This was early in the pandemic (Spring of 2020) and we didn't know how COVID was spread, so we (and almost everyone around us) was masking up everywhere except inside our homes. The town felt abandoned and sad and we kept our distance from others as we went to different neighborhoods to take our photos. 

This spring (2023), I made a collage of some of the photos which now hangs in our house. It's a great historical record of the time; signs to remind us of social distancings, signs about lake of supplies, sweet small business signs, protect signs and riot pictures, as well as amazingly hopeful neighborhood things (my neighbors hearts made of flower petals and placed on her front yard, stuffed animals in windows for the kids, black lives matter signs and hopeful sidewalk chalk quotes). Those kind and sweet signs carried me through. 

 Sally

Portland, OR

I think the biggest thing at first was the uncertainty and fear that was generated. At some point we recognized that no one was really at the wheel, we didn’t have clarity on what was safe, what worked and what didn’t. I remember a colleague saying, “No one is coming for us” and how we all felt we could only rely on ourselves and each other. The things we’d taken for granted that would be there were not. We couldn’t be sure if we would get supplies, if we would get sick, if we would die, or if we’d bring this into our homes and endanger our families.  We missed hugs and normal human interaction. We created elaborate cleaning rituals, bought whatever manner of PPE we could get (or made it ourselves).  And I remember the sense of camaraderie—like we were really going into battle together despite the risks. I remember feeling so grateful for the support of our work colleagues and for the neighbors who rang bells and played instruments every night in solidarity. For those who sacrificed by going to work and for those who sacrificed by staying home.  I also remember feeling anger and frustration at those who didn’t seem to care, who flaunted all recommendations and yet expected to be saved. I remember terror and exhaustion, scrambling to learn whatever we could about how to fight this thing and its spread…   It’s been a long haul, and it continues.

Noami, Emergency Department MD

Clackamas, OR

My son lost his golf scholarship that he spent his HS career earning. I gained new tools to deal with anxiety.

Kellee G.

Columbus, OH

My colleague Margaret (right) and I were volunteering at an OSU cancer research building, taking temperatures of researchers as they went to their research labs.

During COVID-19, I was in my final semester in school and the school had shut down so everyone could go home, I had decided to stay back to study for my final exams, thinking the lockdown would be over in two weeks, two weeks passed and then three and then one month. I had spent over 7 months living alone in the hostel, not even allowed to travel home because the borders between states were closed. So anyone who didn't travel home prior was stuck where they were. It was a very difficult time for me cause my roommate had gone home and I was all alone. There were 2 other girls in the building with our building manager, and our building manager had a pass that allowed him to leave the building during the lockdown. This wonderful man helped us with buying groceries and the basic necessities we needed to survive. There was a lot of anxiety, I always checked the news to see how many were infected in my state, and the numbers kept rising. During lockdown I felt the pain of being alone for an extended period of time, I felt the gratitude of people putting their lives at risk to help others, from health care professionals to my building manager, I felt the value of relationships and always keeping in touch with everyone. After 7 months of living alone, state borders were partially opened and I could travel to be with my family. The journey home is another story for another day.

Neema

Osun State, Nigeria

Back on Jan. 22, 2021, myself and two other friends spent the day volunteering at a vaccination site in the Anaheim area, alongside healthcare workers and Orange County firefighters and lifeguards. Vaccinations had just become available and were still reserved for at-risk folks. My job for the day was sitting with folks after they had received their shot to make sure they didn't experience any side effects before sending them on their way. I remember it being such an interesting cross section of people, everyone so grateful. At the end of the day, volunteers were also able to receive their first dose of the vaccine. So much was still unknown at that time, so the chance to get vaccinated was such a huge relief.

Chris

Anaheim, CA

Christina

Miami, FL

Being retired, I only ventured out to the grocery store or library. I do remember checking out groceries and seeing an old friend, Nita, sitting on a bench nearby. I waved and she didn’t respond. I walked over to her and said, “hi Nita”. Nope, wasn’t Nita.

Judy P.

