Globe and Mail photojournalist Fred Lum captures the eerie quiet as COVID-19 shuts down Canada's largest city
As the coronavirus pandemic continues across the world, in Canada, schools have been closed, many businesses shuttered, with people being told to stay at home to stop the spread. With most employees working from home, and very few stores and restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life. When I’m out on assignments, I will often wander around looking for photos, and the downtown area is where I usually find myself. It’s while I’ve been walking around that I’d noticed a marked change in the lack of people, and the mood of the city, as the streets and sidewalk emptied out. To this end, I began carrying a panoramic film camera with me so I could photograph what I came across as I walked the streets, PATH system and office buildings. For this work, I used a Hasselblad Xpan camera, and also a Nikon camera that was modified so the frame was twice as wide as a regular 35mm frame. When the streets are filled with pedestrians, there’s a certain feel, or sense of living that’s palpable. With people staying at home, the streets are desolate, strangely with a sense of both calm, and uncertainty, hanging in the air. Those who are out, nervously pass others from a safe physical distance
Waiting for the northbound Bay St. bus by Wellington St. West. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum
A traveller rolls his bag down the ramp to the VIA train boarding gates at UnionStation. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum
A pedestrian waits on the corner of Front St. East and Yonge St.. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum
With some lights still left on, Vesta Lunch, usually a 24 hour diner, has closed temporarily because of coronavirus. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum
A virtually empty waiting area at the Toronto Coach Terminal in downtown Toronto. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum
Electronic signs around Dundas Square display coronavirus messaging. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum
The entrance to the TTC's Line 1 (Yonge subway) at King St. is noticeable for the lack of commuters coming and going. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum
Looking east along King St. West, towards Yonge St.. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum
Units in condos are lit up as people hunker down at home, with all professional sports on hold, and theatres and restaurants closed. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum
A woman walks past an empty Toronto Reference Library. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum
Looking south on Yonge St.outside the Eaton Centre, where few cars are seen on the road. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum
Before the Eaton Centre closed it doors, a lone visitor stops by the empty fountain. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum
A pedestrian walks down an empty Bay St. sidewalk outside Commerce Court in downtown Toronto. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum
An empty, and closed off Union Food Court under Union Station. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum
Walking along scaffolding and hoarding on Bloor St. West, near Holt Renfrew. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum
A closed off food court under Royal Bank Plaza. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum
With stores closed across the city, this Holt Renfrew store has put up wooden hoarding over their display windows. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum
With offices closed, this escalator in the PATH system under the Toronto Dominion Centre operates with very few, if any, people using it. With the COVID-19 pandemic curve still not flattened, some people are working from home, and with very few stores or restaurants open, the streets in Toronto are much quieter than usual, devoid of the people who make up city life.Fred Lum