Over 900,000 Americans May Have Died of Covid
@DeborahDiane (40294)
Laguna Woods, California
May 6, 2021 8:43pm CST
Although the official death toll from Covid in the United States, as I write this, is about 580,000, experts believe that the actual death toll is probably closer to 900,000. This is based on a study of deaths which had not previously been linked to Covid, such as people who were initially diagnosed with pneumonia when Covid first hit our shores, but doctors did not yet know it existed. Whether the actual number of deaths has been 580,000 or 900,000, the total number of people who have died from this one disease is a sobering statistic.
These were real people, with real families who are now mourning them. I personally know several people who have died from Covid, and their families are devastated. One son gave it to his mother, a neighbor of mine, and his sisters are furious with him. The family has been torn apart by the situation.
The good news today is that the death toll and number of cases is down significantly across the United States. U.S. cases are now at a 7-month low.
California currently has the lowest percentage of Covid cases per person of any state in the United States. Los Angeles County has seen their cases drop by 98%. That is amazing!
One reason for the dramatic improvement in cases in California is that there are very few people who are not getting vaccinated. Even people I know who belong to some large, famous evangelical churches in Orange County are getting vaccinated. I am grateful for their wisdom, because it helps protect the health of everyone. We are showing that we care for others by getting vaccinated, so we can protect each other.
What has been your experience with Covid in your family and community? Are things improving or getting worse? Have you known anyone who died? Do you feel safe? Are you taking steps to actively protect others from the spread of this disease, either by getting vaccinated, or avoiding other people and wearing a mask when you must see others? I will be interested to hear what has been going on where you live.
23 people like this
16 responses
@crossbones27 (49460)
• Mojave, California
7 May 21
Amen, I almost forgot my mask was in my pocket going in store because no one was wearing them except the store people. I had to slap myself/
7 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 May 21
@jstory07 - I agree that it is dangerous that so many people are starting to relax. I am afraid we are going to have more outbreaks of Covid as the vaccine wears off a little and people become more and more careless about protecting themselves and others.
4 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 May 21
@crossbones27 - I'm glad you kept a facemask in your pocket. I wear mine, even when other people do not. I know that over 700 people a day are still dying in the United States from Covid. I do not want to be one of them!
6 people like this
@marguicha (223107)
• Chile
7 May 21
I´m glad that people are being vaccinated as they were before for other ailments. I was also vaccinated for flu. Due to my age not only the covid shot but the flu shot is free.
6 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
9 May 21
@TheHorse - I think it was smart to get the flu shot, especially this year.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 May 21
@marguicha - I'm so glad to hear that you have been vaccinated for both Covid and the flu in Chile. Both vaccines are free here, too. These are good ways to prevent serious illness.
4 people like this
@much2say (55665)
• Los Angeles, California
7 May 21
As you know, I am in Los Angeles. Most people we know are getting vaccinated. I know friends who have had family members pass away from covid . . . and I do know quite a few personally who have gotten covid. We have stayed pretty conservative no matter what . . . masking and staying away - and we will continue this way as long as we feel we need to. Hubby and I are vaccinated, my teen daughter got 1st dose, my son is still too young. Everyone seems to be good about wearing masks in public areas out here . . . but well, it seems social distancing has sort of gone out the door and everyone has gotten too relaxed for my taste. In the end, we can't control others, but we can try to do all we can to keep ourselves safe.
5 people like this
@much2say (55665)
• Los Angeles, California
7 May 21
@DeborahDiane We went to Laguna Niguel to visit my MIL last year . . . it was the time when LA had its beach closures. We drove through the beach areas, and although there were signs posted about wearing masks, hardly anyone was wearing them. And everywhere looked super packed (we just kept on driving 
). I am sure many places and people are bending the rules . . . and this is why this whole thing continues. We don't go to bars either - in fact we have not gone into a restaurant for over a year (not even to order food to go). I am quite irked that people are not being more careful - this isn't over yet. Please continue to stay safe out there too!!
). I am sure many places and people are bending the rules . . . and this is why this whole thing continues. We don't go to bars either - in fact we have not gone into a restaurant for over a year (not even to order food to go). I am quite irked that people are not being more careful - this isn't over yet. Please continue to stay safe out there too!!2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 May 21
@much2say - I agree with you completely. People are not socially distancing enough. We live near Laguna Beach and I have driven through the town recently where we have seen bars that are packed. There is no way they are at 25% capacity. However, all we can do is keep ourselves safe, and I don't go to bars, anyway. I'm glad you are staying safe!
