Dec. 7, 1941 (Invasion of Pearl Harbor): Deaths–2,035

 

Sep. 11, 2001 (Invasion of New York): Deaths–2,996

 

Dec. 3, 2020 (One day in COVID invasion of U.S.): Deaths-2,857

 

World War II: Total U.S. deaths: 407,316 in 3½ years

 

COVID-19: Total U.S. deaths as Dec. 6, 2020: 281,000 in 9 months

 

Projected total of COVID-19 deaths after one year: 400,000 +

 

As we observe the “Day that shall live in infamy” some of us actually remember the day the U.S. Naval base in Honolulu was victim of a sneak attack by the Japanese air force. Most of us well remember the impact of 9-11 and how it changed the way we, as Americans, view safety and travel.

Since March, all of us have been living through the invasion of an invisible, yet lethal virus. Statistics tell us a lot, but do they impact us personally? Other than totally changing a lot of the way I lived my life, and how respectful I am of taking every caution possible, it became even more personal last week when my wife’s father succumbed to COVID-19.

I have had close friends who have suffered and survived this wicked invader, but this was the first actual death to directly hit our family. You may have heard about the Gold Star banners that hung in the windows of those families who lost loved ones during World War II. I wonder what our streets would look like now if every family hung a banner with a colored star to signifying their loss?

An additional perspective: The number of COVID-19 deaths we have already had in our country exceed the total number of all deaths in the U.S. Navy, Marines and Coast Guard in World War II.

Like you, I’m sure, I celebrate the wave of hope we are getting about the vaccine and, if, we cooperate, we could be able to return to some kind of new normal next year.

Until then, we can reduce the number of death “statistics” by doing things I don’t believe those who gave their lives to one of our wars would call tough: wear a mask, socially distance, and wash your hands.

Statistics don’t lie, especially when they become so very personal.