The start of vaccine distribution has given hope, but unfortunately, this comes as the death toll rises above 300,000 in the United States. In December, coronavirus became the leading cause of death in America. CNN points out “In the past week, an average of 2,403 people in the US have died from Covid-19 every day. That’s an average of one Covid-19 death every 40 seconds.”
NPR puts it in perspective:
There is no analogue in recent U.S history to the scale of death brought on by the coronavirus, which now runs unchecked in countless towns, cities and states.
It’s equivalent to Sept. 11 happening nearly 100 times. One person now dies every 36 seconds from COVID-19.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi released this statement after the death toll crossed 300,000:
“Our nation crossed an unthinkable milestone of grief: 300,000 Americans killed by the coronavirus, even more than were killed in combat in World War II. Our hearts are broken for all the families who have lost loved ones, and we are praying for them, all those who have been infected and those courageous essential workers putting themselves at risk of infection.”
Pelosi went on to say:
“While the authorization of a vaccine gives us hope, we must embrace the testing, tracing, treatment, mask wearing and social distancing to prevent more senseless death until the vaccine is available to all. Congress must come together and reach bipartisan agreement this week on coronavirus legislation to save the lives and livelihoods of the American people. We cannot go home without it.”