Signs of Pandemic

Signs of Pandemic

March 20, 2020, I ventured out as sunrise was unfolding to look for photo opportunities. The harbor area was too dark to be interesting because of the dense fog, so I walked into the center of town. There I noticed some of the signs on restaurant and business doorways that explained the business closures. After reading a few I was struck with the documentary evidence they presented of the emerging pandemic.

I was also struck with the wide range of messages that were being conveyed. Some were short and business-like. Others were long and detailed. Others were warm and comforting.

It occurred to me that if I could capture these images at this one point in time, at the end of a turbulent week when everyone’s world was tossed upside down, it would show how our city was responding to this tragic crisis. So I walked the downtown area snapping each sign that mentioned a closure due to the pandemic. As I drove home I also stopped at some additional locations. In the end I obtained over 3 dozen images.

I worked on how to present them over the weekend. I ended up designing a photo essay in the form of a slide show.

When you watch it I hope you see the character of our city, a community that responded swiftly and thoroughly, with intelligence and caring.

While we plan for the increasingly difficult circumstances we face, today I am proud of Belfast, my hometown.

Doug Chamberlin

2020-03-20

Video copyright Douglas P. Chamberlin. Music: "Yesterday" by Jason E Donnelly, BMI from the album DBM1004 Ballad 01 (Instrumentals), licensed to YouTube by AdRev for a 3rd Party (on behalf of Bombastic Tunes, ASCAP|Dirty Jack Music, BMI (Jason Donnelly)); AdRev Publishing, BMI - Broadcast Music Inc., and 5 Music Rights Societies.

video/mp4

English

Moving Image

Belfast, Maine