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It’s been 5 years since the COVID-19 pandemic began. When did you feel it was over?

Was there a specific event or personal experience that made you feel the shift back to “normalcy”? Is it something you're still waiting for?

Kelly J. Cooper, a clerk in The Million Year Picnic comic bookstore (pictured on July 13, 2023), continued to wear a face mask because of COVID-19. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff)

By Annie Jonas

updated on March 11, 2025

1 minute to read

Five years ago, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. What followed was a period of profound uncertainty, fear, and historic change: Countries closed borders, businesses shut down, schools moved online, and daily life as we knew it was turned upside down. The pandemic affected nearly every aspect of society, from healthcare systems to economies, and left a lasting impact on mental health and well-being.

Fast forward to today, and while much of the world has found a way to live with COVID-19 – through vaccines, treatments, and evolving safety measures – the virus continues to shape our lives in different ways.

While the WHO declared an end to Covid-19 as a global health emergency on May 5, 2023 (Massachusetts ended the statewide COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11), for many, the end was more nuanced. Life had already begun to shift before then, with restrictions easing and the global economy gradually reopening. Still, the impact of COVID-19 has not been entirely erased, as certain health measures and precautions remain in place, and many people continue to feel the effects in different aspects of their lives.

For some, the pandemic “ended” when they received their vaccine. For others, it may have been when restrictions were lifted, or when schools and workplaces fully reopened. But for many, the impact of COVID-19 still lingers, affecting travel, work, or social gatherings. Some may still feel cautious, while others have moved on entirely.

As we mark the five-year milestone, we invite you to reflect: When did you feel that the pandemic was “over,” if at all? Was there a specific event or personal experience that made you feel the shift back to “normalcy,” or is it something you’re still waiting for? Are there any public health practices you have kept up since the pandemic began?

Tell us by filling out the form or e-mailing us at [email protected], and your response may appear in a future Boston.com article.

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