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
8 May 21
@much2say - You are absolutely right. Driving along the PCH in Orange County was a good way to see how few people wore facemasks in the beach areas last year. In fact, residents of the beach cities, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, etc., have a higher than average rate of Covid infections. The beach cities are the reason why Orange County has not reach the Yellow Tier, yet. I am glad to hear that you are continuing to be careful. I am, too! Some people just do not want to face reality.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (49460)
• Mojave, California
7 May 21
I like how people try to paint California as this bad liberal place. It definitely has its problem and most to me is its just over populated, but you get past that people mostly logical. Traffic drives everyone insane and where I would say Californians deserves lowest scores of all, but if you keep them grounded they make a lot of sense. That and the greed is way to high here, they nicer about it but correct that too this place could be flowing.
5 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 May 21
@crossbones27 - I agree with you that California is not as bad as people in other places seem to think. People are grounded here and they are logical. There are good reasons why we have the lowest rate of Covid in the country. Most people have been willing to take at least some of the precautions, and most people have been willing to get vaccinated. That makes a difference. I agree traffic is a problem, but primarily around the big cities. I rarely go to Los Angeles, so I rarely hit heavy traffic.
3 people like this
@crossbones27 (49460)
• Mojave, California
7 May 21
@DeborahDiane Yeah, and I refuse to drive these days unless have to, my brother chose to buy a 2800 dollar bicycle over a motorcycle. I think I get it now. He does not want to get killed. People's driving here has gotten really bad. Always has but its really bad now.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
8 May 21
@crossbones27 - I understand what you are saying. There are some terrible drivers! I rarely drive more than 10 miles from my house. Fortunately, I am retired, so I rarely have to go further than that. It has been at least a couple of years since I have driven to Los Angeles. I could go the rest of my life without going back! 
2 people like this
@sallypup (61157)
• Centralia, Washington
7 May 21
It's not been a fun time in the world that's for sure. I do wear a mask when I go to the grocery store. I'm noticing that there is more relaxing of how some folks act in the public now that vaccines are starting up and that worries me.
4 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 May 21
@sallypup - I also get nervous about the people who are getting too relaxed, now that the vaccine is available. When I see a stranger in public, I have no way to know if they have been vaccinated or not, so I avoid them. I have even told a few friends that I will not socialize with anyone who has not been vaccinated. I have had a couple of people who have suggested we meet for lunch, then told me they have not been vaccinated. I am certainly not going to take off my mask and eat with an unvaccinated person, even though I have been vaccinated. I do not want to get a mild case, and I do not want to give Covid to my husband who is immuno-suppressed.
3 people like this
@sallypup (61157)
• Centralia, Washington
7 May 21
@DeborahDiane A couple of my sisters have flown cross country since this started. Not me. My hubby's uncle, too and he got the Virus so we lost him.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 May 21
@sallypup - I'm sorry you lost your husband's uncle to the virus. So many people have lost someone, and we continue to have 700+ deaths a day. This disease has taken a terrible toll on the country.
2 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
7 May 21
Our province has one of the lowest Covid 19 rates in the country. We also have some of the strictest rules about entering our province. If I am out in public, I wear a mask. Social distancing when ever possible (90% of the time). Keep my contacts low.
I have had my first vaccination and wait for the second (soon I hope).
We long to be able to travel to visit our children....but alas, we wait.
4 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 May 21
@Morleyhunt - It seems to be from reading these comments that the places which are doing the best are the places with the strictest rules. The vaccine helps, but people need to take other measures to preotect themselves, too. I'm glad you are in a safe province.
3 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16762)
• China
25 May 21
Glad that there has been a marked improvement in Covid-19 situation over there.Here everything is normal,though there are some imported cases now and then.Now more and more people have inoculated.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16762)
• China
26 May 21
@DeborahDiane Yes,so far we have inoculated people against Covid-19 over 500 million doses.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 May 21
@changjiangzhibin89 - Thank goodness for the vaccines. They are saving lives and helping people to use safer.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
25 May 21
@changjiangzhibin89 - I am glad to hear that things are getting better in China. The vaccines seem to be the key to getting Covid-19 under control.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (89873)
• Arvada, Colorado
29 Aug 21
And the numbers have risen. RIP all
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
30 Aug 21
@RebeccasFarm - I have been tracking the Covid deaths since this started. Even considering that the official numbers are lower than the actual number of deaths, we currently have almost the same number of deaths per day this summer as we had last summer. That is despite the vaccine. The newer variants are so contagious, that unvaccinated people are dying at a much higher rate this summer than they did last summer, when none of us had been vaccinated. Despite that, people are not wearing facemasks, except when they are forced to. And, of course, we still have 80,000,000 unvaccinated people. It is pretty awful.
