Fear is a natural human emotion, but when it is allowed to run wild in a man’s heart, it will plunder and destroy him. When a whole society embraces fear, it soon becomes their object of worship. You will see strange things when this god reigns supreme.
March 15, 2020 As the news stations began wall-to-wall coverage of the corona virus, we all realized that we’re dealing with something we’ve never had to deal with in our lifetime. This kind of fear of the unknown usually results in hoarding necessities like toilet paper, as seen here in the toilet paper aisle at Walmart in Butler, PA. March 16, 2020 A scared shopper, complete with boots, rubber gloves, face mask, suit of armor… and cases of YooHoo. March 17, 2020 There are various things disappearing from the store shelves. So far the grocery supply chains seem to be replenishing the shelves after a day or two, but for some reason people are buying up bread and cleaning supplies right now.
March 22, 2020 Many churches in the area have followed the advice of the local officials. To curb the spread of the disease, supposedly, they are closing their doors… at least until further notice.
March 23, 2020 The corona virus panic has now resulted in ‘stay at home’ orders. Closures of almost every business is forcing people to stay home. It’s an eerie feeling out. In a fast-paced society, the emptiness and quietness is almost deafening. The photo of the Pittsburgh skyline was taken from a pedestrian walkway above Route 279 at 5:02pm during what should have been rush hour out of a major metropolitan area. These lanes, especially the outbound lanes, should be almost bumper to bumper traffic on a normal day. One lonely bus drives out of the city of Pittsburgh across the Roberto Clemente Bridge. There are no pedestrians. No one entering or leaving the Byham Theater. There were people on the sidewalks behind me, but only a couple. A very quiet and disturbing scene. The PNC Park surroundings are also calm and serene. No traffic. No people. In a culture that thrives on buzzwords, ‘social distancing’ even found its way onto a street sign high above the lanes on Route 279 Northbound.
March 24, 2020 The Ross Park Mall near Pittsburgh is closed. I’ve never seen an operating mall with a parking lot this empty. People should be buying products, but instead are quarantined at home in hopes to curb the spread of the virus. March 26, 2020 The officials in Butler County have closed the local parks. It’s understandable given how the virus spreads on surface areas that aren’t clean (contradicted by later scientific discoveries). Regal Cinema at Moraine Pointe Plaza is also closed.
March 27, 2020 As of 8:00pm last night, Butler County was added to the list of counties in Pennsylvania that are under a ‘stay at home’ order. The only allowable trips include grocery runs, going to the pharmacy or doctor, and other ‘necessary’ trips. Otherwise, we’re supposed to stay home. The streets are getting more and more desolate with each passing day. While the stay at home order issued by Governor Wolf on March 23rd may be helpful in the spread of the virus, it will not help a once-thriving economy. Even the grocery store aisles are eerily empty. Only a few people have ventured out for the necessities of life. People are going to lose their jobs soon. This is devastating.
March 27, 2020 Clean FREAK... Walmart, Butler PA.
March 28, 2020 Yeah, what you're mom told you growing up. And look both ways too... Cheese bites, made-to-order mayonnaise-laden hoagies or sugar-filled Espresso drinks pose no certain health risk, but get six feet away from me. Sheetz, Hollidaysburg, PA.
March 29, 2020 The signs are everywhere. Restaurants are closed or provide take-out only. Retail stores (the ones that remain open) are providing curb-side ordering and pickup. Churches are closed. Schools are closed. Our communities have taken the virus very seriously. The economic shocks are largely unknown at this time, but whatever the consequences, they will be felt for a long, long time. Will things ever get back to normal?
March 30, 2020 President Trump and his corona virus task force update America on the status of the pandemic and what the strategy is going to be. Photo taken on March 30 from a Fox News broadcast.
March 31, 2020 Just intermission. The part where you get up and stretch your legs. Harris Theater, Pittsburgh PA.
April 1, 2020 What we need in America right now is a little encouragement from its people. Sometimes it’s hard to capture the kindness of people in a still image, but a few signs from churches and businesses in the area are helpful in giving people a brighter day. We must continue to be patient and caring toward one another during these tough times, and most importantly we must pray for one another.
