Tod’s Coronavirus Timeline – Following the Covid-19 Virus

Early in January 2020 we first learned about the strange new virus from Wuhan, China. This timeline follows the progress of the worldwide pandemic from the start to the present.

Covid-19 News in May 2021

With fewer than 30,000 new cases per day in May, new infections dropped to less than half the daily average of just a month ago. The US ended the month with 33 million total cases and 594,000 deaths. The EU cleared vaccinated Americans to visit, but they must be tested before returning home. Half of the adults in the United States, more than 129M people over the age of 18, are now fully vaccinated. But the CDC is warning unvaccinated Americans to distance and continue wearing masks over Memorial Day holiday weekend.

New York, New Jersey and Connecticut lifted most coronavirus restrictions on businesses, and Florida suspended local ordinances, saying they were not needed anymore. But with vaccine reluctance still high, the US may never reach herd immunity. About 1/4 of Americans still choose to ignore science in favor of their own unscientific rationalizations.

The CDC reversed recent guidance and said that fully vaccinated Americans don’t need to wear masks or social distance indoors or outdoors, with some exceptions, triggering announcements nationwide from state leaders and businesses who lifted their mask requirements for people who’ve gotten their Covid-19 shots. Target, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, Costco and other businesses no longer require customers to wear masks.

With millions of adults now vaccinated, children now account for nearly one-quarter of new cases. Officials blame more transmissable variants, in-classroom learning, and extracurricular activities. However, approval of a vaccine for kids as young as 12 should help control community spread.

Meanwhile, India started May with 20 million cases and added another 350,000 new cases per day, causing the healthcare system to buckle and crematoriums to operate night and day. Bodies were stacked up outside crematoriums and hundreds were pulled out of the Ganges river as deaths in India quickly exceeded 4,000 per day, leading to a shortage of firewood for cremations. With 460,000 deaths already, Covid deaths in Brazil are quickly approaching the US tally, with only half the cases. Brazil only has 7% of its population vaccinated, compared to about half in the US.

April 2021 Covid-19 News

By the middle of April there were more than 3 million deaths worldwide from the novel coronavirus that emerged in 2019. Meanwhile, half of Americans 18 years or older have received at least one dose of vaccine.

India just passed Brazil with the second most infections after the US. The US has recorded 32 million cases, or just under 10% of the population, but with about 576,000 deaths, fatalities are slowing.

Meanwhile Brazil and India have about half the total cases of the US, but Brazil’s deaths exceeded 400,000 while India’s spike in cases is recent and deaths there so far exceed 215,000.

In India, hospitals are running out of oxygen and beds, and the country is facing vaccine shortages. India reported 352,991 new cases and 2,812 virus-related deaths in just one day late in April, giving it the world’s highest daily caseload.

MIT Study Shows 6 Feet of Distancing Doesn’t Stop Covid-19

At the beginning of the pandemic, it was widely believed that the virus traveled via heavier droplets ejected during exhalation, sneezing, or speaking. But evidence has long suggested that the virus instead floats around on lighter aerosol droplets that can stay suspended in the air and travel much farther than first thought. A study by MIT found that wearing masks, the density of people, and the ventilation of the space play are more important. In fact, without masks and adequate ventilation indoors, a person has the same risk of catching Covid indoors from 60 feet away as from six feet.ind

Thousands Infected After Being Fully Vaccinated

Health officials are investigating about 6,000 cases of new “breakout” Covid infections occurring after vaccination. While the majority of the population develops immunity within 14 days of completion of their vaccine series, a small proportion appear to take longer to mount a full antibody response. CDC is actively working to better understand the risk characteristics of this group, but say the small number is proof that the vaccines work.

An unvaccinated health care worker set off a Covid-19 outbreak of the R.1 variant at a nursing home in Kentucky where the vast majority of residents had been vaccinated, leading to dozens of infections, including 22 cases among residents and employees who were already fully vaccinated. The vaccine was shown to be 75% effective among the residents – 25% of residents fully vaccinated caught the virus. While symptoms for previously vaccinated people were mostly mild, one vaccinated resident died, as did two unvaccinated residents. While most residents were vaccinated, only half the staff was.

Variants are another reason we might need an additional shot. So far, the vaccines appear protective against the notable variants that have emerged, though somewhat less so on the one first detected in South Africa.

If it turns out we need another shot, a single dose could extend protection of the current shots or contain vaccination for one or more variants.

Covid Variants

The COVID-19 surge in Brazil is driven by both the highly-infectious P-1 strain first detected there, and a slow government response to the pandemic. Intensive care units are full of Covid patients, because only 3% of the country is fully vaccinated, and the strain is two-and-a-half times more transmissable. The variant has already been found in more than half of US states, but the drugs most widely-used in the US are showing mixed results in protecting against it.

The B.1.1.7 variant first discovered in UK is now the most dominant strain of coronavirus spreading in the United States. And unlike the original strain, this one is heavily impacting young people.

Covid Vaccines

Most states have either made vaccines available to all residents 16 and older or announced plans to do so by mid-April.

At the beginning of April, 18.8% of the U.S. population was fully vaccinated, and 32.4% have had at least one dose. Just a week later, 41% of Americans had at least the first shot. Near the end of April, America started running out of people willing to get a COVID-19 shot, and some vaccination sites even shut down because of a lack of demand.

How long does protection from COVID-19 vaccines last?

Experts don’t know yet because they’re still studying vaccinated people to see when protection might wear off. How well the vaccines work against emerging variants will also determine if, when and how often additional shots might be needed. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines appear to be effective for at least six months.

