The COVID-19 pandemic brought massive dis-ruptions, with social distancing altering daily life. But how effective were these measures and the COVID-19 vaccines in saving lives? A study from CU Boulder and UCLA found that vaccines and social distancing likely saved around 800,000 lives. Based on blood test data on disease exposure and vaccination, the study estimated that, without these efforts, 1.98 million people could have died in the U.S. instead of 1.18 million. Study co-author Andrew Atkeson of UCLA noted, "We stumbled through it without a plan. We were flying blind."