Items

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  2021-02-22

  #JOTPYLesson from Marissa Rhodes

  I learned that it's actually possible to feel part of a community even if you only interact with that community remotely. It's not the "same" as interacting IRL but it can be just as rewarding in its own way #JOTPYLesson @HeatherAHartel @betsyonhudson @KevinMKruse @e_b_bobadilla
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  2021-02-28

  #JOTPYLesson from Amanda Lehew

  I have learned to be more positive about my mental health. Before the pandemic, I was having uncontrollable panic attacks, and when everything went down it made me realize, I was not alone. @Ronway_Twitty @JakeSilbersack @JeremyZitnik @EGonzaba @ReelVisualProd
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  2021-03-02

  North Dakota reminds vaccine providers about limits on out-of-state residents

  As North Dakota continues COVID-19 vaccinations, it has been revealed that many doses have gone to out-of-state residents. Although the state isn't fully against this, they do have exceptions for some out-of-state residents that enables them to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in North Dakota. These exceptions are healthcare workers from out-of-state and patients of healthcare providers in North Dakota. There are a few other exceptions as well.
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  2020-03-05

  Why the Canadian Housing Market Is Soaring in the Pandemic

  "In Vancouver last month, the benchmark price for detached homes rose by 13.7 percent compared with a year earlier, reaching 1.6 million Canadian dollars. In the Toronto area, the average selling price for detached homes rose by 23.1 percent over the same time period, and a composite price that includes all kinds of housing topped 1 million dollars."
• 
  2021-01-26

  Online Dating - Pandemic Eddition

  With the pandemic, many of us have resorted to the endless, mind-numbing swiping on dating apps. I have included an example of "what not to swipe right on, COVID edition." If a person clearly has no regard for COVID guidelines (like wearing a mask properly) then they are a waste of time. Furthermore, this picture shows how so many people have such a careless lack of regard for the health and safety of others.
• 
  2021-02

  The Covid-19 Struggles and Success of a Full-Time Student

  This is a short interview that I worked on for my college course this semester all about Digital Storytelling. I interview a close friend of mine who has experienced the pandemic for a full year as a full time student and the transition from in-person to online classes. We also touch on other personal challenges that he faced and he discusses how he was able to succeed still as a full time student and now employee, a year later.
• 
  2021-03-08

  Trust me, I'm aware that in-person learning starts March 15

  Tempe Public schools sent a reminder email about in-person classes starting next Monday. Right now, the kids are on spring break, while having more time at home to argue about media use isn't ideal, at least we can say the days of online learning are behind us.
• 
  2020-04-15

  Racist Meme

  This racist meme, posted on the Facebook page "French Canadian Memes," highlights the prejudice displayed by many Canadians at the beginning of the pandemic
• 
  2021-02

  California mom who vanished during 'pandemic road trip' 8 months ago found dead in desert

  It broke my heart to hear that she was found dead. Single mom from San Francisco who just wanted to get out for an adventure on a "pandemic" road trip, went missing several months ago.
• 
  2021-03-02

  As virus-era attacks on Asians rise, past victims look back

  From the article: Nearly a year after they were almost stabbed to death inside a Midland, Texas, Sam's Club, Bawi Cung and his two sons all have visible scars. It's the unseen ones though that are harder to get over. Cung can’t walk through any store without constantly looking in all directions. His 6-year-old son, who now can't move one eyebrow, is afraid to sleep alone. On a Saturday evening in March, when COVID-19 panic shopping gripped the nation, Cung was in search of rice at a cheaper price. The family was in the Sam's Club meat section when Cung suddenly felt a punch to the back of his head. A man he didn't know then slashed his face with a knife. The assailant left but soon returned to stab the boys. He wounded the 3-year-old in the back and slashed the 6-year-old from his right eye to a couple of inches past his right ear.
• 
  2021-02-23

  Republican senators to Tennessee's public colleges: Stop athletes from kneeling during national anthem

  In a virtual interview, Rennia Davis explains why the Lady Vols knelt during the national anthem. From the article: Tennessee Republicans are up in arms over a state college basketball team's decision to kneel last week during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," prompting legislators to warn the public university system not to allow student athletes to do so again.
• 
  2021-03-05

  Vaccinations at the University

  This photo shows people lined up to get COVID-19 vaccinations outside the Sun Devil Fitness Complex at Arizona State University in Tempe. My wife received an email from an ASU official sent about 8:00 PM Thursday, March 4 offering university employees access to a distribution of Moderna vaccines at clinics on March 5 and 9. My wife signed up right away and got an appointment for early afternoon on Friday, March 5. I have not been able to get my own appointment through other channels, so I went along with my wife to see if I might be able to get the vaccine. I was turned away, but fortunately my wife now has her first shot and an appointment for the second. It's a start.
• 2020-03-28

