Flor Castañeda is a freelance photojournalist based in Zacatecas, Mexico. She has been covering Covid-19 through her lens but describes her experience as strange but challenging, above all. The situation around the global pandemic has made Flor rethink her way of working, the way she approaches people and portrays, and look for new stories that reflect the present conditions without falling into repetition.

A majority of Flor’s Covid-19 coverage features the public spaces in Zacatecas, she has been documenting the pandemic since March. The Mexican government will enter the second phase of strategizing to fight against the virus. However, Flor thinks it may change this week onwards, when the contagion is expected to reach its peak. She informs us that there is concern that the health system might collapse, if that happens.

Since Flor’s job requires her to step outside and photograph, we asked her how she keeps herself safe and healthy following the threat of coronavirus.

“I have gone out to document the situation everyday. Preferably, I do it on foot and avoid using public transport. I use the telephoto lens in crowded places,” she said and added that she does not have much to protect herself while she works amidst public spaces.

“The media I work for have only given me a couple of handkerchiefs, a bottle of antibacterial gel and two cloth face masks, which I do not use since they are not effective. However, I got a small bottle to carry the antibacterial gel with me, a natural bristle brush, isopropyl alcohol to disinfect my equipment and a glass cleaning liquid, all by myself,” she said.

Flor further stated that as a photographer, one cannot and should not do "work from home", as the work is largely based on the streets. “It is sad, as protection is not often a priority for our media, sometimes we are on our own,” she lamented.

For Flor, the most critical on-the-ground challenge for her has been harassment on the streets when she is doing her work. 

“As a woman, I have experienced some type of harassment everyday including sexual innuendos, attempted touching and theft of my photographic equipment. But sometimes, bringing the camera into view seems to scare them and they stop. I also always have my newspaper accreditation on me,” she said.

She also shared that the pressure and paranoia of the pandemic has started affecting the psyche of the population.

“People behave with hostility and aggression. The other day, a woman who owns a store demanded to see my photos and asked me to delete them. She tried to take photos of me and insulted me. I tried to explain to her that I was only doing my job and identified myself as a member of the press. So the level of aggression is increasing,” Flor said.

Other than that, Flor has not faced any other restrictions while she works on the street, at least not by the government. However, she shared that photographing specific events has been rather challenging for the local media.

“The restriction is evident when it comes to positive cases, many patients are in their homes in quarantine, the only personal data of the patients that are given to the press are age and sex. It is practically impossible to make a photo report inside a hospital or laboratory, at the funeral of a mortal victim or in the home quarantine of a sick person. That is a big restriction problem for the local media,” she informed CFWIJ.

To make sure the pandemic, or its coverage, does not affect her mental health, Flor has deactivated her Facebook, as it also helps her avoid fake news and opinions that instill paranoia. 

“After doing so, I can focus better on my photography and storytelling. When I rest, I read about any other topic, listen to music, watch movies, and stay away from the news. But I always stay up to date with the latest news,” Flor said.

Even though the diffusion of the novel coronavirus has restricted people within their homes, Flor reasoned how it is important for reporters and photojournalists to document the situation outside. 

“They should be complementing official reports with the stories of real people, who cannot afford to be quarantined. We must remember that journalism is about giving voice and face to the people, sharing stories of their lives,” she said and added that her advice to photojournalists would be to be on the streets, as part of their job.

“Talk to people and do not just photograph them from a distance. Even though it is complicated in terms of health, it is certainly not impossible. Be patient so as not to fall into repetition, but above all, not lose your sense of humanity. We must understand that we are the first line witnesses and must show the world what happens with empathy and respect,” Flor said, when sharing her words of advice.