| September 29, 2020 4 Months Later… On May 29th, 2020, the Harvard Square Business Association (HSBA) released Harvard Square: The Pandemic of 2020. A Remembrance and Dedication, which was filmed at the apex of the quarantine. It was important for us to mark the moment in time when Harvard Square stood still because of COVID-19. On that day, there were 5.7 million cases of Coronavirus worldwide and 359,000 deaths. These numbers included 1.7 cases in the United States alone and 101,000 reported deaths. Today, we reached a profound and sad milestone. Confirmed cases of Coronavirus across the globe have increased to a staggering 33.4 million and deaths have exceeded one million. These numbers include 7.2 million infected Americans and 208,118 deaths across our country. While the Square has begun its long, slow journey from economic loss, the total disruption of student life and the severe lack of university activity within our historic academic district is clearly evident and deeply felt. We miss our global friends, visitors, students and faculty, whose presence, intellect, ideas, public engagement and discourse add to the vibrancy of Harvard Square. We miss our street performers, chess players, skateboarders and folks wheeling baby-strollers, as well as shoppers, diners, workers and neighbors. We welcome their safe return. Denise Jillson, executive director of the HSBA, said, “We send thoughts and prayers to those sickened and those who lost their lives to this insidious virus.” This video is dedicated to all those who lost their lives to COVID-19 |