“The B.C. Covid-19 Collection: 2020 Six Word Art Stories created by voices of British Columbia, Canada”
A visual story album of how the “C word” has affected our lives in British Columbia. From photographs, artwork, graffiti, personal 6-word stories written from adult perspectives, 6-word news glimpses and community snapshots to document uncertain times.
It takes thoughtful effort, collaboration and imagination to create a project like this. We may have different lifestyles, beliefs and perspectives but we all have stories to tell.
Just like the feature photo story, “Finally time to take our time”, I ask that you please take a reflective moment to read each and every six word story of this project and discover the meaning behind each one.
This is what we saw through our Corona-coloured eyeglasses in our beautiful province of British Columbia, Canada.
Our album opens with Part 1: Six Word Stories with Photographs or Artwork written, created and submitted by adult volunteers of this project.
The feature photograph of this project (black & white photo of girl blowing dandelion puff ball) : “Finally time to take our time.” and the above six 6-word stories were written and photographed by Claudia Ho Lem.
“Peace in the garden; waiting, remembering.” Story & painting created by L.W.
“My eternal love for our elderly.” Story & photo by k.m.
“I just want to hug her.” Story & photo (of Carol’s mother) by Carol Carter.
“Celebrating from afar on joyous occasions.” (on missing the ability to celebrate in person with the whole family) Story & photo by Bruna Lazzano.
“Inner lives blossom. Lives are close.” Story & photo by Mia Logie.
“Good snatched away, hope will triumph.” Story & photo by Gerry O’day.
“Newfound respect for full time parents.” Story & photo by Jeff Winskell.
“Realizing you’re out of toilet paper.” Story & photo by Natalie McMillan.
“Sometimes cheerfulness shows in unexpected places.” Story & photo by Jenny Morgan.
“Retreat, Rethink, Resign, Reset, Rejuvenate, Reverie.” Story & photo by David Geary.
“Just happy to be getting out.” Story & photo by Steve Bush.
“Let the outdoor games begin!” “Done!” Story & photos by Victoria.
“No panic. We are here. Now.” Story & photo by Jim Derricott.
“Peace and freedom without Covid 19.” Story & photo by JB.
“Wife’s first haircut? Husband: guinea pig.” Story & photo by Dolores.
“This s**t has driven me to…” Story & artwork by P.B.”
“Covid pictures instead of rainbow pictures!” A mother’s perspective on the subject of her daughter’s recent drawings (depicting the corona virus). Story & artwork, Anonymous.
“Feel great when the body moves.” By Erina.
“Wishing to the star…seeing friends.” Ryo found the first star of the evening and immediately wished upon it to see his friends. Story & photo by Erina.
Above four 6-word stories written by Shaya Sy-Rantfors.
Above story & photo by Shaya Sy-Rantfors.
“No work – more time to garden.” Story and photo by Nancy.
“Utter satisfaction – growing my own food.” Story & photo by Jenny Morgan.
“Patience, Family, Challenging, Isolated, Strength, Community.” Story & photo by Michelle Kaltenegger.
“They painted the hearts upside down.” Story & photo by @captphilevans.
“Vision becomes reality – functional, natural art.” Story and table created by Kristen Buckley. Photo by A.B. (Yes, she made this table. It’s an old growth fir sourced from a timber furniture design business in Squamish, designed from a raw slab that started with bark and all! Legs sourced from Ontario and then the slab was sanded and finished with love.)
“A minefield of gratitude and resentment.” Story & photo by CSP.
“Mama. Yes. Mama. Yes. Mama. Yeeeeeeesssss.” Story & photo by Susan Little.
“Hugs overpowering uncertainty, fear and sadness. “ Story & photo by Judith Reyes Metcalfe.
“My loves, delicate balance, life continues.” Story & photo by Anna Parkes.
“Time erases memories. Memories erase time.” Story & photo by Susan Little.
“From chaos, freedom emerges, commute-free.” Story & photo by Susan Smith Alexander.
“Faith in God is believer’s shield.” Story by Agnes Dalisay. Photo by Sophia Stewart featuring her sister, Raquel Stewart.
“Quarantine yoga. It keeps me grounded.” Story by Christine B. Photo by C.B.
“Finding my sunshine inside and out.” Story by Mary Chang.
Next is Part 2 of our album (during PHASE 1): Photographs documenting what we’ve noticed around our community.
Next is Part 2 (continued) of our album (during PHASE 2): Photographs documenting what we’ve noticed in our community.
Photo by Natalie McMillan.
“Beauty, truth, humour, ugliness, nature, art.” Story & photo by M.C. (graffiti artist unknown)
Next is Part 2 (continued) of our album (during PHASE 3): Photographs documenting what we’ve noticed in our community.
