By Marie Rosenthal, MS
May 12 marked a tragic milestone in the United States: 1 million people have died from COVID-19—more than any other country in the world, even those with fewer medical resources.
“What was once unfathomable—1 million people dying from COVID-19—is a reality that is difficult to comprehend. Infectious diseases experts throughout the nation mourn the immense loss of life,” said Daniel P. McQuillen, MD, FIDSA, the president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
In a proclamation of remembrance that called for flags to be flown at half-mast, President Joe Biden warned the nation not to “become numb to the sorrow.”
Although COVID-19 has affected everyone in the country, the pandemic has disproportionately affected people of color and worsened existing healthcare inequities, Dr. McQuillen reminded.
“As our nation continues to grapple with the pandemic, eliminating these gaps in care and promoting a more equitable society must be prioritized,” he said.
Dr. McQuillen and the president reminded Americans that the pandemic is not over, and that they should continue to practice mitigation in certain situations. The CDC in its weekly COVID-19 review said cases and hospitalizations are on the rise again in the United States.
“We must remain vigilant against this pandemic and do everything we can to save as many lives as possible, as we have with more testing, vaccines, and treatments than ever before. It’s critical that Congress sustain these resources in the coming months,” Mr. Biden said.
The CDC urged people to watch the spread in their communities and protect themselves from severe illness if cases in their community begin to increase.
The agency urged people to be vaccinated.
“Vaccination remains the best protection against severe disease and hospitalization, and access to effective treatments is improving across the country. Wearing a well-fitting mask remains the simplest and most effective intervention you can use to protect both yourself and vulnerable loved ones.
“COVID-19 is not over. Hundreds of people continue to die every day, and thousands experience the lingering effects of long COVID,” Dr. McQuillen said.
