Documenting Covid-19
We are actively seeking contributions to document local experiences during the Coronavirus pandemic. Please help us show how life has changed during these challenging times. The stories and materials we collect will allow all of us to study and share these experiences in the future. To participate, visit the Contribute an Item page.
You may submit a story, image, video clip, audio clip, or a document. If submitting video or audio, please try to limit it to under two minutes. Click here to see yours and other contributions online; it may take up to 24 hours before your contributions appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I submit?
Go to the Contribute page and select an option from the drop down list. Then fill out the fields as best as you can. Once you are done, you must agree to the terms and conditions and finally click the contribute button at the bottom of the page. You will be redirected to a thank you page confirming your submission was successful. All contributions must be approved by archives staff. It may take up to 24 hours for your contribution to appear online.
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What should I document?
All of our lives have been reshaped the last few weeks due to the current pandemic, historians of the future will want to know how that looked and felt. Maybe you’re now working from home juggling caring for your kids, maybe you’re one of those heroic essential employees who is holding everything together right now, or maybe you’re now unexpectedly unemployed. What are some of the things that you’re anxious or frustrated about right now (caring for loved ones, finding toilet paper, making ends meet)? What are some things you’re thankful for (Skype cocktail dates with old friends, a helping hand from a neighbor, our nurses and doctors)? What are you noticing about everyday changes in the world around you? Remember that what might currently feel mundane to us, is exactly what those in the future will want to know. Every person’s submission will be unique, because each of our experiences will be unique.
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Is there anything we should avoid writing about?
This is a VERY important question. Since the Covid-19 pandemic is a public health crisis, it is likely that your submissions might include the personal health information of yourself or others. It’s important to note that you must agree not to include personally identifiable health information about others. This might include members of your family, neighbors, etc. IF you do so, there are a couple of options: the 3rd party must separately submit the Personal Health Information Agreement, or your submission must be fully anonymized for both the submitter and any third parties identifiable in the submission. Please let us know if you have questions.
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What form of documentation do you prefer?
We can accept any format, so please just choose one that suits you. If you submit video or audio clips, please try to limit it to under two minutes.
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How do I know my submission was successful?
After clicking the contribute button at the bottom of the page you will be redirected to a confirmation page thanking you for your contribution. If this does not happen contact us as an error may have occurred.
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Can my submission include multiple formats?
Yes! For example, you might have a written story but also want to include some photographs.
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I’m not affiliated with CSU and don’t live in the Chattahoochee Valley area, can I still participate?
While this project is only focused on these parameters, there are LOTS of these projects popping up across the country. If you live outside of our collecting area, we highly suggest you contact another repository in your local community as they will be interested.
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Can submissions be anonymous? Or can you just use my first name?
Yes, we will happily offer this option. We want all participants to feel comfortable to be honest in their submissions.
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When should I submit?
This project is currently open ended as the situation continues to evolve. Please document for as long as you are willing and able.
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I’m a faculty member and I’d like to turn this into an assignment for my students, is there anything I need to know?
That’s awesome! You can simply make the students aware of the possibility to submit their projects as part of this initiative. You might say something like “This course assignment was inspired by this Covid-19 documentation project underway by the CSU Archives. If you’re interested, you can consider submitting your project to help document this historic time.”
If you still have remaining questions, please email us.