  Moving Out of My First Apartment

  During the 2019-2020, I was living at Vista Del Sol, the apartment style housing available to upper division Barrett students at Arizona State University. I was fortunate to share my apartment with three close friends, and over the course of the school year, we had often gotten together with some of our other friends to hang out and enjoy the college lifestyle in our apartment. After we all returned from spring break, we discussed how uncertain our futures would be with the pandemic, and with so little information or precedent available to us, we all faced uncertain circumstances. Three of us were from Tucson, but our fourth roommate was an out of state student, but we all wanted to remain in our room until the conclusion of the semester (when we were sure the whole situation would be over). However, with added stress from our parents, we found out over the course of a week, that all of our parents expected us to return home, where they presumed we'd be safer and better monitored, instead of leaving us to our own devices. Packing and spending those moments together were heartbreaking, and would only be amplified in the coming months as we were unable to see each other and spend time together, even for special occasions such as birthdays or other events. As a last hurrah, the weekend before our first roommate moved out, we threw ourselves a little goodbye party, with a roommates photoshoot that we reference even now, a year later.
• 2020-05-15

  Living with a First Responder

  My father is a police officer, and despite all the lockdown procedures in place in my hometown (Tucson, Arizona), that meant little regarding my dad's responsibilities at work. However, with the added stress of the pandemic, and the uncertain procedures that rapidly rose around it, I often watched as my dad would stop by the house during work to switch out clothes and take extra sanitization procedures because he had gone out on a call and been in contact with an individual who would only disclose that they had the coronavirus after he dealt with the report. These situations, especially early on in the pandemic, meant a lot of unknown variables for my family as we did our best to stay safe in a situation where we weren't always sure what to do.
• 
  2020-12-11

  Big Business in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic

  (Undisclosed location and business name to protect employee) I happened to be working on this day when operations in the warehouse were shut down and we were asked to leave until the warehouse was thoroughly disinfected. Note the absence of employees on the floor, however, the merchandise is palletized according to shipping destination. Two days later, management, administrative staff, and warehouse associates were permitted to enter the building and business resumed as usual except with new health regulations all employees and staff were mandated to follow.
• 
  2021-03-06

  My favorite food! The Texas and Arizona connection

  Traveling during the COVID-19 has become increasingly difficult due to restrictions, precautionary safety measures, and social isolation. I am a Texas native who is currently residing in Phoenix, Arizona. Sadly, It has been well over 2 years since I have been back home to visit, but my Aunt -who has been vaccinated- periodically decides to make a trip to Phoenix. Every time she visits she is kind enough to bring along frozen portions from my favorite restaurant- Chicos Tacos. Sharing a meal with my Aunt and relatives is a special memory I will treasure despite this incredibly difficult time.
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  2021-03-05

  In Native America, the National COVID-19 emergency has hit us hard

  This article describes the incredible losses the Native gaming industry has sustained due to the pandemic.
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  2020-04

  The Historical Research Project

  Specifically, the Covid-19 pandemic inadvertently prevented me from my continued work in the Research Department at the Denver Public Library, as well as my volunteer work with the School Tours program at the History Colorado Center. However, it has given me an opportunity to conduct a history research project of my own choosing. I have had an ongoing interest in a writing project on the Domesday Book, which was a survey conducted in medieval England in AD 1085-1088. The repeated news stories on fellow Americans and citizens from around the world choosing to become interested in artwork and/or other projects while presented with an abundance of personal time due to Covid-19 restrictions has inspired me to begin this project. I was able to obtain a copy of an English translation of the Domesday Book and, though my graduate level academic work has not been postponed in any way, I have found time to begin this work. I will always remember that I began this passionate project because of the Covid-19 lockdown and restrictions, it will occupy my time far beyond Covid-19.
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  2021-03-07

  In numbers: Tracking COVID-19 Across the Navajo Nation

  This article reports the latest Navajo Nation pandemic statistics including the number of new cases per day and percent of Indigenous Peoples who have received the COVID-19 vaccinations.
• 2021-03-06

