“All he had gained was to have known the plague and to remember it, to have known friendship and to remember it, to have known affection and to have one day to remember it. All that a man could win in the game of plague and life was knowledge and memory.” — Albert Camus, The Plague

Why a Diary? Evidence has shown that keeping a diary helps reduce anxiety in stressful situations. A diary clarifies our thoughts, tracks patterns of behavior, and encourages creativity. As a historical document, it offers insight and provides context.

In late March 2020, the magnitude of the COVID-19 public health crisis first became evident. Our lives changed abruptly. We were ordered to stay home. Schools and business shuttered. Travel plans were cancelled. Hospitals were overrun. TV news coverage detailing the death, despair and destruction unfolded before our eyes.

I started taking iPhone pictures of my life at home to momentarily escape my overriding sense of panic and loss. The simple and direct act of taking photographs with my phone afforded me an opportunity to sit quietly and focus on my surroundings. This daily ritual became a form of therapy while life — in our city, and our world — was turned upside down.

In mid-April, I gradually ventured out and walked the semi-deserted streets of Providence. With my iPhone in hand, I took photographs that reflected the city’s somber mood. I also became increasingly aware of my own limitations in documenting these unprecedented times. Daily life was hidden from public view. Family gatherings with friends to celebrate births, birthdays, graduations, and even funerals were cancelled. This highly contagious yet invisible virus had compromised our freedom of movement. Venturing more than a few blocks from home felt unsafe.

Zip codes do matter and COVID-19 has brought to the forefront this undeniable fact. The increased burden of COVID-19 on our predominately Black and Latinx neighborhoods is stark. The enormity of this public health crisis and the resulting economic crisis has disproportionally affected our communities of color. My own perspective and vision is limited. Other voices that reflect the richness and diversity of our city needed to be heard. Collecting photographs from a diversity of community members became imperative.

Providence Diary begins with the Stay at Home order of March 28, portraying life at home and in our neighborhoods. It continues until mid-June, the height of the city’s Black Lives Matter protests, with the gradual reopening of churches, businesses, and parks. It is a multifaceted glimpse into the 25 neighborhoods that comprise the City of Providence. This collection of photographs is but a snapshot of the devastation as well as our resilience in the face of unprecedented adversity.

I wish to express my gratitude to the individuals and nonprofits who have generously contributed their personal photographs to this project. Providence Diary hopes to add to a meaningful and ongoing conversation about the future of Providence as we move forward to reopen and rebuild our city after COVID-19. As residents of Providence, our collective participation in this dialogue is essential.

Finally, I am indebted to Jason Tranchida, whose keen eye and sensibility are responsible for the design of this book. Jason’s extensive outreach to the Providence community was also invaluable. A successful collaboration of this nature is only achieved with shared vision, passion, and aesthetics. It is our hope that we will continue this journey together with you as this story unfolds.

Lisa Limer
Photographer / Curator
July 2020