theguardian.com
Pandemic Lockdown: Blurred Memories and Collective Trauma
A phone slideshow unexpectedly reminded the author of the first COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, prompting reflection on collective memory and the blurring of time in recalling traumatic events.
- What are the immediate impacts of experiencing the first lockdown as if it happened both recently and long ago?
- The author's phone created a five-year slideshow from March 2020, featuring images of the pandemic's onset: PPE boxes, empty streets, and socially distanced supermarket queues. This jarring reminder highlighted the difficulty in recalling the time accurately, blurring the line between recent and distant past.
- What are the long-term implications for individual and collective memory of shared traumatic experiences like the first pandemic lockdown?
- The inability to clearly recall the first lockdown raises questions about collective memory and trauma processing during prolonged crises. The author's personal experience highlights the potential for the blurring of time and the challenge of separating individual memories from collective experiences, particularly concerning shared traumas. The lasting impacts of this shared experience are evident.
- How does the author's personal experience reflect the broader challenges of remembering and processing the collective trauma of the pandemic?
- The slideshow sparked reflection on collective memory of the first lockdown, noting its simultaneous feeling of recent and distant past. The author connects personal experience with the broader societal struggle to accurately remember and process the pandemic's trauma, questioning whether it's trauma repression or the monotony of the time that causes this blurring.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative frames the first lockdown primarily through the lens of the author's personal memories and feelings. The selection of photos for the slideshow and the emphasis on the author's emotional response shape the reader's understanding of this period. While the author acknowledges the suffering caused by the pandemic, the personal nature of the framing might overshadow the broader impact.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, although the author's emotional tone throughout the piece might subtly influence the reader's interpretation. Words like "dazzlingly bleak," "comically jarring," and "eerily loo-roll-denuded" convey a personal emotional perspective rather than objective reporting. However, these are used within a reflective rather than overtly biased context.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the author's personal experience during the first lockdown, omitting broader societal impacts and perspectives. While acknowledging the suffering caused by Covid-19, it doesn't delve into statistics or the experiences of various demographic groups, potentially leading to an incomplete picture. The omission of the wider political and economic ramifications of the pandemic also limits the analysis.
False Dichotomy
The article doesn't present a false dichotomy, but it implicitly positions the author's personal experience as representative without explicitly stating this. This could lead readers to assume the author's feelings are universally shared, overlooking diverse experiences.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article reflects on the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, recalling experiences of lockdowns, PPE shortages, and the impact on daily life. This directly relates to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by highlighting the negative health consequences, both physical and mental, of the pandemic. The mention of long Covid and the underreporting of its effects further emphasizes the ongoing health challenges related to the pandemic.