A deadly virus and a public health lockdown remade daily routines with startling speed, leaving little time for the country to prepare.
Four years later, the coronavirus pandemic has largely receded from public attention and receives little discussion on the campaign trail.
Though diminished, the pandemic has become the background music of the presidential campaign trail, shaping how voters feel about the nation, the government and their politics.
The pandemic hardened voter distrust in government, a sentiment Mr. Trump and his allies are using to their advantage.
Fears of political violence, even civil war, are at record highs, and rankings of the nation’s happiness at record lows.
Persons:
Joseph R, Biden, Donald J, Trump, —, Kathy Hochul, “ We’re, ”
Organizations:
White House, ”
Locations:
New York