Greg Fulton: A covid victims' memorial?

Should there be a national covid-19 memorial?

While some small memorials have been constructed around the country, there may never be a national site to remember the over 1 million people who died from covid during the pandemic and those who were essential in helping our country survive it.

The dictionary defines a memorial as “something, especially a structure, established to remind people of an event.” It’s further noted that a memorial serves as an ongoing remembrance of the individuals involved.

We have built memorials to those who fought in wars or armed conflicts or who perished during a momentous or tragic event such as 9/11.

Covid was none of these. The people who died were not soldiers fighting or victims of a terrorist act. No medals were handed out for heroism, and there are no battlefields to visit.

While covid was not a real war, it felt like one for many and had some of the same characteristics. We received daily casualty figures from the front as well as updates on efforts to combat the virus.

A large number of the casualties were our essential workers who were on the front lines daily interacting with people and providing critical services. They performed jobs that many did not fully appreciate until the pandemic shed light on them — in health care, logistics, food distribution, nursing homes, public safety and more.

Our nation’s essential workers did not volunteer for this war against covid, nor did they receive a draft notice. They chose to do their jobs. They recognized the importance of their roles during this dark time and accepted the risks. Many viewed it as their duty or doing their small part to combat the pandemic.

The concept of a covid memorial may not appeal to a lot of people. For many, the pandemic represented the most difficult time in their lives, one they wish to forget.

Almost everyone lost someone to covid — family members, friends and acquaintances. Some lost jobs; others forfeited businesses, homes and more. Covid attacked people of all ages, races, religions, geographic regions and nationalities.

It was a stressful time as people felt isolated and lost touch with others. Covid caused anxiety, depression and other mental health problems. It strained relationships and divided families and friends over masks, business restrictions and vaccination mandates.

While many may wish to erase this time from our collective memory, it is important that we not toss this experience onto the ash heap of history. History has a way of repeating itself, and it is critical that we take the lessons learned from this time so as to be better prepared to combat the next virus outbreak.

A covid memorial would help us and future generations remember this difficult period in our history and all those who died from the virus. It would honor our essential workers — health care professionals, nursing home assistants, truck drivers, police officers, firefighters, and grocery store, postal, sanitation and delivery workers. These people were the real heroes. Despite the risks, they woke up every day and went to work in the thick of it to keep the rest of us safe and allowed our country to survive.