Nikolay
Losev
Projects
- Patriotism
-
COVID
- Knife Fight
- Novozybkov
CV
Contacts
Nikolay Losev,
documentary photographer
During the first lockdown in St. Petersburg, Russia, my wife and I rented an apartment opposite an old Jewish cemetery and parking lot. Initially, the neighbourhood did not bother us, and since the beginning of the pandemic, it provided additional motivation to stay indoors. We spent several months there from March until early summer, when we were able to move to a rented suburban house.
As the news became increasingly disturbing, the only way to reflect on the situation was to photograph from the window. Using a telephoto lens, I recorded what was happening outside. However, with little activity on the streets, every person - be it a courier or a neighbour taking out the trash - became the object of my close attention.
I also kept notes chronicling the main events in the city during the pandemic. Here is a part of them:
March 5: The first case of coronavirus infection was recorded in St. Petersburg.
March 26: Governor Alexander Beglov signed a resolution introducing the COVID-19 lockdown.
March 28: The first death of a patient with confirmed coronavirus was recorded in St. Petersburg.
April 17: More than 100 medical workers were confirmed to have coronavirus in St. Petersburg.
May 12: It became mandatory to wear medical masks and gloves in public places.
May 16: The number of people infected with COVID-19 in St. Petersburg crossed the 10,000 mark.
June 1: St. Petersburg cancelled most restrictions related to coronavirus.
June 12: The number of infected in St. Petersburg exceeded 20,000 people.
June 15: Libraries, recruiting agencies, hairdressers, and photo studios were allowed to reopen.
September 12: Cinemas and food courts resumed their work in St. Petersburg.
According to official figures, 11,383 people died from coronavirus in St. Petersburg in 2020. However, the actual number of deaths from the pandemic could be much higher.
A bus depot worker is resting while waiting for the next bus to return from its route. Each bus was sanitized after returning to the depot.
Neighbors, after a grocery shopping trip.
Police officers check the documents of a young man and inquire about his purpose for being on the street.
Since all events were canceled on Victory Day, which commemorates the end of World War II, patriotic citizens and veterans participated in an action dedicated to Victory Day. All participants in the action went out onto the balconies of their homes with Russian symbols at a designated time.
A neighbor takes out the trash.
Neighbors can't decide on the best way to wear a medical mask on the street.
Approximately half of the people on the street wear masks; the other half do not.
A courier wearing a mask and gloves.
Family members, couriers and workers cleaning the facade of the building are the only people who could be seen up close.
Neighbors began to gather in small groups in the parking lot to chat and occasionally drink beer.
The woman came to clean her relatives' grave in the old Jewish cemetery after the authorities allowed visits to cemeteries and several other places.
A couple of lovers stand on the street waiting for a taxi. To this day, many of the lockdown restrictions have already been lifted or ignored by people.