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30

Dec 2020

Year in Review 2020

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Year in Review 2020

A collection of my images during one of the most trying years in recent history.
A lot of heart, effort, and time went into these photos and album; so enjoy, and feel free to share.

I started 2020 capturing the friendly faces in my neighborhood, the Waterloo Arts District in Collinwood, Ohio on January 19, 2020.1) Vonita Burke, a teacher at Pop Life Yoga, poses for a portrait on a snowy morning outside of their building. Vonita specializes in teaching Kemetic Yoga; which is an ancient Egyptian practice of enlightenment.2) Sara Oligny, an employee of Six Shooter Coffee, enjoys a laugh with a patron in Cleveland, Ohio on January 19, 2020. Photo by Matt Shiffler

An amazing sunset greeted us at the Golden Gate Bridge on February 27, 2020.

I spent half of February 2020 visiting California for the first time in my life. Here, my long time childhood friend Clint Robinette, walks back from visiting an abandoned WWII bunker that sits on top of Devil's Peak in San Francisco. The now defunct bunker was utilized to spot approaching enemy ships coming into the San Francisco Bay.

Among the giant old-growth redwoods at John Muir National Monument in Mill Valley, California on March 1, 2020.

When I returned home to Cleveland in early March, it was clear life would never be the same due to the new disease Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.The normally crowded entertainment corridor of East 4th street in Cleveland, Ohio is empty on St Patrick's Day 2020 due to the coronavirus.

A sign displayed in front of Wonder Baron East 4th Street in Cleveland, Ohio on March 17, 2020.Due to COVID-19, all bars and restaurants were shut down except for carryout per Ohio Governor Mike Dewine.

Photographed in January 2020, this photo of my friend Shelly Duncan takes on a different meaning under a new Stay at Home order issued by Ohio Governor Mike Dewine and Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton.Effective immediately March 23, 2020 through April 6, 2020, Ohio was under a "Stay at Home" order to reduce the spread of COVID-19."We haven't faced an enemy like we are facing today in 102 years - we are at war. In the time of war, we must make sacrifices, and I thank all of our Ohio citizens for what they are doing and what they aren't doing. You are making a huge difference, and this difference will save lives," said Governor DeWine.

In the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, artist Erin Guido painted a mural that reads, "We are in this together."

Mt Zion Church had two successful drive in church services in Oakwood Village, Ohio, on Easter morning 2020.With COVID-19 spreading, indoor church services have been cancelled per Governor Mike Dewine.Sandra Robinson (pictured here) is a 15 year congregation member, said "I'm blessed to be here. This is my church. I'm a caregiver and my parents both passed away recently. I needed this." Photo by Matt Shiffler

Marion County Health Commissioner Traci Kinsler poses for a portrait in Marion, Ohio on May 6, 2020.Marion County is a hotbed for one of the largest prison coronavirus outbreaks in the country, with over 2000 inmates contracting the disease.“We continue to see cases...It’s still an outbreak. It’s still in the community. It’s not over by a long shot,” said Marion Health Commissioner Traci Kinsler. Matt Shiffler/Special to the Plain Dealer

An inmate at Marion Correctional Institution looks out of the courtyard on May 6, 2020.(Matt Shiffler / Special to The Plain Dealer)Iso: 125Copyright: 2019 MATT SHIFFLER

Best friends Hannah Shull and Alyssa Lehner sit and talk in front of the Harding Memorial in Marion, Ohio on May 6, 2020. Their senior season at Marion Harding High School was cut short due to the coronavirus.(Matt Shiffler / Special to The Plain Dealer)

A lightning bolt strikes downtown Cleveland on June 10, 2020.

A painted “I can’t breathe” barn in Syracuse, Indiana on Friday, June 26, 2020.The sign was painted by Keegan Robbins, 20, who said, “I don’t see it (the message) as political, I see it as an injustice. People care about this in the countryside; not just in the city.” Photo by Matt Shiffler

Members of the George Floyd Protest peacefully walk down Lakeside Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 30, 2020.The peaceful protest eventually turned violent, with many of the downtown Cleveland businesses looted and windows shattered. Photo by Matt Shiffler

A protestor holds a sign outside of the Justice Center during the George Floyd Protest in Cleveland, Ohio on May 30, 2020.

A George Floyd March protestor walks with a sign that reads “ My black skin is not a crime” in front of a burning police car in Cleveland, Ohio on May 30, 2020.

