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shelter from the storm.

While a primary motivation of my photography is to capture new perspectives of familiar or overlooked spaces, the purpose of my pandemic photographs was the opposite. I wanted to explore how life changed as we were submerged into self-isolation and physical and social distancing, and how we occupy spaces differently to avoid spread of the coronavirus. If anything, it was a hobby to exercise some manner of control over an uncontrollable situation.

Some days, it was impossible to participate in it; I needed to tune out the constant coronavirus conversations. (Working in healthcare adds extra layers of pandemic talk.) As time has soldiered on, though, I realize that the purposeful photography of a strange situation was now merely documentation of what life now was like.

Who knows what my photo roll will look like in 2021?

early days of the pandemic: January - March, 2020.

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January 19, 2020. Less than a week later, the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Canada.
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March 8, 2020. Probably the last time we were inside a restaurant. On March 9, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 is reported in NB.

early days of the pandemic: March - April, 2020.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic for the COVID-19 outbreak. Within the week, we begin to see the first restrictions in New Brunswick, with businesses, schools, and public spaces closing in an effort to control the spread of the virus.
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March 17, 2020.
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March 22, 2020.
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March 22, 2020. A strangely empty Germain Street.
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March 19, 2020.
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March 22, 2020.
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March 29, 2020. A playground in Saint John closed to public.
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March 22, 2020. Taco Pica would later remain permanently closed.
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March 24, 2020. A playground in Rothesay closed to public.
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March 22, 2020. Staff set up barriers outside Costco to ensure social distancing.
Both houses and businesses began to create displays with positive, encouraging messages.
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March 22, 2020. Be safe and look after each other.
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April 7, 2020. Sometimes, stuffed animals are used instead of messages to cheer up windows.
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March 28, 2020. Wash hands frequently.
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April 11, 2020. Better days ahead.
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April 11, 2020. We will be ok / Ca va bien aller.
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Week of March 19, 2020. Gas prices start to plummet. 86.9 cents per litre.
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Week of March 26, 2020. 78.1 cents per litre.
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Week of April 2, 2020. 69.9 cents per litre. According to Stats Can, this is the average annual price of gas in Saint John in 2000/2001.

april 3, 2020: wave 1 in NB reaches peak, with 72 active cases.

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April 4, 2020. Connecting with friends in a safe way, via Saturday morning Zoom call.
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April 2, 2020. Taking a break in between various arts and crafts; limited contact outside the home starts to wear thin.
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April 10, 2020. Trying to blow off steam in a spring snowstorm.
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April 6, 2020. Teaching from home isn't easy in the early days, for a number of reasons.
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April 7, 2020. The province creates its COVID task force to manage the outbreak.
Shopping looks different after only a few weeks, with online purchases taking precedence. If we head into a store, our travels from entrance to the checkout are carefully choreographed.
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March 29, 2020. My cat thinks she's a military general.
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April 21, 2020. The corral outside the Superstore Rothesay.
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April 17, 2020. Waiting for a prescription at Shoppers.
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April 18, 2020. View of Partridge Island, in Saint John Harbour. It was first established as a quarantine station during the early 19th century.
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April 18, 2020. COVID-19 sucks.
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May 2, 2020. Still under restrictions, the kids are so bored that they all agree to come on a walk with us. We can't remember the last time this happened.

spring in the time of corona: May - June, 2020.

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May 12, 2020. Someone left this rock in the parking lot of the hospital where I work.
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May 13, 2020. My grandmother's 90th birthday. The staff at Shannex got a cake and made a fuss. They've really been lovely.
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May 13, 2020. Ten years ago, we hosted a big party with family from away. This was the best we could do this year, but she still seemed pleased.
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May 23, 2020. The first time I see my family since March. We have a visit outside and show my dad's dog good PPE practices.
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May 24, 2020. A new place to explore, the Moosehorn Creek Covered Bridge is subjected to someone's self-expression. The fuckin’ way she goes.
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June 11, 2020. Masks aren't yet mandatory indoors, so this grocery line now feels quite strange.
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June 20, 2020. Taking the kids to New River Beach.

that bubble life: july - august, 2020.

