I now know quite a few people who contracted COVID. Some are are like your acquaintances, and had flu like symptoms and were out of it for a week or two. However, I know several who have had long term life altering COVID dependent diseases. The actual rate of long haul cases really isn't known, though the doctors I've talked to who treat patients claim it is alarmingly high, over a third. By the way, one of my long haul acquaintances is in her 20s.
Same here I know of a few people that had COVID. Most were I had the flu or only reason I knew was because got tested.
I know 3 people that had it bad and hospitalized, first was early on and was in bad shape and incubated for sometime, still has issues. He is in 50’s and no major health issues
2nd one hospitalized a few months ago, was in for a few days and said no real long term affect. He is in late 50’s and no major health issues either
Last on was hospitalized a few months ago. Was in for a while, never incubated but had a hard time. Still has issues. She is in mid 40’s and has Sever asthma.
I would say deaths went down because they learned how to treat it much better.
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