Diary of a Pandemic: May 22, 2020
The ninth in a weekly series of curations of images made by Magnum photographers around the world, working and living under varying degrees of social restriction
The COVID-19 outbreak has seen most Magnum photographers restricted in their movements. As part of an ongoing photographer-led initiative, Magnum photographers are sharing information, updates, and new work made in these strange and difficult times.
Here we share this week’s curation of images, selected by Cristina de Middel, alongside captions, personal notes, and reflections from Magnum photographers on how they are experiencing the unfolding situation.
See all of the entries in the Diary of a Pandemic series here. New work on the crisis will be shared daily through Magnum Photos’ Instagram feed and Instagram Stories takeovers.
Antoine d’Agata
Bordeaux. France. April 2020.
“Bagatelle Hospital during the COVID-19 outbreak.”
Martin Parr
Bristol. England. GB. 2020.
“Pigeon on bird feeder. During the coronavirus outbreak.”
Jonas Bendiksen
Norway. April 8, 2020.
“I’ve been busying myself in the evenings with various building projects around the house, and I was cutting some boards for a small shed I’m putting together from leftover materials. The saw slipped, I cut into my bone on my left hand. Anna was about to go out for a jog, but hadn’t left yet, so we got the neighbor to watch over the sleeping kids, and we went up to Anna’s clinic to patch me up. The saw is a good one, but luckily not THAT good, I just avoided any tendons etc., so all ended well.”
Nanna Heitmann
Moscow. Russia. May 2020.
“The parade to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory Day was cancelled. Only a fly-by took place. Some curious visitors broke quarantine. But mostly only journalists were present.”
Bruno Barbey
Paris. France. 8 May 2020.
“Jardin des Tuileries. Coronavirus crisis.”
Emin Özmen
Istanbul. Turkey. 2020.
“Because of the global pandemic (COVID-19), Istanbul municipality workers disinfect the subway cars five times a day, every day.”
Emin Özmen
Istanbul. Turkey. 2020.
“Istanbul municipality workers distribute food packages. Coronavirus and lockdown have caused a sharp increase in unemployment and many households are affected.”
Jean Gaumy
Town Hall. Fecamp. Normandy. France. May 11, 2020. End of lockdown. Coronavirus crisis.
“The distribution of free washable cloth masks (one allowed per person). 40,000 masks were purchased by the communauté de communes and seven distribution points were set up in town.”
Bruno Barbey
Bois de Vincennes. Paris. France. 14 May 2020. Coronavirus crisis.
Jerome Sessini
Vosges. France. May 9, 2020.
“Landscape after quarantine in the Eastern region, one of the hardest-hit by COVID 19.”
Cristina de Middel
Itacaré. Brazil. May 7, 2020.
“People fishing in Itacaré. Since all the businesses are closed and the source of income is uncertain in the near and distant future, many people are fishing for their food in town. It is a way to both keep children entertained when school is closed, but it also helps the fragile family economy.”
Nanna Heitmann
Moscow. Russia. April, 2020.
“An aquarium in the office of the surgeon Dr. Vanyukov of the 52nd hospital that was transformed into a COVID hospital.”