  Queer During Quarantine

  Transcript of Interview with George Carter by Jessica Carter Interviewee: Lauren Barney Interviewer: Jessica Carter 3/6/2021 Location (Interviewee): Charlotte, NC Location (Interviewer): Phoenix, AZ Transcriber: Jessica Carter This transcript has been provided by Otter.AI w/ a 2nd pass for accuracy. Abstract: This is an interview I did with my friend Lauren about being queer during COVID. JC: All right. Hi, my name is Jessica. I'm an undergraduate student at ASU enrolled in history 494. The date is March 6, and the time is 3:01pm. I'm speaking with Lauren Barney, I wanted to ask you a few questions about your pandemic experience and how that has related to sexuality and gender expression. But before I do, I'd like to ask for your consent to record this response for the COVID-19 archive. The COVID-19 archive is a digital archive at ASU that's collecting pandemic experiences. Do I have your consent to record this response and add it to the archive with your name? LB: Yes JC: Perfect. All right, first, can you tell me your name, age, gender identity and sexuality? LB: Yeah, we do you want my last name too JC: No, it doesn’t matter LB: Lauren, Lauren, I'm 21. Um, I am gay. And I guess a woman. JC: For the archive. I'll also say Jessica Carter. Some variety of gay, non-binary, they/them pronouns 21 as well. Alright. pandemic, thinking you were bi then came out a lesbian? What were, like some of the, I guess, kind of moments that made you think that. LB: Okay, um, I guess a couple. Um, this one's really bad. Definitely Tik Tok. Like, the algorithm, I think just knows something's. And definitely I was like, this is strange. And then, the person I was dating at the time, was, like, literally said to me, like, wow, Lauren, you seem to be much more interested in women than you are in men. And that's when I had a mental breakdown silently to myself. And I was like, Fuck, I would say that was the main one. JC: Yeah, and like, something kind of, like interesting about the Tik Tok algorithm, right? Is that, like, it's based off what you yourself interact with? So it's like, not even something that you can really control? LB: Yeah, I think because it was so subconscious. It's not like I like would purposely like click on certain videos or stay longer on some videos. tik tok just, like, detected all those things, and was like, Wow, JC: so much harder to regulate your behavior when, like, it's on an app. Like you're not like consciously being like, I have to be straight now. LB: Yes, I would agree with you. Also, cuz no one sees your tik tok JC: Yeah, like nobody sees you have like videos, nobody sees what you're interacting with. So it's a completely neutral way for you to consume media, and it becomes so targeted because that's what like social media is now right. Just targeted. advertising. Yes. Um, what? Like, as you were starting to realize while you were still with your ex, though, so what are kind of some of the holdbacks that you had before like coming out and then living your life as a, like a queer person? LB: I think it's like scary when you like, have a perception of yourself as like one thing for so long. That it's like, hard to accept that that's wrong. I think especially when it's because I have had, like, a lot of like, straight passing privilege because I was dating a man, even though I thought I was by like, to just completely be like, actually, I'm giving all that up is like kind of scary. I think there were some other complicating factors for why it was really difficult to leave that relationship specifically. JC: Yeah, and when I like straight up asked you if I was if you were only still with him, because you just didn't want to be a lesbian. LB: Yeah, that was hard to hear. JC: I will be honest, I couldn't imagine going to a wedding with you to what I needed. Yeah. There was no that wasn't in the cards for me needed to not be an occurrence for you to marry him. LB: No, that would have been very bad. I would have been unhappy for the rest of my life as well. JC: So do you think that it's like a specific type of treatment that you accepted, like you were willing to accept, like so much worse treatment than you probably would now in a relationship because you maybe subconsciously wanted to keep that privilege? LB: I think yes. Um, I think for me as well like because I wasn't actually like in First in any man, like the idea of like, leaving, and then dating a man, like, again, was just like something that I, it didn't seem like a thing to me like, it just did not seem like an option. So I was like, Well, I guess we'll just stay here and, you know, have a very bad time. JC: Yeah. How do you think the pandemic specifically kind of forced you to confront? LB: I think a couple ways. I think that because I couldn't go anywhere. And I was living with this person, it was like, I saw that him like, every day. And I think that in and of itself, like, makes apparent a lot of issues. Um, I also think that like, because I was really limited in the number of people I could see because of COVID. Like, there wasn't anyone else that I had to, like, perform straightness for, like, when I was in Texas, like, I didn't have to, like see my family, or like my grandma, and like, behave and look like a certain way. And like worry about, you know, what would my grandma say, honestly, he's probably a little homophobic, but that's a problem for later. JC: Um like, when I was in Georgia, for that ethics bowl thing, I met up with my great aunt and uncle and we got lunch. And I'm, like, losing it, because the only thing I have is men's clothing. And like that really floral Express shirt, and I'm like, Oh my God, is this gonna look feminine? Like for this to like, be okay. LB: Yeah. And, yeah, definitely. JC: Like, because once you start to understand a lot of like, sexuality and gender as being a performance so much for other people, as opposed to yourself and kind of break some of that stuff down. LB: Yeah. I think also because like, when I like before the pandemic, and was like, interacting, like I could, like go out and like meet other queer people. And like other people who were like any identified as like LGBT, but like, during the pandemic, that's like, not possible. So it felt like even more like I was cut off from like, that aspect of myself. And it was like, What is happening here? Something is not right. JC: ah. And I recently just read the lesbian master doc, but like one thing that's like really big is like compulsive compulsory like heterosexuality. Yeah, I thought “I'm too smart.” LB: I read that as well. And that was not I mean, I don't know if it was a good or a bad time. Like, I think on one hand, like, it's a it was good for me to read it. Because it like helps me to be like, this is real. You're not just like making shit up in your brain. That document is Thank God for that document. JC: It's like really helpful. And it's like, caused a lot of reflection for me too. Because, like, for me when I was like, I guess I would like be with a man because like, I've, like, had what I thought or like emotional feelings for men, but like, on reflection, like all really like, mediocre men, like men that I probably would not, like ever be happy with. Yeah. Because like, my perspective is like, well, if somebody like needed me to, like, if the world was gonna end, I guess I could. Yeah. But like, I don't know, like, also just like authenticity, testing