NEW US VIRUS FIGURES ONCE CONSIDERED UNFATHOMABLE: The US has reported 200,000 deaths due to the coronavirus. Towards the end of March, the White House’s coronavirus task force presented grim statistics: there may be between 100,000 and 200,000 deaths in the United States. When the prediction was made, there were just 3,000 deaths in the country. It seemed unfathomable then that in less than six months the US would see 200,000 deaths. The point made then by doctors and scientists was that if the US adopted strict measures, the deaths could be limited. However, with businesses opening and scant regard for safety measures, it is not surprising that the figures are still rising. Only a combined social and political will to fight the virus can help cut down the number of deaths due to the pandemic in the country. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]
AP