The pandemic didn't have to be politicized. One party is to blame for it.
One day, the coronavirus pandemic will be over, even though that might seem like a far-off fantasy. Theres some reason to believe the delta variant has peaked, even though the United States is still averaging around 2,000 deaths per day, and if were lucky, we may be able to say in a year or so that it has receded to the point where it no longer determines the contours of our daily lives.
But none of us will avoid having our perspective on our country, the world and our relations to one another shaped by this long, dark period. When its over, we cant forget what it taught us. And who it revealed people to be.
We have to remember that this was, above all, the politicized pandemic. And it didnt have to be that way.
Consider this remarkable statistic from analyst Charles Gaba: In the bluest counties, since the beginning of July there have been approximately 9 covid-19 deaths per 100,000 population. In the reddest counties, there have been 47 deaths per 100,000 population.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/09/27/pandemic-didnt-have-be-politicized-one-party-is-blame-it/