COVID-19 deaths here in New York and in every country and region of the world are an “Incalculable Loss since “They were not simply names on a list. They were us.” For instance, just six names presented on The New York Times cover page and ensuing follow-up pages infallibly testify to this fact and the gaping emptiness left behind in their passing:

Romi Cohn, 91 – New York City, Saved 56 Jewish families from the Gestapo
Janissa Delacruz, 31 – Haverstraw, NY, Known for having a smile on her face
Joseph Feingold, 97 – New York City, Architect and Holocaust survivor
Mike Field, 59 – Valley Stream, NY, First responder during the 9/11 attacks
Kious Kelly, 48 – New York City, Nurse in the Covid fight
Vincent Lionti, 60 – New York City, Met Opera violinist and youth orchestra conductor

The COVID-19 death toll is staggering and these deaths are real! For New York City, the COVID-19 death toll is now greater than even that of the 1918 Influenza pandemic: +232 at the end of the day 25 May 2020.

On this Memorial Day, let us remember each and every COVID-19 victim, many of them heroes who selflessly gave up their lives, some without the necessary PPE, to save others as well as the brave men and women of the armed forces, who also selflessly died so we can live in freedom.

Note: I created this still life using the cover from the 24 May 2020 edition of The New York Times that lists just a mere 1% of America’s COVID-19 victims, a burning candle to mourn their loss, and a bottle of tequila with a “Freedom Tower, One World Observatory” shot glass, the latter from Ground Zero since 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic are two events that will forever remain in the collective NYC psyche. I also splashed tequila on The New York Times Cover, used selective color, shadows and grunge effects to evoke greater emotions from the staggering loss that can never be fully comprehended nor forgotten no matter how much one may try to drown it away, a futile attempt that leads only to unsteady and shaky hands, a hangover for some and then the return of cruel reality – acute emptiness and pain that will never be fully healed.

www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

NYS Re-opening Metrics: forward.ny.gov/regional-monitoring-dashboard