"No justice, no peace" is seen spray painted on the side of Cleveland City Hall in Cleveland, Ohio on May 31, 2020.

City leaders like Councilman Basheer Jones, police, and residents came together for a Stand in Solidarity March in Cleveland, Ohio on Monday, June 4, 2020.

Ward 7 Councilman Basheer Jones holds his son near the end of the Stand in Solidarity March in Cleveland, Ohio on Monday, June 4, 2020.

Devon Williams takes his sons Rayvon and D.J. Williams (back) driving around the empty parking lot at Humphrey Park in Cleveland, Ohio on July 23, 2020.Devon Williams said, “I was never able to do this when I was young. We also go fishing all the time.”Photo by Matt Shiffler

Many weddings were canceled, postponed or limited to much smaller events to curb the spread of COVID-19.I photographed my friends Sara Oligny and Bonn Rassavong' intimate gathering in Euclid, Ohio on September 18, 2020.

One of the highlights of 2020, here is a close look at Comet NEOWISE, from the shores of Lake Michigan.In dark skies, you can see the comet's secondary blue ionized tail more easily, which points straight away from the sun. Photo by Matt Shiffler

On Opening Day 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio, about 100 people showed up to attend the Change the Name Protest in support of changing the Cleveland Indians team name.The protest was organized by Philip Yenyo, of the American Indian Movement of Ohio, who said, "It's 2020 and we are still fighting for our dignity as Indigenous people. We are NOT MASCOTS and feel no honor in having our culture being use to sell a sports product. We have had enough of being bullied and mocked by Cleveland Baseball fans all over the world and in Cleveland." Photo by Matt Shiffler

Photographed from outside of the stadium, a Cleveland Indians team member walks across the outfield in front of cardboard cutout fans in Cleveland, Ohio on July 24, 2020.There will not be any fans in the stands during the Major League Baseball season in 2020 due concerns regarding COVID-19. Photo by Matt Shiffler

On Opening Day 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio, about 100 people showed up to attend the Change the Name Protest in support of changing the Cleveland Indians team name.The protest was organized by Philip Yenyo, of the American Indian Movement of Ohio, who said, "It's 2020 and we are still fighting for our dignity as Indigenous people. We are NOT MASCOTS and feel no honor in having our culture being use to sell a sports product. We have had enough of being bullied and mocked by Cleveland Baseball fans all over the world and in Cleveland." Photo by Matt Shiffler

Air Force One touches down at Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland, Ohio on August 6, 2020. President Trump made appearances at the Whirlpool Plant in Clyde, Ohio and also attended a private fundraiser in Bratenahl, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Shiffler)

Anti-President Trump protestors stand in the road, blocking a police car, in front of the Shoreby Club in Bratenahl, Ohio on August 6, 2020. President Trump plans to attend a private fundraiser at the Shoreby Club later in the evening. (Photo by Matt Shiffler)

President Trump supporters pose for a photo outside of the Shoreby Club in Bratenahl, Ohio on August 6, 2020. President Trump was due at the club for a private fundraiser later in the afternoon. (Photo by Matt Shiffler)

United States Postal Service employee Rayne Tinsley finishes her shift in Cleveland, Ohio on August 17, 2020.A week later, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy testified to the Senate that his department would deliver the nation's election mail "securely and on time."

Four weeks into the school year, law students at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio attend their first in person class on September 15, 2020. Due to lowering COVID-19 numbers, university administrators allowed some students to transition from virtual learning to in person classes on campus. Photo by Matt Shiffler

1)Justin Stanko, a senior at Case Western Reserve University, wears a mask while running around the track at Disanto Field in Cleveland, Ohio on September 14, 2020. Stanko on COVID-19 said, “Everyone has been doing very well, I think. Everybody has been listening to the rules.” The university implemented a mandatory mask policy for all students when they are both inside and outside on campus. Photo by Matt Shiffler2)Students at Case Western Reserve University play basketball in Cleveland, Ohio on September 16, 2020. All students must wear masks due to a mandate by the university, which requires students to wear masks indoor and outdoor at all times. Photo by Matt Shiffler

1)Alex Haueisen, a fourth year medical student at Case Western Reserve University, studies for his final set of boards outside of the Tinkham Veale University Center.Haueisen said, “It’s weird just having the campus relatively empty, at all times of the day. At the same time, there’s a collective understanding that we gotta do it. It’s weird but everyone has sort of adjusted.” Photo by Matt Shiffler2)Akhil Medarametla, a freshman at Case Western Reserve University, walks into the Tinkham Veale University Center on campus in Cleveland, Ohio on September 14, 2020.Medarametla said, “The experience (on campus) has been pretty fun so far. Obviously, it’s an unprecedented time but without any of the other upperclassmen, if anything, its been more of a refreshing, easy going experience being able to explore campus, explore the university centers and get my academics in line.”

