COVID Diaries

By the California State Library

Gowan Family Experiences 2020

Empty shelves inside a store.
Empty Shelves at Wal Mart in Ukiah. March 16, 2020.
Two children running around fenced-off playground.
Athena and William running around the closed playground at the park. March 19, 2020.
Empty shelves in the produce section of a grocery store.
No potatoes at Safeway. March 19, 2020.
A sign in front of children's clothing saying "Attention Customers - By Order of Mendocino County, items in this "non-essential" area are not available for purchase."
Clothing and shoes are “nonessential.” April 19, 2020.
A long line of cars on a street.
Waiting in line for food. July 1, 2020.
Four white vehicles on the side of the road, beneath bright red fire retardant.
Driving under the plane that dropped fire retardant over the HWY 101. August 26, 2020.
A child's drawing reads "I can't see my friends" and "I can't go to school."
My daughter Athena drew what she doesn’t like about Covid. September 2020.
A child's drawing reads "I like playing in the yard" and "I like watching movies."
My daughter Athena drew what she does like about Covid’s Shelter in Place. September 2020.
A child's drawing reads "I don't like COVID because I can't play with my friends," "I like walks" and "Six feet away people!"
My son William drew what he doesn’t like about Covid. September 2020.
A child's drawing reads "I'm happy I go to school" above a photo of a teacher and children wearing masks and washing their hands.
My son William drew that he likes going to in person school during the Covid pandemic. September 2020.

Submitted by Melissa Gowan, Mendocino County – Ukiah.