‘They Were Us’: New York Times Front Page Honours COVID-19 Victims

“US deaths near 100,000, an incalculable loss” was the headline of The New York Times’ Sunday newspaper.

The New York Times, on Sunday, 24 May, dedicated its front page to those who died of COVID-19 in the United States as the number of cases in the country neared the 100,000 mark.

“They Were Not Simply Names on a List. They Were Us” read the emotional subheading of the front-page article that comprised obituaries and death notices pertaining to coronavirus deaths in the US.

The newspaper explained its decision, highlighting that Simone Landon, assistant editor of the Graphics desk, wanted to "represent the number in a way that conveyed both the vastness and the variety of lives lost."

'More Than a Number': Netizens Applaud NYT Front Page

The move was widely applauded on social media. "Brava... a front page that mourns those lost but also celebrates their lives," said one Twitter user.

It’s not just names. Zoom in & read details about each person. Brava @nytimes for a front page that mourns those lost but also celebrates their lives. pic.twitter.com/KevbaUZsyQ

— Deepanjana (@dpanjana) May 24, 2020

A powerful front page by the @nytimes.

A haunting reminder that behind every daily figure is a name, a family member, a friend and now someone who won’t be coming home. pic.twitter.com/B1p3eANKgQ

— Greg Murphy 🤓 (@TheGregMurphy) May 24, 2020

The most important word on the front page of Sunday's NYT is "incalculable." https://t.co/PccQjvkrnu

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 24, 2020

Tomorrow’s front page of The New York Times. Grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, friends and fellow Americans. Let’s honor their memories by respecting one another and repairing the divisions that, like the virus itself, threaten the fabric of our nation.🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/EI8fwnhEy4

— Rep. Dean Phillips (@RepDeanPhillips) May 23, 2020

Why the New York Times—and freedom of the press—is essential.

This front page also gives fresh meaning to "All the news that's fit to print." pic.twitter.com/5uOpOikzcv

— Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) May 24, 2020

The list was compiled by a researcher, Alain Delaquérière, who, according to The New York Times, combed through nearly a thousand names from hundreds of newspapers.

(With inputs from The New York Times)