Many people underestimated the impact of the coronavirus as it spread across the world. One common statement by many, including senior elected officials, was that "it is no worse than the flu." As it turns out, COVID-19 is much more dangerous than the average flu season.
Here's the numbers for the last flu season, 2018-2019: 34,157 deaths in the U.S.
We stand today at 373,000 COVID-19 deaths in the United States. We can easily hit the 400,000 mark, which is what I projected a few weeks ago, by the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, which is only 10 days away. Even with the vaccines being distributed, deaths will continue in this nation. I can see us making it to 500,000 deaths and beyond from COVID-19 due to:
- The slow rollout of vaccinations
- People choosing not to get the vaccine
- A more transmittable form of the virus that is now spreading in the U.S.
- Many people being unwilling to wear masks and social distance
- People thinking with the arrival of the vaccine/vaccinations they do not have to wear masks or social distance
