A Reflection on Year One of the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic
I say this based on evidence, personal experiences, and what I’ve witnessed as a news reporter during the chaotic state of affairs this past year.
Taking on a pandemic was a big ask. No one wanted to do it. It’s an unprecedented, historical nightmare, but here we are, a year later, still doing it. Today may very well be the eve of the United States racking up half a million deaths. The New York Times is prepared for this milestone. Yet, we still have people claiming it’s “no worse” than the seasonal flu.
There was an esitmated 61,000 deaths during the 2017–2018 flu season, the highest annual influenza death toll during the past decade. As of this morning, the U.S. has recorded 498,033 COVID-19 deaths, and the 2020–2021 Coronavirus season is far from over.
And hey, while we’re at it, let’s really push the limits of the American people by tossing in economic recession like it’s the hunger games, psychosis inducing political crisis, civil unrest on every side of the fence, the rise of white supremacy (because, WTF?), Donald Trump hijacking headlines and our democracy, and let’s never forget the steady stream of natural disasters.
