If they are comparing deaths in 2020 when everyone except "essential workers" was stuck at home for 3/4 of the year, to 2021 when many more people were back to

If they are comparing deaths in 2020 when everyone except "essential workers" was stuck at home for 3/4 of the year, to 2021 when many more people were back to their routine of driving, work, recreation, etc. I would not be surprised to see a spike in deaths for young people who are back into doing a lot more things that can cause accidents. If they are comparing 2021 to something like a 10 year average death rate and seeing a 40% jump, then that is more interesting. Also raw numbers matter. Two deaths from some rare cause this year vs. one last year is a 100% increase, but doesn't really mean anything in a state with 6.5 million people.