Looks like the media has finally reached peak #COVID minimization: Defining the end of the pandemic by movie ticket sales.
Stating the obvious, but movie ticket sales and economic activity can happen at the same time as a virus continues to spread and cause harm. It's called capitalism.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/23/movies/barbie-oppenheimer-box-office-numbers.html
‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ Set Post-Pandemic Box Office High

With the biggest revenues since 2019, “Barbenheimer” gives the usual franchises a run for their money, selling out even predawn screenings.

The New York Times

It's worth pointing out that ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ sold a similar amount of tickets on opening weekend as ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer.’

‘Spider-Man’ debuted in December 2021, which was the beginning of the second most deadly #COVID wave, killing ~250,000 people in the US.

@luckytran They'll literally say anything to make anything align with their ideology.

(But on another note: Go Barbie!)