We are most afraid of an enemy we cannot see. The COVID-19 virus is no different. On March 17, 2020, Orange County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick issued an order prohibiting gatherings of people to slow the spread of the virus. Two days later, California Governor Gavin Newson issued a statewide stay-at-home order to help curb the pandemic. These orders allow several exceptions for essentials, including outdoor recreation. The way we interact with others outside of our homes drastically changed. The expected handshake is gone, we have social distancing of at least six feet, and the recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to wear a cloth face covering in public settings.
This project captured ordinary people who were out for a walk during the pandemic on a trail in Mission Viejo, California in late April 2020. Individuals were approached for a portrait if they were wearing a face covering and agreed to be photographed. These portraits document the circumstances in which they lived.
