The Other Covid Reckoning

a year ago

COVID-19 resulted in 1.2 million American deaths, the highest-fatality event in U.S. history.
Globally, COVID-19 deaths are officially 7 million, with unofficial estimates ranging from 20 to 30 million.
The pandemic killed 250,000 Americans under 65, comparable to the population of Salt Lake City.
Despite the high death toll, public discourse focuses more on debates like lab leaks, lockdowns, and vaccines rather than the lives lost.
The author highlights a bias where controversy and sensationalism overshadow the sheer scale of the tragedy.
The article questions why society doesn’t prioritize remembering the deaths, suggesting dead people can’t advocate for themselves.
The author reflects on the paradox of initial underestimation of COVID’s impact versus the potential overreaction in policy responses.
The piece draws parallels to charity work, where scandals often overshadow the good done.
No clear action is proposed, but the author emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the scale of loss.

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