A pressing issue: How pedestrians are getting inventive with the crosswalk button during COVID-19

Some Vancouverites are going to great lengths to safely activate the walk sign

Image | COVID-19 CROSSWALK BUTTON

Caption: Elbow, knee or key fob? People are finding new ways to push the crosswalk button due to concerns over COVID-19. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many things — to the extent that simply pushing a button has become a predicament for some.
CBC photojournalist Ben Nelms photographed a handful of crosswalks throughout Vancouver to show how people are trying to balance pedestrian safety with pandemic safety by activating the crosswalk without using their bare finger.

Image | COVID-19 CROSSWALK BUTTON

Caption: Jervis and Davie streets. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Image | COVID-19 CROSSWALK BUTTON

Caption: Cambie Street and West 21st Avenue. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Image | COVID-19 CROSSWALK BUTTON

Caption: Jervis and Davie streets. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Image | COVID-19 CROSSWALK BUTTON

Caption: Cambie Street and West 18th Avenue. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Image | COVID-19 CROSSWALK BUTTON

Caption: Cambie and West 20th Avenue. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Image | COVID-19 CROSSWALK BUTTON

Caption: Broughton and Davie streets. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Image | COVID-19 CROSSWALK BUTTON

Caption: Broughton and Davie streets. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Image | COVID-19 CROSSWALK BUTTON

Caption: Cambie Street and West 17th Avenue. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Image | COVID-19 CROSSWALK BUTTON

Caption: Fraser Street and East 45th Avenue. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Image | COVID-19 CROSSWALK BUTTON

Caption: Davie and Jervis streets. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Image | COVID-19 CROSSWALK BUTTON

Caption: West Broadway and Heather Street. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Image | COVID-19 CROSSWALK BUTTON

Caption: Jervis and Davie streets. (Ben Nelms/CBC)