There is NO DOUBT this situation is extremely nuanced, and in my whole life I have never seen the world in such a state of hyper-politicization.  This is the BEST time to be a critical thinker who uses logic, and not emotion to come to conclusions.

It is certain that a major factor in the # of cases in the USA is we are TESTING (publicly) that much more than many other places.

Mortality also reflects this high testing rate, as the percentage of cases is going way down.

I agree hydroxychloroquine as a prophylactic as well as an early treatment has been mostly ignored for political reasons.  This is insane.

The media of the US and the world has lost all credibility as they have become transparent in their divisive politicization of all things.

The government has ALSO lost a great deal of credibility for many reasons, a great example is the no-mask/mask about face.

Armchair quarterbacking has become a very busy sport.

All that said.  It is important to also face the FACT that Covid, in a small percentage of people, but in LARGE NUMBERS because of the high communicability absolutely RAVAGES the human body, and can do permanent damage to nearly all the vital organs.  Patients can be witnessed expending ALL their physical strength just struggling to breathe.  People who are otherwise healthy are taken out frequently.

I do not CARE if any government says to wear a mask, or not wear one.  I wear it myself, by my own volition.  I also am limiting my exposure to public areas.  i do not care if people think I am a sheep, or think I live in fear etc.  I just want to keep myself, and my family healthy, and the rest of the world for that matter.  It is a small price for me to pay to wear a mask when I go in public if it can even just POSSIBLY help dampen the spread of this and possibly even save lives.

People need to THINK.  And stop politicizing this as much as possible, in my humble opinion.