We're already at, what, 780k dead in not quite 2 years?

A more robust initial response, including massive testing ramp-up and universal masking, as well as certain entities not politicizing masks or the vaccines, would have undoubtedly had massive impacts. If we did nothing and just let it roll (and "put our money into other things"), we're probably well over 1-2 million dead right now.

And next time we really need to remember the most important lesson: schools are the last to close and the first to re-open. Bars and malls can wait.