A Desolate Milwaukee County

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Photojournalist Derek Johnson documented bleak public spaces in Greenfield, Greendale and Mitchell International Airport in late March after residents were urged to stay home.

  • Empty Whitnall High School parking lot
    At 8 a.m. on a weekday, the Whitnall High School parking lot is normally full. Since the school closed down, it is empty.
  • A duck walking in empty parking lot
    With no one to scare it off, a lone goose wanders into the parking lot of Greenfield High School.
  • Desolate Park & Ride on S. 108th Street
    The Milwaukee County Transit System has temporarily stopped its Freeway Flyer routes, resulting in desolate Park & Ride on S. 108th Street.
  • On-ramp to Interstate 43 at S.108th St. is almost empty
    The on-ramp to Interstate 43 at S.108th St. is almost empty, even at the height of rush hour.
  • Starbucks
    One of the only places not struggling during the quarantine is Starbucks.
  • Wisconsin Athletic Club
    The Wisconsin Athletic Club on 110th Street is considered nonessential. It is closed until April 24.
  • The Hales Corners Shopping Center
    The Hales Corners Shopping Center on S. 108th Street is all but abandoned after businesses were forced to close Wednesday morning.
  • Street with no traffic
    An hour after a stay-at-home order was issued, the street has almost no traffic.
  • Mayfair Mall closed during quarantine
    Mayfair Mall is closed, leaving behind a huge open parking lot.
  • Closed playground during quarantine
    To stop the spread of COVID-19, all playgrounds in Milwaukee County are closed, even on a 50-degree afternoon.
  • General Mitchell International Airport during quarantine
    Parking at General Mitchell International Airport is usually a hassle, but on Wednesday there were fewer than 20 cars in the surface lot.
  • Empty pick-up area at General Mitchell International Airport
    Few travelers move through the often-crowded pick-up area.
  • Empty baggage area at airport during quarantine
    With few flights in or out of Milwaukee, the baggage area is quiet.
  • Empty chairs at airport during quarantine
    A rest area at the baggage claim is uninhabited.
  • Empty seating area at airport
    The main seating area is vacant after most international and domestic flights were cancelled.
  • Individual at airport during quarantine
    A lone traveler relaxes by the information desk in the main terminal.
  • Renaissance Books open during quarantine
    The only open businesses are Renaissance Books and a convenience store.
  • Security checkpoint closed during quarantine
    A security checkpoint at the airport is closed because of the sudden drop in traffic during the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • Unstaffed airport information desk
    The information desk is unstaffed.
  • American flag in airport terminal
    An American flag looks lonely in the main terminal.
  • Bird perched on airport parking structure
    A bird perches on the edge of the main airport parking structure.
  • Empty rental car area during quarantine
    The hallway connecting the main terminal to the rental car area is silent.
  • Plane taking off from airport during quarantine
    A lone plane leaves General Mitchell International Airport, the only one taking off this hour.
  • Greendale street empty during quarantine
    Broad Street, like most streets in Greendale, is empty after a stay-at-home order was issued Wednesday morning.
  • Parking lot empty during quarantine
    The parking lot on Broad Street has no cars.
  • A statue of Norman Rockwell offers advice for Greendale residents: “Wash your hands, be kind and wash your hands some more.”
    A statue of Norman Rockwell offers advice for Greendale residents: “Wash your hands, be kind and wash your hands some more.”
  • Ferche’s Malt Shoppe & Grille closed during quarantine
    Ferche’s Malt Shoppe & Grille, a Greendale mainstay, is voluntarily closed to keep workers safe.
  • Greendale Village Hall closed during quarantine
    Greendale Village Hall is closed.