Everyone is Essential — Sabrina Godin

With the world currently being closed down by COVID-19 many families are enjoying time together and trying new things. However, my family’s life has not become easier. All four members, Christine, Marc, Serena and myself, are essential workers. Serena, a high school senior, and I, a second year college student, are grocery store employees working over forty hours a week, while also maintaining online classes. Marc is an engineer for a company that produces ventilators and has taken on the role of providing meals for the family. Christine is an emergency department manager and a nurse who is directly interacting with COVID-19 patients. For this series, I focused on how my family has been coping with COVID-19. The Godin family’s situation is unlike other Americans during this crisis. We all have our vices, and take each day at time, hoping one day life can return back to normal. As pandemic continues around the world, I continue to photograph my family's experience.

Front House

The Godins live in Glendale, Rhode Island on a lake in the middle of nowhere. They spend a majority of their time enjoying the view from their front doors. April 22nd, 2020

Emergency Nurse

Christine Godin works at Our Lady of Fatima in North Providence, Rhode Island. As the manager of the emergency department she interacts with positive COVID-19 patients on the daily. May 1st 2020.

In the Woods

Marc Godin works at GF Agie Charmille in Holliston, MA as an application engineer. During the pandemic, Marc has found himself having more free time to explore waterfalls in the New England area. April 15th, 2020

Prom Night

Serena Godin is a high school senior who has missed out on a majority of her high school experience. The one she was looking forward to the most was prom. On April 19th, 2020 Serena decides to get ready as if she was attending her prom.

Counter Tops

With everyone being an essential worker, clutter easily builds up in the Godin household. On April 15, 2020 the countertops begin to fill up.

Kiss Goodnight

Marc and Christine Godin still follow routine of kissing each other goodnight throughout the crisis on May 1, 2020.

Bath Time

Family dog, Penny, waits to be dried off after being decontaminated on April 17, 2020. Penny goes for walks daily, meaning she is constantly interacting with neighbours. Being fearful of brining any virus into the house, Penny now receives daily bathes.

Welcome

The mudroom has transformed into a changing room. Everyone is required to undressed and out on a robe before entering the rest of the house. The clothes are put directly into the wash every day to ensure all bacteria has been cleaned off. Christine Godin undresses in the makeshift changing room, as soon as she comes home from work on April 14, 2020

Small Details

Before I left for my sophomore year of college, my childhood school picture fell off the wall. No one put the frame back up on the wall since then. The small details go unnoticed.

Digital School

Serena only exists online. While being a first year college student, her life has fully transitioned to be in room all the time.

Missing Home

I close the door to the back of my house on April 22nd 2020. After being sent home in March for spring break, I have been finishing up my sophomore year of college from my childhood bedroom. I often think about what my life could’ve been if we were allowed to stay on campus.