Photos: Remembering the Year of Covid-19 2020

March 13, 2020. Summerfield Elementary first grade teacher Lindsay Lehman puts daily work together to go in the packet that will be sent home for her students to work on while they are off due to the closing of school from the coronavirus across Michigan. "We will be sending home paper books, pencils, glue sticks and more," said Lehman.

March 14, 2020 Dawn Mettie of LaSalle leaves Hi-Lite Fresh Market where she shops regularly Saturday. “I have to stock up with supplies to make cookies,” said Mettie. “I will be with my grandchildren since they are off school due to the coronavirus.”

March 14, 2020 The River Raisin Ballet Company high school dancers pose for a video clip by director Gail Choate-Pettit as part of 'Smile Therapy' March 14, 2020 because of their production Aladdin is postpone to April 16, 17, and two shows on April 18 due to the coronavirus at the River Raisin Centre of the Arts.

March 15, 2020 Joann Luthy, 79, a member of the St. Michael Church in Monroe, wears her vail every Sunday to church, prays alone in the empty pews during the time mass would have taken place March 15, 2020, but canceled due to the coronavirus epidemic. "This is very disappointing" said Luthy, that mass services have to be canceled. Also with a personal prayer was Lisa Kuhlman, up at the Tabernacle where she also sang "Here I am Lord," Sunday. "The archbishop approves us to go before the Lord at the Tabernacle for personal prayer," said Kuhlman.

March 16, 2020 Diana Fuchs receives breakfast and lunch bags from Monroe Public Schools assistant bus personal Billie Larner and bus driver Martha Ireland in Monroe Monday morning due to the school closing because of the coronavirus. Fuchs has four sons; high school students Marcus 11th grade, Kyle 10th grade, Alexander 9th grade and middle school student Owen 8th grade.

March 17, 2020 Becky McCarty host/manager at Social House in Dundee takes a take out order Tuesday afternoon. Due to the coronavirus the dinning room is closed.

March 18, 2020 Krystle Ripple with the food service at Dundee Middle School helps pull the cooler forward to load onto the bus she will ride on to distribute breakfast and lunch to Dundee Community Schools students Wednesday. Thirteen buses loaded up to serve their students.

March 18, 2020 Bernie Regnier a support staff employee at Merkle Funeral Service North sets up 36 chairs, spaced 5-6 feet apart from an original 122 for a funeral service Wednesday. Due to the Governor Gretchen Whitmer executive order no more that 50 people at an event in a shared indoor space. The visiting room also had two couches and 4 cushion chairs.

March 19, 2020 Margaret Walters, 82 and Cindy Prusaitis, 63, share what they have been doing the past couple of days at Mable H. Kehres apartments in Monroe. Ms. Walters has been reading a book a day and crocheting, while Ms. Prusaitis makes rosaries and watching CNN. They are allowed limited visitors, but cannot socialize in common areas like the lobby or community rooms.

March 19, 2020 Stewart Road Church of God Pastor Keith Hawes performs a video recording with the daily devotional message with technician Dakota Roberts Thursday. The messages are downloaded to Facebook.

March 22, 2020 Greg Shields of Monroe smiles as his mother Mary Shields a resident at Wellsprings Lutheran Services for eight years. Also visiting with her grandson Jackson, with Kaiah, a Husky owned by Greg's daughter-in-law MacKenzie Shields. Also visiting was Greg's wife Tonya and MacKenzie and another grand dog Pug Jiffy. “We have left her People magazine every week and called every day, but the first time visiting through the window,” said Greg. Also we thought it be nice to bring up the grand dogs, said MacKenzie.

March 23, 2020 The Raymond family start their Monday morning with breakfast and then right into the school day at the dinning room. Dave Raymond teaches high school English 10-12th grade at Summerfield, Melissa Raymond teaches fifth grade social studies at Ida Middle School and the girls Emma, 6, first grade, Abby, 9, fourth grade, and Grace, 12, sixth grade go to Summerfield Elementary.

March 23, 2020 The snow fell heavy this past Monday while the girls worked on their school work, so for recess, the girls Grace, Abby, and Emma went out to play on their trampoline. “I had already washed and put away their snow clothes,” laughed mom Melissa Raymond.

