Health care workers rushing a gurney down a hallway. image is blurred

Stories of the COVID Crisis

Stories inform us. Stories connect us. Stories teach us how to navigate challenge and uncertainty. Stories motivate action. Now, right now, we need stories more than ever to help deepen our understanding of the human experience of COVID-19.

We’re inviting clinicians, staff, health professions students, patients, and family members to share their stories from the pandemic. We aim to collect hundreds of stories from all over the world to help the public understand the gravity of the current situation and to amplify the urgent calls to action.

Latest Stories

We found we shared a love of tea

“We found we shared a love of tea.”

By Janet Snipes

“Communication can change the world”

“Communication can change the world.”

I hadn’t called in sick since 1993

“I hadn’t called in sick since 1993.”

By Jeffrey Leggett

A thermometer on a grey background.

“She did not leave her bed the entire day.”

Seven metal suits of armour standing upright against a grey background.

“Only COVID warriors like us can understand.”

By Dr. Animesh Kumar Mishra

Two green oxygen tanks against a dark backgront

“I would never have the strength to say these words out loud.”

By Anubhav Bangari

Scrabble tiles spelling out 'courage does not always roar'

“My family was proud of me for being brave enough to do my job.”

The sun sets over the land.

“And then I see the ray of hope.”

By Prerna Dhulekar

“It’s been months since I stepped out of the house”

“It’s been months since I stepped out of the house.”

By Preyyyk Kumar

Little did I know I had a long road ahead of me

“Little did I know I had a long road ahead of me.”

By Teandra Pitt

The words

“If not for COVID, she would still be alive and enjoying her retirement.”

By Judith Lewallen

“The shame still plagues us… but we are negative!”

“The shame still plagues us… but we are negative!”

A black and white photo of a single rose blooming against a black background.

“I told him I loved him and that I couldn't stay.”

By Wanda Acosta

“The disease makes me to begin to see life as being very transient.

"The disease makes me to begin to see life as being very transient."

By Immanuel Jacobs

Wooden slats form a path on green grass

“If this many people love you this deeply, do you ever really go anywhere?”

Shannon Hero Pic

“She fought this devastating disease with everything that she had.”

A path through an empty forest

“I started to experience some improvements… I knew I was out of the woods.”

A clinician in protective gear smiles at the camera.

"With no visitors allowed, I truly appreciated their presence and care."

By Nathania Zaini

Black and white photo of an empty multi-story garage.

"Why do we not get a stimulus check?"

By Polly Wright

Four hands clasped into a square against a white background.

“We can only defeat it together.”

By Dr. Camille Green

A person sits in the top of an hourglass against a sepia background.

“My heart sank.”

A hand types a message on a smartphone against a black background.

“The texts were unsettling.”

By Dr. Jeanmarie Perrone

The silhouette of a hand against a foggy window.

“I couldn’t hold her hand.”

A group of hands make up a painted red heart.

“This COVID-19 monster not only ravages its victims, it also wreaks havoc on the people who love them.”

By Jacqueline Canter

Read More Stories »

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement and Primary Care Progress, with generous support from Pfizer, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Merck, and the Morris-Singer Foundation, created this website to discover our shared stories and our shared humanity during COVID-19.

© Institute for Healthcare Improvement. All rights reserved.