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| Enough With the Selfies. How About a Quarantine Portrait? | Enough With the Selfies. How About a Quarantine Portrait? |
| (about 16 hours later) | |
| Self-isolation can feel like Groundhog Day. But one recent Sunday felt different — exciting, even — to Hannah Scott, 29, a stay-at-home mother (now quite literally). | Self-isolation can feel like Groundhog Day. But one recent Sunday felt different — exciting, even — to Hannah Scott, 29, a stay-at-home mother (now quite literally). |
| She and her husband, Kevin Scott, who is in the military, and their two sons, aged 4 and 2, woke up early on their five-acre farm in Silverdale, Wash., where they raise ducks, pigs and goats. They made a special breakfast of waffles with chocolate chips and whipped cream. | She and her husband, Kevin Scott, who is in the military, and their two sons, aged 4 and 2, woke up early on their five-acre farm in Silverdale, Wash., where they raise ducks, pigs and goats. They made a special breakfast of waffles with chocolate chips and whipped cream. |
| They cleaned the front porch, the boys giggling as they blew pollen away with a leaf blower and swept away dirt with a broom taller than them. Everyone got dressed into their favorite spring outfits. Mr. Scott chose overalls. | They cleaned the front porch, the boys giggling as they blew pollen away with a leaf blower and swept away dirt with a broom taller than them. Everyone got dressed into their favorite spring outfits. Mr. Scott chose overalls. |
| They were getting ready for picture day. | They were getting ready for picture day. |
| Amber Serpa, 30, a professional photographer who lives in nearby Allyn, came over to take pictures of the family for a series she is working on called the Front Porch Project. For 15 minutes she shoots families with a Nikon D810, capturing them in front of their homes in the midst of stay-at-home orders. She does the work for free, from her car or the street. | Amber Serpa, 30, a professional photographer who lives in nearby Allyn, came over to take pictures of the family for a series she is working on called the Front Porch Project. For 15 minutes she shoots families with a Nikon D810, capturing them in front of their homes in the midst of stay-at-home orders. She does the work for free, from her car or the street. |
| Ms. Scott’s family was snapped alongside their farm dog Calvin, a Corgi. In one photo one son is holding his favorite duck and another son is shirtless, playing with a trowel. A piglet made it into a few photos. “There is something really special about being photographed at your home — we were all so comfortable,” Ms. Scott said. “She really captured the essence and the chaos of our family right now.” | Ms. Scott’s family was snapped alongside their farm dog Calvin, a Corgi. In one photo one son is holding his favorite duck and another son is shirtless, playing with a trowel. A piglet made it into a few photos. “There is something really special about being photographed at your home — we were all so comfortable,” Ms. Scott said. “She really captured the essence and the chaos of our family right now.” |
| For many households, the middle of a pandemic has proved the perfect time to be photographed professionally. For some, it’s a rare moment when the entire family is home and still, not running in different directions. Others simply want a fun activity or an excuse to put on makeup and nice clothes. The underlying sentiment is that this is a historic moment, worth preserving. | For many households, the middle of a pandemic has proved the perfect time to be photographed professionally. For some, it’s a rare moment when the entire family is home and still, not running in different directions. Others simply want a fun activity or an excuse to put on makeup and nice clothes. The underlying sentiment is that this is a historic moment, worth preserving. |
| “It was a bright day,” Ms. Scott said. | “It was a bright day,” Ms. Scott said. |
| Subjects have been urged along by photographers across America who, with many regular commissions canceled, have come up with new creative offerings like the “quarantine portrait.” The service has become so common, some photographers are trying to differentiate their work by using drones, props or an element of surprise to elicit spontaneous expressions. | Subjects have been urged along by photographers across America who, with many regular commissions canceled, have come up with new creative offerings like the “quarantine portrait.” The service has become so common, some photographers are trying to differentiate their work by using drones, props or an element of surprise to elicit spontaneous expressions. |
| “I know a lot of photographers that are doing front porch sessions or FaceTime sessions,” said Lara Mahler, 35, a wedding planner in New York. “We wanted a cool alternative.” She and her husband asked Johnny Cirillo, a photographer in Brooklyn, to take a photograph of them outside their apartment in the Ridgewood neighborhood of Queens. | “I know a lot of photographers that are doing front porch sessions or FaceTime sessions,” said Lara Mahler, 35, a wedding planner in New York. “We wanted a cool alternative.” She and her husband asked Johnny Cirillo, a photographer in Brooklyn, to take a photograph of them outside their apartment in the Ridgewood neighborhood of Queens. |
| A drone captured Ms. Mahler and her husband, Matthew Mahler, 38, an artist, from overhead. She had a towel on her head and he was carrying a coffee mug, and they leaned out two windows looking at each other. | A drone captured Ms. Mahler and her husband, Matthew Mahler, 38, an artist, from overhead. She had a towel on her head and he was carrying a coffee mug, and they leaned out two windows looking at each other. |
| Going to extreme lengths to focus on ordinary people is, for some, new territory. | Going to extreme lengths to focus on ordinary people is, for some, new territory. |
| Before the coronavirus Jennifer Blakeley, a photographer who lives in Niagara Falls, Ontario, was known for work with celebrities. “You probably know some of my main clients,” she said: Megan Fox, Vince Vaughn and Donald Trump Jr. Since mid-March, though, she has taken more than 150 quarantine portraits of families outside their homes. | Before the coronavirus Jennifer Blakeley, a photographer who lives in Niagara Falls, Ontario, was known for work with celebrities. “You probably know some of my main clients,” she said: Megan Fox, Vince Vaughn and Donald Trump Jr. Since mid-March, though, she has taken more than 150 quarantine portraits of families outside their homes. |