March 24, 2020 Rosanne Metcalf of Luna Pier was so delighted to see Luna Pier Police Reserve Officers Keith Blosser and Kenneth Mentel as they delivered her prescription medicine and light bulbs to her Tuesday afternoon. “I so appreciate this,” said Ms. Metcalf who has no way to get to the stores. “Thank you so much for the light bulbs to, my light bulb was stolen from my front porch, how much to I owe you,”said Ms.Metcalf. “Nothing,” said the officers as a collection has started to help others by Police Chief Brett Ansel.

March 25, 2020 Aubrey Hodge, 7, a first grader at Mason Central who loves horses reads 'Sprit, Lucky's Class Contest' to her miniature horse Kiss who is 18-years-old. The daughter of Todd and Katelyn reads to Kiss the miniature horse, but also to the larger horses Sonny, 21, and Dude, 29 while they eat hay. “I love to read and to be outside, so I do it together,” said Aubrey who was challenged by her teacher Deanna Kline. “It's FUN and I LOVE them!”

March 25, 2020 Paper Moon Artisan & Gift Market (left) the strip of stores in Dundee closed to the coronavirus.

March 25, 2020 Dundee Elementary third grader Cameron Davis, 9, and his sister Carlin, 5, who attends the young fives play dodge ball with their mother Tiffany Davis on the courts behind the Dundee Old Mill Wednesday afternoon. “Great day to spend time outside, our gym class,” said Tiffany Davis, who is a waitress and laid off from Sidetracks Bar and Grill in Ypsilanti. “As a mother, I'm just trying to enjoy this time with them. Teach them and love them. We have our schedule going but really just valuing this time together is the everyday goal,” said Tiffany Davis.

March 27, 2020 Deputy Director Hilton Kincaid of Homeland Security of the City of Detroit carries boxes of surgical mask that are being donated by Chief Operations Officer William Nolan of Shunli Steel USA Inc. in Temperance. There are ten cartons, with 2000 mask per carton. “They will distribute as they see fit among the fire departments and police officers,” said Nolan. Behind is Jing Loos the administrator assistant and translator.

March 27, 2020 Trisha Burgess (left) of the Oaks Shelter takes the temperatures of Heather Meeks, one of the women who are staying at the shelter after they come back inside the shelter each time they leave due to the coronavirus pandemic. The shelter is housing 18 women, 20 children, and 22 men at the present time.

March 29, 2020 Sandra Sharpe prays from her vehicle at the first outdoor Oaks of Righteousness Christian Church service in Monroe where trying to follow the coronavirus pandemic guidelines last Sunday.

March 31, 2020 Marie Trouten toast her family holding her martini through the window at the Wellsprings Lutheran Services home for her 99th birthday on March 31st.

April 1, 2020 Melissa Thomas of Monroe, her daughter Nina Desilvia, 15, and Jackson Thomas, 10, have been sewing a variety of colored cloth masks. Jackson is wearing a Star Wars theme mask.

April 1, 2020 Pam Riley and her daughter Andrea Boyd of Monroe have been making two different types of cloth mask.

April 1, 2020 Joe and Linda Helisek of Monroe, Linda Hamstra and Emily Short have been making a variety of cloth mask for the Kirby Church in Flat Rock for them to give where needed.

April 2, 2020 “Health Care Heroes Work Here” signs stand out from of ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital.

April 3, 2020 Ida school buses parked as schools are closed for the year.

April 6, 2020 Heather Wheating and her two daughters fifth grader Lexi, 10, and seventh grader Maggie, 12, at Wagar Middle School in Carleton draw and colored with chalk messages, “Hope, Stay Positive, Stay Strong, and Smile for their teachers and the public to see Monday afternoon. They also colored a rainbow and butterflies.

April 6, 2020 Briella Ritchie, 3,peeks out her front screen door where she painted a rainbow, flowers, and a sun to spread cheer due to the coronavirus pandemic with her sister Ava, 11, parents Jordan and Angela Ritchie of Dundee.

