For many Americans, this spring brings hope for brighter days. The worst of this winter's devastating omicron wave has passed, and the parts of our lives that were taken so abruptly from us—family gatherings, the company of friends, a regular school day—are once again more the rule than the exception. We have earned the right to appreciate this moment.
But as we allow ourselves to breathe a little easier, we do so with a heavy heart. The United States will soon mark the unfathomable milestone of 1 million COVID-19 deaths. More than 200,000 children have lost a parent or caregiver to COVID-19, and the youth mental health crisis has only grown. Stark inequities have forced people of color—who comprise more than 40% of our nation's heroic essential workers—to shoulder a disproportionate burden throughout the pandemic.
The above is an excerpt of a piece originally published in ABC News.
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