The difference between your state and my state has become an obsessive U.S. pastime on social media. COVID comparisons, of course, are no exceptions.

Tragically, the disparity in death rates is both ripe for discussion and downright chilling.

As the United States approaches its 1 millionth COVID death, the Bay Area News Group analyzed COVID-19 death rates among U.S. states and found a startling range, as the chart below shows. Arizona has the highest death rate — more than 1.4 million would have died across the country by now if the entire U.S. had the Grand Canyon State’s death rate. Vermont had the lowest: Only about 318,000 would have died at its rate nationwide.

California had the 13th lowest death rate among states: Just over 755,000 would have died across the country at the Golden State’s death rate. How does the Bay Area fit in? Just two states have lower rates.

Click here if you are having trouble viewing the graphic on your mobile device. 

To read more about how many Americans would still be alive if the country had the Bay Area’s low death rate, click here.

Source: www.mercurynews.com