> We were second in the world in COVID deaths as a percentage of the population.

I am not trying to change your argument in anyway but that specific statement is not correct or its using different numbers than direct COVID deaths. The US is 15th. Peru was #1, and EU members Hungary (#3), Croatia (#6), Slovakia (#10), Greece (#13) and Romania (#14) are all ahead of us.

(Sorry I am pedantic about covid numbers) =)