When COVID-19 reached America in the spring, it was initially only a problem in blue states, especially New York and New Jersey. However, a lot has changed since the onset of the virus in how it has spread and how states have chosen to fight back.
In early June, the virus began moving from densely-packed metropolitan areas that tend to favor Democrats to conservative-leaning states such as Texas, Florida, and Arizona. According to The Brookings Institute, "The red state surge was especially high in July, rising to 746 cases per 100,000 residents—more than double that of blue states."
As of October 1, 23 of the 25 states with the highest total cases of COVID-19 per million residents are red states. This video graphic does a great job of explaining how the virus has migrated.
Americans throughout the country should be upset about the spread of COVID-19, but there is a practical reason to look at how liberal and conservative states have handled the deadly virus. Especially when blue states appear to be doing a much better job at keeping people healthy.Face masks are the best way to stop the spread of COVID-19 and red states have been slower to adapt mask mandates.
Nine states reported record-high Covid-19 hospitalizations on Sunday, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Only four of those states are among the 31 that to require people to wear masks in public.
There is also a large discrepancy between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to wearing a mask.
Ninety percent of Democratic men and 93% of Democratic women say they "Always wear mask in indoor settings when can't social distance." Whereas, only 40% of Republican men and 56% of Republican women wear a mask when in the same situation.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has become part of America's ongoing culture war and it shows just how powerful political tribalism can be. People throughout the country have decided to risk their lives and those of others just to make a statement about political identity.
Maybe if Hillary Clinton made a video where she urged people not to wear masks, more Republicans would start wearing them and we could be healthy again.
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We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.