#StayHomeSounds - Sounds from the global Covid-19 lockdown

Sounds from the global Covid-19 lockdown #StayHomeSounds

With countless communities and countries around the world entering lockdown and social distancing to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, the world is at present a very different place.

We know that – along with sounds – everyone has their own story to tell.

We’re inviting anyone around the world to send us a sound recording from wherever YOU are, and tell us a little about how things are wherever you live.

You can listen to the sounds and read the stories so far on the map below – click on a point to listen to the sound, and hit the “info” symbol to read the story behind it.

Your #StayHomeSounds stories

“We have each other’s company and also the green areas to take a breath. We are privileged, our thoughts are with all of the people out there having a hard time and those giving it all for the rest of us…”

Hector Cavallero

Paris, France

“For me, the corona crisis feels somehow liberating, but also alarming. We are in the midst of change and I hope with all the people understanding that we all fight the same battles, consciousness of humanity will raise.”

Luzi

Vienna, Austria

“I never thought I would see India like this. No people no traffic no pollution. The birds and the dogs are taking over the streets.”

Saloni Kapur

Pune, India

“We don’t feel that our jobs are in danger at this time, but many others aren’t so lucky… My heart breaks for them. On the plus side, I see many members of my community reaching out to help others when possible.

I hope you all are staying safe and healthy, and I look forward to hearing what your piece of the world sounds like.”

Bobb Amidon

Portland, USA

“I’m thankful for my quiet spot out here on the edges of town, but I worry about how the city can recover and for all those sick, out of work, or unable to stay home.”

Elizabeth Joan Kelly

New Orleans, USA

“Children have been true heroes at this stage in our lives. deprived of the street and street games, school and friends, football, gymnastics, walks with parents, the joy of living outdoors, they reinvent themselves at home, discovering themselves and discovering us differently, through our fears.”

Luis Antero

Oliveira do Hospital, Portugal

“We just have to stay at home, slow down, spending more time with the family and reconnecting with the little things.”

Francis

Milan, Italy

“The tree was in full blossom and alive with bees. There was no traffic – and no people, suddenly we could hear the ambient sound of spring in East Finchley. Magical.”

David Sillito

London, UK

“Listening to the soundscape from your window is a healthy activity to deal with the quarantine, so keep calm and please stay at home.”

Oscar Gomez

Xalapa, Mexico

“I am very proud of my city, because this recording was made at 6 p.m., which is one of the busiest hours in the day and, as you can hear, almost no one is outside. They’re inside their homes as everyone should also be.”

Bernardo Bourbon

Porto, Portugal

“We will get through this and come out stronger and united on the other end.We are a global community and it will take all of us coming together to defeat this.”

Bill Stevens

New York, USA

#StayHomeSounds has been open since March 2020, and is the largest collection of the sounds of the Covid-19 lockdowns in the world.

Sound has been particularly fascinating during the pandemic, as with so much of our lives in lockdown, the world hasn’t sounded quite like this during our lifetimes – whether it’s something simple like less traffic, or how you can hear more birdsong and wildlife, through to how people are coming together through song and music.

We hope that through the project we can share a little bit of not just how it sounds as we all adjust to a new way of living, but how it feels at this unique moment.

Stay safe and well, everyone! ❤️

Submit your sounds here

Please submit your sounds and stories from the Covid-19 lockdown here – we’d love to know how it sounds wherever you are, and to share your accompanying stories as the whole world adjusts to the coronavirus pandemic. More than 500 people from almost 50 countries have shared their sounds so far.

You don’t have to record with specialist sound equipment – a quick mobile phone recording from your home is also great!

NB. Please DON’T go out specially to record sounds in other places for this project – a recording from your own safe home environment is just perfect! If you’ve been advised to stay home, please keep doing so.

If you can’t use Google Forms, you can also email us a link to a WeTransfer, Dropbox, OneDrive or any other download link, along with the accompanying information.

Submit your sounds here

All the sounds and stories so far are also collected in the playlist below, and you can hear them as they come in by subscribing to our podcast.