Mishawaka, IN

I believe Covid had quite different responses for my husband and me. He, being a loner, rarely left the house either before or during Covid. His car is close to 20 years old and only has approximately 30 thousand miles, if that tells you anything about how much he gets out. I, on the other hand, have always needed the relationships I have with my friends. Covid changed all that dramatically by not being with these dear friends for the next three years. Even though I was with my husband, still I felt loneliness without the weekly coffees, lunches., etc that I had so enjoyed before with my friends. Yes, we could still communicate on FaceTime, etc, but not being with them was difficult. What I have gained is a renewed joy of these friendships. I believe I don’t take my friends for granted now. I hope I never did, but I realize how quickly this can all be taken away, either temporarily or forever. I was with friends last evening, and we talked about this very thing. I knew once again how I cherish each one of them.

Jan

South Bend, IN

We spent so much time in our house and backyard, and ultimately felt really lucky to have the outdoor space and set up that we had. I remember feeling so panicked to find out that we were going to have to spend "two weeks" at home with our two kids, aged 3 and 5 at the time. I wasn't sure what we would do without the routine of school and without the ability to go out into the world. It was genuinely hard to sort out at first, and then we got into a rhythm. It felt really difficult as we moved through it, but we had some of the most special, beautiful times together as a family. We all look back on that time with so much love and affection, in part because of the age of the kids, and in part because of all the forced togetherness. We had a lot of fear of the unknown at the time, and now that things are more stabilized it's easier to look back on the time fondly. That was a real lesson, to try to enjoy these moments, even when they feel hard. We gained some unity as a family, and we lost time with relatives and friends who were farther away. We didn't think it made sense to risk flying in the summer of 2020 so we decided to drive from California to the midwest to be with family, seeing so much of the country along the way. We never would have done that drive, and we liked it so much we did it again a couple more times. I lost my godmother, and we all lost our sense of safety and stability. But I can't forget that we weirdly gained a lot too.

Hannah

Los Angeles, CA

In the picture we were in Palm Springs riding the tram up the side of a mountain, if that matters. The obvious answer is that I lost and found the same thing: connections. There were so many people (friends, coworkers, family members) that I rarely saw during those days and months, but the ones I did see I feel like we got closer. I think our "circle of friends" got smaller during Covid, but also tighter.

Chris Ponteri

Wind Lake, WI
Photo taken in Palm Springs, CA

A few of us that could spare 5 minutes in the middle of the night gathered in a room just outside the ED, still draped in layers of worn-down PPE, including recycled N95s. We felt drained and estranged from our communities, because we were all exposed to COVID continuously and had to separate ourselves. We shut off the lights, and under the guidance of a disco ball and “September” by Earth Wind & Fire,we had a dance party 6 feet apart from each other. I hadn't even hugged another human besides my partner in 5 months at that point, and as we all ran out of the room after, I cried with gratitude for a brief moment of community and the realization of the effects of isolation and confinement.

Heather, Emergency department RN

Clackamas, OR

I remember early on in CoVid, working in Pod A as “the CoVid ward”, wearing a gown and two pair of gloves for hours. I remember staring through the glass between Pod A and Pod B, hoping I wasn’t contracting a virus we knew nothing about.

Heather, Emergency department RN

clackamas, OR

I’ll always remember driving home from work and learning from NPR about the first Oregon case of Covid in our sister hospital.  From that point on, it was sobering going to work, not knowing if or when you would be exposed and, subsequently, expose your family.  I discovered a deeper level of respect for my ER family who demonstrated commitment, compassion and courage during those unprecedented times. 

Jill, Emergency department LCSW

Clackamas, OR

For the first 6 weeks of Covid, I lived in my basement to keep what I perceived was a necessary safe distance from my family (my husband and 2 kids who were 8 & 10yo).  We would only talk from opposite ends of the staircase (with me masked the entire time), but mostly we talked by 

Facetime or would sit on opposite sides of the yard outside. I was unsure if I might be transporting the virus on my clothes, my skin, my hair, or in my respiratory droplets.  I was quite sure, though, given my family never left our neighborhood, that if they got CoVid, it would surely be because I gave it to them.

I see myself in this portrait wearing a surgical mask and it reminds me that early on, the N95 masks were locked up and rationed - only given to us if we pleaded our case to need it.  At one time, I had about 10 very used (read: soiled) N95 masks in my work locker, because I couldn't bring myself to throw one away in case a time came when there were no new ones to distribute.  

