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Coronavirus: Life Interrupted  
(104 images)

New York City in the Time of Coronavirus: Life Interrupted

As a documentary photographer, I am used to a constant schedule of global travel for my photography work. Our lives, the world over, have been interrupted by this pandemic. My travel wings have been clipped for now. I am used to covering global disasters, changing cultures, and issues concerning the human condition all over the world. Now that a crisis has come to my own city, I feel compelled to document it. I do so...
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New York City in the Time of Coronavirus: Life Interrupted

As a documentary photographer, I am used to a constant schedule of global travel for my photography work. Our lives, the world over, have been interrupted by this pandemic. My travel wings have been clipped for now. I am used to covering global disasters, changing cultures, and issues concerning the human condition all over the world. Now that a crisis has come to my own city, I feel compelled to document it. I do so well-protected and from a safe social distance from people. This distance is a departure from how I usually work, but finding some story or connection with those whom I meet has been a universal theme throughout my photography projects around the world. This photo journal is simply my own musings of the people and places I encounter on my daily walks.

My photo exhibition, “Grit and Grace: Women at Work,” focusing on women working in global communities, was set to open on March 14 at Brattleboro Museum in Vermont. The museum closed down the morning it was set to open. The photographs sit in the museum unseen, although we are exploring virtual tours and the exhibition has been extended until October 14 in the hopes that people will actually get the opportunity to view it live. It’s been an unexpected evolution that this lock down has led me to focus on an under represented community of laborers in our own society: essential workers that keep our society humming along during this pandemic. These are the essential workers that we once took for granted such as garbage collectors, electrical technicians, transit drivers, delivery people, doormen, postal workers, cashiers, not to mention the brave frontline workers that include fire fighters, police, doctors and nurses. These are our unsung heroes.

This is a project born first out of curiosity of circumstance, then of gratitude to all those essential workers who kept our world humming, but always out of love for a city that has worked so hard together to keep each other safe. As a collective humanity, we mourn the world we once knew and together we must navigate the new life we create as we move forward. Capturing these small moments in time feels like I’m documenting a larger moment in history.
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  • 5/2/20-“Hey New Yorkers, just wear the frigging face mask!” Governor Cuomo has just opened a contest for ads to help get the message across, that’s my submission. Let’s see if I win. It’s not just to protect yourself, but to protect other people. Sure it's a drag; it’s hot, it’s hard to breathe, it fogs up your sunglasses. It’s annoying, but at this point wearing masks and social distancing is the best defense we can personally do to save lives in this condensed city. And if you’re like this gal I photographed you can still actually make it part of your fashion statement.
    5/2/20-“Hey New Yorkers, just wear the frigging face mask!” Governor...
  • 4/4/20-New York, New York City. Life in the times of the Coronavirus. A guitar player serenades a lone listener in Central Park who enjoys his music from a safe distance.
    4/4/20-New York, New York City. Life in the times of the Coronavirus. A...
  • 4//19/20-New York, New York City, during the time of the Coronavirus. The new face of shopping. The woman working behind the counter at CVS pharmacy is protected by  a face mask, gloves and plexiglass. I felt like I was buying radiated contraband rather than shampoo. I'm glad our essential workers are well protected but it's certainly a whole new world we're living in!
    4//19/20-New York, New York City, during the time of the Coronavirus....
  • 4/28/20-New York, New York City, during the time of the Coronavirus. Meet Zack. He’s one of our essential workers on the frontlines for the electric company. He remains working to keep our power humming during this lock down so that we can have our lights, charge our devices, cook, watch TV, binge Netflix, work, learn and have zoom parties on our computers. Without willing workers like Zack we’d have a much more boring and uncomfortable shelter in place. The next time you throw the light switch thank Zack and everyone else working for the electric company!
    4/28/20-New York, New York City, during the time of the Coronavirus....
  • 3/26/20-New York, New York City. “I got this mask when I went to Disneyland with my six year old.” Not sure if it’s up to code but you certainly rock it! Thank you UPS man, all the postal workers and delivery services. Think about it, he delivers our packages all day and then goes home to his kids. Taken at a safe social-distance with a long lens and a mask on. And anyone that knows me photographing with a long lens is not my usual style!
    3/26/20-New York, New York City. “I got this mask when I went to...
