COVID Diaries

By the California State Library

California COVID Diaries

The California State Library is working with local libraries to collect COVID-19 stories from across the state. Californians of all ages have responded by sending in original essays, poems, photographs, videos and works of art. The content presented on this website represents only a fraction of the hundreds that have been submitted and were selected to showcase the variety of experiences around the state.

If you have writing or a photo from your COVID-19 experience and would like to help record California’s response to this pandemic for future generations, please send it to us.

  • From the CA Covid Diaries with the logo and orange background.
    Birthday Gift Shopping
    My husband Edward’s birthday is on March 1. My son Brian and I went shopping for his birthday gifts at Bloomingdales. We knew there would be some great deals because the store is closing. Unfortunately there was nothing on the sales rack that he needed. I decided to go shopping for a light jacket for… Read more: Birthday Gift Shopping
  • The Axe of An Online World
    Among painful outcries of billions, I decided to grow branches. With open hours to sprout, my leaves extended to friendly palms. Brushing away tears, my branches promised to grow any distance to embrace them. But, their pixelated fingertips ripped out bark. Breaking my beloved limbs, they masked their satisfaction by pressing “mute”. Now splintered and… Read more: The Axe of An Online World
  • From the CA Covid Diaries with the logo and orange background.
    Love Is The Answer
    The pandemic has changed my life in many ways I had not expected. Taking care of my husband, in particular, proved to be a challenge during this time. Learning how to interact with him during the shelter in place order was a new experience. He has been struggling with multiple health issues in his old… Read more: Love Is The Answer
  • Aunt Tuddie’s Homecoming Celebration
    Submitted by Roslyn Bell, Sacramento County – Sacramento.
  • Anonymous Angel
    Contact Tracers,You know who you are.But no one else does.A small army of anonymous angels.For some reason teleworking on behalf of the govm’nt Your friends barely know what you didNor did your family or coworkers.And it didn’t seem like much,Dialing strangers from the comfort and safety of your home. Here is what you did:Saved Lives,One… Read more: Anonymous Angel
  • From the CA Covid Diaries with the logo and orange background.
    One thing I have been thankful for
    The one thing I have been thankful for during the pandemic has been the availability of BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) for the downloading of books.  While I have been unable to borrow books through the mail from my regional library in Sacramento, CA, whenever I have heard about a book I would be interested… Read more: One thing I have been thankful for
  • A photograph of a large inflatable cardinal dressed in a football uniform and two photos of a large inflatable tiger dressed in a football uniform.
    COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
    Submitted by Roslyn Bell, Sacramento County – Sacramento.
  • Two blue circular stickers that say "I got my COVID-19 vaccine #igottheshot Kaiser Permanente"
    COVID Stickers
    Submitted by Roslyn Bell, Sacramento County – Sacramento.
  • The Cure
    VaccineVaccineVACCINEIt can protectKeep the community safe VirusVirusVIRUSWalking down the streetMy face doesn’t changeUnder my maskI am AsianMisconceptionsI didn’t bring the virusWhy am I nervousFeel unsafe?I encounter the hate virusVerbal insults and physical attacksBruise me PleaseSTOPHatinga viral warLove is our eternal vaccineLet us heal Submitted by Maggie Xu, Santa Clara County – Saratoga.
  • Something in the Air
    “Something in the Air” is an art quilt about the COVID virus, how it felt to learn the virus was airborne, and how despite everything there was still beauty in the world. Submitted by Lani Longshore, Alameda County – Livermore.
  • Easter Drive Through
    Submitted by Roslyn Bell, Sacramento County – Sacramento.
  • From the CA Covid Diaries with the logo and orange background.
    Life Through the Zoom Screen
    It is odd to admit that I was excited when our school announced that we would be starting classes online. The feeling of trying a new way of learning, instead of the conventional way of sitting in a classroom greatly interested me. Doing school in the comfort of my own home was appealing in its… Read more: Life Through the Zoom Screen

Please note, the views and opinions expressed are those of the authors of each work and do not necessarily represent those of the California State Library or its staff.