Five Years On, Ghosts of a Pandemic We Didn't Imagine Still Haunt Us
Briefly

Five years after a devastating pandemic, the New Jersey town of Maplewood has resumed everyday life, but it carries remnants of its recent history. The old movie theater's marquee still reads 'STAY HEALTHY', symbolizing the ongoing collective trauma from a pandemic that claimed over seven million lives worldwide. While life endeavors to return to normal, echoes of the past linger, whether it's through memories triggered by music or physical reminders like face masks. The community reflects resilience and a struggle to reconcile with what was lost during those difficult years.
A message on a closed movie theater's marquee reminds us of the ongoing impact of the pandemic, lingering in our lives even as normalcy seems restored.
As time passes, the everyday rhythm has returned to Maplewood, but remnants of the pandemic, like the letter L on the marquee, symbolize our collective trauma.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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