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First Cases of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China
A new pneumonia-like disease originating in a wet market in Wuhan, China infected 44 people. There were no restrictions placed by Chinese authorities. This virus was dubbed the novel Coronavirus and would be the start of the yearslong COVID-19 pandemic.("Pneumonia of unknown cause – China"). -
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COVID over last 18 moths
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COVID-19 Given Name and Declared a Pandemic by WHO
The Director-General of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, declared the novel coronavirus, now called COVID-19, a global pandemic. This was due to the international rapid spread of the disease around the world and increasing case numbers in China, showing how contagious the virus was. ("WHO Declares COVID-19 a Pandemic"). -
2020 Tokyo Olympics Postponed
Due to the widespread closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Olympic Committee and the Japanese Government postponed the 2020 Olympics. The games were postponed to July 23, 2021. This reflects the closures of many other large events and the larger shuttering of society due to the virus.("New dates announced for Tokyo 2020 Olympics postponed over coronavirus concerns"). -
New Zealand ends COVID restrictions
After 75 days of a strict lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that all COVID restrictions were eliminated. This was due to the basic eradication of the virus in the country with no new cases in the last 14 days. ("Ardern dances for joy after New Zealand eliminates coronavirus") -
Russia becomes first country to approve COVID vaccine
The multinational marathon the produce an effective vaccine for the virus is controversially first finished by Russia. Controversy arose due to an apparent lack of proper vaccine trials, for many saw the production of the vaccine as a propaganda front for Russia as a pre-eminent global power, especially in the tough times of the COVID-19 pandemic. ("Russia Approves Coronavirus Vaccine Before Completing Tests"). -
2020 United States Elections Conducted
On November 3, 2020, the United States of America held its Presidential Election, where former Vice President Joe Biden beat President Donald Trump. This election was fraught with claims of electoral rigging by Republicans towards Democrats due to the vast numbers of pro-Democratic Party absentee voting throughout the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the election being predicated on the response to the pandemic. ("Latest results, news and analyses on the 2020 U.S. election.). -
Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Given Emergency Approval
The U.S. FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine to be used to vaccinate all Americans above 18 years of age. This is a major step in the fight against COVID as this is the first vaccine which has been confidently tested and released, due to its high efficacy. ("FDA Takes Key Action in Fight Against COVID-19 By Issuing Emergency Use Authorization for First COVID-19 Vaccine"). -
South African Variant of COVID Announced
On December 18, 2020, South African authorities announced that a new variant of COVID-19 in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces and in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. This was one of the first variants to a disease which hadn't majorly mutated yet, posing a threat to vaccine efforts due to the new strain of the virus. -
Highly Contagious Indian Variant Announced
Due to the lack of COVID restrictions in India, a new variant has emerged, one which has overwhelmed hospitals. This variant originated due to the elections and religious gatherings in India, which were mass super spreader events. The variant has made many people go on the black market to find oxygen for loved ones struggling from the variant, along with showing the surge in COVID cases in countries not really affected by the virus earlier. ("WHO says India Covid variant of 'global concern'"). -
Many States in USA Lift Restrictions
While many countries in the world like India and Britain were struggling from a surge in COVID cases and deaths, America has had a relative decline in cases, along with a strong supply of vaccines to vaccinate the population. This has prompted many states to lift restrictions, such as Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Ohio on June 2, 2021. This reflects a major difference in the stages of COVID around the world, with America being able to control the virus and reopen. (New York Times on May 26).