The Extremely Weird Politics of COVID is an article published by The New Yorker in February 2020. This edition covers the topic of COVID-19 and the polarizing discourse between Republicans' and Democrats' policies and beliefs. To highlight this striking division I illustrated a parody of Cassius Marcellus Coolidge's iconic painting "A Friend In Need," with a satirical twist.
For my cover design, the classic dogs are replaced by elephants and donkeys, symbolizing the Republican and Democratic parties, respectively. The Democratic donkeys hold face masks, highlighting their focus on containing the virus and reducing the death rate. In contrast, the Republican elephants grip dollar bills, symbolizing their concern over the economic impact of quarantining. Above the poker table, the usual hanging lamp is replaced by a large COVID-19 virus, casting a shadow over the political debate below. This design captures the absurdity and division in American politics during the early days of the pandemic, blending humor with a sharp commentary on the priorities of each party.
