Introduction

When COVID-19 began, the reactions varied widely, with some people taking it lightly while others were alarmed. Within months, it became a global pandemic impacting millions. Knowledge about the virus, its transmission, and prevention became essential. Effective public health communication, along with informal sharing among communities, was crucial. This book explores how multilingual communities in London utilized their linguistic and cultural resources to understand COVID-19 and respond effectively. The educators and researchers based in London, work in regional studies focusing on Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Concerned about the unequal infection and mortality rates among London’s multilingual communities, we began investigating the reasons behind this disparity. This research involved a team with strong linguistic and cultural expertise and provided them with a sense of purpose during a challenging time. The primary goal was to examine how language and culture influence people’s understanding and reactions to new viruses like COVID-19.