April 8, 2020 Social distancing is marked with X of the floor at Independent Dairy in Monroe as truck delivery employee Ryan Vallard ordered a shake from cashier Barb Hudson Wednesday morning. Customers have to be six feet apart.

April 9, 2020 Dundee Elementary school nurse Rachel Palmer carries the food supply in a box, which has been called the Backpack Brigade. “We decided to use boxes this time which can be thrown out instead of the backpacks,” said Principal August Ost. It is due to the coronavirus pandemic. There also were 30 Easter baskets donated by first grade teacher Emily Thompson and her children second grader Abby and future Viking Andrew, as social worker Natalie Keller carries out to the car Thursday. Doug and Diane Steinman, long time Dundee supporters brought a Easter bag for the 30 families that signed up for the Backpack Brigade.

April 10, 2020 Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer press conference live on April 10, 2020 extends stay-home order through the end of April.

April 10, 2020 Ashley Esser dressed as the cowgirl and Kylie Rathbone as the Easter Bunny spread cheer throughout Monroe neighborhoods Friday morning playing “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” as the bunny waved to the children and adults that looked out their windows or outside their homes and apartments.

April 14, 2020 Annika Pridemore, 8, holds up a sign wishing Ava Pollzzie, 8, a happy birthday with her mom Renee Pridemore (driving) and Shaelynn Pridemore holding Nitro while they drove by Steve and Amy Pollzzie home in Monroe Township for Ava's Birthday Parade.

April 14, 2020 Andrew Hoppert of Monroe has been producing face shields for doctors, first responders, police officers and others from the eight Ender 3 Pro 3D printers on his screen porch going over the 1,300 mark recently. Andrew teaches seventh-eighth grade STEM/CTE at Monroe Middle School. “In class, we constantly talk about using our skills and our interests to find how we can make a difference in our community. I’m so excited to be able to contribute my little part while being able to show my students how we can make a difference no matter what we have as a career or what our passions are. This has been a phenomenal experience. To see how many people have given what they can, whether it be time, effort, or contributions, has been truly uplifting,” said Andrew Hoppert. Monroe News photojournalist Tom Hawley is capturing images of Monroe County workers and residents "Behind the Glass" to illustrate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. [MONROE NEWS PHOTO BY TOM HAWLEY]

April 14, 2020 Lake Erie Transit utility maintenance employee Marty Sinacola cleans the bus from top to bottom inside the bus every day. “There are six buses that go out for the day, we then clean them throughly when the bus returns,” said Mr. Sinacola “then those buses will rest a day before going back out.” “We are doing out best to make sure the buses are cleaned and safe,” said Sinacola. This is the start of a 'Behind the Glass' series of photographs by photojournalist Tom Hawley.

April 16, 2020 Felicia Seger with her two boys, first grader Braxton Doom, 6, and fourth grader Warren Plummer, 10, wait for the school packets being delivered by Mason Central Elementary kindergarten teachers Floyd Martin and Brooke Oberski in Luna Pier this past week. Also on the bus was second grader teacher Lisa Conway and bus driver Bonnie Carsner.

April 17, 2020 Tammy Massingill holds back the tears as her husband Pastor Rick Massingill of North Monroe Street Church of God kisses her cheeks after he was released from ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital Friday after spending 18 days there due to the coronavirus pandemic. Pastor Rick, who has been the pastor for 23 years said he was the third patient who was on a ventilator to be released. “It is a miracle, he is my miracle, Monroe's miracle.” said his wife Tammy Massingill. “I had to be strong not to cry,” said Tammy.

April 18, 2020 River Raisin Centre for the Arts Dance Academy Director Melissa Moore works with her advance students (teens) with 'plies and tendus' at the beginning of their zoom class due to the coronavirus pandemic. The RRCA is offering 32 online classes through zoom. “Even though we miss the face to face interaction, we know that these classes are essential, and our faculty has adjusted to a new way of teaching, said Ms. Moore. Our parents have let us know that their children needed these classes for both their physical and mental well being.” Melissa Moore going on to say, honestly, the teachers needed it, too. It truly lifts my spirits to see their eager, smiling faces! The doors reflect several of the performances that have been presented. [MONROE NEWS PHOTO BY TOM HAWLEY]

April 20, 2020 Monroe High School seniors, triplets Olivia, Jonah, and Rebecca Bleyaert kneel behind their "2020 Proud of Our Monroe High School Graduate" signs that were placed in their yards this past week above by Tamela Moore a secretary at Monroe Middle School.

