There were those who thought it was a joke, and that's their truth to believe, then there were others who leaned the other way, and likewise, that is their truth as well.

I know this is going to irritate people, but sometimes truth isn't subjective.

The man who is driving my husband home from a card game tonight had COVID back in the early part of the pandemic. He was hospitalized and so was his sister. He was so sick he couldn't text for a while. When he came home, his sister didn't, because she was dead. I don't think he thought COVID was a joke.

In March of 2020 we heard my friend Myron was in the hospital with COVID. He was a few years older than I am. He lasted until sometime in April. Then he died. I don't think his wife thought COVID was a joke.

Sometime during COVID peak, we heard S...'s (my husband's work colleague) son had died of COVID. There was an honor guard for him because he was TSA and on the front lines in those years. I don't think his mother thought COVID was a joke.

Or, how about the father of my granddaughter's soccer mate. That man worked in Manhattan and commuted when many of us stayed home. He died of COVID. His wife and daughter didn't think COVID was a joke.

Oh, there are many stories here, where I live. Not stories someone told me, but stories I personally know about.

COVID wasn't a joke. People died. Good people. And people suffered.

Sometimes we just have to stand up for the truth, and not worry about who is annoyed. I'm doing that now, and will do it when I hear COVID was a joke. I know you didn't say it, but someone did. It's an insult to those who suffered and died. Sorry to do this on your post :)