  • 3/26/20-New York, New York City. New Yorkers are told to stay home during the corona virus, (COVID-19) so New York has become eerily empty. My mom made me dress like this,” says a passenger about to embark on the Amtrak train home to Virginia at a nearly empty Penn Station. Hey, no  judgement here!
    3/26/20-New York, New York City. New Yorkers are told to stay home...
  • 4/6/20-New York City, New York, Coronavirus in New York. Doormen are considered essential workers and suit up for the job to protect against COVID19.  The continue to intercept food deliveries, packages and keep the buildings safe. And do a great Darth Vader impression.
    4/6/20-New York City, New York, Coronavirus in New York. Doormen are...
  • 4/4/20-New York, New York City. A family portrait while wearing the recommended face coverings in Central Park due to Coronvirus.
    4/4/20-New York, New York City. A family portrait while wearing the...
  • 4/4/20-New York, New York City. A Whole Foods shopping warrior stocks up. Bracing for what is expected to be the worst apex of the corona virus in New York City, the epicenter of the pandemic.
    4/4/20-New York, New York City. A Whole Foods shopping warrior stocks...
  • New York, New York City. 3/31-20. New York City in nutshell. At the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic people began to hoard toilet paper and none was to be found throughout the city. Toilet paper is now available in some places with a one package per person rationing.
    New York, New York City. 3/31-20. New York City in nutshell. At the...
  • New York, New York City, during the time of Coronavirus. Super boy goes out for a bike ride on Easter.
    New York, New York City, during the time of Coronavirus. Super boy goes...
  • 3/26/20-New York, New York City. New Yorkers are told to stay home during the coronavirus, (COVID-19) so New York has become eerily empty. A giant shout out and thank you to the MTA transit workers who continue driving our buses and subways to ferry the few passengers that sincerely need it in New York City. Thank you to the remaining airline workers on the ground and in the air. Taken at a safe social distance with a long lens.
    3/26/20-New York, New York City. New Yorkers are told to stay home...
  • 4/28/20-American heroes. The Javitz Convention Center, reconfigured to a 2500 bed field hospital to treat coronavirus patients, clapped out it’s last patient this week and is wrapping up. Hundreds of military medics are packing up and heading back home, like K. Brady from Texas. As a trained anesthesiologist he has been stationed at the Javitz for the last month, intubating dozens of patients during the pandemic. They handled COVID-19 patient overflow and with the installed ventilators and equipment were able to house the rush of patients that were emergency moved when a hospital in Queens lost power. Don’t get too excited about attending a car show at the Javitz just yet, the equipment and beds remain. Prepared, in case they need it for a possible second wave of the pandemic in the fall.<br />
Much thanks to all of you for your service, with love from the people of New York City.
    4/28/20-American heroes. The Javitz Convention Center, reconfigured to a...
  • 3/31/20-New York, New York City. Thank you to all the truck drivers who continue to deliver our food, or in this case beer.
    3/31/20-New York, New York City. Thank you to all the truck drivers who...
  • 5/3/20-New York, New York City in the time of Coronavirus. <br />
“The weather was so nice they decided to dress springy for our essential run to Target,” mom told me when I commented how nicely dressed up her children looked and wondered if they were going somewhere special. Dressing up seems a thing of the past during these home-based days with fashion more likely lends itself to sweat pants.  <br />
“They’re being homeschooled for the rest of the year and not loving it, they miss their peers. Our shopping runs feel like a special occasion.” Of course I had to ask about the green hair, a pandemic lock down look? “No he did it for it the holidays, it was supposed to be blue!” A cool mom for sure but it’s the obvious love and closeness she cultivated between this bother and sister that became most apparent when I asked to photograph them. “I do try to raise them with a closeness and I’m glad they are growing well together.” Well done. Happy mothers day to you and your family!
    5/3/20-New York, New York City in the time of Coronavirus. “The...
  • 4/22/20-New York City, in the time of Coronavirus. Excuse me, are you walking those dogs or are they walking you? People seem so surprised when I actually say hello to them. Just because we’re wearing face masks doesn’t mean we can’t be friendly anymore, albeit from a safe distance. Show some love to those you encounter. We’re all in this together. It’s a shitty time and we can’t all be cuddling cute animals right now.
    4/22/20-New York City, in the time of Coronavirus. Excuse me, are you...
  • New York, New York City, during the time of the Coronavirus. Girl waiting to pick up her food order at Shake Shack, now open only for pick up and delivery.
    New York, New York City, during the time of the Coronavirus. Girl...