your queerness to try to have, like, fully, like, get out of that, if that makes sense. LB: Yeah, it does. I mean, I think for me, like, it's a lot easier now. Because like, back when I thought I was bi. Like, this was like a regular thing. I would literally have like, bouts of anxiety of like, I feel like I'm not gay enough. Like, I don't even know if that makes sense. Just that like I wasn't being perceived as queer. I was just being perceived as straight, which is like fair, because I was in a relationship with a man. And so it like that, looking back on that now, like, makes me realize, like, clearly something was wrong. And like, I knew it was wrong. I just, like ignored it. And so now when I try to authenticity, test myself, I think it's, like, easier to look back on that and be like, no look like, it's fine. JC: Yeah, and it's like, I don't know, because like, the like, the experience of queer women is so different than, like queer men. Do. Sorry. I just I was just saying that like the difference of like queer women is so much different than that of queer men because it's like a relationship that is just not for men in like a patriarchal society where almost like everything is for them. LB: I agree. I think it's like really hard to get out of that like priority. tising relationships with men. Um, no, I agree. I think that's why partly why I feel like such a disconnect from like, womanhood is like, what? I think society views is like what it means to be a woman like I can't exactly access that very easily. JC: Yeah, and like I think the Contra points video like does a really good job of like explaining that because like queer like Butch women, like especially being terfs was like one not something that I was expecting. LB: Yeah JC: But the fact that they feel like they need to, like double down on their femininity that they've constantly been forced to defend as opposed to, like, trans women who they believe just opting into womanhood is like an easier experience. When and I don't know, like, I guess starting to talk about like, gender expression is that compares with like, being queer. Like, for me, a lot of it's been, like, come to been becoming comfortable, like identifying myself as like a trans person. Because like, if you remember, like, I didn't always really, like claim that label. LB: Yeah, yeah, I remember. JC: And just like, I don't know, understanding that and like, what that means, because like, I feel like I have to, like have like, a hard definition. And getting comfortable with knowing that I do. Yeah. Have you done any, like, specific reflecting on like, gender identity stuff? I mean, I have, LB: I mean, I think for me, the reflection is just like, more so been about my sexuality. I'm like, what it means to be a woman because I think it's like, fundamentally different, like, as a lesbian, to be a woman than it was to be a straight woman and be a woman or a bisexual woman and be a woman. Like, I think that's the part that I have a hiccup on and say, like, Well, I suppose. I think that's been kind of the bulk of my thinking JC: My Tik tok, I'll get a lot of videos about break the way that like gender expression for women or for lesbians is like, so fundamentally different than for everybody else, right. And then, like, contrasting that, with how we relate to like, other queer women, if that makes sense, and like building community out of that. LB: Yeah JC: I don't know. That's just something that I've kind of been thinking about with regard to gender. LB: Wait will you explain that a little more. JC: Yeah, just like, because like, we've talked about, like our opinions on how there really is like, no LGBT community, because everybody's experiences so varied. Yeah, but like understanding that like lesbians relate to by women and that there is like that attraction to women, which, like, oftentimes, you have to fight about against being produced as a commodity for men. And then, like understanding like our own, like experiences is so different from that of by women because they still feel validation and can like be in relationships with men. LB: I would agree. Yes, I would agree with that. I mean, like lately Tick Tock has felt like it's a good idea to put on my for you page like videos of these like bi women who just like, wish they were lesbians or like, one day, like, they were like, I don't know, I saw this like specific one. And it was a bi woman being like, somedays I just like wish I was a lesbian. And then some days, I'm like, oh, but this man is hot. And I'm just like, this frustrates me to no end. And I wish you would not make this video. JC: Like, no, yeah, I used to get a lot of those videos. Like it's not easier. LB: Its harder JC: No, yeah. Because like, then you have to deal with like all other stuff. And there's not like there's a difference between the myth of like the greedy bisexual versus the predatory lesbian. LB: Oh, yeah. That Yes, I would agree. JC: One of those. Like, I'll even rank them one of those is explicitly worse and it's not the bisexual. LB: No, I agree. And like I also think that there's like a distinct difference and like, how I related to society when I was like, thought I was bi versus like, now like, I guess this is just like I have to like specifically like ask my therapist like when I first met her, like Are you okay with gay people? Because I live in fucking North Carolina? JC: And yeah. No, yeah. And I've been looking for one to be like an explicit statement on the website. Yeah, I use that all. I'm trying to get like insurance cover therapy. LB: Yeah, I am paying out of pocket for this very nice. She is said she's on the LGBT, whatever one of the acronym letters, and Huh, I don't have to have insurance or because I'm still on my parent's insurance. And there is no way I can be like, Hello, mom and dad, I need to go to therapy, and it's going to be on your insurance because I have some issues, because that is not an option. It's just, it's way more difficult. It fucking sucks. JC: Yeah, and like as compared to me, like my parents, like, want me to get therapy. But like, for me, it's just like, have conversation and like so much family stuff too. Because like my cousin like, Dean, he's like trans. LB: Yeah. JC: And like he was just so assuming that the family was going to be accepting of him. And that's crazy to me. LB: Yeah, JC: when I was 14, I realized I was queer. Like, I did not think I was gonna have a family. LB: Yeah. JC: And he's just like, so optimistic. So also like, trying to be this like, queer role model of positivity. LB: Yeah, I agree. I think that's really hard as because my, one of my siblings is like bi and she's like, not really out to like my parents. And it's like, hard. Because like, I obviously came out first, just to my parents, not to my grandma. But it's like when I talk to her, like, we're both like like because my grandparents on my dad's side are like Trump, Republican. They only watch Fox News kind of people. Like my aunt voted for Trump. And it's like, this. I like danger. JC: No, but like, my Aunt that but like, she's raising my cousin and like, apparently she's like, cool with it. But like, contrasting the political with the reality is so, so difficult to Yeah. like, also, like queer people have such a valid reason to be so wary of therapists and doctors. Like I don't want to get sent to pray the gay away camp, you know? Like, I'm an adult now. So that won't happen