Life During a Pandemic
Sophomore tells his story while at home during COVID-19 pandemic
April 7, 2020
Sophomore Tyler Tomlen was given an assignment in his 21C Journalism class to take a series of photos. His photos were to tell a story of interest to students at Blue Valley West. He decided to put it off a bit and just take pictures over Spring Break. Instead of a traditional beach or mountain photos, he and his family found themselves at home. His photos show what life was like for his family during the stay-at-home order from Kansas governor, Laura Kelly, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Coveted! It isn’t everyday you see a tower of toilet paper in the storage room of a house, but this what the world is like in March 2020. As more people are self quarantining, more people are rushing to stores to stash up on necessities, especially toilet paper. Despite a shortage on toilet paper, there are no shortage of toilet paper memes!
Social distancing at its finest. We see Michelle Tomlen talking to some friends of hers, but one thing is clear. They are quite a ways from each other. In order to slow the spread of the virus, people are supposed to be at least 6 feet part. Michelle said “I have never lived through something like this, but it sucks. I really feel for all the seniors.”
What year is this? On a chilly day, Tyler takes a break from the world and sits in his basement to relax and play Minecraft amid the virus. Minecraft reached its’ prime popularity roughly 7-8 years ago! “It is an awesome game that is still fun. It is also a way to talk to my friends even though I can’t see them,” said Tyler.
Plus two! On a brisk March day, Marisa Tomlen makes a bucket and had her hands up ready for the rebound. Playing basketball in the driveway is one way to entertain herself while in quarantine. “I can’t leave the house so basketball is something that I can do at home and still enjoy,” Marisa said.
Future Dunker? During quarantine, Tyler touches rim as he hopes to improve his hops to one day dunk. Him and his friends like to play on lower hoops but he wants to try to dunk on the taller ones. Tyler said “I’m not very tall and I doubt I will ever be able to dunk, but why not try?”
SLEEP! Spring break allowed a lot of high schoolers to catch up on some sleep. Tyler has used his spring break to go to bed late and wake up late. Sadly he won’t wake up to go to school until the 2020-21 school year and neither will a lot of other students
Where are the people? On a busy neighborhood street in Birchwood Hills, you think people would be out and about on a nice March day. That isn’t the case as many are sitting indoors attempting to quarantine to slow down the spread of COVID-19. This leaves a usually active street looking motionless for hours.
Man this sucks. During a practice just before spring break, disappointment is shown by Tyler Henry, but little did he know this would be one of his last practices of the year. At this time, things were starting to become serious, but the sports world had not yet been put on pause. Henry said “I remember I wasn’t having the best day at school, I wish I would have enjoyed that practice more because now it is all gone.”
Make it old school. Michelle Tomlen starts on a jigsaw puzzle to pass time during her self quarantine. During this time it is easy to get caught int technology, but it is important to do other activities and interact with real people.
What’s going on? On beautiful spring day with lots of stressful things happening around the world, Ellie the cat takes a nap without any idea of the troubles going on around her. The coronavirus has sent humans into panic, but haven’t changed much of a pet’s life.
Where is the Water?! As COVID-19 continues to spread, millions of Americans have flooded local stores to stock up on essentials. Here at a Target in Overland Park, nearly the entire water isle is empty.
Ghost Target! On what would be a normally busy Monday, the Super Target in Overland Park seems almost dead. Only last minute shoppers are there to prepare for the stay at home time in KC. People continue to stay indoors as much as possible to avoid spreading and contracting the virus.
Wholesome moment despite the circumstances. On the last night before a 30 day stay at home order in KC, the Tomlen family has a game night. Despite all the negatives of the virus, people can still have a good time! Michelle said, “It sucks being inside but we can really get some family bonding time which is nice to have.”