During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the New York City metro area underwent a profound transformation due to the severe economic and health crisis caused by the novel disease. As the struggle to contain the virus intensified, new policies were implemented, resulting in store closures, empty streets, and the introduction of social distancing measures.

In response to these unprecedented circumstances, I turned to photography to capture and convey my personal experiences and emotions during this period. Taking daily walks in my neighborhood along Lorimer Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with camera in hand, I sought to document both the familiar seasonal changes in nature within the neighborhood and the unsettling presence of discarded COVID-19 protective gear strewn across the streets and sidewalks, such as masks and gloves.

During the initial stages of the pandemic in Brooklyn, winter was giving way to spring. As flowers bloomed and trees flourished, nature continued its predictable cycle while the streets bore witness to the alarming remnants of the crisis. Through my photographic series, I merge these COVID-19 artifacts with the enduring power of nature, resulting in imagery that symbolizes hope in the face of uncertainty.