to me. But that was a real fear I had when I was younger. LB: Okay, did you have? Did you get your wisdom teeth out? Okay, on a scale of like, one to 10 how terrified were you that you were going to like accidentally come out while you were, JC: Oh I got my wisdom teeth out when I was 20 LB: Oh, shit. Really? JC: Yeah We waited a hot minute. No, but like I was really worried that for I guess, like for the gender identity stuff. I was concerned about that. Because, like, I think my parents would be accepting but I can't even begin to imagine how I'm going to explain what non binary is to like, to like 60 year olds, like I don't. LB: I tried with my mom. She just like, refuses. Oh, she said some really bad politics recently. Like I almost hung up the phone a couple times. Because she, okay. slightly off topic, but she literally said that she was like kind of unbothered by some of the allegations that have come out recently. And I was like, this is very upsetting to me. JC: Against Who? LB: I even remember. She was just like, fine, like, okay, that is not what I want here. JC: First came out is bi my parents like my mom. Like took that as straight light, if that makes any sense. LB: Yes, it does. JC: Like so desperately She wants me to end up with a man and that's just like not gonna. That's not in the cards for us, Nancy? LB: No, my mom does too. Like she has like made comments to like k before? Because my mom asked Kate right because I didn't say like I'm a lesbian and I hate men. To my parents. I was just like I'm dating a girl. That coming out was absolutely horrible, but that's fine. And my mom like asked my sister like how like does Lauren still like men like wanting me to end up with one basically what she said there's just like that is I would literally rather like die I cannot imagine. JC: like these little like tricky comments that like family members will make about um like basically trying to guide you back into being straight without explicitly like hate crime you. LB: Yeah, I mean, for me Like my mom would say this shit like to my face. Like, she'll say like to my sisters. Like, you can't fucking say this shit to Sarah. And like, Kate's just gonna fucking tell me. JC: It's super, super frustrating because like, the reflection that it seems like at least based on like social media trends a lot of queer women have had to go through as a result of COVID as a result of just like not being in the male gaze anymore, right? Yeah, like straight women just haven't had to, and in many cases, like feel just like they're being very cavalier about it. Like an unwillingness to understand and just like a complete inability to empathize. LB: No, I agree. Like, someone's because my Kate is like, literally the straightest person in the entire world. And it's like some of the shoots she says about like, gay women. I'm just like, this makes me not want to hang out with you JC: No, yeah. And like the fear, like I have like a constant like incessant fear of coming off as predatory because I'm, LB: oh, yeah, JC: definitely, like on the more masculine like end of it and like figuring out how to come to terms with that and realizing that that's not like, like a real thing that queer women do. Like where women are men. LB: Yeah. I think it's hard when the like, predominant perception that we have of people who like women are like predatory men. Like, do you remember like, Amanda, I like Kayla's house like Kayla's apartment. JC: If you think I remember any of those little excursions, you'd be incorrect. Can you remind me? LB: Well, wait, she was like, Look at this cute thing I'm wearing and then, you know, what do you remember? JC: Like vaguely? Okay, I'll probably fill in LB: like, both of us were like, wait, Amanda. No, we are like not looking JC: Oh, yeah. No, I do remember this LB: Like, I felt so fucking uncomfortable. JC: No, yeah. In like, it's so weird. Because she was like, look at my outfit. And both of us were like, I physically can't. LB: Yeah, I was like, I would rather die right now. Yeah. No, yeah. JC: And like, just like understanding and like, the way the pandemic has, like, forced you to look at those things is like, super frustrating. Because I definitely feel like it forced, like a lot of queer women to reckon with that before they might have been ready. LB: Yeah, I don't know that I was ready. JC: You needed to be? LB: I agree with you. Because I think if it went on any longer, that would be absurd. And it would just make it way more difficult. And then I wouldn't have had a lot of the experiences that like I had. JC: just wish that like. I don't know that like, even like straight women at all would do that kind of reckoning. Just like think about it. Because like, I feel like a lot for a lot of straight women because I've not seen very many like healthy straight relationships. LB: Yeah, I haven't either. JC: They just like hate their husband. And they're like, Well, why can't like are women like also to take their husbands? Like the rest of us? LB: Like, that's like, so frustrating to me. Because, like, being in a fulfilling relationship where the person doesn't treat you like a piece of shit. It's like, so nice. And this pisses me off like so. Like, it just makes me angry for those women. JC: Even like being in a queer relationship. I took it for so long. LB: Yeah JC: So wild to me too. Because like my like, in that relationship, the perception of like, She's like, the nice like fun one. And Jessica is like, a diet asshole all the time. Yeah, like, I don't know, like, I wish there was like a space where these relationships could be talked about to understand, like, the dynamics that they have. Because like, I think that like an open dialogue would make like straight and queer relationships so much healthier. LB: Yeah, I agree. I think like the is there's so much like stigma around that type of stuff. Like I know, for me, it was like, especially true like, first of all, you have to admit to yourself that there's a problem, which is very hard. And then to like, say that out loud to another person means you like can't ignore it anymore. JC: No, yeah, I remember. One time I got coffee with our dear debate friend. JC: Yeah. And I was with him and I was like, I should be happy. Like I've had this like girlfriend for like three years. I'm like, about to go do a study abroad. Like things should be good, but like my rat brain keeps telling me that I have to break up with her. And like, have you ever thought about maybe breaking up with her? I was like, no. LB: I feel that JC: like the same sense of security that like comes from being in like, a queer relationship because like dating or queer is so much more different to like, depending on like how progressive the area you're in is. Yeah. I don't know, the pandemic has definitely been like good for reflecting but like maybe not in like the healthiest way if you're constantly focused on yourself. LB: No, I agree. I think also because like a lot of people like are missing their, like normal support systems. Like having to do that recognition can be like so much more. I don't want to say like harmful but for lack of a better word, like it can be like a lot harder, I think. JC: Yeah, really stressful. Um, Do we have anything more to say about this or? LB: I don't know. That those were my comments. JC: I don't think so. This is about 25 minutes, so it's probably good. Alright, I'll stop recording.
• 
  2021-03-01

