People Of The Pandemic

We’ve all seen the photos of the crowds, the empty shelves and the people bulk-buying toilet roll at supermarkets, but here’s some humanity behind the headlines.

People of the Pandmic is a photography project that aims to amplify the voices of the everyday heroes in our society who we often take for granted: supermarket workers, delivery drivers, cleaners, medical workers. The people risking their own health to continue servicing our needs. The project exists as an online space where, as staying inside becomes increasingly important, you can share stories of everyday humanity during these isolated times.

Aldi supermarket worker Brieanna said when we took her portrait – “Yesterday was the worst day of my life. People shouted at me so much they made me cry. Then a customer brought me flowers and it made my day.”

The project was started by @theworldwidetribe and @dosomethingfornothing and can be found at peopleofthepandemic.uk and @peopleofthepandemic

More info: peopleofthepandemic.uk

“I just wanted to get food for my daughter, Nova.” – Roberta

“We’ve got a new rule…a limit of 4 of one thing, per customer yeh. We have to limit it for the people, to make sure everyone gets one. This girl on the till, Brieanna, young girl, she’s like 20 or something, all these customers were coming up to her, she’s crying her eyes out, I had to get her off the till. I went on the till and I said ‘guys, let’s not do this, we’re all human beings. We’re in this together. They think they can walk all over us. I’m usually a calm person. I do yoga as well. I didn’t lose it, I kept my cool. And I try to help the customers who really need it.” – Chris

I’m an events manager… So I do things like, Glastonbury and Isle of Wight Festival. At the moment they’re saying that everything this is postponed until like, September. I’ll be alright for a little while. I’ve tried to have the attitude of not being that bothered about it, but I do understand (the panic) Like, my mum is quite ill and there is a bunch of other people who are in the same position. I’ve picked up some things for her. I got some fruit because they were all out of veg.” – Tower

“What did you get from Aldi Paul?” “Nothing”

“I was singing ‘Where Is The Love?’ by The Black Eyed Peas, earlier. I was like, let’s just try and get a good atmosphere. To come together around this. I’m trying to explain to customers, we don’t need 10, 15 or 20 of one thing. Leave a few on the shelf for another customer…for people who can’t bulk buy… who might not have the opportunity of getting here at eight in the morning. They look you dead in the eye like it doesn’t make a difference, and that’s what we deal with. So when people say, ‘How are you doing?’ I’m like “I’m fine! I get paid to do this.” But deep down, we’re disgusted. It’s just… we’re meant to be coming together. God forbid we have a real crisis.” – Jarvis

“Yesterday was the worst day of my life. People shouted at me so much they made me cry. Then a customer brought me flowers and it made my day.” – Brieanna

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