Pandemic and Photojournalism

Photographers on the front lines share photos of solitary and separation during a war waged by an invisible enemy. For many of us, photojournalists chronicling COVID-19 on the frontlines have been a window into last year's agony, anguish, and empathy. Photographs have also been useful in addressing widespread misunderstanding regarding the coronavirus. When there is visual evidence, it is much more difficult to ignore the catastrophic consequences of this disease.

It is the darkest period of the Era. Many individuals are losing hope as a result of the pandemic. The mortality rate continues to rise across the country. One cannot afford a proper send-off for their loved ones.

With ambulances depositing dead corpses and family members' cries, the Cremation Grounds has become a hotspot these days. People who labor at cemeteries have no contact with the deceased, yet they volunteer to perform the final rites for those who have died.

Workers at the cremation are stressed, weary, and unprotected. "We have incinerated over 100 dead in this area, and the number of bodies is growing by the day. We never know what awaits us, so we continue to undertake our task in the name of God. Giving a proper burial to those who have died is a kind of worship to God "says Mr. S.K. Zaheer Hussain, a TMMK cremation worker. They do not charge for burying and serve all individuals regardless of religion or caste. "There is nothing greater than providing a proper cremation for the departed," says Dawood from Royapettah.

Bibliography

Vaughan-Lee, C. (2021). Student Voice: Photography, COVID-19, and our collective memory. 26-35.