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Last week, I started a project at the @DeseretNews called "People of the Pandemic." Through brief vignettes, it shows how folks are living in the world's new normal. I'll be welding new editions to this thread, starting with an intro from @DWilksnews https://www.deseret.com/2020/4/18/21223974/coronavirus-covide-19-indiana-newsroom-deseret-news-pandemic-deaths-people
First up: Lynne Hewett, an ER nurse who rushed from her Southern Utah home to the front lines of NYC.
... when New York became the pandemic’s American epicenter, she turned to her husband.
“You’ve got to do it,” he told her. https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/15/21221249/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-new-york-city-covid-19-utah-nurse-emergency-room
... when New York became the pandemic’s American epicenter, she turned to her husband.
“You’ve got to do it,” he told her. https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/15/21221249/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-new-york-city-covid-19-utah-nurse-emergency-room
Next: Ellie Mae the clown.
"Ellie Mae wipes the makeup off her face, careful to scrub away every trace of red, white and orange. ... She’s Elinor Blankenship again.
Elinor folds her animal-balloon dress and puts away her wig until who knows when." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/16/21221251/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-covid-19-utah-lockdown-isolation-profiles-clown-birthday
"Ellie Mae wipes the makeup off her face, careful to scrub away every trace of red, white and orange. ... She’s Elinor Blankenship again.
Elinor folds her animal-balloon dress and puts away her wig until who knows when." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/16/21221251/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-covid-19-utah-lockdown-isolation-profiles-clown-birthday
Lastly for today's opening: Thelma Jackson, a custodian at a Florida pediatric hospital.
"Thelma Jackson covers her mouth and nose with a mask, then shields her face with a visor. But underneath it all, she still smiles as she walks into work." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/19/21224343/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-covid-19-utah-distancing-lockdown-profile-hospital-custodian
"Thelma Jackson covers her mouth and nose with a mask, then shields her face with a visor. But underneath it all, she still smiles as she walks into work." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/19/21224343/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-covid-19-utah-distancing-lockdown-profile-hospital-custodian
Today's story: David Ball, a @BYU_Mens_Tennis senior who must decide whether to come back for another season or move on to a job as planned.
"Ball will wonder if he should put one life on hold for another, while he’s stuck at home like everybody else." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/20/21225697/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-covid-19-ncaa-sports-byu-cougars-tennis-senior-david-ball
"Ball will wonder if he should put one life on hold for another, while he’s stuck at home like everybody else." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/20/21225697/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-covid-19-ncaa-sports-byu-cougars-tennis-senior-david-ball
Today's story: @lefse911, a retired circus clown who's cooking for his neighbors and delighting journalists with his news-inspired poetry.
“Life couldn’t get better,” he tells the reporter. “How can it get any better?" https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/21/21229629/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-utah-social-isolation-covid-19-new-york-times-limerick
“Life couldn’t get better,” he tells the reporter. “How can it get any better?" https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/21/21229629/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-utah-social-isolation-covid-19-new-york-times-limerick
Today's story: Eli Loomis, director of Boulder Outdoor Survival School.
“Am I the person who is calmly asking questions of the experts and accepting the uncertainty when they don’t have details to offer?” he wondered. “Or am I the person freaking out?” https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/22/21231198/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-boulder-outdoor-survival-school-boss-southern-utah-virus
“Am I the person who is calmly asking questions of the experts and accepting the uncertainty when they don’t have details to offer?” he wondered. “Or am I the person freaking out?” https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/22/21231198/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-boulder-outdoor-survival-school-boss-southern-utah-virus
Today's story: Bishop Chris Stokes, pastor of New Beginning Christian Worship Center in Micanopy, FL.
“I think one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make as a pastor,” he says, “is what to do about this.” https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/23/21232867/people-of-the-pandemic-pastor-coronavirus-religion-drive-in-services-faith-covid-19-florida
“I think one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make as a pastor,” he says, “is what to do about this.” https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/23/21232867/people-of-the-pandemic-pastor-coronavirus-religion-drive-in-services-faith-covid-19-florida
Yesterday's story: @Cleavon_MD, an ER doctor working in NYC.
