[Farm93]

NBA and America's dad, Tom Hanks.

That said, has a single impactful figure (ingrained in society's conscious) been hospitalized by Covid-19?  I think we hear too many stories of "I got it.  It's serious, everyone", but it's just talk and they recover in a couple weeks with seemingly no adverse affects.  Probably reinforces the conception that it's no big deal, just another flu.

By the time we knew about Tom Hanks the USA sports world has halted everything.   Plus Tom was not in the USA when he got sick, so it was possible for people to conclude he got sick because he was not in the USA.

I agree that every reasonably famous person that has tested positive eventually emerged without requiring hospitalization.   There have been some celebrity deaths.   Most were older and had stopped actively working in the industry long ago.   I am not sure a single major hospitalization or death would do it as that person would likely have other issues that deniers could use to keep denying.

The number of Americans that would motivate action, especially for current deniers, is so limited.   Maybe a few NASCAR drivers, a few golfers, a handful of actors and singers, and then a very small number of politicians.  Wishing ill health for anyone for the benefit of the country is a tough place to be though.

Sadly the death of multiple celebrities feels more probable than getting POTUS45 to embrace the mask wearing recommendations of the CDC, WHO and major USA medical associations.

[Farm93]

NBA and America's dad, Tom Hanks.

That said, has a single impactful figure (ingrained in society's conscious) been hospitalized by Covid-19?  I think we hear too many stories of "I got it.  It's serious, everyone", but it's just talk and they recover in a couple weeks with seemingly no adverse affects.  Probably reinforces the conception that it's no big deal, just another flu.

By the time we knew about Tom Hanks the USA sports world has halted everything.   Plus Tom was not in the USA when he got sick, so it was possible for people to conclude he got sick because he was not in the USA.

I agree that every reasonably famous person that has tested positive eventually emerged without requiring hospitalization.   There have been some celebrity deaths.   Most were older and had stopped actively working in the industry long ago.   I am not sure a single major hospitalization or death would do it as that person would likely have other issues that deniers could use to keep denying.

The number of Americans that would motivate action, especially for current deniers, is so limited.   Maybe a few NASCAR drivers, a few golfers, a handful of actors and singers, and then a very small number of politicians.  Wishing ill health for anyone for the benefit of the country is a tough place to be though.

Sadly the death of multiple celebrities feels more probable than getting POTUS45 to embrace the mask wearing recommendations of the CDC, WHO and major USA medical associations.