The COVID Time Capsule
Who Was The Most Impacted?
The pandemic exposed deep inequalities within society. Characteristics such as race, gender, class, or occupation were the most common themes in shaping who was the most at risk. While the virus itself was biological, the impact it left was social.
Essential Worker Protests
This photo collection of various protests that emerged during the height of the pandemic showcases essential workers across the country demanding things such as safer working conditions, access to PPE, and just a general acknowledgement of the risks they're faced with at their jobs. The bold letters, bright colors, and short but urgent messages on their handmade posters capture the emotional, heat-of-the-moment experience. Together, they reflect the frustration, fear, and exhaustion these individuals are going through. Including these monumental moments in my COVID time capsule project offers a more visual representation of a key aspect of the pandemic rather than presenting statistics and data, overall showing COVID from another point of view.
Abrams, A. (2021, January 17). How COVID-19 Pushed Frontline Workers Into Collective Action. Time. https://time.com/5928528/frontline-workers-strikes-labor/
“We’re Out There” So Protect Us, Protesting Workers Tell Amazon, Target, Instacart. (n.d.). NPR.org. https://www.npr.org/2020/05/01/849218750/workers-walk-off-jobs-demand-safer-working-conditions
“We are essential, too.” L.A. Metro bus drivers protest for coronavirus hazard pay. (2020, July 11). Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-07-10/la-metro-bus-drivers-hazard-pay-coronavirus-covid19-transit-workers
Much Needed Food Distributions
Not only were food distribution sites and food banks a representation of essential workers during the pandemic, but they also showed how much lower income communities were impacted by the shutdown(s). Their lines became as long as they've ever been with people seeking help in their times of need. Photographs from 2020 show several rows of cars waiting for hours just to have the opportunity to feed their families. After facing sudden job losses, less work hours, or unsafe working conditions, many households were struggling to support themselves. Choosing to include this was such an easy decision as I myself would volunteer at my local food bank to help with the high demand at the time. Seeing it first hand, I can attest to how big part this played during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Balch, B. (2020, October 15). 54 million people in America face food insecurity during the pandemic. It could have dire consequences for their health. AAMC. https://www.aamc.org/news/54-million-people-america-face-food-insecurity-during-pandemic-it-could-have-dire-consequences-their
Wilson, J. (2020, May 4). Food banks struggle to keep pace with immigrant communities hit hard by pandemic. The Guardian; The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/04/food-banks-problems-immigrants-coronavirus-texas
Long lines at food banks across U.S. (2025, March 13). Reuters.com. https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/long-lines-at-food-banks-across-us-idUSRTX7EHU2/