“It just creeps up on you,” he says. “I’m a strong person, but it’s very insidious how the emotional toll creeps up on you.” https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/26/21234767/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-covid-doctor-hospital-emergency-room-new-york-deaths
“It just creeps up on you,” he says. “I’m a strong person, but it’s very insidious how the emotional toll creeps up on you.” https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/26/21234767/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-covid-doctor-hospital-emergency-room-new-york-deaths
Today's story: 4-year-old Aydan, who wanted to celebrate his birthday at Chuck E. Cheese but settled for an interesting substitute.
“Happy birthday to me?” asks Aydan. “They’re saying happy birthday to me?” https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/27/21238539/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-florida-covid-19-birthday-child-boy-family-children
“Happy birthday to me?” asks Aydan. “They’re saying happy birthday to me?” https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/27/21238539/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-florida-covid-19-birthday-child-boy-family-children
Today's story: Spoke with @Nnemkadi30 and @Chiney321 about their little sister @Ogwumi13's recent selection in the @WNBA draft.
"For at least this moment, they can look forward to the future and offer a toast to what’s next. It’s what families do." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/28/21238541/people-of-the-pandemic-wnba-draft-nneka-chiney-ogwumike-sisters-quarantine-coronavirus
"For at least this moment, they can look forward to the future and offer a toast to what’s next. It’s what families do." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/28/21238541/people-of-the-pandemic-wnba-draft-nneka-chiney-ogwumike-sisters-quarantine-coronavirus
Today's story: Sandro Sanchez, an LA garbage truck driver, discusses a largely forgotten front line.
"Trash truck drivers had access to N-95 masks well before the pandemic. 'But when this happened,' he says, 'they ran out real quick.'" https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/29/21238542/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-california-covid-19-trash-collector-front-line-workers
"Trash truck drivers had access to N-95 masks well before the pandemic. 'But when this happened,' he says, 'they ran out real quick.'" https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/29/21238542/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-california-covid-19-trash-collector-front-line-workers
Today's story: @petersagal, host of @NPR's @waitwait, on maintaining laughter amid suffering.
“We’re not really gonna talk about that," he says of NYC's death toll. "But we can certainly talk about the question of whether Andrew Cuomo has nipple rings.” https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/30/21238543/people-of-the-pandemic-peter-sagal-npr-wait-wait-dont-tell-me-coronavirus
“We’re not really gonna talk about that," he says of NYC's death toll. "But we can certainly talk about the question of whether Andrew Cuomo has nipple rings.” https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/4/30/21238543/people-of-the-pandemic-peter-sagal-npr-wait-wait-dont-tell-me-coronavirus
Today's story: Rob Duncan and Elizabeth Neilson, a newlywed couple.
"They were supposed to be in Oregon... Instead, they zip up I-15 from Salt Lake City to Farmington for a 10:30 a.m. appointment at the Davis County courthouse.
Just the two of them." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/3/21244749/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-covid-19-wedding-relationships-elope-climbing-mesquite
"They were supposed to be in Oregon... Instead, they zip up I-15 from Salt Lake City to Farmington for a 10:30 a.m. appointment at the Davis County courthouse.
Just the two of them." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/3/21244749/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-covid-19-wedding-relationships-elope-climbing-mesquite
Yesterday's story: comedian Larry the Cable Guy.
“Do I sit around and think about it? No, not at all,” he says. “I’ve gotta live my life. I’m not gonna walk around depressed all day long.” https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/4/21247220/dan-whitney-larry-the-cable-guy-coronaviurs-pandemic-covid-19-comedian-comedy
“Do I sit around and think about it? No, not at all,” he says. “I’ve gotta live my life. I’m not gonna walk around depressed all day long.” https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/4/21247220/dan-whitney-larry-the-cable-guy-coronaviurs-pandemic-covid-19-comedian-comedy
Today's story: Sunyin Macri, owner of SLC's Jackalope Lounge
".. she’ll keep an eye on the all-too-uncertain future. As she has since she first closed, when she first felt the anxiety of preserving a beloved past in a future that may not be interested." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/5/21247226/pandemic-coronavirus-utah-covid-19-lockdown-jackalope-lounge-bar-salt-lake-city
".. she’ll keep an eye on the all-too-uncertain future. As she has since she first closed, when she first felt the anxiety of preserving a beloved past in a future that may not be interested." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/5/21247226/pandemic-coronavirus-utah-covid-19-lockdown-jackalope-lounge-bar-salt-lake-city
Today's story: @jared_misner on memorializing his best friend.
