Distant memory

A “distant memory” refers to something that happened a long time ago. Just a few weeks ago, Europe’s coronavirus response seemed to be doing well: the continent’s generous health care system was working, a vaccine was in the future, and the end was near. What a “distant memory” that seems now. As Europe is seeing a sudden acceleration of the virus, the optimistic outlook seems like a long time ago, or a “distant memory.” As winter sets in in the United States, the balmy summer weather seems like a “distant memory.”