Coronavirus: Life During The Covid-19 Pandemic

The story of the Covid-19 pandemic can be broken down into two parts; An Uncertain Reality where work and school has either stopped or moved online, busy streets are empty and governments move to prevent the spread of the disease. Part two, Not Alone: Giving Back in The Era of Covid-19 shows the moments of good during the global health crisis.

An Uncertain Reality

From the creation of terms like “distance learning” and “social distancing” to widespread use of face masks and canceled events; the Covid-19 pandemic has created a new way of life.

Quiet Friday Night (3/3)

East Michigan Avenue in Kalamazoo, Mich. lays quiet a week after the State of Michigan implemented a temporary closure of in-store service at bars and restaurants, March 21, 2020

Quiet Friday Night (1/3)

South Kalamazoo Mall in Kalamazoo, Mich. lays quiet a week after the State of Michigan implemented a temporary closure of in-store service at bars and restaurants, March 21, 2020

Quiet Friday Night (2/3)

East South Street in Kalamazoo, Mich. lays quiet a week after the State of Michigan implemented a temporary closure of in-store service at bars and restaurants, March 21, 2020

Moving Out

Western Michigan University Freshman AJ Holder takes a final look at her residence hall room after the university moved to close on-campus residence halls as classes moved to online “distance learned” to combat the spread of the coronavirus, March 21, 2020.

"This is Fine."

Western Michigan University Freshman AJ Holder packs up her residence hall room under a drawing of This is Fine Dog on the wall, March 21, 2020.

Holland Without a Tulip Time

A mother walks with her daughter in a traditional dutch costume in Holland, Mich. May 2, 2020. This would have been the first day of Tulip Time 2020. The dutch festival cancelled its 91st year after following the guidance of local, state and federal officials to aimed to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

"A Tulip Time for us"

Holland Mich. residents take advantage of lower tourist traffic to take pictures of children in traditional dutch costumes among the tulips in Centennial Park, May 2, 2020.

Cycling Through the Tulips

A cyclist wearing a cloth mask bikes through Centennial Park, Holland, MI, May 2, 2020.

A New Necessity: the face mask

Holland, Mich. residents walk pass tulips with cloth masks close by after the CDC began its recommendation in April for the use of cloth face coverings, May 2, 2020.

A man with a bandanna rests on a park bench, Holland, Mich. May 2, 2020.

Masked and unmasked Holland, Mich. residents enjoy the tulip patches in downtown, May 2, 2020.

A man sits in the grass while two women in face masks view the tulips in Holland, Michigan’s Centennial Park, May 2, 2020.

Memorial Day 2020

Memorial Day marks a day of remembrance of the sacrifice made by U.S. armed forces on the line duty and is considered the unofficial start of summer. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the latter has a new feeling as communities along the Michigan lakeshore venture out to enjoy the start of the season.

The Grand Seafood & Oyster Bar in Grand Haven, Michigan marks the holiday with “Land of the free because of the brave” on its marquee, May 25, 2020.

A wreath is laid at the Eternal Flame, a war memorial in Grand Haven, Michigan on Memorial Day, May 25, 2020.

People stand in front of Pronto Pups, a popular corn dog stand in Grand Haven, Michigan, May 25, 2020.

A line begins to form in front of Pronto Pups in Grand Haven, Michigan on Memorial Day, May 25, 2020.

Grand Haven, Michigan residents and visitors maintain social distance while waiting in front of Pronto Pups, May 25, 2020.

Crowded Boardwalks

People crowd along the Grand Haven channel on the way to the beach during Memorial Day, the unofficial start of the summer season, May 25, 2020.

People gather on the beach of Grand Haven State Park a few days after the beach was opened by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Orange fencing can still be seen in the background, May 25, 2020.

People line up and sit in the outdoor seating section of Captain Custard in Grand Haven, Michigan, May 25, 2020.

Not Alone: Giving Back in the Era of Covid-19

Communities rally together across Michigan and the world to support one another through food banks, flyovers for front-line workers and other acts of kindness and good.

Honoring Those on The Front-lines

Michigan National Guard A-10 jets fly over Battle Creek, Michigan to honor front-line workers, May 12, 2020.

Guiding Light

A volunteer guides a driver to the drive-thru food bank set up by West Ottawa School District’s Transportation and Food Service departments, Holland, Mich. May 18, 2020.

A volunteer guides a driver through one of multiple drive-thru food banks set up by West Ottawa School District’s Transportation and Food Service departments, Holland, Mich. May 18, 2020.

Open Arms

A volunteer tells a driver to move forward as bags of food donations sit ready a drive-thru food bank, Holland, Mich. May 18, 2020.

A volunteer waves a driver through a drive-thru food bank line. West Ottawa School District mobile food banks have been operating three times a week in multiple teams across Holland, Michigan. May 18, 2020.

A Helping Hand

A volunteer hands a driver food at a drive-thru food bank set up by West Ottawa School District’s Transportation and Food Service departments, Holland, Mich. May 18, 2020.