From Early Optimism to Lasting Loss: Reflections on the Pandemic’s Devastating Toll
In the early days of the pandemic, many believed it would be a brief pause in the world’s daily rhythms — just a few days, perhaps weeks, before everything would return to normal. Back in mid-March 2020, the assurances were clear: the global shutdown would be temporary, an abundance of caution, and life would soon resume.
But what began as a few days soon stretched into months, and for many, even years. The situation proved far more devastating than anyone had anticipated, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands across the United States. What was thought to be a short-lived disruption turned into an era-defining crisis, leaving lasting scars on the nation.