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Fascination with Death

This year's elections have been a ratings flop due to the pandemic news about death. It is not just about the numbers, as today's total just now equals the flu deaths of 2018, but the endless reporting of how people die. While many succumb to cardio-pulmonary failure, some have died from a wide range of tragic complications - from stroke to kidney failure. And while the elderly account for most fatalities, young adults and children have been struck down, too. These deaths have given the pandemic story a macabre feel that compels viewership much like a disaster movie without the prerequisite suspension of disbelief. That is the impact of reality versus fiction - you have no choice but to accept reality, no matter how unreal and horrible it may feel.

However, like any fiction, there will be an ending to this story. Humanity has survived far worse. The bigger mystery is how this will shape our future. For many, that will certainly be more tragic than the virus.

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