The Focus Group Podcast: Episode S5 Ep9 - Unresolved COVID Trauma with Dr. Leana Wen

Release Date: March 15, 2025
Host: Sarah Longwell, Publisher of The Bulwark
Guest: Dr. Leana Wen, Emergency Physician, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Author of The Checkup with Dr. Wen

Introduction

In the ninth episode of the fifth season of The Focus Group Podcast, Sarah Longwell commemorates the five-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic—a period that profoundly reshaped American society. To unpack the lingering trauma and its political ramifications, Longwell welcomes back Dr. Leana Wen, a prominent voice during the pandemic. Together, they delve into how unresolved COVID trauma continues to influence politics, public trust in the healthcare system, and everyday lives.

Ongoing Effects of COVID-19

Dr. Leana Wen opens the discussion by highlighting the persistent fear surrounding COVID-19:

“There are definitely people who are still terrified of the virus... People who are severely immunocompromised... don't want to get this virus, just like they don't want to get other respiratory viruses because of how dangerous that could be for their health.”
(03:27)

She emphasizes the lasting mistrust in the medical system:

“We are dealing with immense mistrust, distrust of the medical system... on their ability and their willingness to listen to experts, recommendations on other health issues, on vaccines...”
(04:15)

Mistrust and Vaccine Skepticism

Longwell reflects on the political fallout, connecting the pandemic's handling to Trump's resurgence:

“...having a lot to do with what made Trump's comeback possible.”
(03:04)

Dr. Wen explains the bifurcation in public response:

“There’s a group that feels abandoned... and another group that feels the pandemic measures were wrong.”
(05:15)

This division erodes trust in experts, making individuals question the credibility of medical advice:

“...if they were wrong all those times, why should I believe them now?”
(07:46)

Psychological Toll of the Pandemic

The conversation shifts to the psychological impact on individuals and families. Focus group participants share their struggles:

Participant 1 discusses isolation and mental exhaustion:

“I am physically and mentally emotionally exhausted.”
(08:45)

Participant 4 voices frustration with misinformation and fear-mongering:

“...we're really pushing this. And right now with all the stuff we know... it was a lot of misinformation going, right.”
(21:08)

Dr. Wen underscores the collective sense of betrayal and unresolved emotions:

“There’s a sense that people don’t know who to trust... these experiences and reflections are fine and that there needs to be space to accept them and to meet people where they are.”
(25:48)

Communication Gaps and Lack of Closure

A critical point raised by Dr. Wen is the absence of a clear endpoint to the pandemic, which has fueled ongoing frustration:

“There was no end. ... finally declared it over.”
(30:05)

Dr. Wen suggests that public health officials failed to communicate a victory lap or clear milestones, exacerbating public distrust:

“...they ended up angering everyone. I think it’s the last couple of years, if you will, that were unnecessary.”
(33:35)

Longwell concurs, noting the psychological void left by inadequate communication:

“It would have been cool to have, like, a designated victory.”
(35:52)

Impact on Children and Families

Participants share the long-term effects on their children:

Participant 1 expresses concern over children's anxiety and missed milestones:

“My children... are dealing with anxiety in public... my husband mourns every day about how we weren't able to do things with them when they were little.”
(38:13)

Participant 2 highlights educational and social setbacks:

“Learning from home... it's a crime that these kids have basically not gotten an education.”
(39:32)

Vaccine Hesitancy and Public Health Strategies

The discussion pivots to vaccine skepticism. Participants express distrust in pharmaceutical companies and the rapid development of COVID vaccines:

Participant 6 questions the safety and transparency of vaccines:

“How y’all made a vaccine in a week? Like seven days.”
(57:04)

Dr. Wen advocates for nuanced communication about vaccines:

“We need to become a lot more nuanced in how we speak about different vaccines... public health officials have been afraid to communicate that.”
(59:02)

She differentiates COVID vaccines from traditional vaccines, emphasizing their variable efficacy:

“The COVID vaccines are not like the measles vaccine or the polio vaccine. ... reduction in severe disease and the reduction in symptomatic infection... 40 to 50% reduction.”
(60:46)

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Sarah Longwell wraps up by acknowledging the unresolved tensions and the need for better public health communication:

“Maybe you'll tell me. No, they really did do that and you just missed it cuz you weren't paying attention.”
(53:38)

Dr. Wen reiterates the importance of honest, nuanced dialogue to rebuild trust:

“Addressing those nuances and being clear with people about what we know and what we don’t know... is empowering and also shows them that the official... is worthy of trust.”
(62:32)

Longwell and Dr. Wen agree that without addressing these underlying issues, society will continue to grapple with divided trust and unresolved trauma from the pandemic.

Key Takeaways

1. Persistent Fear and Mistrust: The pandemic has left enduring fear, especially among vulnerable populations, and a significant mistrust in the medical system that affects broader public health initiatives.

2. Polarization and Political Impact: The handling of COVID-19 has contributed to political polarization, facilitating figures like Trump to regain support by capitalizing on public distrust.

3. Psychological and Social Impact: The pandemic has had profound psychological effects on both adults and children, leading to increased anxiety, social isolation, and educational setbacks.

4. Communication Failures: A lack of clear communication and closure from public health authorities has exacerbated feelings of betrayal and unresolved trauma, hindering recovery and trust-building.

5. Vaccine Hesitancy: Differentiated communication strategies are necessary to address specific concerns about COVID vaccines, distinguishing them from traditional vaccines to rebuild trust.

6. Need for Nuanced Dialogue: Reestablishing trust requires honest, nuanced conversations that acknowledge uncertainties and respect individual experiences without fear-mongering.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dr. Leana Wen:
  “There are definitely people who are still terrified of the virus... People who are severely immunocompromised...”
  (03:27)

• Sarah Longwell:
  “I see it all the time in the groups. But, like, how do you see it show up in medicine?”
  (05:15)

• Dr. Leana Wen:
  “There are people who are angry, who are upset about this, and that needs to be explored in a way that doesn't blame them.”
  (25:48)

• Dr. Leana Wen:
  “The COVID vaccines are not like the measles vaccine or the polio vaccine... reduction in severe disease and the reduction in symptomatic infection... 40 to 50% reduction.”
  (60:46)

This episode of The Focus Group Podcast provides a comprehensive exploration of the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the psychological toll, the rise in vaccine skepticism, and the critical need for improved communication to rebuild public trust in the healthcare system.