COVID Pandemic: Three Years On and Nobody Wants to Talk About It – Here’s Why We Should

In his article, “COVID Pandemic: Three Years on and Nobody Wants to Talk About it – Here’s Why We Should,” scholar Jonathan Breckon delves into the conspicuous silence surrounding COVID-19 in 2024. He observes how the pandemic, once a central topic of discussion, has receded into the background, overshadowed by other pressing crises such as the escalating cost of living, the ongoing collapse of the British National Health Services (NHS), and the war in Ukraine. Breckon emphasizes that while the public may be weary of the pandemic discourse, the repercussions of the crisis, namely the grief and the economic fallout, are still being felt, with the UK continuing to struggle with the aftermath of a pandemic-induced recession that caused the most significant GDP drop since 1948.

In addition, approximately two million people, including himself, continue to struggle with Long COVID symptoms. Breckon critiques the UK’s pandemic response and advocates for learning from countries like Norway and India, which have made notable progress in providing accessible mental health services. He emphasizes the importance of not only addressing the lingering issues left behind by the pandemic but also of acknowledging its profound impact on individuals and society—a commemoration that is essential to preserving collective memory and enabling recovery, despite the widespread desire to move past the pandemic crisis as quickly as possible.