About The Project

Edmonton in the Time of Covid is a collection of stories and photographs which tell how members of a North Central Edmonton community navigated the first pandemic in 100 years.

By sharing stories of ordinary citizens during this pandemic, the intention is for future Edmontonians to look back on the Covid pandemic to see how everyday people moved through this extraordinary, life changing event.

Recent Stories

Deborah Fehr: on being an extroverted kinesthetic person during the Covid pandemic

Fehr keenly felt the stress of being online all the time. “I've done classes on stress management for people for...
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Michelle Patterson Nipp: realtor, baker and mother explores new territory

“I have a photo. Christie could see him, but they wouldn't let the kids in. The photo is of his...
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Ali Hammington: serving the community as Alberta Avenue Community League president, 2019-2021

Despite the initial shock of businesses being closed and employment for many halted, Hammington said that she doesn’t think the...
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Rusty Lehay: choosing not to get vaccinated

She explained the distinction between people who have vaccine hesitancy and those who are vaccine refusers. She said, “For those...
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Priyank Patel: pandemic creates steep learning curve and additional workload for pharmacies

There was a failure to communicate by the Government of Alberta and AHS (Alberta Health Services) to all other levels...
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Tracy Patience: busy executive director lives with post covid symptoms

She described the emotional impact of knowing that society considered her father’s life collateral damage. “Yeah. Most of us will...
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Jim Gurnett: housing advocate continues to care for community during the pandemic

“I have a photo. Christie could see him, but they wouldn't let the kids in. The photo is of his...
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Stephanie Smith: nursing Alberta for thirty years – Part One

Smith speculated that the provincial government was in denial about the risks and consequences of the pandemic. “It is tough...
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Amy Carroll: caring for the dead

With the lack of clear information provided by the government in every facet of the pandemic, rumours abounded. One rumour...
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Lucy Collins: librarians are essential

Collins said, “When you go to the downtown library, there is a long row of computers and you can see...
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Olivia Benson: coming of age in the pandemic

“I have a photo. Christie could see him, but they wouldn't let the kids in. The photo is of his...
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Ashley Miller: teaching in a pandemic – Part Three

There is societal dissonance between knowing children need mental health support and the lack of access they actually have. “...
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Ashley Miller: teaching in a pandemic – Part Two

She discussed the absurdity of distancing when there were increased class sizes that were the result of the 2019 budget...
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Ashley Miller: Teaching in a Pandemic – Part One

“When the UCP started announcing their education policies, the open hostility and contempt for educators rampant editorially, in the media,...
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Nadine Riopel: online schooling

”I always remember that moment. That's the moment that everyone went, ‘Oh well, I guess this is what we're doing.’...
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Venessa Farn: immigrated home to Canada from the U.S.

"Over the next few months, she began dismantling the life she had built over the previous 18 years. The political...
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Cheryl Walker: Strengthened Relationships When a Family Member Was Dying

“I have a photo. Christie could see him, but they wouldn't let the kids in. The photo is of his...
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Karen Simonson: Opted To Send Her Children To School

She continued, “Elizabeth has the same teacher as in kindergarten, so I know her. I’ve had nothing but an email...
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Carol Powder: Shared Her Indigenous Heritage and Connected With Family

"I got to know my kids better. At least through this pandemic, we get to know our kids better, get...
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Virginia Potkins: Lost her Jobs and Opened a Restaurant

To keep herself busy and earn some additional income, Potkins found a commercial kitchen on the southside where she could...
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Join The Conversation

Share
Your Story

What has your experience been with COVID-19?

Everyone’s story is different and we’d like to hear yours.

Anyone Edmontonian can share a story with us. We’ll even select some to post here on the site. Simply click the button to get started.

Share the Project

Please feel free to share the links for the stories on Facebook or Instagram, crediting Rebecca Lippiatt and providing a link back to this site.

Connect With Us on Social

If you would like to share your own images and stories, we invite you to use the following hashtags;

#yeginthetimeofcovid #yegcovidphoto #yegcovidstory #yegcovid #inthetimeofcovid #yegphoto #edmontonliving

With Gratitude

Edmonton in the Time of Covid is supported by the Edmonton Heritage Council and the City of Edmonton.

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Thank you also to the Rat Creek Press for their support. 

I am deeply grateful to the residents of the Rat Creek neighbourhoods (Alberta Avenue, Norwood, Delton, Eastwood, Spruce Avenue, Elmwood Park, Westwood and Parkdale-Cromdale) for sharing their lives and stories. They made this project possible.