During my career as a photojournalist, this would be a time that I would not have the option of staying home. My job was to document what was going on in the world and in my community. I guess old habits die hard.  Sitting on my patio last week I thought,  how can I pay tribute to those that do not have the option to stay home. A made a few phone calls and Faces of the Front Line – COVID 19 was born. Besides giving a face to the thousands of people who are working for those of us forced to stay home, we interviewed each person to document their perspective for a Podcast we have called “Pain and Joy“, stories from the field of photojournalism.

Each person gave us pieces of advice to keep them safe while they do their job and to protect everyone else, as well. You will hear stories from aa FedEX Driver, restaurant general manager, Fire Chief/Emergency Management Coordinator, Pharmacist, Nurse and a paramedic.

**All precautions were taken to keep all participants safe during the shoots. Individuals were scheduled with plenty of time in between, we kept our distance and disinfected between each shoot.**

To listen to full podcast:  Voices of the Front Line – COVID 19

Here are just a few….Faces of the Front Line

 

 

Jesse Fernandez

FedEX Commercial Driver

“I’ve noticed as a driver, that in the past, people just wanted us to get out of the way….Now we are getting some respect and people are being really nice to us

It is great to see that people can come together and realize that we need each other to get through times like this”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lindsey Golden

General Manager

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Decatur, TX 

“Not to be disrespectful, but we are putting our selves at risk every day…respect space…When you place an order, call us when you arrive and we will bring it out to you. With Curbside delivery, you don’t ever have to get out of your car. It is the best option to protect all parties involved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nathan R. Mara

Fire Chief  & Emergency Management Coordinator

City of Decatur, TX

“General recommendation….We don’t know how long this virus lives on clothes and surfaces…if you have the ability to have a ‘clean room’ in your home, possibly the your mud room, take off clothes and shoes worn in public when you come home and take a shower, first thing.

Fear breeds passion…. we need to be passionate about our community by ALL doing what we need to do. Friends helping friends, neighbors helping neighbors, businesses helping other businesses…

Do not let up on social distancing right now…”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raja Salfiti

Pharmacist

S & J Pharmacy, Decatur and Krum, TX

“State and local laws have been enacted in this crisis to help us to better serve the public who may not be able to make it to their doctor to get a prescription refill…

We have free delivery of prescriptions so people don’t have to leave their home.

If we listen to what the CDC and experts tell us we could be out of this in a couple months. So many people are still going out and congregating…especially young people.

Each of us should act as if we have the virus, many people are a-symptomatic (don’t show symptoms). Wear a mask to protect others, in case you have the virus and don’t know it.”

 

 

Husband and wife, both working with the public on a daily basis

Dana Martinez

Emergency Room Educator,   Wise Health System, Decatur, TX   

         “It is a nice slow down right now.  There is so much hustle and bustle,

maybe now is the time to get back to the basics and reevaluate

what is important in your life”

“Don’t Touch Your Face!!”

Mike Martinez

Paramedic  EMS, Decatur, TX

“Right now I am the only one to go into a call, fully suited up, assess the situation

and only bring in mypartner if needed. We are minimizing contacts”

“You say ‘we are the Front line’…during this crisis…

THE PUBLIC is the FRONT LINE to control this situation.

What you do on a daily basis, effects everyone around you.