The COVID-19 pandemic, which emerged in late 2019, was a seismic event in modern history. It upended daily life across the globe, claiming millions of lives, devastating economies, and leaving behind a mental health crisis of staggering proportions. Yet, as the pandemic waned and vaccines became widely available, the world seemed eager to return to “normal.” Streets buzzed again, offices reopened, and the masks came off—but the trauma endured by billions of people worldwide remained largely unaddressed.
This was not a small outbreak or a passing storm; it was the most significant pandemic since the advent of modern medicine. The collective failure to reckon with this trauma has left scars on individuals and communities, exacerbating inequality, straining mental health systems, and leaving societies ill-prepared for future crises.
Unprecedented Loss of Life: A Grief Too Vast to Process
At its height, COVID-19 brought the world to its knees, with hospitals overwhelmed and makeshift morgues filling city streets. By August 2024, estimates suggested that the virus had caused approximately 27 million deaths worldwide, making it one of the deadliest pandemics in modern history (Our World in Data).
Yet these staggering numbers fail to capture the personal toll of the pandemic. Each statistic represents a life—a parent, child, friend, or colleague—lost too soon. Entire families were wiped out, and communities were decimated. In the U.S. alone, over one million people died, leaving behind millions more grieving and struggling to rebuild their lives.
Despite this, society largely glossed over the magnitude of the loss. Collective mourning was brief, overshadowed by a rush to reopen economies and return to normalcy. For many, the grief became a solitary burden, as communities and institutions failed to provide the space or resources to process such overwhelming loss.
Economic Upheaval: A System Under Strain
COVID-19 also triggered one of the worst economic downturns in history. In 2020, the global economy contracted by 3.4%, leading to mass unemployment and financial insecurity (Statista). In the U.S., the unemployment rate skyrocketed to 14.8% in April 2020, the highest level since the Great Depression.
Industries like hospitality, travel, and retail bore the brunt of the crisis, but the ripple effects were felt everywhere. Millions of workers faced job losses or reduced hours, while others, deemed “essential,” worked long, grueling hours under dangerous conditions. Women and marginalized communities, already facing systemic inequities, were disproportionately impacted, as caregiving responsibilities and economic instability widened existing gaps.
As businesses reopened and unemployment rates fell, the scars of this economic upheaval remained. Many workers left their industries altogether, and the term “The Great Resignation” entered the lexicon. But beyond the numbers lies a deeper issue: the profound insecurity and fear that gripped millions, forcing them to rebuild their lives in an economy that had failed to protect them.
A Global Mental Health Crisis
The pandemic’s psychological toll is perhaps its most insidious legacy. Isolation, fear of illness, financial stress, and grief collided to create a mental health crisis of unprecedented scale. According to the World Health Organization, the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by 25% during the first year of the pandemic (WHO).
In the U.S., surveys revealed that 41% of adults reported experiencing high levels of psychological distress (Pew Research). For frontline workers, the trauma of witnessing mass illness and death was compounded by burnout and fear for their own safety. Children and teenagers, cut off from peers and schools, experienced soaring rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
Yet, as vaccines rolled out and restrictions eased, much of the focus shifted to “moving forward.” Mental health services, already strained before the pandemic, were overwhelmed by the demand. Many people simply didn’t have access to care, especially in low-income communities where the pandemic’s effects were most severe.
The Return to ‘Normal’: An Unfinished Chapter
In 2021, the world began to reopen. Offices filled up, schools resumed in-person classes, and many declared the pandemic over. But for those who had lost loved ones, livelihoods, or a sense of safety, the return to normalcy felt hollow. The trauma of the pandemic wasn’t something that could be left behind, yet society seemed determined to do just that.
This rush to normalcy ignored the lingering challenges. Long COVID, a condition affecting millions, left people grappling with chronic fatigue, brain fog, and other debilitating symptoms. Essential workers who had been hailed as heroes were quickly forgotten, their sacrifices unacknowledged. And the inequities laid bare by the pandemic—racial health disparities, income inequality, and the fragility of social safety nets—remained largely unaddressed.
Why Did We Move On So Quickly?
The collective reluctance to confront the trauma of COVID-19 may stem from several factors. First, the sheer scale of the crisis made it difficult to process. Unlike other disasters, which are often geographically or temporally contained, the pandemic affected nearly everyone, everywhere, for years. The magnitude of the loss was overwhelming, and avoidance became a coping mechanism.
Second, political polarization played a role. In many countries, including the U.S., COVID-19 became a deeply divisive issue. Mask mandates, lockdowns, and vaccines sparked fierce debates, making it harder to foster a unified response or collective mourning.
Finally, economic pressures pushed governments and businesses to prioritize reopening over reflection. The focus was on recovery, not reckoning, as leaders sought to stabilize economies and reassure the public.
A Call for Collective Healing
As we move further from the height of the pandemic, it’s crucial to address the trauma we endured. This starts with acknowledging the losses—of life, of stability, of time—and creating spaces for collective mourning. Communities can organize memorials or storytelling events to honor those we lost and reflect on the resilience of those who survived.
Mental health services must also be expanded and made more accessible. Governments can invest in training mental health professionals, subsidizing care, and integrating mental health support into primary care settings. For children and teens, schools can play a key role in providing counseling and fostering connection.
Finally, we must learn from the inequities laid bare by COVID-19. Addressing systemic racism in healthcare, strengthening social safety nets, and ensuring equitable access to resources are essential steps in building a more resilient society.
Conclusion: A Lesson We Cannot Afford to Ignore
The COVID-19 pandemic was a once-in-a-century event, but its lessons will echo for generations. By failing to address the trauma it caused, we risk compounding its effects and leaving ourselves unprepared for future crises. This is not just about healing the past—it’s about building a better future.
We owe it to those we lost, those who suffered, and those who continue to struggle to acknowledge the enormity of what we endured. Only by facing this collective trauma can we truly move forward, not just as individuals, but as a global community.
References
1. Our World in Data. Key Charts to Understand the COVID-19 Pandemic
2. Statista. COVID-19 Impact on the Global Economy
3. World Health Organization. Mental Health Impacts of COVID-19
4. Pew Research. Psychological Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Gemma Ortwerth 
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