Stories of the pandemic
Check out the story board below to read stories of people from across the region.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we work, communicate, and live. Everyone has faced different struggles and triumphs throughout this time yet our community has remained #DurhamStrong through our resilient spirit. What is your story?
Stories of the Pandemic is a project to help us connect and build community recovery and healing. We are calling on you-our community-to share your unique experiences with us. Sharing your stories of success and challenges helps us stay connected. No matter the experience, good or bad, we are examples of staying #DurhamStrong.
You can write a story, share a photo, video, or artwork and connect with other members of the community to learn about their pandemic experiences. Every story is important. Your story is important.
Be sure to review the guidelines below and the FAQs on the right side menu before you get started!
Story Guidelines
There are guidelines for what can be published. Please be sure to read our Terms of Use before posting.
By sharing your stories, photos, videos, or artwork you consent to the Region of Durham using your submission in Stories of the Pandemic as well as any future Regional promotions and materials.
By clicking "Create" you are agreeing to the Stories of the pandemic Terms of Use, including the Region's right to modify any submission prior to publishing, and to not publish content that does not meet the conditions of the Terms of Use. The Region has the sole right to determine what it wishes to publish.
Notice of Collection Statement
The Regional Municipality of Durham will be collecting, using and disclosing any personal information submitted with the upload of your story, picture, video or artwork for the purposes of administering this community engagement project and will handle it in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56, as amended.
Get started below!
Content Warning: Stories of the Pandemic may include material that is harmful or traumatizing to some audiences.
Support is here if you need it, visit durham.ca/mentalhealth for more information.
Note: The submissions page will not refresh after clicking "Create". Please wait until you receive a confirmation email before re-submitting.
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COVID-19 has melted half the ice at the Campus Ice Centre
Along with the college and university, the Campus Ice Centre has also gone through restrictions due to COVID-19. The twin ice pad facility has gone through multiple closings and openings based on current health protocols and has had one pad converted to a vaccine clinic.
The Campus Ice Centre is located on the Ontario Tech and Durham College campus. It’s a place where students can go and play stick and puck or go public skating.
It is also home to the men’s and women’s Ontario Tech Ridgeback hockey teams along with intramural and extramural sports for students... Continue reading
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DC dental students worked ‘seven days a week’ through parts of pandemic
While some Durham College (DC) students have been able to attend their programs entirely online during the pandemic, that has not been the case for those in the Dental Hygiene program.
In addition to a few online classes, Dental Hygiene students have had to provide in-person services to the community for free since the beginning of the pandemic.
“We had the clinic running seven days a week and 12-hour days,” said Jennifer Kellett, professor and program coordinator.
“We needed to ensure that the students all graduated with the experiences that previous graduates had, so we needed to... Continue reading
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A MAD, but positive pandemic response at DC’s Oshawa campus
By Caitlin Bolt
Greg Murphy, dean of Durham College’s School of Media, Art and Design (MAD), said the pandemic has produced changes both at the Oshawa campus and within his role.
For the past two years Murphy has worked at home about two days a week and was fully remote during the campus shutdown.
“When I’m coming in the morning I walk down the halls and there’s no students in,” said Murphy.
The faculty are only able to see a portion of the students in person, as some classes have been fully online or hybrid.
This has made technical support... Continue reading
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Clarke leads Lords to perfect season in pandemic
Durham Lords women’s volleyball head coach, Tony Clarke, continues to lead the Lords to success…even through a pandemic…and even when the team is rebuilding.
In his sixth season as head coach of the program, Clarke holds a record of 118 wins and 40 losses. The Lords have just completed a perfect 8-0 Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) regular season and are 18-6 overall throughout pre-season and tournament play. (The Lords start the OCAA playoffs later this week, with dates to be announced). The Lords have done this with a roster featuring eight rookies out of the 12... Continue reading
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How do DC healthcare students learn about the human body remotely?
By Joey Cole
Students in healthcare programs at Durham College (DC) have had to learn about human bodies while being away from other human bodies.
Shannon Lazo, a second year Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant (OTA/PTA) student is a case in point.
“I’m a very hands-on learner so it’s a little bit more difficult to study online for my kind of learning style,” said Lazo.
“In my program, because it’s very hands on, we’re learning about muscles and the way the body works and all that, it’s a big learning curve. Looking at models and diagrams online as opposed... Continue reading
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President Lovisa thanks DC community for its adjustments through pandemic
By Neshya Carva
Durham College (DC) president Don Lovisa thanks the school community for its continuous efforts studying, teaching and providing services through the pandemic.
“There’s people who have worked so hard to study, to teach, to provide services,” Lovisa said. “People are frustrated, but you know, we just got to hang in together.”
DC is welcoming more programs on campus, according to the Lovisa. Despite online platforms still being used, Lovisa said he finds a balance between being home and coming to campus, adding he is at DC at least a couple times a week.
“It was important to... Continue reading
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Campus chiropractic health good to go during pandemic
Bernadette Murphy has been working as a chiropractor at Durham College for 12 years, but that work suddenly stopped in 2020 due to COVID-19.
Murphy transitioned to seeing patients virtually for a few months before re-entering the campus.
Murphy said she was nervous at the beginning with students who weren’t following lockdown protocol. She recalls treating one student who had a problem with her foot.
“I asked her, ‘Oh, how did that happen?,’ And she said she was dancing in heels. So I asked her ‘where were you dancing in heels?’ And she’s like ‘at a party.’... Continue reading
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DC soccer players getting their kicks during pandemic
By Desi Huddy
Nate Paine has played for the Durham Lords men’s soccer team for four years, which means his career includes playing before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Once COVID started they brought in a lot of protocols like getting tested if you weren’t fully vaccinated, the COVID questionnaire that you answer before going on campus you have to have that filled out,” said Paine, who plays left/right wing for the Lords.
Only slight changes were made to practices and games when COVID-19 restrictions happened, according to Paine.
These changes included, female and male teams travelled separately to games... Continue reading
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Staying Connected to the Art World
Story collected by Will McGuirk, website: slowcity.ca
Ajax resident Georgia Fullerton is an expressive arts therapist and counsellor. She is currently artist-in-residence at the Station Gallery in Whitby.
“I lost my father in April of 2021 and could not travel to see him to say goodbye, as he and my mother live in Jamaica. It adds a new level to grief and loss when you can’t even be physically there with your loved ones.”
“Just before COVID I was continuing to work in the community offering therapeutic arts workshops in schools and other community organizations. I have just signed a... Continue reading
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