"The end of their story has arrived, and he must write it. He must tell the world who Alison Schwartz was, and why his world will forever be worse without her." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/6/21247228/people-of-the-pandemic-covid-19-coronavirus-alison-schwartz-jared-misner-obituary
"The end of their story has arrived, and he must write it. He must tell the world who Alison Schwartz was, and why his world will forever be worse without her." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/6/21247228/people-of-the-pandemic-covid-19-coronavirus-alison-schwartz-jared-misner-obituary
Friday's story: Alex Ramos, a local defense attorney, on the pressure to get his clients out of COVID-19's way:
"'On the outside, we have control,' he says. 'In there, you’re just hoping it doesn’t come.' So he tries to get them out, as many as he can." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/7/21247224/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-utah-lawyer-defense-attorney-covid-19-jail-gobert
"'On the outside, we have control,' he says. 'In there, you’re just hoping it doesn’t come.' So he tries to get them out, as many as he can." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/7/21247224/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-utah-lawyer-defense-attorney-covid-19-jail-gobert
Today's story: @BryceCanyonNPS ranger Peter Densmore shares the park with the world with visitors kept away:
"The pandemic presented a dilemma: how to show off the park without *showing off.*" https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/10/21252535/bryce-canyon-national-park-ranger-pandemic-coronavirus-online-red-rocks
"The pandemic presented a dilemma: how to show off the park without *showing off.*" https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/10/21252535/bryce-canyon-national-park-ranger-pandemic-coronavirus-online-red-rocks
Yesterday's story: Scott Thomas, a Salt Lake local who woke up cuffed to a hospital bed, intubated, and afraid.
"The last thing he remembers was a home visit from a nurse who found his blood-oxygen level was plummeting — a marker of the disease." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/11/21254909/pandemic-covid-coronavirus-ventilator-icu-hospital-oxygen-pain-lungs
"The last thing he remembers was a home visit from a nurse who found his blood-oxygen level was plummeting — a marker of the disease." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/11/21254909/pandemic-covid-coronavirus-ventilator-icu-hospital-oxygen-pain-lungs
Today's story: @TheRuralDtor on preparing for COVID'19's arrival in rural Cameroon.
"When the pandemic arrived, government officials limited the number of passengers. But now ... the rules have relaxed. The doctor, however, has not." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/12/21254915/pandemic-coronavirus-covid-19-africa-cameroon-doctor-health-mask-government-trust
"When the pandemic arrived, government officials limited the number of passengers. But now ... the rules have relaxed. The doctor, however, has not." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/12/21254915/pandemic-coronavirus-covid-19-africa-cameroon-doctor-health-mask-government-trust
Today's story: @DWUhlfelderLaw, the grim reaper of the Florida panhandle (and soon, beyond).
"Cloaked in black, wielding a plastic scythe, he is here in protest, a walking reproach of their mask-free behavior, a reminder of impending doom." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/13/21254917/pandemic-grim-reaper-death-saturday-night-live-weekend-update-covid-19-coronavirus-florida
"Cloaked in black, wielding a plastic scythe, he is here in protest, a walking reproach of their mask-free behavior, a reminder of impending doom." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/13/21254917/pandemic-grim-reaper-death-saturday-night-live-weekend-update-covid-19-coronavirus-florida
I'm very bad at Twitter and haven't updated this thread in a week. So, prepare for a week's worth of pandemic vignettes
From last Friday: @slcmayor faces a pandemic and a large earthquake less than 100 days into her tenure.
"Resigned, she finds herself confronting the emotions rippling across her city. Is the world ending? A 'forced centering,' she calls it." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/14/21254919/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-utah-salt-lake-city-mayor-erin-mendenhall-earthquake
"Resigned, she finds herself confronting the emotions rippling across her city. Is the world ending? A 'forced centering,' she calls it." https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/14/21254919/people-of-the-pandemic-coronavirus-utah-salt-lake-city-mayor-erin-mendenhall-earthquake
From Monday: A man in the Brazilian Amazon helps others while not knowing whether he'll be able to help himself.
“The disease,” he says, “is trying to get real close to me.” https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/17/21254920/people-of-the-pandemic-covid-brazil-amazon-manaus-helping-neighbors-in-need-economy
“The disease,” he says, “is trying to get real close to me.” https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/17/21254920/people-of-the-pandemic-covid-brazil-amazon-manaus-helping-neighbors-in-need-economy
