Most people have no concept of numbers or risk. 90k dead with Covid sounds like a large number. To put it into some sort of context:
90k dead out of a population of 65m is ~ 1 in 700. 80%+ are over 60.
The average person may know 20-200 people. It is mainly the over 60s who may know some that have died - younger people don't know many older people - very few at work, some elderly relations etc.
3-4m have been infected ~1 in 20. So most younger people will know a few who have been infected. Their experience generally reinforces a view that it is of no great consequence.
I am not trying to trivialise a real problem, but understand why we don't all share the same reaction to images on TV etc.
A typical (say) 25 year old will be acutely aware of changes impacting them - job, income, holidays, social, shopping etc. It is no surprise that TV reports seem somewhat remote.
|