Over 3.75 million people have lost their lives due to COVID-19.

The COVID Memory Research Group aims to develop new tools for communities to come together and reflect on the memory of those who lost their lives as a result of the pandemic.

There is an urgent need to generate substantive discussion about how individuals should remember the shared trauma of living through a pandemic. Millions of lives have been lost, but the memories of these individuals will surely remain with us. How can we ensure that the memories of these individuals and of the pandemic itself are preserved for future generations? Research into memory studies has already revealed the extent to which our social and cultural practices shape our approaches to memorialization.

Psychological Fallout

In order to work towards recovery and resilience in the aftermath of COVID, we must consider new approaches to preserve the memories of those who are no longer with us. The coronavirus pandemic has brought about an unprecedented global effort to prevent the spread of the virus. While significant progress has been made, the consequences of this public health crisis extent beyond medical issues. Current research into the pandemic has already placed a significant emphasis on the psychological fallout of this mass trauma event.

While many will recover from the experience of this global crisis, the long-term consequences will surely impact countless communities. Public health experts have pointed out that many will experience exacerbations of existing mental health issues, ranging from depression and anxiety to PTSD and substance abuse. Prolonged stress and isolation are also of particular concern, particularly for children and the elderly. In order to address these issues in the years to come, there must be a continuous effort to provide support to the most vulnerable and adapt to the challenges of life after COVID. The COVID-19 crisis has revealed the extent of the work required to improve health and wellness in the 21st century.