  Former Sacramento Firefighter Accuses Department Of Hostile Work Environment

  From the article: Jaymes Butler is one of two African-American captains within the Sacramento Fire Department. He says he’s not surprised by Lewis’s allegations. “Do I believe it? Yes, I do believe it. Because this is what happens when you don’t recruit a diverse department,” Butler said. The Sacramento Fire Department is made up of roughly 700 personnel and nearly 70% of them are white men. “Once the experiences he shared became known to the administration they started an investigation with the city’s Equal Opportunity Employment officers. We strive to have a department the mirrors the community we serve. Knowing that we can do better,” department spokesperson Keith Wade said.
• 
  2020

  Manitoba Ban on Non-Essentials

  Manitoba government banned the sale of non-essential items in large superstores in conjunction with further restrictions on large gatherings
• 
  2021-03-03

  ‘Just a beginning’: Black Lives Matter sign to be installed in Sacramento’s Oak Park

  From the Article: It’s a simple sign for a clear message, backed by the city of Sacramento: Black lives matter. A wooden structure spelling the words “Black Lives Matter,” the movement and global rallying cry for racial justice, will be installed at McClatchy Park, located in one of Sacramento’s historically Black neighborhoods. Unanimously approved by the City Council during its Tuesday meeting, the sign is covered in hundreds of names memorializing unarmed Black people killed by law enforcement. Community advocates say they hope the sign will be a symbol of a commitment from city officials to improve the lives of Black residents in Sacramento.
• 
  2021-03-04

  S.F. Japantown businesses owe tens of thousands in rent. Can the area survive without them?

  In the decades since, the community’s boundaries have shifted and shrunk, devastated by forced Japanese removal and internment in the 1940s and by large-scale redevelopment in the ’70s. But San Francisco’s Japantown persisted, even as others throughout the United States faded away. Today, Nihonmachi is the country’s oldest and largest Japantown, one of three remaining, but it covers only about six blocks — and many worry it is in danger of disappearing. The pandemic has hit neighborhood businesses particularly hard, and this year an agreement with the area’s largest landowner to keep the Japan Center malls “Japanese-themed” is set to expire.
• 
  2021-03-04

  Teachers spell out racial slur with giant Scrabble letters. Parents are pissed.

  From the article: One parent said that her son is “tired” of the racism because it is a common occurrence at the school. “He absolutely told me, ‘Mom, I’m tired of it, do what you need to do because this is not fair and I’m tired of feeling like this,'” she said. But one of the school’s basketball coaches, John Smith, is standing up for the teachers. “This isn’t our school, this was a mistake,” he said. “Everybody in the world makes mistakes, everybody in the world has faults and this is just a little fault that we’ve had. This is not our school. I truly believe that they did not know what they were posting.” The school, though, openly supports discrimination. Their website says that the school teaches that marriage is “the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture” and denounces the “immorality and sinfulness of sexual relationships outside of biblical marriage and of sexual relationships between persons of the same sex.”
• 
  2020

  Tyler Shandro

  A meme depicting Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro thinking of the amount of money he can make from kicking people off health care and signing them up for Vital Partners
• 
  2020

  Caulfield Elementary School

  A socially distanced classroom at Caulfield Elementary School in British Columbia, where in-person classes are allowed to take place in a modified fashion
• 
  2021-03-02

  'Persistent gap' nationwide in COVID plans for people with disabilities, advocates say

  This story resonated with me. While I was able to get the Covid-19 shot because I am a teacher, my disabled husband is not covered in any Tiers for the shot. We have no idea when he might be able to get the Covid-19 vaccine and it is scary for us. Why on earth would they not consider such a vulnerable population as a priority for the Covid-19 vaccine.
• 
  2021-03-03

  Texas reopens 100%

  From Kron4 News: “It’s time to reopen Texas 100%.” Texas is lifting its mask mandate and will also do away with limits on the number of diners that businesses can serve indoors. What do you think? Should California do the same?
• 
  2021

  Local Advocates Lobby For Priority

  Local advocates lobby for vaccine priority be given to those with high risk developmental disorders, such as Down Syndrome
• 
  2020-03-03

  NAACP encourages continued use of masks

  Everyone is so eager to get back to "normal". Everything is reopening, people are feeling safer, and politicians are being reckless. The NAACP and @DrChrisMD is urging people to continue to be safe and wear a mask. People commenting did not seem to think we need to worry anymore, maybe they are right.
• 
  2020

