Story perspectives

NYC Residents Recast Covid Memories as Less Frightening

3/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Six years after the peak of Covid-19, surveys show New York City residents recall the early crisis as less frightening than at the time.
Some describe overwhelmed hospitals as a "myth."
This change in memory aligns with research suggesting people reconstruct past experiences based on current feelings and beliefs.
As the pandemic fades from immediate memory, people across the political spectrum adjust their recollections to fit contemporary narratives.

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Story summary

Six years after the peak of Covid-19, surveys show New York City residents recall the early crisis as less frightening than at the time.
Some describe overwhelmed hospitals as a "myth."
This change in memory aligns with research suggesting people reconstruct past experiences based on current feelings and beliefs.
As the pandemic fades from immediate memory, people across the political spectrum adjust their recollections to fit contemporary narratives.