Cleaning During COVID-19
This story is about a cleaning crew's diligent work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cleaning became an essential part of protecting against the disease during the pandemic.
A sign, “Closed for Cleaning”, is displayed on one of the bathrooms on the Rochester Institute of Technology campus on November 11, 2020. In addition to taking extra cleaning precautions, the university is monitoring the number of existing COVID cases on campus through an online dashboard. Through the fall semester there have been a total of 82 cases of the coronavirus, 69 student-related and 13 employee-related cases. The R.I.T. student health center administers COVID-19 tests and throughout the fall semester has tested nearly 10,000 people. Wastewater at R.I.T. is also being monitored. The RIT dashboard states “In addition, RIT implements an early surveillance program that includes wastewater testing twice a week. To date, these samples cover nearly 6,500 individuals.”
Kiara cleans the men’s bathroom on October 16, 2020. R.I.T. is enforcing strict, new cleaning guidelines in order keep the students, faculty and staff at R.I.T. safe as possible from COVID-19. Kiara says “We disinfect everything now, a lot more then we used to. “
Prateek waits for a student to finish his lunch so he can wipe down the table on November 13, 2020. Prateek says "Oh Lord, oh Lord, yes things have changed! We have to clean after everyone gets up from a spot and this is a new position that we didn’t have before COVID."
Mary Beth Conti sprays and wipes down one of the railings on the R.I.T. campus on October 19, 2020. Conti says " I like to clean the railings down and see how dirty the towel is, you can really tell if people are washing their hands during COVID or if my coworkers are doing their jobs.”
Keyla Sanchez and Siam Berrios work on a Saturday for overtime pay in Colby Hall on November 14, 2020. Sanchez says "RIT allows us to work Saturdays and Sundays if we want for overtime. We work either here in dorms or at the gym and pool."
After finishing their work and leaving for the day, R.I.T.'s cleaning crew leave their carts lined up in the fitness center on November 13, 2020.
Conti wipes down what are considered a “high touch point” at R.I.T., vending machines, on October 19, 2020. She remarks, " I think we are all doing our parts and we are doing well." She then goes on to say, " R.I.T. has a good system. The green and blue towels are used for the high touch points only and nowhere else, so we don’t spread the germs."
The 2020 Election
Using a tilt shift lens to highlight the unusual and unique election, this story portrays the two candidates and their support during the 2020 Presidential election.
The United States Postal Service is currently under attack for its handling of the increase in mail-in-ballots used for the 2020 election, September 20, 2020, Rochester N.Y.
A sign that mocks President Trump’s hair and reads “Nope” on it hangs in the front lawn of a house on September 23, 2020, Auburn N.Y. Under the “Nope” sign, there are also numerous “No” signs placed in the lawn.
A life-size statue of President Trump stands on a porch, wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat on September 27, 2020, Rochester N.Y.
Two Trump signs hang outside of a house on September 27, 2020, Rochester N.Y.
Judge Amy Coney Barrett stands with President Trump at a White House ceremony to announce her as the next nominee for the Supreme Court on September 26, 2020, televised in Rochester N.Y.
A 2020 Trump v. Biden debate viewing party at R.I.T.’s Ingle Auditorium takes place on September 29, 2020 in Rochester N.Y. A table outside of the event offers stickers and pins for those who register to vote.
Jennifer Motsko looks back at the Trump supporters in the crowd at the R.I.T. Ingle Auditorium live presidential debate-viewing on September 29, 2020 in Rochester N.Y. Motsko exclaims as she walks into the room “Oh my God, Trump supporters.” She also suggests to her friend to “Put your mask back on…you’re gonna look like a Trump supporter.”
Dylan Baker walks to a mailbox down the street from his apartment to drop his absentee ballot into the mail on October 9, 2020, Rochester N.Y. Baker is from Florida, and so he requested an absentee ballot and had his father send it to him. This was Baker’s first time voting in a presidential election.
Van White
This story reflects a day in the life of attorney, author and Board of Education President Van White.
Van White, president of the Rochester Board of Education, claps after a student gives a speech at a school board meeting on why teachers are so important to schools and why their positions shouldn’t be cut. December 5, 2019 in Rochester N.Y.
White stands alongside Mayor Lovely Warren at the World of Inquiry Senior Class of 2019 College March Day. Seniors march from their school to city hall and then mail letters stating their intention to apply to the colleges of their choice. The March also delivers a forum to celebrate the seniors. December 13, 2019 in Rochester N.Y.
A member of the crowd attending the school board meeting holds a sign that reads “Zero Cuts for RAP!” December 5 2019 in Rochester N.Y.
White, an attorney, stands at the podium in court and argues in his client’s defense. December 12, 2019 in Greece N.Y.
White holds a book signing at the Mall at Greece Ridge on December 15, 2019 in Greece NY. White’s book, Heroes, published in 2017, encourages children to look within their own homes and neighborhoods to find their true heroes.
A mother and her two sons speak with a special education teacher at the board meeting about how teachers are needed to help students.
White cheers on the seniors the College March Day as he gives an uplifting speech on December 13, 2019 in Rochester, N.Y. He also puts on various college hats as he asks the seniors who is attending which college.