  British Columbia Mask Mandate

  Sign outside a Chilliwack business stating that masks must be work upon entry
• 
  2020

  Sophie Gregoire Trudeau Gets "All Clear"

  Sophie Gregoire Trudeau announced via social media that she was given the all clear to cease her self isolation following her COVID-19 diagnosis
• 
  2021

  [DUPLICATE] COVID-19 Proof of Immunization

  Artistic representation of a COVID-19 proof of immunization QR code on phones, meant to allow for greater freedom of movement as more vaccines are distributed
• 2020

  Campaigning During COVID

  I worked on a campaign over the past election cycle from August to November 2020. COVID brought new challenges to campaign work as everything we did had to be fully remote when before the staple for campaign work was going door to door to talk to prospective voters. This most recent election cycle was very draining as we had to use remote training methods which ended up being frustrating for many volunteers as the instructions were harder to understand. As a campaign worker, I was also left feeling frustrated and strained for much of my employment. Typically in a campaign, we would all share in our victories and defeats together but the distance between me and my coworkers made me focus more heavily on my defeats and shoulder them fully myself rather than sharing in them with my colleagues. COVID made the campaign work significantly harder and more emotionally draining than in other campaigns.
• 
  2021-01-19

  A Covid Litany

  I am studying to become an ordained Deacon in the Episcopal Church. I wrote this litany and shared it with friends and the congregation of my church. We prayed this prayer together as a church weekly for many months.
• 
  2020-11-01

  Volunteer work during a pandemic

  Not only was 2020 the year of the pandemic, it was also the year of one of the biggest elections in history. I am a political science and history major at ASU and I wanted to volunteer for a campaign. I had a few friends who were working on Mayor Kate Gallego's campaign and through them I was able to volunteer for the mayor herself. Normally you would meet with everyone and do volunteer work together but since it was a pandemic we had to all do it over zoom at home. Most of the volunteer work was making calls and helping voters. I got the opportunity to send my ballot in early and all of us who voted put our stickers on our laptops. Now every time I go to open my computer I am reminded of all the hard work I put in during the pandemic.
• 2020-12-25

  a COVID Christmas

  This Christmas my father unfortunately contracted COVID-19. He was unable to leave his house for two weeks, and it was obvious it hit him hard. My father lives alone and is 71 so my brother and I took it upon ourselves to help him as much as possible and isolate ourselves. We would bring him food and medicine and leave it at his bedroom door to keep a safe distance. During Christmas it was just the three of us eating dinner, but my brother. and I ate in a separate room as our father. It was very lonely but he is all better now with the vaccine so next holiday will be better.
• 
  2020-07-07

  Maskless Andrew Scheer and Brian Pallister

  This picture, posted by Twitter user "Canadian Dollaz," shows Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer and Manitoba premier Brian Pallister sitting maskless in Pearson Airport on 7 July 2020.
• 
  2021-03-07

  A Few Changes To My City's Mayoral Election

  Early December 2020, a local election was held in my city for mayor (and deputy mayor). We didn’t pick between candidates, but between a candidate and an empty candidate box. So, no one else was running against the candidate, but we still had to vote. Apparently this was the first time in the city's history that there was an empty candidate box. This wasn’t my first time voting, but it was my first time voting during a pandemic. I didn’t have to go, and neither did any of the members of my neighborhood community. Like always, we would be given invitations to vote if we’re eligible, and I had gotten my invitation a few days before. My brother was appointed as one of the assistants of the neighborhood voting stations — to manage people voting and to help count the votes. This wasn’t his first time doing this either, and considering how he had to work restlessly until the votes were tallied the time before, I was rather worried. He and the rest of the staff voted a day or so before the voting was available to the public. Again, we didn’t have to go. However, I was informed that only an estimated 300 people in my neighborhood were given approval to vote this time around. Later, I found out that at this voting station, only about half showed up and voted. I don’t know what the usual estimate was before for reference, but I must say that there used to be around three voting stations within walking distance of my house. The factors that come into play here, to my knowledge, are the pandemic and that this was a local election. Besides that, our invitations had specific times for when we should’ve gotten there, like appointments, but we didn’t get to choose when that was. I got a bright and early 7:00AM - 8:00AM. I doubt they were going to be strict about this, but I still got there a little after 7:00AM. As for the voting process, it was the same as always. Provide my invitation and identification card, wait for verification, get my paper ballot, show a panel that my ballot was free of tampering, cast my vote, drop it into the box, get my pinky finger inked (it was marker refill ink) for proof, and was on my way. The difference here was that we had to wash our hands at a makeshift sink area, wear plastic gloves (the type you handle food with), and well, keep our masks on. We all threw away our plastic gloves after voting, then washed our hands again. https://tirto.id/siapa-pemenang-pilkada-balikpapan-rahmad-thohari-vs-kotak-kosong-f7Wj (for context)
• 
  2021-03-06

  Mask trash #9

  It's rare to see trash or even discarded masks on campus. The university does a good job of keeping the grounds tidy and clean-looking. I found this mask near the back stairs of the COOR building.
• 2021-03-06

