This means hundreds of thousands of family members in mourning without being able to gather to celebrate their loved ones’ lives.  Over time, this means millions of graduations and weddings missed, birthdays and anniversaries not celebrated. Too many lives cut short.

As a country, we have become numb to the staggering number of losses. As the death toll climbs well past 200,000 Americans, and as we approach what will be a difficult fall and winter, we must remind America that there has been a tremendous human cost to families across this country. As the death toll climbs past 200,000 Americans, and as we approach what will be a difficult fall and winter, we must acknowledge and face our collective grief. We must remember those who have lost their lives, as well as those living with long-term, life-altering effects. People facing permanent lung-scarring, heart damage, neurocognitive impacts, infertility, and more as a direct result of COVID-19.

We must also honor frontline and essential workers – hospital workers, grocery workers, postal workers, teachers, and so many more —  who led us through the early months of this pandemic and who continue to put themselves at risk every day.

Join them, and join us, and share your story. So that we remember and learn from this tragedy.

By sharing our stories with each other, we can strengthen our communities and country, and begin the healing process.

Tell us about your loved ones and the incredible lives they led. Tell us about your own experience with this disease, or what you have experienced fighting it on the frontlines.