Thread by @nytopinion

A new project from Times Opinion

"Many Americans have demonstrated heroic strength during the coronavirus pandemic, but the society itself has revealed profound weaknesses." nyti.ms/3eFy00i

"Widening gaps in income, wealth and opportunity in the years before the virus hit left everyone more vulnerable to the disease. It undermined the nation’s defenses and weakened its response." nyti.ms/3eFy00i

"Times Opinion is exploring, and seeking to answer, basic questions about what the government owes its citizens, what corporations owe their employees and what we all owe each other." nyti.ms/3eFy00i

"From some of its darkest hours, the United States has emerged stronger and more resilient," notes the editorial board. "It may not feel like it now, but out of this crisis there’s a chance to build a better America." nyti.ms/34KNDid

The stagnation of income for most Americans has caused a sharp decline in arguably the most salient definition of economic progress: Do you earn more than your parents did at the same age?

(We have lots more charts on why America is struggling: nyti.ms/2VBGRHA )

"A once-in-a-century public health crisis is unfolding, and the richest country in the world is struggling to mount an effective response," writes @JInterlandi. Our health and safety depend on collective action. nyti.ms/3cpj9VG

"The United States spends more than any other nation on health care, and yet we have the lowest life expectancy among rich countries. ... we were no better prepared for the pandemic than countries that spend far less," write Anne Case and Angus Deaton nyti.ms/2yqfYOI

For people turning 40, a decade of sluggish growth has ended in an economic collapse already more severe than the last.

"Every time I’ve gotten a little bit of momentum, everything just grinds to a halt.” nyti.ms/3adnqtL

The pandemic has shown Americans how far apart they are. But out of this crisis there’s a chance to build a better nation.

Check out more from the first chapter of "The America We Need." nyti.ms/3eFy00i