To date, there have been 1.69M recorded deaths due to the coronavirus and 76.4M cases of the coronavirus. In addition to the hard numbers, there are many layers of complexity that come along with the deaths and losses we\u2019ve suffered during this pandemic. One of the most challenging impacts we\u2019re facing in this moment is the tidal wave of grief<\/a> washing over our communities. The sorrow, confusion, and an uncertain future are all normal experiences associated with grief. But these experiences of disorientation have been heightened by the isolation required during a pandemic.<\/p>\n So, as we approach the 1-year anniversary of the first wave of global lockdowns, we are providing insights from death, grief, and health professionals to help readers feel seen and heard in this difficult time – even if just through a computer screen.<\/p>\n Though we are nowhere near the end of this rollercoaster ride yet, we intend to not only provide practical information and resources about the realities of grief in this pandemic, we\u2019ve also provided tactics for how we can practice connection, healing, and community care through the remaining twists and turns.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no doubt about it: the grief we\u2019ve been experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the coronavirus is unique. Here are a few reasons why what we\u2019re experience feels disorienting, overwhelming, and new:<\/p>\n As individuals, many have experienced the unexpected and sudden loss of friends and family, and with that loss comes a ripple of grief into those people\u2019s extended networks. At the time when the United States had lost approximately 215,000 lives, it was estimated that more than 2,000,000 people were grieving<\/a> as a result. And research shows that at least nine close family members are affected<\/a> by the death of each person killed by the coronavirus.<\/p>\n We are also witnessing the grief of people who are not in our immediate families, but who are within our communities and nations. We are witnessing their families and friends grieve publicly in our neighborhoods and hospitals. We are surrounded by memorial sites and vigils, especially as we approach the first anniversary of the first COVID related deaths. And we are reminded by the media of the global and national death tolls that are outside of what we can see on a daily basis.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also important to note that many people are grieving deaths unrelated to the coronavirus – deaths related to all kinds of illnesses, injustices, and experiences like suicide<\/a> and murder<\/a>; deaths that happened before and during the coronavirus.<\/p>\n Not only have we lost physical humans from our communities. We\u2019ve lost our daily<\/a>, annual, and seasonal routines or milestones – including holiday traditions<\/a>, office interactions<\/a>, schooling<\/a>, and what was once a tiny errand like shopping or riding transit<\/a>. We\u2019ve lost physical contact and both intimate and casual touch. We\u2019ve lost traditional methods for socializing<\/a> and spaces where we socialize – including institutional small businesses that were community hubs<\/a>, offices, and workplaces, or personal homes. We\u2019ve lost jobs<\/a>, employees, and businesses – accompanied by the loss of career progress<\/a>, dreams, and finances. We\u2019ve lost the opportunity to connect with people at the exciting and challenging times – including graduations<\/a>, bringing new life into the world<\/a>, or deaths<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cNot only is there grief for all of those losses, but there’s anticipatory grief as well. The fear of losing more. The uncertainty of when and how it will end,\u201d said Sara Deren, Founder and Chief Experience Officer of Experience Camps<\/a>, a national network of summer camps for children and teens. Anticipatory grief<\/a> has shown up for many people during the COVID-19 pandemic as anxiety, stress, and worry about the loss of more people in their networks, more job or economic instability and related losses, and a continued lack of physical connection and support.<\/p>\n Architecture firm G\u00f3mez Platero is creating the world’s first large-scale a monument to the victims of COVID-19. It is situated on the shores of Montevideo, Uruguay. Image via G\u00f3mez Platero.<\/p><\/div>\n Over the course of the first year of the pandemic, globally there have been over 1,600,000 deaths while<\/i> we navigate the restrictions of a pandemic, a civil rights movement, political turbulence<\/a>, economic downfall, and environmental disasters. Major, sweeping, consistent relief has yet to come. Deren points out that \u201ca healthy adaptation to loss requires movement between the pain of grief and the joy of life. The times we are in make it that much harder to establish that movement and balance.\u201dNavigating grief during the COVID-19 pandemic<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nWhat\u2019s different about grief during the COVID-19 pandemic?<\/h3>\n
We are grieving the death of people within and outside of our communities.<\/h4>\n
People close to us.<\/h4>\n
Research shows that at least nine close family members are affected by the death of each person killed by the coronavirus. <\/span><\/blockquote>\n
People who are in our wider communities.<\/h4>\n
We are grieving more than death.<\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\nWe are grieving what\u2019s to come.<\/h4>\n
There\u2019s been little or no relief and the losses are exponential.<\/h4>\n
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