Global Health Student Photography Contest

This photo was taken in May 2020 in Seattle, Washington at the International District Light Rail Station during the COVID-19 pandemic. The photo is depicting one man, isolated on the platform waiting for the next train to take him south. What strikes me about this photo is how well I feel the scene depicts the COVID-19 pandemic response through the last two years. I find it somewhat interesting that this man was both able and unable to properly abide by protocols, which reflects the spectrum of COVID-19 attitudes across the United States. The man is social distancing at the end of the platform far from the rest of the platform, but somehow, he is unable to wear his mask properly while also touching his nose/mouth/face. Nothing fits the last 2 years of COVID-19 response in the United States better than this man’s laissez-faire level of protocol following. This photo was taken in May 2020 in Seattle, Washington at the International District Light Rail Station during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Man Waiting for Light Rail" by Alan Hai Guo

After the initial outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the United States, many nursing homes went on lock down. The elderly were more at risk, and cases ran rampant in several nursing homes all over the United States. This is a photo of my grandmother at a nursing home suffering from Parkinson’s, taken right before her nursing home no longer allowed visitors. During the first few months, we heard about other patients that had contracted COVID and even passed away. My grandmother herself tested positive, before passing away due to health complications related to Parkinson’s over a year later. This photo represents the failure of nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect the very people they were responsible for taking care of. Instead of being protected, thousands of nursing home residents died due to insufficient regulation and safety measures.

Andrew Wang, Emory College of Arts & Sciences

This photo was taken on the Mist Trail, hiking next to Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park of California. During the lockdown and stay at home orders caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, people began to feel stagnant as they spent more and more time at home. This sparked a wave of interest in getting outdoors and visiting the beauty of the United States, especially the national park system. Getting outside and hiking will not only improve someone’s physical health, but also their mental health. It also allows people to connect better to nature and have a greater appreciation of what the world has to offer. In my eyes, this picture represents taking steps toward a brighter future and better mental health. The mist may obscure the pathway a little bit, but won’t stop someone from moving forward, if they are ready to take the challenge. Although the mist may look unpleasant and cold from the outside, the hiker can actually find solace in the mist's coolness on a hot day.

"A Misty Trail" by Sophia Lamb, Rollins School of Public Health

A local street artist uses his brush as a tool for self-expression and political activism in the wake of Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico in 2017. Seen painting next to a graphic that reads, “Promesa ¡es! Pobreza,” which translates to “Promises lead to Poverty.” Despite being a United States territory, Puerto Rico struggled to secure disaster aid from the government. The old promise of American prosperity when it was territorialized has left many Puerto Ricans feeling stripped of their identity and feeling the lack of representation in United States government decisions. Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2017.

"Raise Your Voice, Raise Your Brush" by Chase Porter, Rollins School of Public Health