  • New York, New York City. Effects of the corona virus pandemic. 3/21/20- Social distancing is implemented in New York City but on this glorious Saturday Central Park filled with people getting air and excercise. And an obviously improvised wedding, with a socally distanced priest, a small smattering of friends and champagne. Love in the time of corona virus, as life strives for some kind of new normacly.
    New York, New York City. Effects of the corona virus pandemic. 3/21/20-...
  • 4/1/20-  New York, New York City. The relief organization Samaritan’s Purse has set up a  68 bed tented field hospital in Central Park, in front of Mt. Sinai Hospital, to provide respiratory care to coronavirus patients. The first patients were admitted today. Police keep watch over the facility as they enforce social distancing among the public. Nearly 1500 NY police officers have tested postive for the virus. Police officer Oliver Matos.
    4/1/20- New York, New York City. The relief organization Samaritan’s...
  • 4/1/20-  New York, New York City. The relief organization Samaritan’s Purse has set up a  68 bed tented field hospital in Central Park, in front of Mt. Sinai Hospital, to provide respiratory care to coronavirus patients. The first patients were admitted today. Police keep watch over the facility as they enforce social distancing among the public. Nearly 1500 NY police officers have tested postive for the virus. Detective David Ross.
    4/1/20- New York, New York City. The relief organization Samaritan’s...
  • 4/1/20-  New York, New York City. The relief organization Samaritan’s Purse has set up a  68 bed tented field hospital in Central Park, in front of Mt. Sinai Hospital, to provide respiratory care to coronavirus patients. The first patients were admitted today. Police keep watch over the facility as they enforce social distancing among the public. Nearly 1500 NY police officers have tested postive for the virus. Police officer Joseph Harnett.
    4/1/20- New York, New York City. The relief organization Samaritan’s...
  • 4/1/20-  New York, New York City. The relief organization Samaritan’s Purse has set up a  68 bed tented field hospital in Central Park, in front of Mt. Sinai Hospital, to provide respiratory care to coronavirus patients. The first patients were admitted today. Police keep watch over the facility as they enforce social distancing among the public. Nearly 1500 NY police officers have tested postive for the virus. Police officers David Ross, Joseph Harnett, Oliver Matos.
    4/1/20- New York, New York City. The relief organization Samaritan’s...
  • 4/10/20-New York, New York City, during the time of Coronavirus. The doormen in New York City are considered to be essential workers and suit up for the job to protect against the COVID virus. They continue to intercept food deliveries, packages, and keep the buildings safe.
    4/10/20-New York, New York City, during the time of Coronavirus. The...
  • New York, New York City, during the time of Coronavirus. This is Dr. Maria. She is an anesthesiologist. Since the pandemic she, like so many others in her field, has risen to new challenges and training and she spends her days intubating the most crucial of patients affected by the Coronavirus. She has just come off three straight shifts. The first thing she said to me as I approached her from a safe social distance is “Thank you for wearing a mask, it’s so important. I am literally swimming in the corona virus all day where I’m a medical worker at Mt. Sinai.” She has been working so hard for all these weeks that this was her first chance to actually sit and talk with a friend, “I had to get out and zoom my family, it’s Easter!” It was also her first opportunity to hear the 7:00 resounding cheers of thanks circulating throughout the city for all the healthcare workers The tears of appreciation of Dr. Maria’s eyes spoke volumes. The spirit and dedication of our medical workers as they overcome surmounting exhaustion in the face of this long haul is remarkable.
    New York, New York City, during the time of Coronavirus. This is Dr....
  • 4/23/20-New York, New York City, in the time of Coronavirus. A local pharmacy in Hell’s Kitchen is now a walk up pharmacy. A table blocks the doorway and no one is allowed inside with six feet social distancing markers for those waiting on the sidewalk. Different and creative ways small essential businesses are handling the pandemic situation while keeping employees and customers safe.
    4/23/20-New York, New York City, in the time of Coronavirus. A local...
  • New York, New York City, 3/30/20. The USNS Comfort, a Mercy-class hospital ship, docks at Pier 90. The 1000 beds and 12 operating rooms will be used for non-coronavirus patients to alleviate overworked hospitals due to COVID-19. The Navy are here accompanying the ship.
    New York, New York City, 3/30/20. The USNS Comfort, a Mercy-class...
  • 5/3/20-New York, New York City in the time of Coronavirus. This little guy has been living sheltered in place and now out with his mother and aunt, is anxious to get to the park on this gorgeous spring day.
