Preserving the Pandemic: Oral Histories Documenting the Impact of COVID-19

by Rosa August 20, 2021

written by Rosa August 20, 2021

Oral Histories: Preserving the Impact of COVID-19 on Our Lives

The Pandemic’s Unprecedented Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has left an undeniable mark on our world, affecting every aspect of our lives. To capture this unprecedented experience, universities, libraries, and museums are collecting oral histories from people who have weathered the storm.

Rapid-Response Collecting: Capturing Real-Time Experiences

Inspired by similar initiatives after 9/11 and the Women’s Marches, organizations are employing “rapid-response collecting” to gather accounts of the pandemic as it unfolds. The COVID-19 Oral History Project at Indiana University’s IUPUI Arts and Humanities Institute invites researchers and the public to share their stories through interviews or audio submissions.

Institutional and Community Perspectives

Various institutions are seeking personal narratives from their affiliated communities. Columbia University’s Interdisciplinary Center for Innovative Theory and Empirics is specifically collecting 1,000 stories from New Yorkers, prioritizing healthcare workers, emergency responders, and other essential workers. Brown University’s Pembroke Center for Teaching and Research on Women is gathering experiences from individuals who identify as women, transgender, or gender non-binary.

Museums Documenting the Pandemic

Museums are also playing a vital role in preserving the pandemic’s impact. The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History is collecting artifacts, photographs, and documents to chronicle the pandemic’s effects on individuals, institutions, and communities. The Chicago History Museum is soliciting audio recordings from city residents, capturing the day-to-day changes and unexpected moments of levity and hope.

Regional Efforts: Amplifying Diverse Voices

Beyond national institutions, regional organizations are also collecting oral histories. The St. Joseph Public Library in Missouri and Foxfire, a heritage preservation group in southern Appalachia, are among those gathering stories from their communities. The Indiana Historical Society is accepting short video contributions, while the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh is preserving personal accounts through interviews and online submissions.

Preserving Our Collective History

These oral histories offer invaluable insights into the human experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. They will serve as primary source material for future historians, providing depth and context to the official accounts that will be written in history books. For those who share their stories, the process can also provide a sense of solace and connection amidst the chaos.

Personal Stories: Shaping the Narrative

The personal narratives collected through oral histories will shed light on the diverse ways in which COVID-19 has impacted individuals. From the challenges of isolation to the resilience of communities, these stories will shape our understanding of this historic event and its lasting effects on our society.

A Call for Participation

Organizations across the country are seeking personal accounts of how COVID-19 has impacted your life. Whether you have witnessed the pandemic’s effects firsthand or have experienced it from afar, your story matters. By sharing your experiences, you contribute to a collective record that will preserve our shared history for generations to come.

Rosa

Rosa is a distinguished software engineer whose passion for science and technology was kindled in her early childhood. Growing up in a household where academic curiosity was nurtured, Rosa was deeply influenced by her father, a dedicated physics professor. After long days at the university, her father would come home and engage Rosa in a world of scientific exploration, guiding her through various experiments and fostering a profound love for the intricacies of the physical world. From a young age, Rosa was captivated by the endless possibilities that science presented. She spent countless hours conducting experiments and learning the fundamental principles of physics. This early exposure to scientific inquiry not only honed her analytical skills but also instilled in her a relentless curiosity and a passion for problem-solving. Rosa's academic journey led her to pursue a degree in Computer Science, where she excelled in her studies, driven by the same enthusiasm that had characterized her childhood experiments. She graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor's degree from a prestigious university. Her academic achievements were marked by numerous accolades and scholarships, reflecting her dedication and exceptional talent in the field. In her professional career, Rosa has made significant contributions to the tech industry. She has worked for several leading technology companies, where she has been instrumental in developing innovative software solutions that have had a substantial impact on various sectors. Her expertise lies in designing and implementing complex algorithms, optimizing system performance, and ensuring the reliability and scalability of software applications. Beyond her technical prowess, Rosa is a strong advocate for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). She actively participates in mentorship programs, guiding young women who aspire to pursue careers in technology. Rosa believes in the power of education and the importance of providing equal opportunities for all, and she dedicates her time to speaking at conferences and workshops to inspire the next generation of female engineers. In her personal life, Rosa continues to embrace her scientific roots. She enjoys spending her free time experimenting with new technologies, reading scientific journals, and engaging in discussions about the future of technology. Rosa's journey from a curious child conducting experiments to a successful software engineer is a testament to the power of early exposure to science and the enduring influence of a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment.