Anachemy and Noah Middleton, St. Petersburg, April 25 By herself for weeks Anachemy Middleton has been juggling her real estate business while taking care of her 2-year-old son, Noah, by herself for weeks. Her husband, who is a mechanical engineer, was away on a job that was deemed mission critical. Middleton said it’s been stressful being away from family who live in New Jersey. She’s been keeping in contact with them, especially her mother, who works in the medical field. During this time, Middleton has been going on frequent walks with her son.
When COVID-19 sent Florida into quarantine, this photographer set off to document how others were coping.
Photos and text by Tina Russell
My portrait series looks at how all of our lives have changed since quarantine began with the spread of COVID-19. I’m a freelance photographer, and as the quarantine got underway in March, I felt a range of emotions – from boredom to sadness to anxiety about a loss of work. I also missed the feeling of human connection. This made me wonder how others were doing. That’s why I decided to do this portrait series.
I connected with many of these subjects, most of whom live in Pinellas County and Hillsborough County, through social media. I’m grateful these people were comfortable sharing their stories with me: the first-time parents giving birth to their baby during the outbreak; a nurse working in a COVID unit; people losing their jobs, and a college graduate unable to “walk” in graduation-day ceremonies. What I discovered was everyone shared a common feeling of uncertainty, but also hope for the future and a determination to not give up.
Anachemy and Noah Middleton, St. Petersburg, April 25 By herself for weeks Anachemy Middleton has been juggling her real estate business while taking care of her 2-year-old son, Noah, by herself for weeks. Her husband, who is a mechanical engineer, was away on a job that was deemed mission critical. Middleton said it’s been stressful being away from family who live in New Jersey. She’s been keeping in contact with them, especially her mother, who works in the medical field. During this time, Middleton has been going on frequent walks with her son.
Carly Lewis Tampa, April 25 My family has been more communicative “Pre-COVID19, life was full of spontaneity and fun,” Carly Lewis said. “I mean, I had a routine with work and the gym and phone calls to my family and friends, but I could hop in the car and see them at the drop of a hat. I could go to the beach or the mall or go grocery shopping without feeling like I was doing something wrong. Wow, did I take that for granted. Once the virus got serious, so many things changed. The first few weeks, work moved in slow motion since the company was focused on supporting our nation and global partners. I’m currently a supervisor for an anatomic pathology laboratory, which is where biopsies are processed and diagnosed. Our department is still essential but as medical procedures and subsequently volume decreased, we had to furlough some of our team and cut hours. As a laboratory leader, it was and is emotionally taxing to relay and enforce these temporary policies. I worry about my team every day. But, I am so proud of them for showing up for work daily, doing their best and providing necessary services for our state. Outside of work, quarantine life has been relatively easy. I bought a house this year, so I’m focused on making some changes to make it feel more like home. My family has been more communicative. My friends and I video chat a bunch. I am much more intentional with trips to the store and probably go just once every 10 days. Books have provided an escape from my living room and back patio. It feels like getting back to basics, and honestly, it’s starting to feel good. I am still jonesing for a day at the beach with a good, strong cocktail and some live music once we can go again.”
Sara Johnson and Eric Holland, St. Petersburg, April 30 Losing track of days Before quarantine, Sara Johnson taught indoor cycling and yoga. She also managed a small online business. Her partner, Eric Holland, commuted to Tampa daily for his job selling corporate sponsorships for triathlon and running events. Johnson’s cycle studio allows her to teach from home, so she records a class once a week in her bedroom. “I find myself losing track of days fairly often, but I’m trying to be more present and intentional with my time,” Johnson said. “I’ve definitely been grieving my former life and the plans that have been changed or canceled.” Holland has taken this time to become more structured and organized. However, things haven’t been easy for him at work. “I worry about my job and our finances being in a new home,” Holland said. “I’ve taken a pay cut as my work has been highly impacted by the pandemic, forcing us to postpone races.” They are both trying to focus on the positives in their life: spending more time with their dogs and spending more time with one another.
