COVID-19 disappears as top issue for U.S. voters while case numbers far from inconsequential: media

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- COVID disappears as top issue for U.S. voters while case numbers are far from inconsequential, said a recent report of NBC News.

"Politicians no longer want to talk about COVID; Congress hasn't authorized new funding in case of a potential future surge; and it's barely been an issue in the midterm elections," said the report.

A most recent NBC News poll found just 1 percent of voters citing the coronavirus as the top issue facing the country, according to the report.

While no longer dominating politics or most people's behavior anymore, COVID-19 numbers are far from inconsequential, said the report.

In addition to the 3,000-plus Americans dying weekly from the virus, nearly 40,000 were hospitalized with COVID over the last seven days, and up to 23 million Americans are estimated to be suffering from long COVID, according to the report.

"But as we settle into whatever this new normal has become, it's worth taking a step back at the scope of the carnage left behind us, and what we've become numb to along the way," said the report.