The Coronavirus Has Killed More than 100,000 People in the U.S.

In February, the U.S. reported it’s first coronavirus case. In March, the coronavirus outbreak was officially here. Now, three months later, more than 100,000 people have died of this fatal disease, and more than 1.6 million people have been infected. This horrific benchmark is nothing to celebrate, but a solemn reflection of how rapid the coronavirus ravaged our people. 

“What is different about this is, it is affecting all of us in a variety of ways, even if some of us are able to social distance in more effective ways than others,” sociology professor Kathleen Cagney, who directs the University of Chicago’s Population Research Center, said to NPR. “But we all feel at risk.”

In April, when the outbreak first put the entire country on lockdown mode, we were told the number of fatalities would be staggering, but there was no way of truly comprehending what that actually meant. And now that we are here, it’s still tough to understand. The worst part of all is that the pandemic is still here, and it will take more lives. 

As we pass this gruesome touchstone of deaths in the country, many wonder what our new normal will look like and whether or not it will feel normal again. From homeschooling to working from home to wearing masks every time we go out — our new normal is our new way of life. 

But life will go on, even if it looks different from yesterday. For example, we still have to celebrate being alive. We must still celebrate our culture. We must always remember all the things we love to do. We just have to do it differently now. Take, for example, the iconic Puerto Rican Day parade that happens annually in June — it’s a New York celebration that we love to bask in with fellow New Yorkers. And it’s still happening this year. 

The parade will take place at noon, June 14 via a virtual 90-minute celebration on television. Remezcla reports that the event will be air on WABC-TV and its anchors Joe Torres and David Navarro will host along with “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin. 

“The Parade is more than a celebration of pride and culture. It’s a platform for preserving our heritage while advancing our community by informing on important issues and promoting educational achievement,” Louis Maldonado, board chair for the parade committee, stated in a press release, according to Remezcla. “Given the profound impact COVID-19 has had on New York and communities across the nation, and with Puerto Rico still grappling with incessant earthquakes and its own COVID19-related pause, the Parade Board agrees it’s critically important to continue the Parade’s legacy while celebrating our resilience.”