COVID used to be about 2% fatal, which is huge. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_on_cruise_ships

Now, as predicted by scientists right at the start, it’s at least 10x less fatal, about on par with a particularly serious strain of flu.

Waiting it out saved A LOT of deaths. Countries with better lockdowns have significantly fewer deaths per capita. Some countries like New Zealand who responded both very quickly AND very seriously were able to benefit from far fewer restrictions as well

The vaccines also reduced severity, and transmissibility of the virus, both at the time as well as now, and they’re still medically recommended for at risk groups.

There was an emergency, the steps we took helped everyone. No one gained anything significant politically except anti-vax fascists who are now running the country.

We on the other hand benefited from fewer fatalities, the first actual progress towards sustainable living with work from home for people who can. We finally made progress on climate goals. We showed the power of collective action through government benefits and healthcare for all when it came to vaccines at least in the US.

It’s too bad we’re working away from those improvements so quickly.