Fouad, Hanan, Ayman, and Zarin with Leo

Hanan Froukh: “I am a Muslim woman who is a Palestinian immigrant. I am part-owner of our family business Habibi’s Sweets & Pastries, a mentor to many new Arab immigrant women in the Lexington community, and a spiritual care provider to the local Muslim community.

Narrative from original post:

“We have two businesses in the family; both of them have been impacted by the pandemic. Fouad closed his Cuts on Lime Barbershop a month ago. Habibi’s, too, is struggling. We are trying to keep a positive outlook and serve our community.

We always look forward to the month of Ramadan. It’s already hard for us in America, but this year it’s even harder because of COVID-19. I haven’t seen my sister in a month—and she lives two streets away. The social distancing has also brought back traumatic memories from living under lockdown in Palestine, years ago.”

Zarin: “Personally, this quarantine has given me a chance to spend time with my family and I am enjoying it. Every day we talk about good things we can get out of it…”

Lexington in the Time of COVID-19 is an artwork about people practicing social distancing at a time of a deadly virus. And also offering kindness.

Kurt Gohde and Kremena Todorova capture photographs at the periphery of American culture, where drag queens, discarded couches, and abandoned motel signs exist.