The Lasting Effects of The COVID-19 Pandemic

As much as we'd like to move past the devastating occurrences of the past few years, we can't help but be constantly reminded of the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. From single-use personal protective equipment (PPE) littering the streets to informative posters still displayed on the University of Washington's campus, COVID-19 continues to force its way to the forefront of our minds. As we adapt to a "new normal" way of living, we may have become blissfully unaware of the long-lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that are all around us.

A COVID-19 informative poster in McCarty Hall at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. The poster emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, and practicing social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
A COVID-19 informative poster in McCarty Hall at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. The poster emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, and practicing social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
Isabella Giron, 20, is seen wearing a mask as she works at The Mill at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. Giron consistently wears a mask because she frequently visits her high-risk father and wants to ensure that she doesn't spread any illness. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
Isabella Giron, 20, is seen wearing a mask as she works at The Mill at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. Giron consistently wears a mask because she frequently visits her high-risk father and wants to ensure that she doesn't spread any illness. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
A pack of masks is pictured behind the desk at The Mill on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. Giron keeps masks on hand in case students at The Mill need one. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
A pack of masks is pictured behind the desk at The Mill on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. Giron keeps masks on hand in case students at The Mill need one. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
A black mask lays on the steps leading from the E18 parking lot at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday, Oct.26, 2023. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology news in 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic was estimated to generate up to 7,200 tons of PPE waste every day, with a significant portion being medical masks. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
A black mask lays on the steps leading from the E18 parking lot at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday, Oct.26, 2023. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology news in 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic was estimated to generate up to 7,200 tons of PPE waste every day, with a significant portion being medical masks. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
A COVID-19 informative poster at The Mill at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. The poster provides instructions on effective hand-washing and is posted next to the bathrooms in the building. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
A COVID-19 informative poster at The Mill at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. The poster provides instructions on effective hand-washing and is posted next to the bathrooms in the building. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
The date "July 28, 2020" is posted in the lower right-hand corner of a COVID-19 informative poster on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. According to CNN, on July 28, 2020, there were 4.3 million recorded cases of COVID-19 in the United States alone. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
The date "July 28, 2020" is posted in the lower right-hand corner of a COVID-19 informative poster on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. According to CNN, on July 28, 2020, there were 4.3 million recorded cases of COVID-19 in the United States alone. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
A social distancing sticker on the ground outside of the Burke Museum in Seattle, Wash. on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. The sticker is now deteriorated and hardly legible. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
A social distancing sticker on the ground outside of the Burke Museum in Seattle, Wash. on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. The sticker is now deteriorated and hardly legible. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
Kendrick Ung, 22, is seen without a mask studying at South Campus Center at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. "I haven't worn a mask since about October 2022," Ung said. "I don’t feel the need to wear a mask anymore because everyone nobody around me wears [a mask] and I feel safer as I’m vaccinated and boosted." (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
Kendrick Ung, 22, is seen without a mask studying at South Campus Center at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. "I haven't worn a mask since about October 2022," Ung said. "I don’t feel the need to wear a mask anymore because everyone nobody around me wears [a mask] and I feel safer as I’m vaccinated and boosted." (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
A blue glove is seen hanging above a sewer grate outside of the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. As gloves are single-use, their usage has increased significantly, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
A blue glove is seen hanging above a sewer grate outside of the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. As gloves are single-use, their usage has increased significantly, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
A blue mask is pictured in the dirt next to the sidewalk outside of the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. Continuing to walk down the sidewalk, other sights of pollution were seen, consisting of discarded masks and other single-use plastic. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
A blue mask is pictured in the dirt next to the sidewalk outside of the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. Continuing to walk down the sidewalk, other sights of pollution were seen, consisting of discarded masks and other single-use plastic. (Photo by Chloe Sarmiento)
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