The Guardian view on Covid-19, five years on: lessons still to be learned | Editorial

Though many would rather forget the pandemic, we are living with its consequences. Are we any better prepared for the next one?
“When asked what was the biggest disaster of the twentieth century, almost nobody answers the Spanish flu,” notes Laura Spinney in her book Pale Rider, of an event that killed as many as one in 20 of the global population. “There is no cenotaph, no monument in London, Moscow or Washington DC.”
Most of us will better understand that absence after Covid-19, which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization five years ago this week. Some cannot put those events behind them: most obviously, many of those bereaved by the 7 million deaths worldwide (not including those indirectly caused by the pandemic), and the significant numbers still living with long Covid. Others want to forget the loss of loved ones, the months of isolation and the costs to businesses, families and mental health.
Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Continue reading...Topics
-
Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic 5 years later
Five years ago Tuesday, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. CBS News digital reporter Alex Tin explains the lessons the government and public health officials learned.CBS News - 3d -
5 years on, what we learned from the COVID pandemic response
It's been five years since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, driving billions of people indoors and killing more than a million people in the U.S. Dr. Jon LaPook examines what lessons we can ...CBS News - 3h -
‘We have ignored lessons’: how Covid continues to affect lives five years later
The ways the pandemic has shaken Guardian readers’ worlds – from new businesses to difficulty socialising. It’s been five years since the Trump administration declared a nationwide emergency ...The Guardian - 1d -
The Guardian view on Trump and Ukraine: respite is possible, but resolution looks distant | Editorial
Will-they-won’t-they over a ceasefire does not change the underlying dynamics of US retreat from supporting Kyiv . A three-year conflict has taken bewildering, lurching turns in under a fortnight. ...The Guardian - 1d -
How COVID-19 Still Affects the Economy 5 Years Later
Though the pandemic shock has ended, COVID-19 continues to shape the economy.Inc. - 5d -
‘I don’t feel part of society’: how Covid is still taking its toll five years on
The social, educational and financial impact is still making itself felt, especially for those who continue to mourn. Five years ago, on 11 March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared ...The Guardian - 3d -
Most still trust CDC, NIH five years after COVID pandemic declaration: Survey
Most Americans still trust information from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and National Institute of Health (NIH) five years after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Tuesday study from ...The Hill - 3d -
The Guardian view on Modi redrawing India’s electoral map: deepening a dangerous north-south divide| Editorial
The Hindu nationalist prime minister’s push could shift power northward to his political advantage but risks escalating political tensions. When Narendra Modi’s alliance won a narrow majority in ...The Guardian - 5d -
Reflecting on five years since the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world
On this day five years ago, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, shutting down daily life, crippling the economy and reshaping public health. More than 1.1 million ...CBS News - 3d
More from The Guardian
-
Starmer says Putin cannot be allowed to ‘play games’ over Ukraine ceasefire
UK PM to host virtual meeting of ‘coalition of the willing’ nations who have agreed to help enforce peace. Keir Starmer has warned that Vladimir Putin cannot be allowed to “play games” with the ...The Guardian - 4h -
Crew lifts off on SpaceX mission to replace stuck Nasa astronauts
Falcon 9 rocket takes off on journey to replace duo who have been at International Space Station since June. The replacements for two Nasa astronauts who have been stuck at the International ...The Guardian - 3h -
Trump administration briefing: Democrats divided as funding bill passes; president rails against justice department
Democrats dismayed after some help Republicans avert government shutdown; Trump vents about prosecutions while taking DoJ victory lap – key US politics stories from Friday at a glance. The US ...The Guardian - 1h -
Unhoused San Diego woman towed in van found dead inside a month later
Family of Monica Cameroni De Adams, 65, files $50m damages claim as lawyer accuses city of ‘burying her alive’. An unhoused woman living out of her van in San Diego was towed away by authorities, ...The Guardian - 4h -
Canada ‘will never be part of the US’, says new PM Mark Carney amid trade war
Former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor sworn in and expected to call election soon. Mark Carney has said Canada will never be part of the US, after being sworn in as the country’s 24th ...The Guardian - 2h
More in World
-
3/14: CBS Evening News
American Airlines plane catches fire on tarmac of Denver airport after emergency landing; Alan Simpson, former Wyoming senator, dies at 93CBS News - 17m -
Teen tornado Mirra Andreeva blows away Iga Swiatek to reach final of Indian Wells Masters
Andreeva defeats Swiatek 7-6, 1-6, 6-3 Russian teen will play Sabalenka or Keys in final Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva beat defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6, 1-6, 6-3 to reach the Indian ...The Guardian - 1h -
Trump administration briefing: Democrats divided as funding bill passes; president rails against justice department
Democrats dismayed after some help Republicans avert government shutdown; Trump vents about prosecutions while taking DoJ victory lap – key US politics stories from Friday at a glance. The US ...The Guardian - 1h -
Canada ‘will never be part of the US’, says new PM Mark Carney amid trade war
Former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor sworn in and expected to call election soon. Mark Carney has said Canada will never be part of the US, after being sworn in as the country’s 24th ...The Guardian - 2h -
'Benefit cut for 1m' and 'Putin must not play games'
Yahoo News - 2h