Nick and Whitney Fox and their daughter, Everly, St. Petersburg, April 30 It’s made us closer as a family Whitney and Nick Fox never envisioned the birth of their first child, Everly, to be during a pandemic. They had plans. They hired a doula. Whitney’s mom was supposed to be present during the birth. Family from New York purchased tickets to visit them after the birth. All that changed when their due date came. Nick was the only one allowed to be with Whitney during the birth of their daughter. Whitney remembers the nurses wearing masks at all times and their temperature being taken constantly. “It was a little bit scary,” Whitney said. Whitney’s parents camped out at the hospital in their R.V., held signs welcoming Everly into the world and even made the news. Their parents won’t be able to hold Everly until she is 8 weeks old. “It’s been a roller coaster of emotions,” Whitney said. “Joy and excitement of having a newborn. There’s a lot of sadness to not be able to share her joy with our loved ones and family members.” They’ve also felt fear of what the future will look like. “How long is it going to be like this,” Whitney said. “What will it look like when I go back to work?” Nick Fox is grateful that he and his wife have settled into a routine with their newborn. “Working from home means I’m much more involved and there’s no feelings of missing out that there would be otherwise,” Nick said. “Fathers need this time to bond as much as mothers and parenthood rightfully has evolved into a joint responsibility much more than it was even for just our parents. There are still a few fleeting worries. Will I be more protective of Everly in the future because we went through this? Will we become too accustomed to the isolation? Luckily these thoughts don’t last long as I usually have to run off to change another diaper. Overall I think it’s made us closer as a family and I couldn’t have imagined it any other way.”
Samantha Kosobud Seminole, May 1 I feel for our patients Samantha Kosobud is a nurse in a COVID unit at Morton Plant Hospital. “There has been a lot of worry since this whole thing started,” Kosobud said. “Working on a COVID unit, I’m always afraid to bring something home to my family. I’ve always been careful, but I felt it was necessary to be extra careful. I’m grateful that our hospital gave us a place to shower and lockers to keep our things in so we didn’t have to come home in contaminated scrubs. It was scary in the beginning because the rules about PPE were changing every day so no one ever knew if we were actually protected. Now I feel pretty confident we are okay though. None of my coworkers have gotten sick. I work for a great company and I’m thankful for the support they provide us. People keep calling me a hero. I don’t feel like a hero. I feel like I’m just doing what needs to be done. I feel for our patients. Locked in the same room for days on end with the news playing mostly bad news. I just try to keep everyone in good spirits.”
Andrew Signore, Sawyer Signore, Valeria Brieba Yamaira Acevedo and Diego Signore, Tampa, May 2 Finally we can just stay calm and breath and enjoy the things that matter Five years ago, Yamaira Acevedo moved from Puerto Rico to Tampa with her daughter Valeria Brieba, who is now 10 years old. Three years ago, she met her partner, Andrew Signore, and his son, Sawyer Signore, 8. They now have a son together, Diego Signore, who is 15 months old. “Our lives were pretty active,” Yamaira said. “Valeria used to have art, violin classes and Girl Scout meetings. We used to go out to parks and the beach. All that stopped. It’s very different now. It’s hard to keep the kids entertained all day at home. The first week was hard for my daughter, because she used to have so many things going on. She cried some nights asking why all of this was happening. I always told her we are lucky we are healthy and together.” Yamaira and Andrew have felt a range of emotions from stress to the feeling of peace. “We are learning to be more patient, especially with the kids,” Yamaira said. “We used to live in a rush all the time and finally we can just stay calm and breath and enjoy the things that matter.”
Daniela Gomez Tampa, May 2 Walking to the mailbox feels like a joy Daniela Gomez graduated from law school at Stetson University on May 16th. “I’m a little bummed but I worked hard,” she said, regarding not being able to walk in a commencement. Prior to graduation, she was an intern at the courthouse in Pinellas County and worked with juveniles in the delinquency system. “Life now is a struggle to make myself feel busy and important. I will be taking the Florida Bar on July 28-29, as scheduled, but we are being required to wear a mask during the entire 12 hours of the test. If you take it off for even one moment, you’ll be told to leave. That’s a lot of pressure. Besides that, walking to the mailbox feels like a joy.”
