In 2020, grocery stores became quiet stages for a global emergency, each aisle lined with people navigating a world that felt suddenly unfamiliar.
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread, a simple trip to buy milk or vegetables turned into a cautious mission, and the sight of shoppers in homemade masks—crafted from whatever was on hand—became part of the landscape.
These photos capture that strange period when bandanas, cut-up t-shirts, coffee filters, and even plastic bottles were transformed into protective gear for a quick run to the store.
Before official guidelines arrived, many people took matters into their own hands, pulling out sewing machines and following online tutorials to make masks from scraps of cloth.
Shoppers spaced themselves carefully in checkout lines, carts forming quiet, tense queues as gloved hands gripped shopping lists and disinfecting wipes.
The masks people wore became symbols of a world adjusting on the fly, each one a small attempt to find a bit of safety in a time of uncertainty.
Some masks were stitched with layered fabric in bright, hopeful prints, while others were improvised on the spot: scarves tied haphazardly, pillowcases cut into strips, or clear plastic sheets taped together to form makeshift shields.
And even amid the unease, there was humor in the way these masks shaped everyday moments. Glasses fogged up instantly, forcing shoppers to stop and readjust, only to have the mask slip down again moments later.
Some masks featured cartoon characters, others were made from old socks, and many were oversized or crooked, turning each grocery run into a quiet comedy in the cereal aisle.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant social and economic upheaval worldwide, triggering the most severe global recession since the Great Depression.
Supply chain disruptions and panic buying led to shortages of food and other essential goods in many regions.
At the same time, the slowdown in human activity resulted in a temporary but notable drop in pollution levels across the globe.
Schools, universities, and public spaces faced partial or complete closures, while many events were cancelled or postponed throughout 2020 and 2021.
As of April 1, 2025, COVID-19 has caused over 7 million confirmed deaths, with estimates of total deaths ranging between 18.2 and 33.5 million.
The pandemic stands as the fifth deadliest in recorded history, leaving a lasting impact on communities and systems around the world.
(Photo credit: RHP / USERS).