Logan Nelson, a Junior at Case Western Reserve University, takes a break from playing his double bass in Jazz Ensemble class in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 13, 2020. Photo by Matt Shiffler

A helicopter flies overhead of the Samson Pavilion, the location of the first presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio on September 29, 2020.

Darius Mitchell swings an American flag through the air ahead of the first presidential debate on September 29, 2020. Soon after, Cleveland Police asked him to move from the area due to carrying the pole, which was on the list of prohibited items.

Photographed through a window, President Trump stands at the podium during the first presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio on September 29, 2020.President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and other staff members tested positive for COVID-19 just a few days later after the debate.

Early voters line up at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections in Cleveland on October 30, 2020. Voters braved temperatures in the low 40’s with rain and heavy winds and waited an average of two or three hours to place their vote.

Tamir Rice' mother, Samaria Rice, poses for a photo after voting early in the 2020 General Election at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. "We did a voter rally turnout yesterday in memory of my son Tamir Rice and we wanted to make sure folks get out and vote and use the hashtag "We vote for Tamir" to make sure our voices heard, and our voice counts. That's why I was here at 6 am standing in line to make sure my voice counts. And I voted today."Iso: 250Copyright: 2020 MATT SHIFFLER

1) A doe meat sign and a Michigan for Biden sign are arranged closely together on the side of a highway in Casnovia Township, Michigan on December 11, 2020. Photo by Matt Shiffler2)An illuminated Trump sign stands in a front yard in Harman, West Virginia. Photo by Matt Shiffler3) A Sunday Plain Dealer from November 8, 2020 is headlined with "Biden wins."

An Ohio National Guardsman walks with a sack of potatoes after a shift distributing food for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank in Cleveland, Ohio on April 16, 2020.In late March, about 300 personnel from the Ohio National Guard were activated to help Ohio food banks and feed the community. Photo by Matt Shiffler

Sarah Mooney receives a nasal swab COVID-19 test from Staff Sergeant Kozak of the Ohio National Guard in London, Ohio on November 20, 2020. With COVID-19 cases increasing across the state, The Ohio Department of Health is providing more free pop-up testing access to residents. Photo by Matt Shiffler

The first big December storm hits Squire's Castle in Willoughby Hills, Ohio on December 1, 2020

The three wisemen stand with Shadrach the camel, and its owner Dwayne Felger at a live nativity scene at the First Congregational Church in Hudson, Ohio on December 6, 2020.Dee Buchanan, who is the Director of Children's Ministries at the church, said usually there are 80-100 nativity participants that are mixed together into groups. But this year due to COVID-19, there is just one family that changes out each hour, so that they are not mixing households.

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus bring holiday cheer to kindergarten classes at Ridge Elementary School by reading 'Twas the Night before Christmas over a virtual Zoom call in Eastlake, Ohio on December 22, 2020.Broadcasting from the North Pole, aka the D'Apice household, Mr. and Mrs. Claus also led a Christmas singalong with English Language students of Mentor schools, including those from India, Croatia, and China.

The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines were given to almost 400 Firefighters and EMT's at the Shaker Heights Fire Station on December 28, 2020.

The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines were given to almost 400 Firefighters and EMT's at the Shaker Heights Fire Station on December 28, 2020.

Shannon Bailey is a Nurse Practitioner at the Cleveland Clinic. Shannon said of her co-workers that everyone was ready to take on this challenge full force. Although its different during COVID-19, her goal as a Nurse Practitioner has always been to care for and to heal people. And that hasn’t changed.

Brad Schultz is a Clinical RN in the Emergency Room of a Level 1 Trauma and Burn Center. Brad said, “It’s been a privilege caring for people during the scariest moments of their lives.”Thank you Shannon, Brad, and to all of the other Nurses working out there.