April 4, 2020 The Reed Smith building in Pittsburgh has illuminated their windows in the shape of a heart to support the workers on the front lines of the corona virus fight. It also sends a message of love to the city! The observation decks on Mount Washington were closed, but that didn’t stop people from gathering along the railings on Grandview Boulevard on a beautiful Friday evening to enjoy the cityscape.
April 6, 2020 All the stores are doing what they can to prevent the spread of the virus. Even plexiglass shields a being placed between the customer and the workers. Is it overboard? Is it working? Who knows, but I wonder why germs weren’t ever an issue in people’s minds before 2020. U.S. Post Office, Lyndora PA
April 9, 2020 Self-service is no longer an option on the inside of our local convenience store, however you are still trusted to pump your own gas using handles that harbor millions of disgusting germs. The germ breeding ground that is the water drinking fountain is also closed. No one would be sad if these were permanently banned instead of temporarily unavailable.
April 10, 2020 The stay at home orders are forcing families to do family things.
April 12, 2020 The darkness is always extinguished by light. Even amid the heavy cloud of fear and uncertainty, light comes bursting forth in the form of love and hope. Easter Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, who gives love and hope… and life to all those who trust in Him. Happy Easter. He is risen. He is alive, and because He lives, we can face tomorrow. Standing on the observation area of the West End Overlook, this was one photo from a time-lapse experiment gone awry. But the heart from the lighted rooms at the Wyndham Hotel against the blackened backdrop of the city of Pittsburgh is a beautiful word picture of light overcoming darkness.
April 14, 2020 Traffic seemed heavier tonight. People are either getting weary of staying at home or they’re getting brave. Maybe both. Messages on our restaurants still abound with well-wishes to the community. We wish them all the very best as they hopefully reopen soon and recover quickly from the potentially devastating economic impacts.
April 17, 2020 There are still closure signs everywhere. Alameda Park in Butler PA has been closed for weeks. There are still very few people out, but that makes perfect sense because where would they go? Our nannies have told us what is best. Stay home. Work remotely. Be afraid. Lock the doors. Wear sweatpants. Get home delivery. Binge watch Netflix. They know what’s in our best interest of course. Ah, the 'new normal', they say…
April 18, 2020 Supposedly, starting Monday, face masks will be a requirement to enter the stores in Pennsylvania or you will be DENIED ENTRY! Home Depot, Butler PA.
April 22, 2020 Irony. I love irony. It's one of my favorite things.
April 23, 2020 Floor stickers: to eliminate any confusion as to where one ought to stand. Home Depot, Sheetz, Target and Sam's Club, Butler PA.
April 24, 2020 Welcome to Moes! Cranberry Township, PA.
April 26, 2020 The signs of a true pandemic: when the ice cream freezers are empty! Giant Eagle, Cranberry Township, PA.
May 1, 2020 Signs of economic life. Hopefully all the small businesses get back on their feet quickly. Yes donuts are essential! Beaver PA.
May 3, 2020 IKEA apparently doesn’t know or understand the unwritten rule concerning men and their use of urinals. Robinson Township, PA.
August 14, 2020 It’s a strange phenomenon to put cardboard cutouts at a Major League Baseball game. Rush singer Geddy Lee’s cutout made it to this game. Photo taken from our flatscreen TV.
August 17, 2020 Every moment of every day: COVID-19, Corona virus, mask mandates, lockdowns, shutdowns, social distancing, pandemic, flatten the curve, slow the spread, quarantine, herd immunity, national emergency, new normal, super spreader, essential employee. The fatigue has set in. No more photographs. I've had enough.
December 17, 2020 A Covid Christmas. Sign up now for all the holiday festivities! Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church, Beaver, PA.
March 12, 2021 A year into this thing and we still aren't sitting near each other at restaurants. Panera Bread in Butler PA.
March 27, 2021 It’s been over a year. We’re still overwhelmed by fear and panic... but not enough to keep us from eating ‘out’ in one of these plastic bubbles. North Side of Pittsburgh.
April 21, 2021 Nothing says 'I am afraid of you' more than Contactless Curbside Pickup. McDonald's in Beaver and Baden, PA.
April 22, 2021 Time to get those tax returns done!
Establish my footsteps in Your Word ~ Psalm 119:133 