Individually assigned PPE, including face masks and goggles, hang from hallway walls in the COVID-19 wing at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois.
Scott Yates ’07
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losed campuses and makeshift medical units. Vacant stores and streets and beaches. As the novel coronavirus COVID-19 spread across the globe earlier this year, it prompted dramatic changes in wide-ranging landscapes. Once-empty spaces that were now full. Once-full spaces that were suddenly empty. While this worldwide pandemic has virtually halted 21st-century life as we know it, a number of UNH alumni photographers have joined other essential workers whose service remains unflaggingly public to document these altered vistas. From the United Kingdom to the United States, from Maine to Washington, D.C., to Florida, their images will serve to chronicle this pivotal moment in history for years to come.
Individually assigned PPE, including face masks and goggles, hang from hallway walls in the COVID-19 wing at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois.
Scott Yates ’07
ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS: Sandra Martell, public health administrator of the Winnebago County Health Department, and Becky Rydell, a Winnebago public health nurse, demonstrate how to screen visitors for fever.
Scott Yates ’07
Reporters use boom poles with microphones to maintain at least six feet of distance from Dr. James Cole, trauma medical director for Rockford’s SwedishAmerican Hospital, speaking in advance of a COVID-19 preparedness drill on March 26, 2020.
Scott Yates ’07
Registered nurse Jenny Koritz dons personal protective equipment (PPE) including a powered air-purifying respirator before entering the room of a COVID-19 positive patient at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford on April 29.
Scott Yates ’07
OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center registered nurse Becky Hague assesses a patient with COVID-19 in the critical care unit.
Scott Yates ’07
Nicole Healey, a hairstylist and owner of the sewing company Green Love, uses time she can’t spend styling hair to sew masks at the Rockford-based Gather, Engage, Make store.
Scott Yates ’07
Signs on the doors announce show cancellations and the marquee says “Be well. Be safe. Be hopeful” at Rockford’s Coronado Performing Arts Center.
Scott Yates ’07
Members of Rockford’s Unitarian Universalist Church conduct weekend services via livestream video.
Scott Yates ’07
Rockford Lutheran School seniors gathered in their cars on Friday, April 17, 2020, to commemorate their high school graduation. Rockford Lutheran lit its stadium for 20 minutes to honor the class of 2020, and students drove their decorated cars around the football field.
Scott Yates ’07
Rockford’s Carlson Elementary School playground was one of the many public spaces closed in response to health concerns surrounding the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
Scott Yates ’07
LONDON, U.K.: The Mall is London’s famous “royal road,” leading from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace. While it’s closed to traffic on Sundays, public holidays and ceremonial occasions, it’s still eerie to see it this empty.
Caryn Crotty Eldridge ’93
Picadilly Circus is a major road junction in London’s West End, normally crowded and bustling. As I walked around, I naturally stopped at intersections where I am used to having to wait for crossing signals, only to see no vehicles of any kind, leaving me feeling foolish.
Caryn Crotty Eldridge ’93
A trio poses for a shot along Carnaby Street, a pedestrian-only shopping street in London’s Soho area. It’s home to fashion and lifestyle retailers — and normally considerably more crowded.
Caryn Crotty Eldridge ’93
A lone biker headed north on Trafalgar Square. Big Ben, in the distance, is surrounded by scaffolding. The iconic clock tower has been covered up for renovations since 2017; COVID-19 notwithstanding, repairs are on track to finish in 2021.
Caryn Crotty Eldridge ’93
I had to wait a few minutes for a bus on Regent Street, so I could include it in the photo, but the whole time I was there I saw maybe four cars. I stood in the road to take a few of the shots, something I have never been able to do.
Caryn Crotty Eldridge ’93
ELIOT, MAINE: Maine State Representative Michele Meyer, of District 1, sanitizes a bag of face masks and gloves for people waiting to pick them up in the parking lot of the Eliot, Maine, Town Hall in April 2020. Meyer created the “Eliot Strong” Facebook page for residents to help each other, grassroots style, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Masks made by volunteers were free, though residents were welcome to provide donations to support a local food pantry.
Ralph Morang ’72
ELIOT, MAINE: Ralph Morang ’72 and his wife, Susan Morse, of Berwick, Maine, model their newly made face masks for a trip to the grocery store in April 2020.
Ralph Morang ’72
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: Royal Palm Way is one of the prettiest welcomes to a community I have ever experienced. Very iconic. It’s a straight shot to the Atlantic and a complete pressure drop. Just as you come over the bridge to the island, majestic palm trees invite visitors straight to the beautiful sea. Right now, that gateway stands for “NO,” communicating to visitors that all beaches are closed and a strict curfew is in place.
Susan Currie ’88
It is beyond depressing to see our magnificent beaches assume the look of a crime scene. I was struck, especially, by the imagery of a cross in this “beach” scene.
Susan Currie ’88
Orchids and caution. Social distancing reminders posted on palm trees along Worth Avenue.
Susan Currie ’88
This time of year, Worth Avenue would typically be full of vibrancy. Now, the shops and benches and cafes remain idle. Leave it to Tiffany & Co. to bring some swank to their closed sign with their signature robin’s egg blue duct tape.
Susan Currie ’88
Closed. Please come again. One can only hope…
Susan Currie ’88
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Shoppers observe the six-foot distance rule — and then some — as they wait to enter a local grocery store.
Vinny Mwano ’15
“In times like this, I find it interesting that wearing a mask has become so welcomed in a society that looked down on people that wore any head coverings just about three months ago.”
Vinny Mwano ’15
A lot of runners end their runs at the Lincoln Memorial. Even in the midst of a pandemic, it was good to see somewhat of a normal scene at the memorial.
Vinny Mwano ’15
Ben’s Chili Bowl is a landmark restaurant in Washington, D.C. located at 1213 U Street. This restaurant was hit hard financially during COVID-19. I knocked on the door to ask if I could snap a picture as they were preparing food for take-out. It was great to see welcoming spirits within the restaurant in the midst of such a sad time.
Vinny Mwano ’15