The measures adopted to combat the spread of the Coronavirus are radically transforming cities and urban life. In the spring of 2020, in a vast and increasing number of cities, events were banned, schools closed, and public facilities shut. 

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Founded in March 2020 by a group of urbanists, Spread stories, not the virus is a platform for citizens to share their experiences and reflections in their locked-down cities. Between Mid-March and May 2020, our initiative collected stories that offer particular and alternative perspectives on the kind of city that emerges when people practice social distancing, confined to their homes. 

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Our platform rapidly grew to become a space where citizens from all over the world shared creative, constructive, and reflective stories. More than 165 stories were published - told by a diverse body of contributors, originating from cities all over the world. In April 2020, our initiative was awarded a grant by the Chair of Social Entrepreneurship at Complutense University Madrid, as it was recognized as a "student-led solidarity initiative which aims to alleviate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic." 

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The stories on our website appeared in English, and since the launch of our Spanish-speaking platform in May 2021, in Spanish as well. Many stories have been published in the native language of the authors.