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
21 May 21
Connecticut is doing very well, our infection rate is below 1 percent and we have a high rate of vaccination. We have totally opened up.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
23 May 21
@DeborahDiane Yes I think seniors are much more aware of the threat and taking the right action.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
23 May 21
@BelleStarr - Because I live in a retirement community, approximately 90% of our residents have been vaccinated. However, California is very close to getting 70% of all eligible people throughout the state vaccinated, and there are 8 states that have already reached that goal. I generally feel pretty safe here in California, although I would not go into a crowded bar full of young adults. I'm not unrealistic about my safety!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
22 May 21
@BelleStarr - That is very good news! Our infection rate in California is about 1.5 percent and we have given at least one vaccine shot to about 2/3 of the people who are eligible to be vaccinated ... everyone age 12 and over. We are supposed to totally open up on June 15. By then, 2/3 of those who are eligible will have had both of their shots, and several million more people will have had at least one shot. Our governor wants us to have at least 70% of the eligible people to be vaccinated before we fully open, and we are getting close! In our zip code, we are at 90% fully vaccinated, but everyone in our zip code is over age 55. We are a retirement community.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
31 May 21
We are fully vaccinated and will continue to wear masks for an indefinite time here. Restrictions have been lifted. Walmart customers don't have wear masks now, but Trader Joe's seems to be wanting people to (good idea). No cases were created here in out sort of small retirement community. The clubhouse is open for very limited use now. I have not known anyone who got the virus., fortunately.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
31 May 21
@DeborahDiane Sorry to hear about those six cases. It pays to be cautious.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
1 Jun 21
@DeborahDiane Could be the reason. Were those who got it vaccinated?
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
1 Jun 21
@JamesHxstatic - I agree. We have vaccinated 80% of our residents, and have kept our clubhouses closed, and we still have a mask mandate. Our gym equipment and all our exercise classes are held outdoors. We also have outdoor concerts and other activities. We went over a month without a single case, and then suddenly had six cases in the past two weeks. We simply have to keep taking Covid seriously. We honestly thought our retirement community was one of the safest places in America after our vaccination drive and all the precautions we took! Having six new cases came as a shock. I suspect it happened with people who started seeing family members again, and their families were unvaccinated.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
22 May 21
@DianneN - I agree that it has been a real blessing to have avoided Covid and now been vaccinated. So many families were not as fortunate as we were. Enjoy your granddaughter's Bat Mitzvah. Our families will be able to fully enjoy our celebrations, won't we?
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
21 May 21
@DianneN - Our family avoided Covid, too, despite the fact that two of our daughters taught school during the pandemic. They wore facemasks and their schools upgraded the ventilation and provided them with air purifiers for their classrooms. All four of our daughters, our son-in-laws, and our five oldest grandchildren have all been vaccinated. Only the grandkids who are ages 3, 5 and 7 have not been.
We have a big family wedding in Napa next month, when our oldest granddaughter will be getting married. The wedding and reception will be outdoors, but virtually everyone there will have been vaccinated, including the bride, groom, bridesmaids, etc. Being vaccinated will make things so much more fun!
Our zip code, which is primarily our retirement community, has vaccinated 90% of our residents. They brought the vaccine here and gave it to everyone who wanted one, including taking it into the homes of people who were homebound. You and I are lucky to live in places that did a good job with vaccines. Our daughters in Delaware and New York were also happy they got the vaccine so easily where they live.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
21 May 21
@DeborahDiane I remembered you have the wedding coming up. The same with our granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah in June. Everyone has been vaccinated except our grandson who is 11. He’s in a trial for the vaccine. Thank the Lord we have escaped it.
What a blessing to have avoided it and to have been vaccinated.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 Jul 21
I'm glad you have not had much contact with Covid, but do not let your guard down. I have known several people who felt that way, and then lost a family member. It has been very difficult for them.
1 person likes this
@JWMILLER (3275)
• Westmoreland, Tennessee
13 Sep 21
@DeborahDiane We have been very careful.We lost one woman from our small church.
@JWMILLER (3275)
• Westmoreland, Tennessee
14 Sep 21
@DeborahDiane My son has had vaccine but has low level symptoms after Covid + test. He is working from home, OK at present.
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 May 21
@JudyEv - I hope that people in the United States who are currently refusing the vaccine will eventually change their minds. Meanwhile, I hope that most of the people who do not get vaccinated will at least take other precautions. There will always be some people who will not do either, and sadly they are the most likely to get Covid. Some will die needlessly.
4 people like this
@Koningjoy (181)
• Imphal, India
6 Aug 21
I am from a small tribe. We have lost 4 precious souls. We are still indoors. Curfew still impose.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Aug 21
@Koningjoy - Stay safe. My husband and I are still staying home most of the time, too.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (79892)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
31 May 21
Those are very scary statistics, I do not know anyone with the disease other than those who have posted about it here. I am not sure what is happening in Florida now and of course, I was also worrying about the situation in Latvia where my relatives and my stepdaughter and her family live, But they al got through it also, I spend a great deal of my time inside and order things I need,
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
31 May 21
@RasmaSandra - I suggest that people continue to be cautious. We still had about 20,000 official deaths from Covid in the past month, which about the same number we had last summer. So, we are not finished with Covid, yet.
1 person likes this
