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# COVID-19: Putting things in perspective
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/covid-19-putting-things-in-perspective/
- Published: 2020-03-27T16:05:30.000Z
- Updated: 2024-12-04T14:21:17.000Z
- Author: Todd James
- Tags: Covid-19, Featured, Health, Lifestyle, News, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-11-06 12:37

There is an overwhelming amount of coronavirus-related information swirling about the Internet and all of us are struggling to understand the risks and implications as we navigate these uncharted waters.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/smdp-com/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2024/07/coronavirus_deaths_per_million-1.jpg)

The Santa Monica Daily Press will be providing science-based information to inform and assist our readers. While dubious or counterproductive claims can make good clickbait, they have no place in a public health crisis of this magnitude.

Before we continue with today's exhibit, a note on terminology. Early on in this crisis, the terms coronavirus and novel coronavirus were used by the media and healthcare professionals before this specific coronavirus disease had a name: COVID-19\. Occasionally you will see mention of SARS-CoV-2 which is the actual virus that triggers COVID-19.

Today's chart illustrates the COVID-19 death toll in different epicenters by looking at deaths per million inhabitants.

As the graph indicates, California has experienced a very low death rate to date compared to other areas with significant COVID-19 outbreaks.

While many factors are at play, the fairly rapid imposition of social distancing followed by even more aggressive measures has likely helped prevent a more disastrous outcome thus far. That said, this chart is a sobering reminder of what can happen if populations let their collective guard down.