Rob Davis, Aniya Davis, Mikayla Davis and Ashley Davis, Brooksville, May 7, 2020 I am grateful, but I am afraid “Before quarantine, my oldest was in preschool and I spent my days between working part-time at the library and hiking or running with friends,” Ashley Davis said. “Now we stay home the majority of the time, even having groceries delivered. I homeschool and we have zero contact with anyone outside of our immediate family. I run in our neighborhood and nothing enters the house without being wiped down with a bleach solution first, and we eat all of our meals at home. I go back and forth between feeling hopeless and hopeful. I am grateful, but I am afraid. Being high risk during this outbreak is terrifying to say the least.”
Brigitte Whitaker, St. Petersburg, May 11 This time in my life is all about slowing down Brigitte Whitaker closed her coffee shop, Brew D Licious in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. “Life before was busier in the sense of running a business,” Whitaker said. “Now it’s the exact opposite. Leading up to closing, it was extremely emotional. Having to tell the people who have supported you, cleaning and packing everything up. It was physically and emotionally exhausting. It was also very eye opening. After you’ve been in a place for almost a decade you get caught up in the minute of the daily tasks. You lose sight of why you do what you do. It really wasn’t until I revealed that we were closing that it hit me. The responses were overwhelming. And it awakened me to how much that little shop meant to so many. It revitalized me. It demonstrated just how important connection really is. Besides working in my yard, playing with my grandson, my dogs and loving the people in my life and my home, I just have more time to do those things. Perhaps this time in my life is all about slowing down and learning more about connection. It is after all what we truly need in our world.”
Stephanie Sasseen and her daughter, Ruby, St. Petersburg, April 10 I just focus on the things I can control “I got laid off and had a baby in 2019, so I spent the majority of my time at home when the quarantine happened,” Stephanie Sasseen said. “I was scared at first because there were so many unknowns. My husband works for an essential food service company with no work from home policy, so he still has to go into an office. I was in line to finally get hired for a job, but it got put on hold due to COVID-19. I’ve had a few emotional meltdowns due to all of this, but now I just focus on the things I can control and that’s brought me some peace. I get to be home with my daughter, Ruby. She is a very social baby. Keeping her cooped up without any interactions with other people or kids isn’t ideal, but it’s what we have to do.”
Jordan Martin, Madison Massey, and Betty Jo and Stephen Massey, Petersburg, April 26 Life completely changed Madison Massey and her boyfriend, Jordan Martin, live next door to Madison’s grandparents, Betty Jo Massey and Stephen Massey. They’ve all been taking quarantine pretty seriously and have kept the required six feet distance from one another. Madison’s life completely changed when the stay-at-home order went into effect. She lost her internship and her income. Her college courses were also moved to online classes. Betty Jo and Stephen Massey are both retired. They haven’t been impacted financially by the stay at home order, but they do have to remind themselves to keep their distance and wear a mask when they go to the grocery store. They consider themselves to be lucky as they both are in excellent health.
Kim and Tom Vogel St. Petersburg, April 26 Really weird and very lonely Since quarantine, Kim and Tom Vogel have been working from home. “All the kids are living on their own, which has made the whole experience really weird and very lonely for all of us,” Kim Vogel said. “I am working for The St. Pete Greenhouse, and we are working directly with St. Pete Small Biz trying to offer support, resources, and information so we don’t lose too many businesses. It’s brutal having these conversations and feeling like it’s never enough. I’ve been tasked by Grow Smarter and St. Pete Chamber to build a business resiliency team. We are flying the plane and building, all while going over uncharted waters.”
Amanda and Oliver Guerrier with their daughter, Amara, Tampa, May 2 Giving ourselves more grace in this new normal Amanda and Oliver Guerrier spent a lot of time at home before quarantine began. This is because they had their 4-month old daughter, Amara, during flu season. “Quarantine has brought out moments of overwhelming anxiety in me,” Amanda Guerrier said. “I never experienced it to that degree before and it’s been a lot to deal with. I constantly feel pulled between working and being a new mom, both of which are full-time obligations. We’ve tried to mitigate it with balancing our time and schedules more, giving ourselves more grace in this new normal and focusing on being grateful for having more time with her, our health, and both still having our jobs. It’s been tough, but we consider ourselves very fortunate in this weird time.”