Lastly, Part 3 of our Album: List of British Columbia and Lower Mainland Highlights During Pandemic, in 6 Word Points:
- Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau
- 36th Premier of BC, John Horgan
- Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia PHO
- Dr. Teresa Tam, Canada Chief PHO
- Adrian Dix, BC Minister of Health
- Nigel Howard, sign language hero
- First death Lynn Valley Care Home (March 9, 2020 first death in Canada)
- All British Columbia Public Schools Close (March 17)
- Community centres, libraries, non-essential services close (March/April)
- Spring camps, extra-curricular activities cancelled (March)
- Playgrounds, skateboard parks, ski mountains close (March)
- Some parks, trails, parking lots close (March)
- Beaches, most parks, trails remain open (March)
- Restaurants offer take away service only (March/April)
- Dental practices offer emergency dental only (March)
- Long hair due to salon closures
- Social distancing, hand washing, face masks (March)
- How Coronavirus took Lynn Valley article (Globe & Mail, March 21)
- Local distilleries make free hand sanitizer (March)
- Pots, pans, applause at 7pm nightly (for health care workers, March)
- “Growing up in Quarantineland” by Margaret Atwood (Globe & Mail, March 28)
- Bonnie Henry & Theresa Tam Art Mural (March)
- Free online education, fitness, mental health etc (March)
- Trudeau sends a message through Lego (April)
- Homeschooling begins online with public schools (mid-April)
- Parents f*cking hate trying to homeschool (ongoing)
- Parents appreciate teachers more than ever (ongoing)
- Dr. Bonnie Henry’s John Fluevog shoes (April)
- White Caps face-masks to save Aquarium (April)
- Government Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
- Income Tax filing deadline extended June 1
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) support
- Rent, mortgage, student loan financial support
- Restrictions ease Victoria Day May weekend
- Phase 1 ends May 18 Victoria Day (See Phase 1, BC’s Restart Plan)
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/phase-1
- We enter Phase 2 for Covid (ends June 23, See Phase 2, BC’s Restart Plan)
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/phase-2
- Cruise ships not welcome for summer (May)
- 6 people gatherings, still no travel
- North Shore Bowling closes for good (after 59 years! due to C-19, June)
- Several businesses re-open, others close permanently.
- Campgrounds set to reopen June 1
- Voluntary return to school June 1
- Parents fear making “voluntary” schooling decisions
- Part-time school, staggering start hours
- Elementary 50%, Secondary 20% – in class
- Playgrounds being to re-open June 1
- When will this f*cking pandemic end?
- Waiting on vaccine to be created.
- “Be kind, be calm, be safe.” (Dr. Bonnie Henry’s advice)
- Phase 3 to start in June (June 24, See Phase 3, BC’s Restart Plan)
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/phase-3
- Non-essential travel and film production resume
- Careful travel allowed within the province
- US Border non-essential travel remains closed
- Many hotels, accommodations, resorts resume operations
- Gatherings larger than 50 still banned
- Limit the people within your bubble
- Continue hand washing, social distancing, cleaning
- Glory holes recommended for safer sex (July, BC Centre for Disease Control)
- Face masks mandatory for Translink, BC Ferries (Aug 24)
- Schools set to re-open September 10
- Phase 4 Conditional on global availability of vaccine
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/phase-4
- Ferry passengers can’t remain in cars (during sailings on enclosed car decks, BC Ferries)
- Face masks recommended for safer sex (Sept, Dr. Theresa Tam)
- Cases surge. Dr. Henry tightens restrictions (for 2 week block Sat, Nov 7, 10pm to Mon, Nov 23 noon)
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-announces-new-covid-19-restrictions-for-metro-vancouver-health-regions-for-2-weeks-as-cases-surge-1.5793969 (announced Nov 7)
- Two-week lockdown extended, record high cases (extended to Dec 7)
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-brings-in-sweeping-new-measures-to-control-covid-19-including-mandatory-masks-1.5808617
- B.C. sets record-breaking 887 COVID-19 cases (for daily cases, Nov 26)
- Weddings, funerals, ceremonies maximum 10 people
- Face masks mandatory, indoor public places
- Mask enforcement (subject to $230 fine)
- Schools remain open, masks not mandatory
- No house guests, no play dates
- First shipments of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine (30,000 doses arrive Dec 13)
- First British Columbian vaccinated December 15, 2020
- Four vaccines approved by Health Canada (vaccine is free for all BC residents eligible to receive it)
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/plan?bcgovtm=20210311_GCPE_Vizeum_COVID___Google_Search_BCGOV_EN_BC__Text
- Learn about the Pfizer vaccine
- Learn about the Moderna vaccine
- Learn about the AstraZeneca/SII COVISHIELD (AZ/SII) vaccine
- Learn about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
- Four immunization phases for vaccine schedule
- Phase 1 (Dec-Feb) complete. (frontline health/remote Indigenous communities)
- Phase 2 (Feb-April) (born in 1941 or earlier, (Indigenous: First Nations, Métis and Inuit) peoples born in 1956
- Phase 3 (April-May) general population
- Phase 4 (May-June) general population
- One year since first BC death (March 9, 2021)
- Cases surge, Dr. Henry tightens restrictions (announced after spring break) Period: March 29- April 19, 2021
- Whistler/Blackcomb ski resort closes temporarily (until April 19/2021)
- Indoor group exercise classes not allowed (individual training allowed with Covid plan)
- Indoor religious worship gathering/services suspended
- Indoor dining suspended (outdoor dining only)
- No indoor gatherings of ANY SIZE
- Up to 10 can gather outdoors (must be same 10 persons)
- Walks/hikes, pools/ice rinks allowed
- Parents carpooling kids to school allowed
- Grandparents providing childcare allowed under order
- Travel restrictions guidelines within BC updated (constantly)
- Masking mandatory for indoor public spaces (again! age 12+, September)
- Children Grade 4+ must wear masks (at desks & elsewhere at school, indoors)
- Vaccine not mandatory for general public
- Vaccine mandatory for some workers/employers
- Nearly 70% of BC residents vaccinated (Sept 10/21)
- Vaccination Card required for public places (Sept 13/21)
- Anti-vaccine protest at the hospital (Sept)
Mary Chang Story Writer: Inspiration, Creativity, Self-Empowerment