Memorials of the Pandemic

Poet Clint Smith wrote about become increasingly uncomfortable hearing people say “we have made it through worse before.” In his poem, he says, “We are not all left standing after the war has ended. Some of us have become ghosts by the time the dust has settled.”

And so it is with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Even though we are still in the midst of the Covid-19 fight, and even though hope is on the horizon, too many will not live to see the end. But that does not mean that their memories cannot live on in ours. Indeed they should. Because we can’t heal as a community, unless we remember what or who we have lost.

KUOW is creating a collection of short stories focused on the people who died of Covid-19—to celebrate the lives they lived and to explore what their lives can teach us moving forward.

If you knew someone, we invite you to share your memories. To help structure these remembrances, please fill out this form. Please note that by submitting your story, you grant us permission to reprint with light editing for content and accuracy.