Lisa Rowan, St. Petersburg, April 13 Sometimes I forget what’s happening until I remember “I’ve worked from home for t he past year, so that part of the shutdown hasn’t fazed me,” Lisa Rowan said. “Sometimes I forget what’s happening until I remember that I can’t go the gym because it’s closed, or I can’t go to the beach because it’s closed, or I can’t go visit my family because it’s too dangerous. Some days I go through the motions and I forget, and some days I remember I have to sit with that.”
Heather Comparetto, Redington Shores, April 14 Right now, there are many days I struggle to stay motivated “I was about two weeks into a new job that I was very excited about when business started shutting down due to the pandemic,” Heather Comparetto said. My workplace closed to the public, but we stayed busy thinking of ways to virtually deliver an art experience. Not being able to sustain salaries any longer, I was part of a large furlough, and I don’t know if I’ll be getting my job back. The job loss sucked. Luckily I had just moved back home to the beach temporarily to save a little money while looking for a place closer to work. It seems that temporary stay may be extended, but I can’t think of a better place to have to shelter in place. I have resident access to the beach, where I’ve been spending a lot of time paddle boarding, walking, planning art projects and thinking about possibilities for the future. Right now, there are many days I struggle to stay motivated to get moving, but in that way I am very fortunate to be with family right now.”
David and Tori Danushevsky with 9-month old son, Jerry, St. Petersburg, April 23 We miss our family and friends, but we are going to stay put “My husband was already working from home before this, and I left my job as a nurse in December to stay at home with our son,” Tori Danushevsky said. “We miss our family and friends, but we are going to stay put as long as we need to. We are safe here and we have groceries. Our son, Jerry, is 9 months old, and he is such a wonderful blessing. I really feel so fortunate that I have him during all of this. He lights up my day and he gives me such purpose. We read, try new foods, go on long walks and we take him for rides around the block in his car. It’s his favorite thing. We call him the social distancing police.
Paul and Barbara Eifler, St. Petersburg, April 25 We’re taking this isolation pretty seriously Paul and Barbara Eifler have rearranged their daily activities since their quarantine began. They go on 7-mile bike rides, they have morning walks and they spend time in their garden. Paul used to be a substitute teacher and Uber driver but that work is gone now. On April 26th, they went on their 8th week of quarantine. “I kind of think we get it more than a lot of people,” Paul said. “In 1918, when my mother was one, she lost her mother and her mother’s sister to the swine flu. I always heard growing up the stories about a third sister who had no children who had to raise all the kids. This sure sounds like that type of thing so we’re fully expecting the second wave to come through, especially as things open back up. We’re taking this isolation pretty seriously. We’ve never had food delivered now that’s all we do is have our groceries delivered and our pharmaceuticals delivered.”
Khiem Khiemosabi Nguyen, Tampa, April 26 I think I am one of the luckier ones “I was in the middle of moving from St. Pete to Tampa when this was happening,” Khiem Khiemosabi Nguyen said. “My main reasons to move was to be closer to my new job and save money with a roommate. Funny is that now there is no commute since I’ve been working from home for the last month. I love being around people, and I’m an avid dancer, going to a dance event probably 2-3 times a week. Since social distancing, I’ve been either practicing by myself or teaching my roommate the other roles so we can dance with each other. I think I am one of the luckier ones as I moved in with someone that has similar hobbies and is laid back. We even celebrated our April birthday, which we share the same date together and among friends on Zoom.”
Esther Eugene, St. Petersburg, April 29 My days were full speed ahead “Before quarantine my days were full speed ahead. It began at 6a.m. and sometime ended at 10p.m.,” Esther Eugene said. “I was busy overseeing three homeless services programs. I didn’t have time to cook, talk to my children, or find quiet moments.” Esther said now her mornings start with tea, breakfast and a conversation with her daughters. Then she has zoom meetings and continues her grant writing from home. “It’s much slower and allows for moments to breathe. I am an Introverted / Extrovert so social distancing is not a challenge for me. However, the uncertainty about the economy is a challenge for me. The unknown factor is deafening in the thought process. I honestly feel the need to remain in the house because of the fear of the COVID-19 crisis. If my daughters complain about a pain, I immediately get worried. Things that you would normally brush off you find yourself focusing on them down to the smallest details.”
