Coping with COVID-19

Spring 2020

Throughout April and May 2020, students in the spring Advanced Visual Journalism class set out to document how members in the Northwest region of Washington were coping with social distancing mandates stemming from the coronavirus. They explored the impact the pandemic had on education, business, families and community.

While people around the globe endured countless challenges during these times, the students behind these projects also faced their own challenges of adjusting to the “new norms” of life while continuing their educational commitments remotely. Similarly, as visual journalists they are accustomed to working in close proximity with their subjects and rose to the challenge of documenting personal stories – from a distance.

Community

With identity as the core focus, several visual journalism students shed light on how people are coping with the pandemic. Some create, some pray, some cook, some bike — we grasp these things for comfort and certainty, however we can, no matter how challenging the circumstances become, because one thing remains steadfast: humans persevere.

Religion

The Pulse That Goes On

Stream the podcast about how faith and fellowship endure when gathering is forbidden. Browse the photo collection of spiritual leaders and followers at home and places of worship in Bellingham, Washington.

Podcast by Brooke Wilson

Mountain Biking

Pedaling Community

Watch to see what mountain biking means to individuals and why it shapes communities. Social distancing has changed the operations of Galbraith Mountain in Bellingham, Washington and the repercussions go far beyond its trails.

Video by Alex Moreno

The Arts

Creatives Cope With COVID-19

Two multimedia pieces that focus on the ways in which artists are coping with the worldwide pandemic, from live shows to social media outreach. And of course, the most important action: never stop creating.

Videos by Jaya Flanary

EDUCATION

Schools Closed, Computers Open

Four families discuss their experiences with distance learning during the pandemic

By Ella Banken, Alix Condit, Zack Jimenez, Allyson Roberts and Molly Todd

The Marks Family

The Acevedo Family

The Brennan Family

The Epps Family

FAMILY

Kristin Page and her baby Fern play in their backyard that is filled with herbs, chickens, and vegetables. Photo by Emily Porter

Residents of 1515 Franklin St gather on their front porch with friends. Hanging out at a distance has been important in keeping sane during quarantine.

Western Washington Professor, Cameron Whitley and his wife Melanie, raise a newborn baby in the midst of the coronavirus. They both agreed they are making the most of the stay at home order because it enables them to spend more time with Oliver Thomas. Photo by Emily Porter

Brielle Feltaous and her daughters Qahira (right) and Naima (left) struggle to find joy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Feltaous spends all of her time keeping her daughters preoccupied while she hopes she can go back to work and school to make enough money for her family. Photo by Emily Porter

Virginia Crothers is a retired woman with two cats. She is currently in the process of renovating the outside of her house now that she has finished the interior. She said this has been the best time for her to spend more time at home and work on project she would otherwise not have done. Photo by Emily Porter

By Micah Evangelista, Hannah Gordon-Kirk, Isabel Lay and Emily Porter

Business

Live Music Venues Fight for Survival

By Giovanni Andrew Roverso

Most venues will have been shut down for more than three months by the time live shows can start up again. But even then, it will be much longer before things return to some kind of normalcy.

Local stakeholders paint a picture of the Bellingham live music industry at the peak of the pandemic.

Six-Part Series

The Intimacy Project

By Megan Sokol

THREE WOMEN SHARE THEIR PANDEMIC EXPERIENCE.

This video explores the financial and social implications that have affected three sex workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Overhaul

By Cody Clark

Automotive shops in Bellingham fulfilled a unique role during the 2020 coronavirus outbreak. They were one of the few businesses allowed to remain open to serve customers. In this short film, two shop owners explain their approach to serving customers and staying afloat during an unprecedented historical event.