COVID-19 memorial creators reflect as world nears 5 million deaths

FILE - In this Sept. 17, 2021, file photo, with the Washington Monument in the background, people look at white flags that are part of artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg's temporary art installation, "In America: Remember," in remembrance of Americans who have died of COVID-19, on the National Mall in Washington. The installation consisted of more than 630,000 flags. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File) FILE - In this Sept. 17, 2021, file photo, with the Washington Monument in the background, people look at white flags that are part of artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg's temporary art installation, "In America: Remember," in remembrance of Americans who have died of COVID-19, on the National Mall in Washington. The installation consisted of more than 630,000 flags. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

By PHILIP MARCELO / Associated Press October 31, 2021 5 min read

As the world nears the milestone of 5 million COVID-19 deaths, memorials large and small, ephemeral and epic, have cropped up around the United States.

In New Jersey, one woman’s modest seaside memorial for her late brother has grown to honor thousands of lost souls. In Los Angeles, a teen’s middle school project commemorating her city’s fallen through a patchwork quilt now includes the names of hundreds more from around the world.

Here’s a look at what inspired some U.S.-based artists to contribute to the growing collection of memorials honoring the nearly 5 million dead worldwide from COVID-19.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.