Jessica Serapiglia and her daughter Nina, Largo, May 1 We miss our family The lives of Jessica Serapiglia and her daughter Nina, 8, of Largo used to be busy with school, work and family. When quarantine happened, Jessica lost her job. “Now we spend more time finding things to keep us busy at home like gardening and homeschooling,” Jessica said. “Nina likes it at home where it’s not as strict as school everyday. We are lonely. We need interactions. We miss our family.”
Francesca Daniels, Clearwater, May 1 COVID-19 made its appearance and life changed “Shortly before Covid-19, I heard the news my company would be closing its doors,” Francesca Daniels said. “This place I went to every day was more than just a job. It was a significant source of my identity. My coworkers became friends and felt like family. COVID-19 made its appearance and life changed. Not only was I dealing with grief, but I was also now dealing with my anxiety. My fear of loss was greatly triggered. I had already lived through the recession in 2009 when I graduated from college and felt behind my peers. Would this happen to me again? Would I even be able to network to find a new opportunity? How would I start? By taking in each moment and bringing myself back to the now. By being present and allowing myself to feel the pain or vulnerability and simply allowing that sorrow to coexist with the joy. And by reminding myself that it is not shameful to not feel optimistic 100% of the time.”
ulie Seals, Tampa, May 2 I am a foster mother Julie Seals is a foster mother on top of working full-time for a technology talent placement company. Prior to the stay-at-home order, she had two boys who are brothers living with her. One week before their quarantine began, she accepted a third child into her home. Other than spending time at home, the two brothers spend two days with their parents for 4-8 hours. “My other child was doing in-person visits prior to quarantine but doesn’t do that now,” she said. He’s just doing virtual visits. A major difference I’m noting is that I can’t determine if quarantine related or not quarantine related, I was able to really establish a bond with the family of my other two. It took time of course. A lot of trust has to be built up in these relationships. I was really proactive in wanting to do that, because I became a foster parent to see families reunited. That is the goal for me is to see people who maybe have a bad run of luck or a bad situation come through it and get their kids back. With the other child’s family, it went virtual almost immediately. I haven’t been able to meet them. They don’t even know my name.” Seals considers herself lucky though. She’s still working full-time remotely and even accepted a promotion before the stay-at-home order went into effect. She looks forward to the day she can bring the kids to the park and the zoo.
Allie and Matt Taylor and Everest and Aspen Taylor, Tampa, May 2 What has changed is what keeps breaking my spirit Allie and Matt Taylor started quarantine on March 12th with their children, Everest, 1, and Aspen,3. “Before quarantine our lives looked very similar,” Allie Taylor said. “My husband already worked from home, and I am a stay at home mother. What has changed is what keeps breaking my spirit. Both my and Matt’s family relocated to Tampa when we lived in Maine, so after we had my son we moved back as soon as we could so our children could have their grandparents in their lives. It’s been painful for the whole family. Some of our family members have expressed concern that because our children are so young, they won’t remember them when we can all get back together. Mothering two young children was already so difficult on me, but the breaks I got kept me sane. When we all quarantined. I knew it would be hard, but I didn’t expect how intense my anxiety and depression would sporadically be. It’s so hard never being able to recharge. Quarantining has meant that our workload tripled. No parks, no Busch Gardens, no babysitters, no grandma sleepovers, no breaks.”
