Scratch that. I transposed. I read HOSPITALIZED as DEATHS.
CDC says:
From April 12, 2009 to April 10, 2010, CDC estimated there were 60.8 million cases (range: 43.3-89.3 million), 274,304 hospitalizations (range: 195,086-402,719), and 12,469 deaths (range: 8868-18,306) in the United States due to the (H1N1)pdm09 virus.
Also:
“The United States mounted a complex, multi-faceted and long-term response to the pandemic, summarized in The 2009 H1N1 Pandemic: Summary Highlights, April 2009-April 2010. On August 10, 2010, WHO declared an end to the global 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. However, (H1N1)pdm09 virus continues to circulate as a seasonal flu virus, and cause illness, hospitalization, and deaths worldwide every year.”
Do you remember any of this? “The United States mounted a complex, multi-faceted and long-term response to the pandemic...” I sure don’t. Wonder why? ;)
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/2009-h1n1-pandemic.html
Because the government figured, per Obama and the CDCs usual response at the time, that they did what they could do under their control. People were vaccinated, so it was considered alright. And the political party in power as well.