Preexisting Conditions - Dawid Zieliński

Masks, gloves and social distancing are implemented during daily food handouts for the homeless. The Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy has been offering free food to the most vulnerable and continues to do so during nationwide lockdown in Krakow, Poland on Mar 19th, 2020.

The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was relatively mild in Poland. Even though the darkest scenarios did not materialize, various social and economic consequences had already emerged during the spring lockdown, only escalating over time. The pandemic has revealed and exacerbated processes and issues that had been simmering for years, sometimes decades. Scratches and cracks in the structure of our social contract, the pains of our economic reality. Inequalities and irregularities in the labor market, further exclusion of social groups, ambiguous regulations affecting entire sectors of the economy and increasing information noise. These issues, insufficiently addressed or outright ignored by the Polish government even before COVID, continue to surface as the pandemic develops and may perpetuate social and economic inequalities.

Eerily quiet Starowislna street, a major thoroughfare in Kazimierz, former Jewish district and a tourist hotspot in Krakow, Poland on Mar 15th, 2020.

Katarzyna Gorczyca, 39, postdoc at Jagiellonian University and a mother of a 2-year-old at her parent's house in Brzesko, Poland on Oct 22, 2020. Caring for her daughter and working online during spring lockdown while fearing for her relatives has taken a heavy toll on Ms Gorczyca, who has been experiencing increased stress levels for months. With limited access to mental health specialists as many as 25% of Poles have symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, sleeping and eating disorders. Mental health care system in Poland, underfunded and neglected before COVID, is now at risk of collapsing.

Krzysztof Czarnecki, an apple farmer, in his warehouse in Magierowa Wola, Poland, on Oct 08, 2020. Foreign workers, mostly from Ukraine, have been essential to large scale farmers in Poland for several years. Closing of the borders, part of COVID related

Krzysztof Czarnecki, an apple farmer, in his warehouse in Bronisławka, Poland, on Oct 07, 2020. Foreign workers, mostly from Ukraine, have been essential to large scale farmers in Poland for several years. Closing of the borders, part of COVID related restrictions, disrupted free movement of people and threatened farming operations all across the country. "We struggled to find enough workers, the system is just not sustainable". Eventually, last minute changes in legislation and quarantine regulations were made to accommodate large agricultural producers.

Farmhands from Ukraine are beeing driven through apple orchards in Magierowa Wola, Poland, on Oct 08, 2020. Foreign workers, mostly from Ukraine, have been essential to large scale farmers in Poland for several years. Closing of the borders, part of COVID related restrictions, disrupted free movement of people and threatened farming operations all across the country. "We struggled to find enough workers, the system is just not sustainable". Eventually, last minute changes in legislation and quarantine regulations were made to accommodate large agricultural producers.

An unknown man rises from the crowd to address the public at corona skeptics rally in Kraków, Poland, on Oct 10, 2020. Organizations and movements standing against Covid restrictions or even denying virus existence are gaining a foothold in Polish society. Fake news and the crisis of authority fuel conspiracy theories and parallel narratives while social media bubbles deepen divisions. Vague and imprecise government regulations only add to the noise.

Ryszard (last name not available) looks at a tourist ship passing by at a port in Łeba, Poland, on Aug 13, 2020. Ryszard, who recently transitioned from commercial fisherman to fishing trips guide, was hit hard by Covid related travel restrictions as most of his customers have been foreign tourist. “I haven't had a single customer this year, and the summer is coming to an end” he says. Domestic tourism has been supported by government resolutions, partly to boost spending, but individuals and companies relying on foreign visitors were left out.

Zbigniew Słota, a paramedic at county hospital in Brzesko, Poland, photographed at his home in Jadowniki on Oct 22, 2020, during the second wave of Covid infections. “We're operating at 120% capacity. They don't even test us anymore, if you don't have symptoms, you keep on working” he says. Zbigniew finds stress relief and solace in gardening. Decades of healthcare budget cuts and delayed reforms have resulted in a system both underfunded and understaffed. “Our fight against Covid is largely based on experience and dedication of healthcare professionals” Zbigniew adds.

Masks join rosary as rear view mirror accessories in Kraków, Poland, on Aug 25, 2020. Rosaries, serving as a form of protection, are popular car accessories among Polish Catholics. As Poland enters sixth month with the virus, masks have gradually become everyday objects.

Michał Bojko, physical therapist, holds ventilated patient's hand at Intensive Care Unit in John Paul II hospital in Kraków, Poland, on Dec 01, 2020. Physical therapy provided in the ICU has been reported to improve functional mobility, promote weaning from mechanical ventilation, and reduce hospital readmissions. Still, these professionals are rarely seen as frontline workers in the eyes of general public and seldom receive praise.