April 20, 2020 Senior Taylor Wegener of Ida High School during this time of the corornavirus pandemic is using virtual ways to work out and communicate with her teammates at Saginaw Valley State University. Above trainer Chris Winter posted different video workouts on YouTube to watch and train with as Taylor works out at her father's Toby and stepmother's Mandy home in Monroe.

April 21, 2020 James Boylin employee at Siebs Plumbing and Heating of Monroe was out on emergency call only. “I am prepared,”said Boylin wearing his mask he purchased to use at home on a personal project. Mr. Boylin was dressed; gloves, hat and the mask due and brought had his own disaffected spray to the coronavirus pandemic. Monroe News photojournalist Tom Hawley is capturing images of Monroe County workers and residents "Behind the Glass" to illustrate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

April 21, 2020 Andrea Lechner the owner of Barn Owl Studio in Downtown Monroe, donated over 2,500 acrylic comfort hooks she made from her commercial laser cutter to the front liners. “The comfort hooks attach to the masks so the elastic is not rubbing the back of the ears raw,” said Andrea Lechner. The hooks have been given hospitals, nursing home, police stations, rehabilitation facilities, car dealerships, Fermi, grocery store workers and more in Monroe County.

April 24, 2020 Lisa Schmidt owner of Papa's Place Restaurant in downtown Petersburg was so excited to see the banners going up of the Summerfield High School seniors as she was taking photographs of a waitress of hers Meena Iott and former waitress Paige Laplante. City of Petersburg employees raised 45 senior banners who will graduate this year. “This was a group effort with the Summerfield Public Schools, Summerfield Twn and City of Petersburg to raise the banners,” said Principal Jodi Bucher. “It was 2004 graduate Ashley Morris who brought the idea to me, I sent the photographs to her and she came up with the design,” said Bucher. Also a parent printed them for us at no cost. “It was a great day, while I was tying bows to the poles, said principal Bucher. Young and old were driving through, walking by or riding bikes were giving thumbs up, clapping, smiling stopping to take pictures, rolling down their windows and giving compliments. Small towns truly are a blessing in times like this. Always proud to be a Bulldog!

April 24, 2020 Taylor Cunningham of Monroe, an Monroe County Community College nursing 2016 graduate looks out her front door at her parents Dan and Liz Cunningham's home in Monroe holding her pink 3M Respirator mask. She is currently a nurse at Beaumont Dearborn Hospital in the ICU with all Covid patients. ”This is part of a series of first responders and others with the American Flag by photojournalist Tom Hawley.

April 27, 2020 Debbie and Jeff Cribbs of Temperance push their cars filled with different hanging baskets they were going to purchase at Parrans Greenhouse and Farm in Ida Monday. “We have a front porch, side porch and back porch for all of these,” said the Cribbs.

April 28, 2020 Due to the coronavirus pandemic the Monroe Catholic Elementary Schools (MCES) surprise their 8th grade students with a yard sign and graduation cap. Chloe Lohmeyer, 14, an eighth grader was proud to hold her decorated cap through the window of her home in Monroe that she created. The eighth grade students were asked to wear their eighth grade shirts and hold the graduation cap for two photographs to be submitted for their graduation slideshow. MCES hopes that the yard sign and graduation cap activity will help the graduate celebrate all they have accomplished. “I'll miss having the graduation ceremony, but this was a really nice way to still feel like I graduated and that the school cares,” said Chloe Lohmeyer. "BEHIND THE GLASS" SERIES

April 29, 2020 Mike Williams of Newport welcomes ProMedica Home care Nurse Andrea Tocco as she visited Mr. Williams Wednesday for a final check up from surviving the coronavirus.

