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PHOTOS: Oak Bay News readers respond to call for community images of pandemic

A tale of community building, resiliency during COVID-19 pandemic

In January 2020, a respiratory disease now part of everyday repertoire officially landed in B.C.

For many, the past year’s unprecedented global health emergency is difficult to sum up in words – so the Oak Bay News and Community Association of Oak Bay asked for photos.

We invited residents to help create a collective portrait of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic through photos and children’s art. Oak Bay Snaps Back is a photo project that aims to capture the resiliency and camaraderie of community.

“I’m so grateful for Oak Bay and its beautiful nature that held us together when the world suddenly felt like it was falling apart. With fearful news coming at us from every angle, and the unknowns too big to wrap our minds around, we were never more than a short walk from nature and views that grounded us and helped put everyone back in perspective. I can’t imagine being ‘locked down’ anywhere else in the world,” said community photographer Acia Shultz.

In spring 2020 Oak Bay created space on streets for pedestrians to pass safely, businesses shifted models to keep customers in goods, and residents took to parks in record numbers. Residents documented the days and months. We share a handful here.

READ ALSO: Monterey students record their COVID-19 stories for provincial project

c.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca