Launched TUESDAY May 26, 2020 on www.zReportage.com Story #738: Luke Townsend is an award winning photographer based in Manhattan, Kansas, aka 'Little Apple' where he has been covering the Covid19 battle and subsequent lockdown on his home turf. These images tell the story of life during the pandemic in small town Manhattan, KS. Luke's recent bodies of work include 'Tibet's Rangzen Warriors,' an essay highlighting the Tibetan Freedom Fighters of New York City to help raise awareness and inspire change for the issues happening inside Tibet. Luke just returned from traveling through out India and Nepal photographing Losar, the Tibetan New Year.
© Story of the Week zReportage.com: Launched TUESDAY May 26, 2020 on www.zReportage.com Story #738: Luke Townsend is an award winning photographer based in Manhattan, Kansas, aka 'Little Apple' where he has been covering the Covid19 battle and subsequent lockdown on his home turf. These images tell the story of life during the pandemic in small town Manhattan, KS. Luke's recent bodies of work include 'Tibet's Rangzen Warriors,' an essay highlighting the Tibetan Freedom Fighters of New York City to help raise awareness and inspire change for the issues happening inside Tibet. Luke just returned from traveling through out India and Nepal photographing Losar, the Tibetan New Year.

JOE GERKEN, and his son, CHARLIE, look for birds from inside their home on March 28th, after returning from Italy. Gerken and his family were in self quarantine for 14 days however they extended it longer to be safe.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire

RHEA BARRETT wipes tears from her eyes inside of her home during a live streamed funeral service for her Grandma, Wima Harmon, who could not have a traditional funeral due to Covid19 restrictions.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire

Pastor of the Ashland Community Church, PAUL BARLEY, preaches to his congregation during a drive-up service Sunday, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For twenty two years Pastor Barley has held Sunday service in the sanctuary of Ashland Community Church just south of Manhattan, KS.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire

MAX BILYNSKY plays in a backyard pool as warmer weather hits Kansas. Residents have had to find a way to keep their kids entertained during the summer as a result of public pool closures across the state due to COVID-19.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire

Wearing a mask and face guard, FANNY FANG stands in the parking lot of her store The Asian Market on the day the store reopened to the public.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire/ZUMAPRESS.com

From left, American Legion Post 17 member, BRAD SCHULTZ, American Legion Post 17 Commander, BARRY MAPLES, and Senior Master Sergeant, WALLY BRANNEN, erect flag poles across from Ascension Via Christi Hospital, as part of Operation Kansas Strong.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire

MAIYA GONZALEZ, age 2, stands at the gate of the now closed Cico Pool with her father, REYES GONZALEZ, right, and his friend, JOSIAN HORN, left. With the closure of public pools parents are having to find new ways to keep their kids entertained during the COVID-19 pandemic.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire

Kansas State University Speech Pathology graduate, KAITLYN KUHL, right, and Biology graduate, AUTUMN WRANOSKY, left, unwrap champagne bottles for a graduation picture in front of Anderson Hall. Saturday was graduation day at KSU however classes and graduation were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire

NATALIE BELL, hostess at The Chef Cafe, cleans an empty dining room after closing down all in-person dining. The Chef Cafe is still maintaining curbside pickup and delivery.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire

LES NEWEY, left, and KARI FLEEKER, open up boxes of tuna at the Harvesters Community Food Network's mobile food pantry. Due to COVID-19 numbers attending the food pantry drastically increased and a total of 110 families received food.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire

CHUCK MARR, left, and LES NEWEY, place bags of onions and apples into the trunk of a car at the Harvesters Community Food Network's mobile food pantry.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire

From left, TIFFANY ERICKSON, and President of Ascension Via Christi Hospital, BOB COPPLE, listen to JESSICA WOLFE speak during a filmed interview in front of Ascension Via Christi Hospital. Staff and colleagues gathered to send off 2 colleagues, both medical surgery nurses, to AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital in Chicago for two weeks where they will assist the Medical Surgery Unit.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire

Owner of Chapter Five Yoga, JESSA VOOS, teaches her first live streamed class in her empty studio. With the closure of all non-essential businesses VOOS has had to find ways to keep her business generating income and to keep providing her clients with a beneficial service.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire

Bike Shop Manager, BEN SACHS, works on a bike outside as apart of The Pathfinder's curb side repair. The Pathfinder has seen an increase in sales by 400% during the COVID-19 pandemic, a number in which they can't keep up with the supply chain. Supply lines started to dwindle with the outbreak of COVID-19 in Asia and now everyone wants to buy bikes. The shop, although not open to in-store sales, has been doing curbside bike repair.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire

Hairstylist DYLAN ROBERTS, cuts ALLYN WEDDLE'S hair inside his Campus Barbershop in Aggieville, Kansas's oldest shopping district, has recently reopened after being closed since March 17, due to Covid19 restrictions.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire

Senior Master Sergeant WALLY BRANNEN, hugs a healthcare worker outside Ascension Via Christi Hospital during Operation Kansas Strong. The Kansas Air National Guard 190th Air Refueling Wing flew over Manhattan to salute healthcare workers, first responders, and other frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire

Marquee signs outside of Rally House in Aggieville, Kansas's oldest shopping district, that reads, 'WE'RE OPEN! QUARANTINE IS UP FOR THIS HOUSE.' Phase 1.5 of the reopening for Kansas went into effect and allows restaurants and stores to reopen with strict guidelines for operation.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire

Healthcare workers from Ascension Via Christi Hospital watch as the Operation Kansas Strong, Air National Guard fly over the hospital to salute healthcare workers, first responders, and other frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19.
© Luke Townsend/ZUMA Wire