April 30, 2020 Monroe County Sheriff Department deputy Brian Sroka, wears a mask that his mother Margaret Sroka made for him. You can call him 'Ninja Deputy,” said Maj. Jeff Kemp. Deputy Sroka, when on duty drives the SUV with the flying American Flag on it. The department received the SUV in 2017 to celebrate 200 years of service of the agency. Deputy Sroka's mom made two mask for her son; the dark ninja mask and the other one with yellow smiley faces wearing officers hats. “So we don’t have an official policy. Between now and Memorial Day, Monroe News photojournalist Tom Hawley will capture first responders and others as part of a series with the American Flag. Due to the coronavirus many Memorial Day events are cancelled.

May 4, 2020 Airport High School senior Valerie Neun reaches out for her cap and gown from Andrea Hollandsworth of Jostens as seniors took part in the Graduation Cap and Gown Drive-Thru Delivery Event. Also just over 200 graduates picked up yard signs and letters from which they written in eighth grade.

May 11, 2020 Sodt Elementary kindergarten teachers Hannah Green (center) and Cassi Luther throw out an air hugs to kindergartner Richard Winter as they were picking up their last packet of school material for the year through the drive up pick up this past week.

May 11, 2020 Katie Whitehall, wearing a mask due to the coronavirus pandemic is a member of the Community Volunteer Ambassadors holds onto the British Flags which will be on display on the Field of Remembrance at River Raisin National Battlefield Park.

May 13, 2020 Monroe Fire Department Lieutenant Scott Smiley wears the American Flag mask as a cover for the N-95 masks that the fireman wear on calls, above out front of the new Station 1 Monroe Fire Department on Third St.“I am trying to help prolong the N-95 masks.” said Lieutenant Smiley.” It gives an extra layer of protection and it is easy to wash and re-use.” Smiley received 10 American Flag homemade mask for the other fireman in the department from his sister-in-law Jayme McElvany and her daughter Madison owners of Madi Mac Dancewear. Part of Hawley's American Flag Series.

May 13, 2020 Maria Bellestri owner of Tailored Threads in Monroe who does alterations and tailoring has done some adjustments on the wedding dress for an upcoming brides wedding. Due to the coronavirus pandemic many weddings have been postponed, held with immediate family or cancelled for the time being.

May 13, 2020 Munir Qaraeen, owner of Mirage Barber Shop in Temperance is not happy with the shut down by the Gov. Grethen Whitmer due to the coronavirus pandemic.

May 17, 2020 East Ida Immanuel Lutheran Church usher Jerry Heck wearing a mask and rubber gloves hands the service program to Julie Karowich. The church has taken many precautions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

VFW Post Commander Bob Cebina and also the honor guard ritual team commander of Monroe Post 1138, Veterans of Foreign Wars stands proud on his porch in Monroe. An Air Force Veteran from 1966-1070, Cebina who spent a year in Thailand as an aircraft mechanic and the the ritual team were sideline due to the coronavirus pandemic. Hawley's AMERICAN FLAG SERIES

May 19, 2020 Dylan Konkus stocks the tomatoes and other fruit and vegetables at KAS Market Fresh in Carleton, All patrons must wear a mask to enter the grocery store due to the coronavirus pandemic.

May 19, 2020 Mary Jo Sauro prays as the mass was about to begin for the first time at St. John's Catholic Church in Monroe Tuesday morning since the coronavirus pandemic outbreak. Services were lead by Rev. David Burgard, pastor both at St. Johns and St. Mary's Catholic Church.

May 21, 2020 Betty Dickerson of Monroe about to take the Covid -19 testing from Hollie Spina of Helix Diagnostics as part of the mobile drive-up testing held outside at the Opportunity Center at the Arthur Lesow Community Center in Monroe. “We have been at several places in Monroe this past week,”said nurse Spina.

May 21, 2020 Michigan Bar in Monroe, MI. waitress/bartender Nicole Frommann (left) and manager/server Shar Tapp (right) wearing mask and gloves show how social distancing and how people will be spaced out at table in the restaurant.

May 21, 2020 Denis Kurti of the R Diner in Monroe, MI will separate the tables and chairs for social distancing once they can open due to the coronavirus pandemic.

May 22, 2020 Ida High School senior Alyvia Fondren with her miniature horse waves to parents, friends and others as she took part in the Quarantine Caravan through downtown Ida last Friday night as it was the last day of the senior Class of 2020.

