COVID-19 Story Project

The COVID-19 Story Project is a collection of images, written works, and audiovisual works that document the experience of LaGuardia Community College members throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic.

As the pandemic continues we are still collecting materials. If you would like to contribute something that represents your experience during this difficulty time, please visit our submission form here: https://shortlib.org/s/covidstories

Pages

: Bodega cashier behind plastic

: COVID-19 vs. Black Lives Matter; Tanushree interviews Thomas Haggerty, an adjunct faculty of the nursing department and a bedside nurse at New York Presbyterian. Haggerty discusses how the pandemic created challenges both at the hospital and for his classes, as well as his students. He shares insight into the question of adequate PPE, logistical issues that hospitals can face, and the danger of misinformation on social media. Bio: Tanushree Sengupta is an Adjunct for the Industrial Design program in the Humanities Department at LaGuardia Community College. These audio news packages were created with the help of the LaGuardia Community College Institutional Archives, as well as students and faculty of LaGuardia Community College. They document how the COVID-19 pandemic affected New York City and the LaGuardia community. They serve as a reminder of the difficulties and challenges that were prevalent during the time. Outside of LaGuardia, Tanushree is a podcaster and educator. Her formal training is in Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering.

: Closed Beauty Salon

: Colville D. Holt, P.E.; I lost my Father, Colville D. Holt P.E., to this terrible virus. I can't believe he's gone. Re-opening will not be so sweet for me. Obituary: Colville "Collie" Delano Holt came into this world, April 10, 1934. He was one of four children born to Caribbean immigrants Iris and Andrew Holt. Colville’s family consisted of a twin brother named Elvin, older sister Elinor, eldest brother Valmore and Cousin Norma. The family moved to New York City from Jamaica West Indies when Colville and Elvin were two years old. The family has lived in the Bronx, Washington Heights, Jamaica and East Elmhurst, New York. After graduating from Jamaica High School, Colville joined the workforce, taking a job in the garment district. After a few months, he expressed his dislike for the job with his brother Elvin, who convinced him to enroll in community college. Following his studies, Colville became a draftsman and that was the beginning of a fulfilling career in construction. While working for the New York City Housing Authority, Colville decided to go to school at night and study Civil Engineering at Pratt Institute. He later got his Masters in Urban Planning at Long Island University. During the course of his studies, Colville also obtained his Professional Engineering license to practice in both New York and New Jersey. Colville had a very successful 33 1/2 year career at NYCHA. He retired in 1989 in the title of Engineering Audit Officer. Colville later co-founded a construction consulting firm, with his twin brother Elvin (Holt Associates). Colville was married in 1957, and three children were born of that union Marilyn, Elizabeth, and David. Colville was a faithful member of The First Baptist Cathedral of Westbury, New York. He loved God, his church family, innumerable friends, and helping others. Despite his failing sight and hearing, he was never discouraged and inspired us all. Colville was preceded in death by siblings Norma, Valmore and twin brother Elvin, as well as his former wife Barbara. He leaves behind his children Marilyn, Elizabeth, her husband Anderson and David; grandchildren Amethyst, her husband Joseph, Codi, Isaiah and Dante. Colville is also survived by his beloved sister Elinor, a host of nieces and nephews and longtime sweetheart Marcella.

: Connecting Threads Online Showcase; Due to COVID-19, the opening showcase for Connecting Threads: Fashion Identity in a Global World was held via zoom. Conecting Threads is a collaboratory exhibit between LaGuardia Community College Fine Arts Program and Bard Graduate Center. The online exhibit can be found here: http://bgcxlaguardia.bgcdml.net

: Contactless candy delivery; A woman showing off her candy slide for contactless trick-or-treating

: Contactless candy delivery; A candy shoot for contactless treak-or-treating

: Delivery; Photographed in Woodside, Queens

: Delivery Driver

: Dispatch From a Prior Pandemic: HIV Meets COVID-19; A personal essay about Martina Clark's experience with the HIV pandemic and similarities to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The essay is also posted on her website https://martina-clark.com