How should we write about the time of COVID-19, with more than 2.5 million people dead, and the countless tales of heartache and tragedy?

Does the narrative follow the failures of a political administration? The race for a vaccine?
Do we chronical the tireless efforts of healthcare workers?

What if, instead of that, the story of the coronavirus pandemic, which has upended life now for a year, was told through the stories of you, and me; and other regular people?

That's just what The Pandemic Journaling Project does.

There have already been 1300 individuals from 40 different countries contribute, sharing their experiences, submitting more than 9000 entries.

All of these contributions tell the story of the pandemic, through firsthand accounts of common individuals, and the hope is, in years to come, it will be utilized, to tell a fuller history of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But it also serves another purpose - one that is perhaps more powerful. It's a tool for people to cope.
For people to grieve. And maybe to find some connection in a time where we've all been so deeply isolated.

The creators of The Pandemic Journaling Project join us for the first part of the program today to talk about the endeavor.

Later on, we hear a conversation between our Morning Edition host Amy Eddings, and author Anne Lamott. Her new book, "Dusk, Night, Dawn: On Revival and Courage" chronicles and reflects on much of the last year.

Finally, a preview of tonight's Science Café lecture. NASA Project Scientist Jerry Myers, PhD, will be speaking about The Human Research Program. In conjunction with locations across the world, scientists at NASA Glenn Research Center are working to prepare astronauts for long term space travel.

Links to The Pandemic Journaling Project, as well as tonight's Science Café lecture are below.

Guests:
Sarah Willen, Ph.D., associate professor of anthropology; director of the research program on global health and human rights at the Human Rights Institute at the University of Connecticut; and co-founder, the Pandemic Journaling Project
Kate Mason, Ph.D., assistant professor of anthropology at Brown University and co-founder, the Pandemic Journaling Project
Anne Lamott, author, "Dusk Night Dawn: On Revival and Courage"
Amy Eddings, Morning Edition host and producer, Ideastream
Jerry Myers, Ph.D., project scientist, Human Research Program, NASA Glenn Research Center