May 26, 2020 Customer Jim Christensen (left) talks with Bernie Ochs owner of Carrol/ Ochs Jewelers in Monroe on Tuesday, as retail stores can open by appointment. “We are wearing our masks and following the rules,” said Bernie Ochs. Behind employees MaryAnn Chapman and Denise Cooley.

May 26, 2020 Monroe High School senior Leighton Schneeman wears the Quarantined Class of 2020 mask that was made by Maria Bellestri owner of Tailored Threads in Monroe. “It sure was nice that these are given away to the students,” said Scheeman. Ms. Bellestri who has passed out 70 mask to Monroe students is also making mask for Monroe Jefferson, Dundee, Mason, SMCC, Airport and the Monroe Middle College students. “I have started taking orders for masks with school mascots,” said Bellestri. The Monroe High mask was designed by Carey Merritt. This coming Sunday and next Monday the Monroe High School seniors will start being video taped for their virtual graduation.

May 26, 2020 Tegan Jaworski (left) owner of Professional Paws Grooming Shop in Dundee takes Sir Winston a Shih-Poo from Angie Snow of Dundee to be groomed Tuesday. “We just reopened Monday (Memorial Day) and had 17 dogs to groom,” said Jaworski who opened last August 2019. “No one is allowed to come in,” said Jaworski.

May 28, 2020 Rich Kenny at Forest View Lanes-Recreation Bar and Grill explains all the measures he is taking to re-open once the Gov. Grethen Whitmer gives the green light that they can open due to COVID-19.

June 3, 2020 A variety of speakers reflected in the glasses of Taihlyr Warren of Toledo at the Black Lives Matter protest at The Pearl Albert Green Park June 3, 2020 in Lambertville.

June 9, 2020 Cortenasia McClay, 18, leaps for joy after she was filmed for the virtual graduation production for her mother Nathania Wells, Aunt Ashley Cheatham, Uncle Jermaine Wells and Aunt Katrina Hood this week. There are 330 graduates for the MHS Class of 2020 Virtual Graduation this Sunday at 8:45pm to view on two large screens at the high school.

June 10, 2020 Waitresses Heaven Scaggs and Mikayla Freeman listen to Quatro's co-owner Heather Berns about the seating arrangements and who will cover what areas Wednesday late afternoon in Monroe. Do to coronavirus pandemic social distancing is in place, mask to be worn, tables are cleared of all condiments and more.

June 12, 2020 Summerfield kindergartner Shawn Drum, who likes to play the drums, was all smiles for his graduation. Forty-two Summerfield kindergartners drove up with their loved ones, decorated cars, wearing their graduation cap as they listen to Pomp and Circumstance Graduations song last week for their drive-up graduation. The students received a memory book and a bucket filled with bubbles, chalk, cookie and other items. Due to the coronavirus pandemic teachers Wendy Myers, Jordyn Copciac, Principal Jodi Bucher and other staff members made it special for the children.

June 12, 2020 Ryan Mahony, Kayla Hillion, Cassandra Wallace and Haylie Ann enjoy Saturday afternoon lunch at the Public House Restaurant in Monroe as waitresses Francis Lizcaino and Courtney Morris bring out their food as Governor Gretchen Whitmer has placed restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

June 15, 2020 Barber Tom Timmins for some 35 years, owner of Danny's Barber Shop cuts Michael McNally, 7, hair Monday morning. “This was the first time I have had my customers call for an appointment,” said Timmins. Due to Governor Gretchen Whitmers orders the barbershops and salons could officially open Monday. “We will have walk-ins this week, but eventually will be trying to go to appointments,” said Timmins. Michael McNally was with his grandmother who will be spending the day on a Pokemon Hunt with the cell phone.

June 15, 2020 Kellee Conant leads the Fat Shredder work out on the front lawn of the Monroe Family YMCA. Due to the coronavirus pandemic all classes are held outside. “We have made orange boxes sprayed on the grass which are six feet apart for individuals to work out in,” said Karen Turner, healthy living director. “They have to bring their own equipment, and there are no bathrooms available.”