'A Loss To The Whole Society': U.S. COVID-19 Death Toll Reaches 500,000

Embalmer and funeral director Kristy Oliver (left) and funeral attendant Sam Deras load the casket of a person who died after contracting COVID-19 into a hearse in El Cajon, Calif. People who work in hospitals and in funeral homes are witnesses to the loss than many Americans can avoid.

As the country faces another wrenching milestone, there are signs of hope that we may be beating back the virus. But a brighter future won't bring back precious lives lost.

(Image credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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