Masks, tests, empty shelves: York University photo exhibit captures COVID-19 pandemic, 5 years on

A new exhibit at York University aims to show challenges that people faced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also moments of resilience as people grappled with the infectious disease that changed the world overnight.

The exhibit, From Distanced to Connected: COVID-19 Five-Years On, was on display all day Tuesday, five years after the World Health Organization officially declared the pandemic. York University's disaster and emergency management program put together the immersive experience to remind people of the journey of uncertainty and growth.

Aaida Mamuji, an associate professor in York University's disaster and emergency management program, said the exhibit was a "walk back in time" to show people how far they have progressed in the past five years.

"We have a really moving collection of pictures that we hope people can appreciate as they come in and see honestly how a lot of what people experienced is similar to what we ourselves as well went through and how far we've come since then," she said.

Blue gloves and blue masks were taped to the hallway leading to the exhibit. Arrows were taped on the floor, reminiscent of the days when people were told where to stand and where to walk as they kept six feet apart.

The exhibit itself, a series of screens on the walls of a lab, showed photos of pandemic scenes. The exhibit was designed to enable viewers to reflect on "where we were and where we have come" since COVID-19 hit, according to the university.

Aaida Mamuji, an associate professor in York University's disaster and emergency management program, said the exhibit was a 'walk back in time' to show people how far they have progressed in the past five years. (Grant Linton/CBC)

The university asked members of the York University community and people in the Greater Toronto Area to submit photos that speak to their experiences at the height of the pandemic, 2020-2021, including the images that depict lockdowns, personal protective equipment (PPE), physical distancing and online learning.

"For a lot of people, the experience was really difficult and so we've taken it and put it somewhere in our brains and forgotten about it," Mamuji said.

"For those of us that submitted pictures here, it's really speaking to that day-to-day impact that they had as they were trying to navigate this new space and this unknown."

Photos show COVID test, vaccine, masks, online learning

The photos depict everything from a negative COVID-19 antigen test to a woman getting a vaccine, to a young masked girl playing with a stuffed masked rabbit, to a young boy hiding under a desk in protest while a laptop on the desk is logged into his online junior kindergarten class.

One photo depicts bare supermarket shelves showing a shortage of flour and baking supplies, a shortage that arose because everyone was at home baking.

There is also a photo of a temporary emergency room set up at North York General Hospital to treat suspected cases and a photo of the outside of the Mon Sheong Home for the Aged, showing a deep cleaning crew preparing to enter after a severe outbreak that killed many residents.

This is one photo in the exhibit, showing a young masked girl playing with a stuffed masked rabbit. (Grant Linton/CBC)

"I thought it would be important for us to all come together and just realize that you aren't alone in that experience and look at where you are," Mamuji said.

Mamuji said the exhibit is on screens because people were so reliant on screens during the pandemic.

James Wheeler Herbert, a student, said the exhibit brought back memories.

"I remember when they announced the very first case had landed in Canada. I remember I came home from school that day and I immediately went to the Home Depot on my way home on Queen Street and got a whole bunch of N95s while they were still a good price!"