On Friday, March 13th, the superintendent of the Miami-Dade public school system closed schools due to concerns related to the coronavirus. In the ensuing eighteen days, the state of Florida, as well as Miami-Dade County, has entered a state of emergency, effectively asking its residents to shelter in place. As of April 7th 2020, there are a total of 4,950 cases of coronavirus within the county, including 45 deaths. In the wake of this, artist Xavier Cortada has embarked on an extensive socially-engaged art project, asking fellow community members how they have been personally impacted by this pandemic. Responses to this will be included in a digital message mural, a participatory art piece that functions as a way to commemorate and document the impact of COVID-19.

How has the coronavirus pandemic impacted you?