    5/3/20-New York, New York City in the time of Coronavirus. This little...
  • 5/4/20-I was struck by the sweetness of this family sitting at Riverside Park, lined up tightly ensconced in their protective facemasks, enjoying the gorgeous setting of the sun. On a nice day in New York City, when more than a few people finally emerge from their elongated isolation, it’s remarkable to witness a whole city wearing facemasks. I’m still in the beginning stages of finding the phenomena strange. I imagine within time, as the city begins to slowly open up from its long deep sleep, the look will seem more commonplace. We hope so anyway. The funny thing about New Yorkers, I felt like we were always wearing masks before anyway, we just couldn't see them. Now the masks almost seem like a common bond, a statement, I care about you and your loved ones. We are all in this together. <br />
<br />
It turns out the Khan’s are doctors. She works at the children’s hospital in Washington, DC. He’s a resident doctor at Yale. So even though they were married three months ago Tayyba and Sameer are forced to live apart right now. They’re visiting their extended Pakistani family and had brought their two gorgeous nephews to the park. She told me their story just as the sun finished setting and then got up to leave. “And now if you’ll please excuse us, we need to go break our fast.” <br />
<br />
For those of us who missed family time during Easter and Passover, Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. In accordance with the Qur’an, during this time they fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of learning self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate. Thank you so much to the Khan’s for your service and sacrifices. I’m wishing you and Muslim’s everywhere a blessed Ramadan!
    5/4/20-I was struck by the sweetness of this family sitting at Riverside...
  • 5/4-20-I was struck by the sweetness of this family sitting at Riverside Park, lined up tightly ensconced in their protective facemasks, enjoying the gorgeous setting of the sun. On a nice day in New York City, when more than a few people finally emerge from their elongated isolation, it’s remarkable to witness a whole city wearing facemasks. I’m still in the beginning stages of finding the phenomena strange. I imagine within time, as the city begins to slowly open up from its long deep sleep, the look will seem more commonplace. We hope so anyway. The funny thing about New Yorkers, I felt like we were always wearing masks before anyway, we just couldn't see them. Now the masks almost seem like a common bond, a statement, I care about you and your loved ones. We are all in this together. <br />
<br />
It turns out the Khan’s are doctors. She works at the children’s hospital in Washington, DC. He’s a resident doctor at Yale. So even though they were married three months ago Tayyba and Sameer are forced to live apart right now. They’re visiting their extended Pakistani family and had brought their two gorgeous nephews to the park. She told me their story just as the sun finished setting and then got up to leave. “And now if you’ll please excuse us, we need to go break our fast.” <br />
<br />
For those of us who missed family time during Easter and Passover, Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. In accordance with the Qur’an, during this time they fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of learning self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate. Thank you so much to the Khan’s for your service and sacrifices. I’m wishing you and Muslim’s everywhere a blessed Ramadan!
    5/4-20-I was struck by the sweetness of this family sitting at Riverside...
  • 4/7/20-New York City, New York. Encouraging words to accompany the statue of Eleanor Roosevelt I photographed on the upper west side. “You can gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You’re able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’” She’s also wise to wear the recommended face scarf for protection during this time of coronavirus.
    4/7/20-New York City, New York. Encouraging words to accompany the...
  • I had to ask about the hazmat suit. This young woman came from China to New York to study at Columbia University for a year. The coronavirus pandemic first hit her home country and then in an ironic twist of fate she and her friend found themselves stuck here in the New York epicenter with no way to get back to China. She bought the hazmat suit on Amazon. “Does it make you feel safer?” I asked. “I don’t know,” she laughed, “ but it makes my family in China feel better.”
    I had to ask about the hazmat suit. This young woman came from China to...
  • I had to ask about the hazmat suit. This young woman came from China to New York to study at Columbia University for a year. The coronavirus pandemic first hit her home country and then in an ironic twist of fate she and her friend found themselves stuck here in the New York epicenter with no way to get back to China. She bought the hazmat suit on Amazon. “Does it make you feel safer?” I asked. “I don’t know,” she laughed, “ but it makes my family in China feel better.”
    I had to ask about the hazmat suit. This young woman came from China to...
  • New York, New York City. "This is not the wedding I planned at all!" laments the newly married bride in Central Park, after her wedding was cancelled due to the coronavirus. "But it was perfect."
    New York, New York City. "This is not the wedding I planned at all!"...