  A Niche Online Community of Writers

  It feels a little strange to be sharing this on this platform since it’s not typically on the hobbies-to-try lists. It’s roleplaying. It’s like acting, but with writing. Instead of on your own, it’s with a partner, a community, and so on. I’ve been roleplaying for over five years now, and I’d always find solace in joining the community of writers. If one group didn’t work out, there was always another that was a quick search away. I started because I wanted to live vicariously through my characters. Everyone has different reasons for doing this, and a common one is just to escape from real life. With the pandemic, it’s easy to see people cling onto this hobby if they already had it or wanted to start. There’s been a lot of escapism behaviors during the pandemic, and this is easily one of them. What I noticed, however, was many of those groups closing their doors. Some long-running communities with likely a hundred different writers just stopped because they couldn’t find joy in it anymore, it got too hard to manage, or otherwise. I’ve also seen a great deal start brand new groups only to close down within a month, or not even get to open (one of which closed due to the group manager getting covid-19). As a result, these writers have been left “homeless” in a way, because now they have lost their safe haven to get creative and use the groups as their stress-relief. I’m sharing this because I know many roleplayers wouldn’t even share this hobby with others who don’t share it. I feel like it’s a niche that’s neglected in the mainstream world. I also think this is a part of fandom culture that doesn’t get talked about because it’s so common nowadays that we’ll simply assume that it’ll always be there; that we’ll always know without any context.
• 
  2021-03-06

  Mask trash #8

  I came across this white fabric mask while walking from home to the university. It was near the corner of Roosevelt and 5th.
• 2021-03-06

  This is not how this is supposed to go.

  Friday, March 13, 2020, was my last full day in the office before the shutdown. We came home that night not knowing what was next. Then my sister called. Things hadn't been right for a couple of weeks, she said, and when she had been to the doctor that morning he ordered her directly to the MRI lab. And there it was. Cancer. The exact same kind that had taken our mother a few years ago. And our grandmother several decades ago. Dammit. So what do you do? You get on a plane, you go there tomorrow, and you face this thing together, as family, right? Except no. It's COVID time, and only one person was even allowed to accompany her to the hospital for surgery three days later. We all decided that my other sister should be there, since she has medical expertise and also a more flexible schedule. But yeah. Here I am, on the other side of the country, not knowing whether my sister would live through the day and not able to go be with her. It's a year later, and I'm very relieved to say that she's still with us, lasting far longer with this diagnosis than either our mother or grandmother did. Still very much in the fight. But thanks to this damned disease, and to everyone whose stupidity has caused it to last longer and be worse than it had any need to be, I have seen her exactly once in the last year. For about ten minutes. Right before her second surgery. Will I get to see her again? Who knows? We have a trip planned in a few months, if things get better with this pandemic. And if she lasts that long. It's sad and exhausting and infuriating and unchangeable.
• 
  2020-03-14

  Last show before Quarantine

  This photo was taken at the last show I went to before the my university, school, and the world all shut down seemingly within around a week. It was in the middle of ASU spring break. It had around 100 people there, all outside. At that point, people were aware of Covid-19 and I expressed concerns going with my friends but we still went. The only protocols that people there were taking was hand sanitizer but at that point there were no established protocols with Covid-19 beyond hand hygiene (at least to the general public). I at that point had wore disposable face masks to my classes as the ASU health services were giving them out for free in the lobby and ASU seemed to be downplaying the threat.
• 
  2021-03-06

  Cost me my job

  I had a severe case of COVID-19 that I caught at my office that included pneumonia and a lower intestinal infection, along with a trip to the ER of my local hospital. At the ER I received breathing treatments and two strong antibiotics for the pneumonia and intestinal infection. This was in addition to severe fatigue, body aches and breathing issues. I was in bed for a little over two weeks and when I got back to the office, I was terminated for not being available during the illness.
• 
  2021-02-19

  The Person I Can No Longer Be

  This pandemic has been a disaster for parents. We have two adults working from home, two remote learners, and a 3-year-old. Cut off from our usual support systems, many days we feel like we are hanging on by a thread. I write a lot and have been chronicling our day-to-day activities (or lack thereof) throughout the pandemic.
• 
  2021-03-06

  The Unsung Spreader: Touch and Coronavirus

  This story tells about a overlooked aspect of the pandemic. It offers some background into why this person thinks this issue is important and uses eyewitness and second hand accounts as evidence for her position
• 
  2021-03-06

  Stepping into a New World: Embarking on the COVID Journey

  This story relates how Corona began for me. It is a valuable primary source covering a person's lived experience with how Corona began and covers a unique circumstance.
• 
  2021-03-04

  For some, there will never be a "back to normal"

  "(via @readingstar18) When you say "I can't wait until things get back to normal" know that my life will never be "normal" again. When you say "Soon #COVID will just be a bad memory" know that Covid was a traumatic event and will always be a reminder of how my life drastically changed forever. When people say that #COVID19 is a hoax or only affects the elderly or people with underlying health conditions, remember I lost my young and healthy husband to this horrible virus. When you see something written about me and my family and say its fake news made up by the media as a scare tactic, I know that I am a very real person going through a very real tragedy and I share my heartbreaking and important story to show that #COVID19 can affect anyone. Nine months since my #HealthcareHero husband lost his life and the insensitive comments made by others continues to add to our grief. Covid is very real and has had a lasting impact on my children and me. So please be kind to those who are trying to heal and move forward."