Bitter political divisions within the US contributed to the staggering Covid death toll of more than 500,000, according to a top disease expert.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation's foremost infectious disease expert, said political divisiveness contributed significantly to the "stunning" tally.
On Monday the number of deaths in the country reached a grim milestone with 500,000 people having died from coronavirus. It prompted current US President Joe Biden to call on Americans to observe a moment of silence.
In an interview with Reuters, Dr Fauci said the pandemic arrived in the US just as the country was riven by political divisions in which wearing a mask became a political statement rather than a public health measure.
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