My colorful surgical hat in this picture - I made it during my free time in the basement - I cut up a dress for the fabric.

PJ, Emergency department MD

Clackamas, OR

My wife was pregnant at home, and I was so worried about bringing Covid back to her and our unborn child.  Our supply of personal protective equipment would fluctuate week to week.  There were times when the hospital had run out of N95 masks and we had to clean and reuse our own masks, sometimes using the same mask for several weeks straight.  After shifts, I remember stripping down to my underwear in my garage and then putting my stethoscope and goggles in a UV sterilizing box I bought from a nail supply store just to have clean equipment for my next shift.

Nick, Emergency department MD

Clackamas, OR

We were there at the bedside to hold patients’ hands, cry in our cars, provide life- saving treatment, and advocate for loved ones while sacrificing our own safety to do so. While we no longer hear the 7pm banging of pans of support, it is us that are still there, as this fight is not over.

Karlee, Emergency department RN

Clackamas, OR

Jeez, that sucked.

Jeremy, Emergency department RN

Clackamas, OR

I remember the ER being eerily quiet--except when patients did come in, they were very, very sick.  And we had so little to offer. Meanwhile, we had to reuse the same "disposable" N95 mask for days, and I lived in fear of bringing COVID home to my family.

Sharon, Emergency department MD

Clackamas, OR

I remember feeling terrified. The ER was like a ghost town the first few weeks. Eerie. We were so afraid to be near anything with CoVid and yet, there we were, showing up daily and feeling grateful to be able to just show up. The one motivation during those early weeks was the opportunity to make masks. Sewing is one of my hobbies, and I found great comfort and distraction making masks like the one I’m wearing. It brightened up what was otherwise a very dark, silent time.

Mod, Emergency department LCSW

Clackamas, OR

Jan 3, 2020 the phone rang and I was told I was a match for a kidney! Jan 4, 2020 I got a new kidney! I was told I needed to wear a mask after that to protect it whenever I was around other people for a few months. This was my mask. Two months later the whole world would find themselves wearing a mask as well.

Over 6 million people worldwide have lost their lives due to Covid. We have faced such extreme adversity over the last 2—almost 3—years!! If you can read this, YOU are a survivor, too!! Endless thanks and gratitude to all the doctors, nurses, techs, CNAs, housekeeping, all of the imaging specialists, and Patient Access Reps out there on the frontline and those that support them!!! 

T, Emergency department Unit Specialist

Clackamas, OR

It was physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausting. We had to re-use or recycle our PPEs. Some of our staff didn’t see family or friends for a long time. Dealing with the unknown every day but having to come to work to take care of patients was draining.

Daryl, Emergency department RN

Clackamas, OR

Trauma bonded with my ER work friends--the only silver lining that came from the peak of CoVid.

You want me to wear that reprocessed N95 mask? There’s makeup on it. Gross.

Mika, Emergency department RN

Clackamas, OR

How many cases today? And where?

I found myself checking worldometer (and later the NY Times) that had the number of daily cases in the United States and the world. Watching the numbers exponentially grow in places like New York, Italy or Brazil became a daily task.

Mary, Emergency department MD

Clackamas, OR

One night we had this teenager that was homeless and had got kicked out of her placement and she had Covid-19, and so she couldn’t get in anywhere else. She had no family and was in the ER for weeks. It was a mess!

Sarah-Nichole, Emergency department Tech/PSA

Clackamas, OR

As a borderline germaphobe, it’s amazing that I survived the ER pandemic experience in one piece.

Tom, Emergency department LPC

Clackamas, OR

My 8 year old asked me if I “was going to die at work today.

Ashley, Emergency department RN

Clackamas, OR

I remember a time when we were not letting in visitors, and a couple came in. The wife had a procedure. We told the husband that he would have to say his goodbyes at the door. I told the gentleman that we would take good care of his wife. When I told him he had to leave, he started crying, saying that he hadn’t left his wife in 50 years. That was a hard moment to deal with at the hospital.

Guy, Emergency department Hospital Security

Clackamas, OR