Last August, I was afforded an early tour of the National Quarantine Center at the newly constructed Davis Global Center on UNMC’s Omaha campus. The lead designer of the project contacted me to see if I'd be interested in providing large prints for the common areas and inside the 20 quarantine rooms.
Construction was nearly complete, but the place was unfurnished and empty. Our voices and footfalls echoed as we walked the halls, and I was struck with an eerie, disconcerting feeling that now seems more like foreshadowing.
I also felt a powerful sense of pride. Proud that Omaha was home to such an impressive facility, and proud to be considered for the job.
The National Quarantine Center was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and is housed on an entire floor of the Davis Global Center. In addition to 20 private quarantine rooms, the floor is home to the National Biocontainment Training Center- a six-bed simulated biocontainment unit for advanced experiential training.
The evening after the tour, I went to work to try to secure the job. I tried to picture what type of photograph might help someone who may have contracted a severe and contagious disease feel at peace. It wasn't easy to imagine, but later that week, I submitted my first batch of images-a collection of serene landscapes. Most of the photographs were from yearly sojourns to California.
Virtually all of the photos were rejected. UNMC wanted only photographs depicting Nebraska, and I had very few that fit the bill.
I gave my boss, Pat, who's the CEO at QLI in Omaha an update. Pat was was my initial connection to the project designer, and she's been an incredibly enthusiastic supporter and advocate for my photography for many years. After I told Pat it wasn't likely I was going to have enough images for the project, she said, "I'm probably overestimating how difficult it is to get good photos, but, why don't you go out and get them?"
The next week, I was on the road with our 13-foot fiberglass Scamp trailer on an eight day journey traversing the backroads of Nebraska. On board were my co-pilots: my partner, Susan, and Mavis, our six-year old Bassett/Beagle mix. Despite battling the Indian summer heatwave, voracious mosquitos, revolting fast food and rattlesnake scares, the trip was a fruitful one.
Sunrise on a county road near North Platte, Nebraska
All told, thirty eight, 30X35 inch photographs were purchased and now hang throughout the facility.
Toadstool Goelogic Park
Despite the 20 million dollar price tag, the hope was for the quarantine center to never be needed. Little did we know that just weeks later, the first quarantined individuals with suspected COVID-19 would be admitted.
Male pronghorn outside of Fort Robinson State Park
I hope in some small part, the photographs provide a sense of peace and normalcy for the patients and brave staff members at the center.
Here’s my favorite shot from the trip. Somehow, it didn’t make the cut.