwhodraw #creativeasswomen #typingfeminism #letteringcommunity #letteringlove #femaleartist #womenofdesign #typetopia #womenofillustration #goodtype #typeyeah #editorialillustration #beautyillustration #fashionillustration #feministjazzy #womenoftype #typeoftheday

Trisha Vaughn is the CPT Supervisor for a large Bay Area community hospital. In her spare time, Trisha hosts a podcast with her daughter, is an avid writer, and she is starting a small apothecary business to sell her skin care creations. In the oral history interview, Trisha shares how she has navigated through Covid-19 in both her personal life, and as an essential worker. She reflects on staying motivated and helping the people in her life stay motivated thought these hard times. Trisha describes how the social injustices and civil unrest in response to police brutality during the pandemic has affected her and those around her and about how the urgency of the pandemic has overshadowed the injustices faced by people of color across the nation.

Michael Levesque was a paramedic working on an ambulance at the start of the pandemic. He had a pregnant wife at home and was in the process of switching his career into nursing. He recalls the memories of working on the ambulance and taking care of Covid patients, as well as how Covid impacted the EMS services overall. He also discusses how it felt to be starting his career as an Emergency Room nurse during a global pandemic. In both cases, his job put him directly on the front lines of medicine. He discusses the early problems of lack of knowledge and equipment to properly handle this pandemic. He also explains the mindset of an expecting father, working in a high risk environment, and then coming home to his pregnant wife. Michael’s unique life circumstances and career path gives his interview a perspective that few people experienced.

Layne Williams is a Physical Therapist Assistant who was working in a hospital during the pandemic. Her role shifted during the early months of the pandemic and she found herself doing any job that was needed to help with the increased numbers of patients coming into the hospital. She recalled the surreal feeling of walking into her first Covid positive patient’s room and how the mentality of healthcare providers shifted as more information came out about Covid. She also discussed the challenges of being a healthcare provider while living with her husband who is not in healthcare. Her job certainly exposed her to increased risks and those risks spilled over to impact her home life. However, her overall impression from the pandemic is that it showed what the healthcare field is capable of achieving when challenged.

Agricultural workers in Virginia are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Although farm production hasn't dropped significantly due to COVID-19, many farmers are apart of high-risk categories. Giving farmers access to the vaccine is believed to ensure that the food supply is maintained.

depiction of the international relationship in the covid world

The rise of anti-Asian crimes has been a focal point of my predominantly Asian and Latinx community, and has increased to a point where our local police are trying to send out messages of reassurance and solidarity. But this isn’t something that comes out of nowhere. It has been bubbling under the surface as long as Asian Americans have lived in this country. The Chinese Exclusion Act, barring Asian citizenship, miscegenation laws, land laws, internment camps, the murder of Vincent Chin, hate crimes against Southeast Asian refugees, the stereotypes, the cheap sitcom jokes and potshots, the dual embrace and distaste of the so-called “model minority.” A year ago, as COVID-19 began to infect our everyday life even prior to shutdown, many of my students recounted racism they faced at the grocery store or other public places, as Asians were made the scapegoat of the pandemic. This racism was not happening in the Midwest, it was happening in diverse Southern California. How many times this year have I had the conversation with students, family, and friends about the otherness that is associated with being Asian in America? As half of an interracial marriage with an Asian partner, I have seen first hand the comments. Going to Disney World and having my husband joke that he had seen one and a half Asians that week, himself and my daughter - and seeing the stares. Comments from Disney World or airport employees who stared at us and said in a off putting tone, “you must be from California or Hawai’i,” to which I shot back with “why, because we’re so happy and relaxed?” They didn’t crack a smile. Or my husband’s best friend, who in medical residency in Kansas City was approached in a Panera Bread with a man saying “whaaa, you want to fight Bruce Lee” and being asked by his medical resident roommates to translate Ninja Warrior for them because he “knows Chinese” (he’s third generation Japanese American). The friend in grad school in Michigan who, while walking down the street, was met by women who held the corners of their eyes and chanted “ching chong, ching chong.” Never once has anyone repeated the question “where are you from” when I tell someone I am from California. My Asian American husband is always asked at least twice. Also from California, when he responds to the simple question of where is he from with “California,”there is always the tone change and the slowed down, “No, where are you FROM?” Because the underlying, uncomfortable reality is that apparently if you’re Asian, you can’t be “from” America. Your identity is forever a hyphen. But this was not part of the public conscience until recently. With the rhetoric of leadership that continually blamed China for COVID-19, using ethnically offensive names, the acts of racism my students were experiencing in March have evolved into full fledged violence and crime, peaking yesterday with a shooting. Here we are in another moment when COVID-19 has uncovered the ugliness that lies beneath the surface in a country that calls itself a democracy. A country where the police spokesperson tried to explain away the targeted murder of eight Asian women yesterday by saying the Caucasian male shooter was having a “bad day.” No justice, no peace sounds hollow when you wonder if there ever will be either.

The photo that I submitted is of a penguin wearing a mask as he intensely stares off. This image I found pretty entertaining yet very appropriate during this pandemic. As you see the penguin sweat and tear up, the penguin must be very uncomfortable and worried for its health next to a person. The full comic shows the penguin looking like that after someone sneezes next to them without covering their mouth on the train. I think it is cute and an important message to send others as I often see people disregard wearing masks during the time when the pandemic and even before the pandemic, people paid really little attention to sanitary procedures which caused the pandemic to spread.

This is a blog post about the current struggles states are having with getting homeless populations vaccinated. The article focuses on how shelters are the most common points of contacts for homeless populations to be reached.

This is a news article about how homeless populations are able to access the stimulus payments. This highlights how difficult it is for homeless people to receive assistance during the pandemic even though they are one of the most at-risk populations.

This is an article of the CDC FAQ on homeless as it relates specifically to COVID and the unique impacts that homeless populations are facing as a result of COVID.