https://hughhewitt.com/some-perspective/

The news is now consumed with the fact that covid deaths have exceeded 300,000 in the United States. My heart aches for everyone that has lost a loved one. That is deeply saddening.

But while we are breathlessly reporting that news as if it the worst news possible, I think some historical perspective is important. 300,000 is roughly 0.09% of the population of the United States.

Now consider this regarding the Black Plague:

Europe suffered an especially significant death toll from the plague. Modern estimates range between roughly one-third and one-half of the total European population in the five-year period of 1347 to 1351 died, during which the most severely affected areas may have lost up to 80 percent of the population.

https://www.thedenverchannel.com/entertainment/kentucky-gov-apologizes-after-man-seeking-unemployment-named-tupac-shakur-turns-out-to-be-real

FRANKFORT, Ky. — It’s no joke — Tupac Shakur lives in Kentucky and needs unemployment benefits to pay his bills.

Shakur’s name was brought up by Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday night as he spoke about prank claims slowing down unemployment payments, including one filed under the name of the late rapper Tupac Shakur.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports the claim by Tupac Malik Shakur, who goes by Malik, is legitimate. He worked as a cook in Lexington until coronavirus restrictions shut down restaurants.

(...)

Meanwhile, Beshear personally called Shakur and apologized. Shakur forgave the governor, saying he understands and that mistakes happen.