Taking a Look Back: Three Years in the Life of a Global Pandemic’s Effect Locally

In March of 2020, COVID 19 became a reality on the East End. People were encouraged to stay at home, transforming towns, hamlets and villages to become ghost towns. DANA SHAW

In March of 2020, COVID 19 became a reality on the East End. People were encouraged to stay at home, transforming towns, hamlets and villages to become ghost towns. DANA SHAW

In March of 2020, COVID 19 became a reality on the East End. People were encouraged to stay at home, transforming towns, hamlets and villages to become ghost towns. DANA SHAW

The exterior entrance of the Southampton Hospital Emergency Department as prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic, photographed on March 13, 2020. MICHAEL HELLER

The exterior entrance of the Southampton Hospital Emergency Department as prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic, photographed on March 13, 2020. MICHAEL HELLER

In the early days of COVID 19, in 2020, empty shelves in local grocery stores became a common sight. Toilet paper became a sought after commodity after people began stocking up on it. KYRIL BROMLEY

The scene in the East Hampton Stop & Shop supermarket on Friday afternoon on March 13, 2020. MICHAEL HELLER

In the early days of COVID 19, in 2020, empty shelves in local grocery stores became a common sight. Toilet paper became a sought after commodity after people began stocking up on it. DANA SHAW

Empty shelves at the East Hampton Stop & Shop supermarket on Friday afternoon, March 13, 2020. MICHAEL HELLER

An employee wipes down the keypad of a self-service checkout machine with antiseptic in the East Hampton Stop & Shop supermarket on Friday afternoon, March 13, 2020. MICHAEL HELLER

Korrina Goree of the Shinnecock Territory took this photo of her son Kyre Goree-Ward, 5, at the Kmart in Bridgehampton on Saturday while looking for board games and bread. They didn’t find any bread.

The term "social distancing" became the watchwords during the early day of COVID 19 and was seen and heard everywhere at beaches, during early voting and on village streets. DANA SHAW

The term "social distancing" became the watchwords during the early day of COVID 19 and was seen and heard everywhere at beaches, during early voting and on village streets. DANA SHAW

The term "social distancing" became the watchwords during the early day of COVID 19 and was seen and heard everywhere at beaches, during early voting and on village streets. DANA SHAW

The term "social distancing" became the watchwords during the early day of COVID 19 and was seen and heard everywhere at beaches, during early voting and on village streets. DANA SHAW

The term "social distancing" became the watchwords during the early day of COVID 19 and was seen and heard everywhere at beaches, during early voting and on village streets. DANA SHAW

Lines for COVID 19 tests, sometimes stretching around the block, were a common sight on the East End during 2020. DANA SHAW

Lines for COVID 19 tests, sometimes stretching around the block, were a common sight on the East End during 2020. DANA SHAW

Lines for COVID 19 tests, sometimes stretching around the block, were a common sight on the East End during 2020. DANA SHAW

Masks became a common sight in everyday life. Hundreds of people attended the Black Lives Matter protest in Bridgehampton in June of 2020, masked. DANA SHAW

Masks became a common sight in everyday life. Hundreds of people attended the Black Lives Matter protest in Bridgehampton in June of 2020, masked. DANA SHAW

Masks became a common sight in everyday life. Attendees wearing masks at the Sag Harbor Memorial Day parade in May of 2020. DANA SHAW

Masks became a common sight in everyday life. Attendees wearing masks at the Southampton Memorial Day remembrance in May of 2020. DANA SHAW

COVID 19 changed the way we Watched concerts. Like this one in Westhampton Beach in 2020.

Father Michael A. Vetrano gives a mass during holy week by streaming in the empty basilica of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary on April 6, 2020 in Southampton. LORI HAWKINS

Father Michael A. Vetrano gives a mass during holy week by streaming in the empty basilica of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary on April 6, 2020 in Southampton. LORI HAWKINS

A yoga class in Mashashimuet Park in Sag Harbor in July 2020. DANA SHAW

The Opening Ceremony of the 74th annual Shinnecock Indian Pow Wow, which was closed to the public due to COVID 19, on September 4, 2020. MICHAEL HELLER

A masked Elle Bradt enjoys the sun as she watches her husband surf at Ditch Plains Beach on May 30, 2022. MICHAEL HELLER

Used bottles of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and their Sodium Chloride diffuser during a vaccination session held at the former Child Development Center of the Hamptons facility on Stephen Hands Path in East Hampton on February 13, 2021. MICHAEL HELLER

The Town of East Hampton, New York hosted a COVID-19 vaccine POD at the Children's Development Center of the Hamptons facility on Stephen Hands Path on March 6, 2021. MICHAEL HELLER

The term "social distancing" became the watchwords during the early day of COVID 19 and was seen and heard everywhere at beaches, during early voting and on village streets. The village of Sag Harbor had benches taped off to prevent people from sitting in April of 2020. DANA SHAW

Sherri Rosenblatt gives a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine injection to East Hampton ex-chief David Brown during a vaccination session held at the former Child Development Center of the Hamptons facility on Stephen Hands Path in East Hampton on February 13, 2021. MICHAEL HELLER

The Town of East Hampton, New York hosted a COVID-19 vaccine POD at the Children's Development Center of the Hamptons facility on Stephen Hands Path on March 6, 2021. MICHAEL HELLER

The term "social distancing" became the watchwords during the early day of COVID 19 and was seen and heard everywhere at beaches, during early voting and on village streets. and at Costco in Riverhead. DANA SHAW

The Sag harbor Cinema reminds people to wear their masks in June, 2020. DANA SHAW

Southampton Town Hall was closed to the public from March 17 to March 31 in 2020 due to COVID 19. DANA SHAW

The was no sitting on Santa's lap in December of 2020. The Santa at Fowler's Garden Center in Southampton practiced social distancing. DANA SHAW

Amagansett Fire Department member Britton Bistrian receiving the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital in early January 2021.

The Sag harbor Cinema reminds people to wear their masks in June, 2020. DANA SHAW