Jason and Nicole Marlow, Tampa, May 2 This time is so precious to me “Prior to quarantine, I was finishing up my last classes in my doctoral program at USF,” Nicole Marlow said. “I was doing a clinical rotation at a local audiology practice and was preparing for a year-long Externship. We just got married in October. Once the virus situation intensified, we were asked to stop attending clinic and our classes shifted online. In some ways, I was relieved because I know it was a decision made with my safety and that of my patients’ in mind. I was also heartbroken. I’m concerned for the health and stability of my friends, family, and neighbors. I’m disappointed because I didn’t have a chance to say goodbye to my classmates, who have become some of my closest friends, before we disperse across the country for jobs. I feel scared about an uncertain job market and feel like I missed out on some valuable in-person learning activities.” Her husband, Jason works from home now. “As someone who thrives on the company of others, cavorting about and networking, it’s definitely been a lonely adjustment being apart from my friends,” Jason said. Both are appreciating the extra time they have together and with their two dogs. “This time is so precious to me, because it’s helped make up for the stress of the past few months and also will give me something to cling to when we don’t get to spend a lot of time together next year,” Nicole Marlow said. “I think I’m going to try to spend more time being more appreciative for the things in my life I am thankful for,” Jason Marlow said. “I also think I’m going to take more me-time where I can going forward. Having had the privilege to take some personal time over these last few weeks I’ve found myself more productive since I started regularly taking time to keep my mind healthy.”
Morgan Laurie, Tampa, May 2 Some days I am very thankful for this time “Before quarantine, I was a student at SPC’s downtown campus and health education center and a bartender/server at a sports bar,” Morgan Laurie said. “Now, I am currently laid off from my job in the service industry. I have no clue when I will be returning. My college has temporarily cancelled all on-campus classes and turned all current classes to an online format. I have been trying to keep busy by doing an at-home yoga challenge, learning an instrument, and cooking more. My feelings and emotions during quarantine have been up and down, like a roller coaster. Some days I am very thankful for this time to focus on my education, my partner, my home, and my hobbies but some days I feel a lot of anxiety. All of this is so uncertain and not knowing when life will return to normal is stressful. There have been a few breakdowns, including cutting and dying my own hair.”
Robert Beltran (left) and Johnny Johnson Jr.(right) , St. Petersburg, May 17 It’s still unsafe out there in the world Robert Beltran, left, and Johnny Johnson Jr., right, pose for a portrait outside of Johnson’s home in St. Petersburg, Fla., on May 17, 2020. Robert Beltran and Johnny Johnson Jr. have known each other for 41 years. Johnson worked two full-time jobs for 20 years, so they didn’t really become close friends until 2004 when they ran into each other at a store. “Before quarantine, my life was pretty good,” Johnson said. He had a job and was able to pay his bills. When the stay at home order happened, Johnson struggled. He was out of work for six weeks. “I’d ride my truck down here to make sure he’s okay,” Beltran said. He’d help Johnson get food from the local food bank. “Now I just stay home,” Johnson said. “It’s still unsafe out there in the world.” The stay at home order didn’t affect Beltran since he’s already retired. He did worry about his health and the health of his children and grandchildren though. Johnson is happy to be back at work, but he is counting down the days until he retires, two more years to be exact. Beltran will travel with Johnson once he retires. “We will see the world together,” Johnson said. “Two more years, the world is mine. My destination is next year I’m going to Colorado. That’s my dream. My daughter is going to move there so I’m going there for the first time in my life.” The one thing he’s most excited to see is snow for the first time in his life.
Jessica Kelso with Braden and Nola Kelso, St. Petersburg, May 2 I just want all of it back Jessica Kelso is newly divorced. “We just moved here in August from Tampa. I was a stay at home mom before,” she said. Upon moving to St. Petersburg, she found a job she loved at a hair salon. Since quarantine, she’s back home in a two bedroom apartment she shares with her children, Braden, 10, and Nola, 9. “It’s a big bummer. We just got into a new routine and now we’re back to what we were before. It definitely feels a little bit isolated. I’ve been a little sad over that. Everyday is a new emotion. I’ve enjoyed slowing down the first week. Now I just want all of it back. I want the busy and the responsibilities and my kids being able to play with their friends,” Noel said.
Tina Russell is a freelance photographer based in St. Petersburg. She graduated from the University of Central Florida in Orlando and has worked as a staff photographer for both digital media companies and small daily newspapers. Her work has been featured in publications such as the Tampa Bay Times and The New York Times, and the Associated Press and Reuters wire services.
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2020 Issue of FORUM Magazine. Visit our collection at the USFSP Digital Archive by clicking here.
