TikTok influencer London Lazerson, of Orem, poses for a portrait with his Tesla, which is featured in several of his videos, outside of Kiln in Lehi on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020. Lazerson has cultivated a base of 1,300,000 followers in a matter of months with the help of his know-how in the advertising industry. TikTok could have been banned on Sept. 15 according to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Aug. 6, but it wasn’t after a deal with Oracle was initiated in September. Read more from this Monday Close-Up here: provodh.com/wxp0t
September was one of the most surreal months in recent memory for me.
Back in February, COVID-19 was a virus largely contained to China and felt far away being on the other side of the planet from me. However in early September, I got a call from the local health department that my COVID-19 test had come back positive. It blows my mind – that a virus that felt so far away earlier in the year spread all the way across the world and eventually right to me (somebody who seldom gets sick).
Fortunately, my bout with the coronavirus was pretty mild – I never had a fever or cough. I felt a good deal of muscle aches and fatigue, but frankly, my body is a bit weary and creaky in general (mainly from frequent long days and carrying camera gear – The newspaper life). Obviously I instantly quarantined myself, and hunkered down in my apartment for two weeks. I spent the first few days in quarantine working with reporters remotely to cultivate stories for the week, and then hiring freelancers for every photoshoot I could solidify. After a few days, the fatigue had gotten the best of me, and I took some sick leave to focus solely on my health. The sick days were the first I had ever used at this job in four years, and the time off taught me that I need to be more proactive with things like sick days so that I can more genuinely keep up with my self-care.
Due to that, I spent significantly less time behind the camera in September. I spent most of the start of the month in quarantine, and once I resumed photographing assignments in person, being able to actually photograph something tangible for stories continued to prove difficult, as photo opportunities were pretty meager. However, at least photographing vacant scenes and inanimate objects make for low-risk assignments in these days of COVID. Though I've always played it safe with PPE measures and such, being back in action after having COVID-19 has made me evaluate even further how I can be safe while still doing my job.
Caysen Nichols, 10, of Provo, uses his foot to press the final buzzer after completing a NinjaCross aquatic obstacle course at the Provo Recreation Center on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020. The Best In State Committee recently named the center Best in the State.
Caution tape restricts access to playground equipment at Palisade Park in Orem on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. Provo and Orem had less than two days to roll things back as COVID-19 cases have spiked significantly in the two cities, prompting the rise back to the orange restriction phase of Gov. Gary Herbert’s We Lead Together 4.1 plan. Face coverings must be worn at public places both indoor and outdoor when consistent 6-feet social distancing is not possible.
Lehi wide receiver Grady Gonzalez (7) falls to the ground after making a catch and driving the ball upfield during a game between the Lehi Pioneers and the Timpview Thunderbirds held at Lehi High School on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.
Dave Decker, Provo City’s public works director, stretches beside Brigham Young University senior Sarra Smith before a game between the Mighty Gooses and team Shinners as part of the adult hockey league held at Peaks Ice Arena in Provo on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. Several Provo City administrators have been playing together on a community hockey squad for the past two years.
Timpview free safety Etano Foster (12) listens to coaches speak as he and his teammates sport jerseys custom-made by PROLOOK Sports during a game between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Cyprus Pirates held at Timpview High School in Provo on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. PROLOOK Sports, a company based in Orem, donated custom uniforms, as well as a custom flag, face masks and other items to the team in honor of Timpview head coach Andy Stokes’ wife, Tia, who is battling cancer. All the jerseys are to be auctioned off, and proceeds from the auction, as well as sales from the face masks went to Tia’s GoFundMe fundraiser.
Tyce Nelson and Jasper Walker, both 10-years old and from Spanish Fork, try to high-five midair as they and other children play around water features at Spanish Fork’s Adventure Heights all-abilities park on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. The park opened on Sept. 12.
Larry Lawrence poses for a portrait at his home in Orem with jackets he’s gotten from the Boston Marathon as well as medals from the marathon and other races on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020. Though he will be running the Boston Marathon virtually this year because the race itself was cancelled due to COVID-19, this will be his 25th consecutive time running the marathon.
Lehi running back Takeshi Faupula (25) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during a game between the Lehi Pioneers and the Timpview Thunderbirds held at Lehi High School on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.
Salem Hills right-side hitter Sydney Hansen (13) jumps in the air as she and her teammates celebrate defeating the Maple Mountain Golden Eagles in five sets at Salem Hills High School in Salem on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020.
Cynthia Shumway, of Orem, returns a hit as she plays pickleball with her husband Ken at Bonneville Park in Orem on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020.
Monica McDonald poses for a portrait with her book-sharing library outside of her home in Pleasant Grove on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. McDonald’s library and others like it can be located on LittleFreeLibrary.org.
Wayne Parker, Provo City’s chief administrative officer, poses for a portrait in his office within the Provo City Center on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. Parker recently earned the 2020 Award for Career Excellence in Memory of Mark E. Keane from the International City/County Management Association.
Timpview wide receiver Daniel Kaio (11) crosses into the end zone for a touchdown after completing a catch during a game between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Cyprus Pirates held at Timpview High School in Provo on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020.
Lehi linebacker William McCleary (52) gets pumped up with his teammates before a game between the Lehi Pioneers and the Timpview Thunderbirds held at Lehi High School on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.
Victor Rubalcava, of Provo, passes a face mask notice as he exits the Provo City Center on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. Utah County Commissioners Tanner Ainge and Nathan Ivie, along with Utah County Health Department Executive Director Ralph Clegg, announced at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday that they had signed a public health order implementing a countywide mask mandate.
Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi poses for a portrait with Brigham Young University seniors, from left, Riley Gilliland, Aubree Smith, Darnel Apelu and Madison Mingus in Orem on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. The “Join the Maskerade” is a new incentivized initiative organized by college students for college students concerning wearing face masks.