Because that's a constant and would have been present the entire time and would not adequately explain why a second wave would have more young people succumbing to the disease.

There have been numerous headlines in media about the psychiatric illness epidemic resulting from social distancing measures, and all the downstream effects of the whole situation, including continuing uncertainty. Common sense alone would tell you that mental health has worsened since last year, particularly in those who were already on the edge.

During first wave, many people would have savings. After that they expected recovery but now stuck in 2nd wave.

Price of things that people want have shot up considerably while for most income source has dried up.