| Wanting people in their natural state, she surprises those who have signed up by emailing her, showing up at random times (she does tell them which day she will be coming) and calling only when she is at their houses. Some emerged in the middle of painting or had just gotten out of the shower. | Wanting people in their natural state, she surprises those who have signed up by emailing her, showing up at random times (she does tell them which day she will be coming) and calling only when she is at their houses. Some emerged in the middle of painting or had just gotten out of the shower. |
| “I stop for less than two minutes, and I don’t get out of my car at all,” she said. “I have a special lens that allows me to shoot from at least 50 or more feet away.” (She has managed to photograph one local celebrity: Jim Diodati, the city’s mayor, who stepped outside with his guitar.) | “I stop for less than two minutes, and I don’t get out of my car at all,” she said. “I have a special lens that allows me to shoot from at least 50 or more feet away.” (She has managed to photograph one local celebrity: Jim Diodati, the city’s mayor, who stepped outside with his guitar.) |
| Ms. Blakeley is working to raise donations for her local soup kitchen and food bank. Other photographers, however, are trying to stay afloat financially. | Ms. Blakeley is working to raise donations for her local soup kitchen and food bank. Other photographers, however, are trying to stay afloat financially. |
| Alex Ginsburg, a photographer in Memphis, makes a living from commercial business as well as events like anniversary parties and reunions, many of which have been canceled. | Alex Ginsburg, a photographer in Memphis, makes a living from commercial business as well as events like anniversary parties and reunions, many of which have been canceled. |
| At the beginning of April Mr. Ginsburg woke up in the middle of the night with an idea. “We will call it drive-by shootings,” he said. (While some clients thought it was clever, he changed the name to “drive by sessions” out of sensitivity to gun violence.) Many of his former clients have commissioned quarantine portraits, for which he charges half of his regular rate because he spends much less time on them. | At the beginning of April Mr. Ginsburg woke up in the middle of the night with an idea. “We will call it drive-by shootings,” he said. (While some clients thought it was clever, he changed the name to “drive by sessions” out of sensitivity to gun violence.) Many of his former clients have commissioned quarantine portraits, for which he charges half of his regular rate because he spends much less time on them. |
| Updated June 16, 2020 | Updated June 16, 2020 |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| “It’s hurting me because they are my clients, and I would normally go and hug and kiss them before I get started,” he said. “But people are still smiling, and we can be just as silly from the car. I can still put squeaky toys on my heads to get kids to laugh if I have to.” | “It’s hurting me because they are my clients, and I would normally go and hug and kiss them before I get started,” he said. “But people are still smiling, and we can be just as silly from the car. I can still put squeaky toys on my heads to get kids to laugh if I have to.” |
| One of his clients, Barbara Williams, 76, normally brings her entire family into Mr. Ginsburg’s studio for a portrait. This year they did the drive-by session at her house. She was so thrilled with the photos of her granddaughters, 16, 13 and 10, on an outside swing, that she wants it to be the new tradition. “With the green grass, and the white houses, and the pink dresses, it just popped,” she said. | One of his clients, Barbara Williams, 76, normally brings her entire family into Mr. Ginsburg’s studio for a portrait. This year they did the drive-by session at her house. She was so thrilled with the photos of her granddaughters, 16, 13 and 10, on an outside swing, that she wants it to be the new tradition. “With the green grass, and the white houses, and the pink dresses, it just popped,” she said. |
| Sending a portrait to family and friends can be a better way to connect than a Zoom call. | Sending a portrait to family and friends can be a better way to connect than a Zoom call. |
| Ms. Scott, of Silverdale, shared her family’s portraits. “We have family really close by, but we are social distancing,” she said. “So I was able to send our pictures to grandma and grandpa and mom and dad, and it was a steppingstone for us to get back together.” | Ms. Scott, of Silverdale, shared her family’s portraits. “We have family really close by, but we are social distancing,” she said. “So I was able to send our pictures to grandma and grandpa and mom and dad, and it was a steppingstone for us to get back together.” |
| Mr. Cirillo’s drone crashed recently after clipping a tree while he was photographing three brothers in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. But it was worth it. “There are families and New Yorkers behind every window, and we are all hunkered down to fight this invisible monster,” he said. “This is something New Yorkers are going to take pride in down the line.” | Mr. Cirillo’s drone crashed recently after clipping a tree while he was photographing three brothers in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. But it was worth it. “There are families and New Yorkers behind every window, and we are all hunkered down to fight this invisible monster,” he said. “This is something New Yorkers are going to take pride in down the line.” |
| Ms. Mahler said that her photo “is a way of remembering a very simple time in our life right now where we are safe and insulated. It is something I want to tell my kids about one day. Now we can show them our photo.” | Ms. Mahler said that her photo “is a way of remembering a very simple time in our life right now where we are safe and insulated. It is something I want to tell my kids about one day. Now we can show them our photo.” |