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Unpacking our collective COVID-19 trauma, five years on

Mar 12, 2025

David Wallace-Wells, a science writer for The New York Times, discusses the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on American society. He highlights how the rush to recover often neglected the collective trauma experienced, resulting in increased individualism and less empathy. Wallace-Wells points out the shift from public health responses to a privatized approach and reflects on how this impacts trust in institutions. The conversation also dives into the new consumer behaviors shaped by the pandemic and personal stories from listeners about their experiences.

30:43

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David Wallace-Wells

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Quick takeaways

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a profound collective trauma that many Americans have yet to acknowledge, resulting in a more self-interested society.

Despite indicators of economic recovery, a widespread disconnect persists as many Americans feel marginalized and pursue riskier financial behaviors post-pandemic.

Deep dives

The Unprocessed Trauma of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has left a profound mark on American society, yet many individuals have not fully processed its trauma. With approximately 1.5 million Americans dead due to the virus, the public has largely overlooked the enduring health consequences that result from it, including millions more disabled by chronic illnesses. This trauma has also fostered a shift in societal values, promoting a more self-interested attitude among many. The podcast discusses how this widespread lack of acknowledgment might lead to a generational transformation that remains unaddressed, as society rushes to return to a perceived state of normalcy.

Intro

2min

Aftermath of COVID: Shifts in Society

19min

The Shift from Public to Private in Health Emergencies

2min

Voices of Responsibility in Higher Education

5min

Unearthing the Unexpected Value of Dandelions

3min

Five years ago, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Since then, there have been lockdowns, a recession, two presidential elections and more than a million American lives lost from the disease. In many ways, life feels like it’s back to normal, but David Wallace-Wells, a writer for The New York Times, argues that the pandemic still has a grip on American life, from our faith in public health institutions to the way consumers feel about the economy. On the show today, Wallace-Wells walks us through how Americans neglected to process the seismic impact of the pandemic in the rush to recover from it, and how it’s left us more self-interested and less empathetic. Plus, how this can help explain disgruntled consumers and a growing appetite for risk-taking in the economy.

Then, we’ll get into how responses to public health emergencies have shifted to the realm of the private sector. And, we’ll hear listeners’ reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic, five years on.

Here’s everything we talked about today: