The band (BAM!) got together virtually in April of 2020 to rerecord a song that we often play live together with new, topical lyrics. We wanted to send a message to people to #StayAtHome while this pandemic passes, but also to convey the joint sentiments that we are all in this together and we can all contribute something just by "doing nothing".
I turned 34 during the COVID crisis and was shocked to hear honks outside my house and find a parade of family and friends!! I live alone and my immediate family (parents and siblings) live in the States. I was expecting just a quick porch visit from some close friends, so I was shocked to find the lineup of cars and was so touched, I started to cry!
1. Photo of my son in his 'virtual' ballet class with Miss Kim, at Dance Extreme, London ON
2. Photo of my son in his 'Face Book Live' karate class, at Family Karate, London ON
Better than I was last week. I’ve gotten into fitness which is wild because I’m the laziest person I know. Also, I paint now which is again such an unexpected hobby to pick up for me.
Fantastic, actually. Our family has stayed busy during the pandemic. My job at Victoria Hospital has increased hours and shifts - now it is usually 4 days on, then 1 day off. My husband's business has managed to accept customers after initial consultation of self-isolation and work has progressed, although a little slower for this time of year. Our son is completing a sequel to his self-published novel from March 2019. These past 2 months have given us time to reflect, and resolve our own life aims. We have accepted the fact the coronavirus is here to stay and we all have to find ways to live with new restrictions. We are extremely satisfied with both Premier Ford and Prime Minister Trudeau - their actions have been steady and show 'true grit'.
Due to pandemic restrictions Trapdoor London Escape Rooms was required to temporarily close. Like many downtown businesses we boarded up the front of our building for security purposes. This created a large blank 'canvas' and we wanted to bring some colour & cheer to the streetscape. We noticed many Londoners were decorating their houses with messages of support and community spirit. We decided to manufacture wooden puzzle piece panels in our workshop and offer them (for free) to anyone interested in participating in a large mural project.
We posted on our social media sites and the response was fantastic! Over 180 puzzle pieces were created by artists, children, community members and groups. We kept the process 'contactless' by delivering the panel pieces to front porches and collecting the finished artwork one week later using the same method.
We provided little artistic guidance for the pieces but suggested participants consider something uplifting or to depict something important to them. The assembled mural therefore reflects many diverse ideas and themes. We also received notes of thanks indicating this project provided a welcome distraction to those in quarantine and helped to relieve some boredom.
The mural received local press coverage on CTV news and the London Free Press. Once we re-open we intend to display a number of the panel pieces inside our building.
I am managing. First months made 100 masks for
Friends Family Charity and nurses head scarves.
Talk a lot on phone to family and friends. Go walking in forest behind apartment building to relax. Feel
Very fortunate to live in this area as I lived in country
All my life until two years ago. I also meditate and
Watch very few news casts.
Photo 1. Hauling up groceries and laundry to my father, Bob Swartman, who lived at Chelsea Park Retirement Home
Photo 2. Meeting my father for a 2 m lunch at Oakland Cemetery
Photo 3. Photo of things I did to stay busy during lockdown. Picked up knitting after 30 years! Helping my father, mask making, sewing, knitting, bread making, painting, while binge watching Schitt's Creek.
I am doing well! I am always curious and looking for creative ways, as a single person to fend off boredom and isolation at home in between work shifts. I am 54 years old, I have my own house, I have a job I love and am so very grateful that I am essential and go in each day for all of my shifts and do the best job I can at the job I love and have loved for nearly 8 years.
Started before and finished during the current COVID-19 crisis, Dark Night, Nearly Dawn was directly inspired by and, influenced by the pandemic. The songs are sequenced to tell the story of one dealing with the experience. From the confusing desperation and fear at the beginning through to the acceptance and hesitant optimism we feel about changes to society because of it and, possibilities ahead.
