Quarantine Chronicles: A Photo Gallery of Life During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Life in Plano since mid-March has gotten really weird, y’all. Here in North Texas, just like the rest of most of the U.S., normal life ceased to exist with the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent quarantine. Dining rooms, gyms and salons closed; face masks became everyday attire; weddings and graduations were delayed or canceled; streets and church buildings sat empty; paramedics and healthcare professionals wore head-to-toe protective suits; residents were encouraged to limit contact to only the people they lived with; and businesses furloughed or laid off employees.

But quickly, some pretty great things happened, too. Neighbors created chalk art on the sidewalks and placed stuffed animals in windows, just to make others smile. Planoites took advantage – maybe more than ever – of our ridiculously beautiful parks and nature preserves. Musicians performed virtual concerts; friends reconnected through Zoom happy hours; neighbors drove by for birthday car parades. Residents stepped up with donations of personal protective equipment for our healthcare professionals, and when those ran out, many put their sewing skills to good use making fabric face masks to donate. We made sure our senior citizens, healthcare workers and first responders were fed. It may not be the best of times, but these are certainly days to remember.