How COVID changed everything - WHYY

"Five years ago we were in the throes of the Covid pandemic. Many businesses were shuttered, their employees working from home or online. Essential workers were putting their lives at risk. Most schools had gone to remote learning. Hospitals were overwhelmed and bodies were literally piling up. By the end of September 2020, 200,000 Americans had died from the virus which would eventually take more than one million lives in this country alone."

"While we shared this crisis with the rest of the world, the pandemic bred mistrust in our political system, our healthcare system, the media and each other. Fights over masks devolved into disagreements over medical treatment and eventually the vaccine. This week on The Connection have we recovered from the pandemic, are we ready for the next one, how did Covid change us?"

Five years after the initial Covid outbreak, the United States experienced vast disruption: businesses closed, many employees shifted to working from home or online, and essential workers faced significant health risks. Most schools adopted remote learning while hospitals became overwhelmed and mortuary capacity was strained. By the end of September 2020, 200,000 Americans had died; the virus ultimately claimed more than one million lives in the United States. The pandemic eroded trust in political institutions, healthcare systems, media, and interpersonal relations. Mask conflicts escalated into disputes over treatments and vaccination. Questions remain about societal recovery and preparedness for future pandemics.

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