The case fatality rate was considerably lower in the second wave in almost all cases, and the total number of deaths generally lower as well. The 'lag' is acco

The case fatality rate was considerably lower in the second wave in almost all cases, and the total number of deaths generally lower as well. The 'lag' is accounted for in that most 'second wave' places have past the peak over their waves. Deaths were 'higher' in the second wave in places that had a small first wave, like Austria. But for places that had a 'real' first wave, the second wave was generally milder in terms of overall deaths, and much milder in terms of CFR. We can't ignore the real risk of 'waves' but it's also important not to deny the nuanced reality of them. In particular, the 'second wave' had many more younger people, probably accounting for the lower case fatality rate.