Letter to the Editor 9-4-20

Dear Editor:
During World War II the total number of Americans killed varies to some degree, but the best estimate is about 415,000 lives lost defending our country, thereby insuring our freedoms. For the United States, World War II lasted slightly less than four years (Dec. 7, 1941 to Aug. 15, 1945) or about 1,346 days. Simple math shows that for every day of our involvement in the war we lost, on average, about 308 Americans. These deaths touched every state in the union and virtually every community in the country.
We now face a different killer in America; it too, is in every state and virtually every community in the country. It is known as Covid-19. In just six months (only 180 days) more than 180,000 Americans have died or an average of 1,000 people a day! Americans are dying because of this virus, at a daily rate more than three times the daily rate of Americans killed in World War II!
By now, almost everyone knows someone who has died, or at the very least, has become seriously ill because of Covid-19.
Some of the news outlets (PBS and others) are doing a real public service by chronicling the lives of those victims who have died. I urge you to watch. They are of all ages and backgrounds from every part of this nation. It is such a tragedy, just like the lives cut short by World War II.
For those who continue to believe the threat from Covid-19 is not real, you are wrong. For those who continue to believe we do not need to wash our hands frequently, maintain distance from others, test for the virus and contact tracing, and yes, wear a mask, you are wrong. Your very life, and the lives of folks that you know and love, may depend on it.
Stay safe and well.
Sincerely,
R. Kent Anderson
Concordia, Kansas