Brain Matters

Science of forgetting: Why we’re already losing our pandemic memories

Because of information overload and the monotony of pandemic life, your brain may already be forgetting parts of the covid years

8 min
An illustration of a statue of someone wearing a mask, goggles, and a hazmat suit that is slowly being overtaken by nature, with ivy and overgrown plants, a bird, and a butterfly on it.
(George Wylesol for The Washington Post)
By

How much do you remember about the past three years of pandemic life? How much have you already forgotten?

A lot has happened since the “Before Times.” Canceled proms, toilet paper shortages, nightly applause for health workers, new vaccines, waitlists for getting the first jab, and more.

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What readers are saying

The comments reflect a wide range of personal experiences and emotions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many commenters express a strong desire not to forget the pandemic due to its profound impact on their lives, including loss of loved ones, changes in work and social life,... Show more
This summary is AI-generated. AI can make mistakes and this summary is not a replacement for reading the comments.
By
Richard Sima is a neuroscientist turned award-winning science journalist who writes the "Brain Matters" column for The Washington Post's Well+Being desk. @richardsima
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