For my photo essay, I plan on discussing how COVID has affected celebrations during the Lunar New Year. As many holidays, it is filled with fun festivities and spending time with family members celebrating the new year. Due to the virus, big gathering have been permitted in fear of someone getting sick and increasing the possibility of getting sick. Now people are forced to celebrate in small groups and since it only happens once a year, the older generation want to spend time with relatives as much as they can. In previous years, people get together to feast and distribute red envelopes in hope for a prosperous year ahead.
Another difference that’s happening this year is the change in outdoor celebrations as people can’t gather to watch in person. Some of these events included lion dances that bring good luck and fortune. Now events will be held online and don’t bring as much happiness to those since there’s a loss of connection. I want to document the comparison of lunar year celebrations based on previous years and 2021 where coronavirus is still very present.