750,000 COVID deaths

Thought for the day

Back on Sept. 24, I wrote the following: “At last count, COVID is killing nearly 2,000 people a day coast to coast. At this rate, the death toll will reach 750,000 by the end of the year.”

As it turns out, the number was correct but the timing wasn’t. We reached the 750,000 mark nearly eight weeks earlier than I predicted. With this last thought in mind, I hope you will read today’s post.

Honoring those lost to COVID

If you watched the video or saw the photos of the 670,000 white flags displayed on the National Mall way back in September, you know those felled by COVID have not been forgotten.  Today, if that same installation was erected, the number of flags would top 750,000.  My question is this:  Will we ever build a permanent memorial so millions of family members and friends have a place to gather and remember their loved ones lost during the pandemic?

To be sure, some governors have begun planning memorials to honor their states' COVID victims, just as artists have created temporary installations, entertainers have sung songs and websites have been created -- all with the intention of honoring the sons and daughters, moms, dads, brothers, sisters, teachers, nurses, doctors, and first responders who, tragically, have passed away.

At the rate people are dying today, I think it's possible a million people will be gone by Valentine's Day 2022.  If each person lost to COVID was represented by a single sheet of paper, that "tower" would be taller than the Statue of Liberty.

There currently is talk of erecting a memorial to honor the troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I'm not opposed to the idea but I wonder which monument should be built first?  The one paying tribute to roughly 7,000 soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice half way 'round the world, or the one honoring the hundreds of thousands of innocents killed by COVID right here in America?

-DF