  • New York, New York City. New Yorkers are told to stay home during the corona virus, (COVID-19) so New York has become eerily empty. Grand Central Station at rush hour devoid of crowds.
    New York, New York City. New Yorkers are told to stay home during the...
  • New York, New York City. New Yorkers are told to stay home during the corona virus, (COVID-19) so New York has become eerily empty. The oculus, World Trade Center.
    New York, New York City. New Yorkers are told to stay home during the...
  • New York, New York City. New Yorkers are told to stay home during the corona virus, (COVID-19) so New York has become eerily empty. The Theatre District is devoid of people and its audience.
    New York, New York City. New Yorkers are told to stay home during the...
  • New York, New York City, during the time of Coronavirus. Flags in New York state fly at half staff to honor the thousands of lives lost to the Coronavirus.
    New York, New York City, during the time of Coronavirus. Flags in New...
  • New York City, New York, Coronavirus in New York. A statue of Fred Lebow, founder of the New York Marathon, wears a recommnded  facemask due to the Coronavirus. 4/8/20
    New York City, New York, Coronavirus in New York. A statue of Fred...
  • New York, New York City, during the time of the Coronavirus. Girl waiting to pick up her food order at Shake Shack, now open only for pick up and delivery.
    New York, New York City, during the time of the Coronavirus. Girl...
  • New York, New York City. Life in the time of Coronavirus. Super excited about the upcoming summer look. Face masks and face shields for sale.
    New York, New York City. Life in the time of Coronavirus. Super excited...
  • New York, New York City, 3/30/20. The USNS Comfort, a Mercy-class hospital ship, docks at Pier 90. The 1000 beds and 12 operating rooms will be used for non-coronavirus patients to alleviate overworked hospitals due to COVID-19.
    New York, New York City, 3/30/20. The USNS Comfort, a Mercy-class...
  • New York City, New York, Coronavirus in New York. All restaurants and businesses  considered non-essential have been shuttered and closed in New York City except for a few that continue delivery service. Thousands of workers have lost their jobs and it's anticipated many may not have the resources to reopen. 4/8/20
    New York City, New York, Coronavirus in New York. All restaurants and...
  • New York, New York City. New Yorkers are told to stay home during the corona virus, (COVID-19) so New York has become eerily empty. A man skateboards down 8th avenue,  a street  devoid of all cars and people in the Theatre District.
    New York, New York City. New Yorkers are told to stay home during the...
  • New York City, New York, Coronavirus in New York. All restaurants and businesses  considered non-essential have been shuttered and closed in New York City except for a few that continue delivery service. Thousands of workers have lost their jobs and it's anticipated many may not have the resources to reopen. 4/8/20
    New York City, New York, Coronavirus in New York. All restaurants and...
  • New York, New York City, during the time of the Coronavirus. Healthcare workers ride city bikes to work. It's wonderful to finally see  a smile on their faces.
    New York, New York City, during the time of the Coronavirus. Healthcare...
  • New York City, New York, Coronavirus in New York. All restaurants and businesses  considered non-essential have been shuttered and closed in New York City except for a few that continue delivery service. Thousands of workers have lost their jobs and it's anticipated many may not have the resources to reopen. 4/8/20
    New York City, New York, Coronavirus in New York. All restaurants and...
  • New York, New York City. 4/1/20- Shopping at CVS pharmacy, protecting customers and employees during the time of coronavirus.
    New York, New York City. 4/1/20- Shopping at CVS pharmacy, protecting...
  • New York, New York City in the time of Coronavirus. In a city so densely populated face masks are the new required look.
    New York, New York City in the time of Coronavirus. In a city so densely...
  • New York, New York City. New Yorkers are told to stay home during the corona virus, (COVID-19) so New York has become eerily empty.  Times Square is devoid of its usual crowds. "Thank you to our healthcare workers" sign.
    New York, New York City. New Yorkers are told to stay home during the...
  • New York, New York City in the time of Coronavirus. Buying booze has a whole new look. Liquor stores in New York City are still considered essential businesses; and for their numerous appreciative imbibing customers it’s a necessary salve for pandemic lockdown. As the local shops are usually cozy under the best of times strict guidelines have been set in place: waiting in lines six feet apart, insisting no more than three customers at a time inside, wearing face masks, no cash and credit cards only. And if that sounds like too much work for a bottle of vino then there’s always delivery.
    New York, New York City in the time of Coronavirus. Buying booze has a...
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