effects of Covid-19, Navigating the Unknown: A Life Course Perspective on the Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted societies worldwide, challenging established assumptions about the human life course. This insightful essay leverages the collective expertise of its authors to illuminate the vital role of a life course perspective in comprehending the pandemic's far-reaching effects on individuals, families, and entire populations. This essay delves into the profound implications of the pandemic on the organization and experience of life transitions and trajectories across various key domains, including health, personal control and planning, social relationships, family life, education, career, and mobility. It meticulously examines how the pandemic affects those who contract the virus or are closely connected to infected individuals, while also considering the broader ramifications of the pandemic encompassing social, economic, cultural, and psychological aspects. With an eye toward the future, the essay provides valuable programmatic insights that serve as a foundation for both life course research and policy development, offering a roadmap to navigate the short- and long-term consequences of the ongoing pandemic.