On July 3, 2020, the four Atlantic provinces agreed to open their borders to each other as one large bubble, eliminating the need for the 14 day self-isolation period otherwise required with travel between provinces or countries. Now that Ben would have his first summer off as an instructor, this was supposed to be the summer we went to Italy for our honeymoon. While we don't travel outside the province this year, even with the bubble opportunity, we do take advantage of our beautiful province.  
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July 2, 2020. Many afternoons and evenings with the kids looking for treasures along the shorelines.
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July 22, 2020. Heading into my office at the hospital.
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July 25, 2020. Stocking up on SPF and sanitizer before heading out on an adventure!
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July 31, 2020. Aboard a tour boat to see the puffins at Machias Seal Island.
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August 1, 2020. En route to Caraquet, we stop in Miramichi for donair goodness.
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August 11, 2020. Exploring Hopewell Rocks for the first time in 15 years.
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August 2, 2020. Pokeshaw Rock Provincial Park.
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August 14, 2020. Paddle boarding at Dominon Park with my sister.
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August 22, 2020. Uptown celebrations are far more subdued this summer, with many signs reminding us to keep physical distance.
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August 22, 2020. At least pets have been living their best lives?
August 12, 2020. Back to school shopping this year means new WiFi routers to boost the signal throughout the house, in preparation for up to three high school kids learning from home.
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PictureAugust 12, 2020.

fall 2020 - and the fall of the bubble.

Something we noticed during the summer was how seriously - or not - people seemed to be taking the ongoing pandemic. 
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September 14, 2020. Voting in the time of corona.
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September 4, 2020. Churches continue to find ways to adapt.
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October 3, 2020. Things are starting to trend upwards...
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September 15, 2020. Election outcomes.
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September 15, 2020. These folks are likely not going to the ham dinner.
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October 19, 2020. Secured a flu shot at the pharmacy - the same day a new provincial record of active cases is reached (102).
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November 11, 2020. Remembrance Day ceremonies largely cancelled to the public, local students found new ways to share their respect for our veterans, such as painted rocks placed at a cenotaph. On this day, provincial active cases is 10.
On November 23, 2020, the Atlantic Bubble collapsed as cases begin to soar. A week later, we reach 120 active cases in a day for the province, largely in part to a super-spreader event in my city. As a result, our zone returns to Orange Level for a few weeks before restrictions are lifted in early December. ​
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November 24, 2020. Priority messaging.
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December 5, 2020. Priority courier. Our main source of any required holiday shopping.
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November 26, 2020. The City Market, always festive, with a few new additions.
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December 12, 2020. Even with restrictions lifted, most people are still wearing masks outside as they travel from shop to shop.
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November 26, 2020. Signage at the City Market.
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December 3, 2020. Kids at a nearby daycare decorated sticky notes of positivity for our community mailbox.
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December 12, 2020. Not everyone shares the sentiment of safety.
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December 22, 2020. Stop by my dad's place to exchange some gifts. His cat seems sad that he won't be getting cuddles from us today.
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December 20, 2020.
The days are getting longer now. The sun will stick around a few minutes longer each evening. Since the holidays were going to be different anyways, we decided to celebrate the winter solstice and burn a Yule log for the first time.

(In keeping with 2020, it didn’t last very long, but it did bring a little light to our Christmas.)

I hope your 2020 finishes with peace, and your 2021 be full of light.

Stay healthy, stay safe.
Bryn
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  • Home
  • libraries.
    • NB Women in STEM
    • Engagement
  • media.
    • Infographics
    • Patients as Research Partners
  • photographs.
    • portfolio >
      • wildlife
      • puffins
      • pandemic
    • exhibits >
      • This Town
      • In the Summertime
      • Imperial Theatre 100
      • To The Tune of Coffee
      • Pro'ject Sound
      • A Bit of Earth
  • about.
  • subscribe.