Vaccine Mixup and J&J Vaccines Resume

Nearly 15 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine were thrown away after an ingredient mix-up at the Baltimore production plant also producing the AstraZeneca vaccine. However, this mix-up reportedly did not affect doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine that are currently being delivered and used nationwide, which were made elsewhere.

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Was pulled from the market for a couple weeks while health officials investigated links to blood clots. The one shot vaccine was cleared in late April.

March 2021 Covid-19 News

US Ramps Up Covid Vaccines in March

March ended with more than 30 million cases in the US – almost 10% of the population – and 550,000 deaths. 16% of the US population is fully vaccinated, and several states opened eligibility to all adults. While there’s a surplus of vaccines, hesitancy is still high.

States are rolling back restrictions on businesses and large gatherings as America tries to return to normal. In March, Texas and Mississippi were the first to repeal state-wide mask mandates and let businesses open at full occupancy.

But hesitancy to get the vaccine and a surge in travel is keeping infection rates high as variants spread across the country. In December and early January it wasn’t clear if the US would have enough doses for everyone. But with increased supply and hesitancy to get the shot, there’s enough vaccines to go around. So much so that the promise of herd immunity is diminishing. Dr. Anthony Fauci said, “I think we should be careful about wedding ourselves to this concept of herd immunity because we really do not know precisely, for this particular virus, what that is.” For example, only half of US healthcare workers have been vaccinated, even though they were eligible for the doses.

Europe Braces for Third Wave of Covid-19 in March

March ended with regional spikes, including Italy and France, which is going through its third spike. 21 million people in 16 areas of France will be placed under lockdown starting March 20. Paris saw intensive care patients rise to November surge levels. Germany warned that recent relaxation of restrctions may have to be reversed due to recent infection spikes. In Poland, non-essential shops, hotels, cultural and sporting facilities closed for three weeks.

The beginning of March 2021 saw COVID-19 infection rates declining in many countries, with some dramatic reductions in severe illness and hospitalizations among the first groups of people to be vaccinated. This news had the world hopeful that the vaccines could help achieve herd immunity – eliminating spread through a combination of inoculation and previous infection.

But recent data on new variants from South Africa and Brazil has undercut that optimism. Experts now believe that SARS-CoV-2 will not only continue to circulate, but will likely cause illness and death for years to come. As a result, scientists say people should continue to take measures such as mask-wearing and avoiding crowded places during COVID-19 surges.

The CDC is advising people who are fully vaccinated to continue adhering to most public health measures, such as mask wearing and physical distancing in most settings. Though they will get the greenlight for limited social gatherings, those should be kept small and home-based, and they should only include other fully vaccinated adults.

AstraZeneca Vaccine Suspended Then Reinstated in Europe

European countries including Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, Latvia, and Spain suspended use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine over reports of blood clots in some recipients, though the company and international regulators say there is no evidence the shot is to blame. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said it was investigating reports of 30 cases of unusual blood disorders out of 5 million recipients of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

A few days later, the European Medicines Agency ruled the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine is safe and effective, despite some concerns over possible side effects. Yet a week later, new data showed the vaccine was shown to be 76% effective in stopping infection, and still 100% effective in preventing severe cases that result in hospitalization or death.

Do Covid vaccines protect against the UK variant?

The B.1.1.7 variant, first spotted in the UK, is not only more easily transmitted, but it also appears to be more deadly. But vaccines appear to protect well against B.1.1.7 and treatments such as monoclonal antibodies also appear to work against this particular variant, according to Dr. Fauci.

What is the Difference Between Covid-19 Vaccines?

There are small differences in vaccines. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines require two doses and are somewhat more effective. Johnson & Johnson requires one dose and is somewhat less likely to cause side effects. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna had slightly higher efficacy rates in clinical trials than J&J. Scientists say it’s difficult to really know whether any of the three work better against the variants as the vaccines were tested at different times when different variants were circulating. However, doctors are unanimous that all three authorized vaccines work extremely well to protect against severe disease, hospitalization and death.

How do Covid-19 Vaccines Work?

The Covid vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer use an innovative vaccine technology called messenger RNA, or mRNA, which gives cells instructions on how to make a non-infectious piece of the coronavirus’ spike protein. Once the immune system detects the copies of the spike protein, it creates antibodies against it. And in the future, if you’re exposed to the coronavirus, your body can recall how to make the antibodies to fight it. Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are about 95% effective.

The Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine uses adenoviruses, a type of virus that causes the common cold, as a vehicle to deliver instructions to cells about how to fight the virus. Similarly, when the vaccine is injected into people’s arms, it triggers the immune system to create antibodies.

What are the Side Effects from the Covid-19 Vaccines?

All three COVID-19 vaccines in use in the United States can cause short-term side effects in some people, including pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain. These are a sign the immune system is kicking into high gear and not a bad thing.

How Long Does the Covid-19 Vaccine Take to be Effective?

Moderna and Pfizer vaccines reach maximum protection from 14 to 28 days after both shots. Moderna and Pfizer vaccines reach partial immunity to Covid about two weeks after the first dose. Then, 10 to 14 days after the second dose, “you get a 10-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci.

For the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, its protection from severe disease was 85% after 28 days, and after 49 days it was 100%. In J&J’s clinical data, neutralizing antibodies for Covid were picked up in 90% of the people after 29 days, and 100% of people 56 days after receiving the shot.

AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine showed 79% efficacy against symptomatic disease and 100% efficacy against severe disease and hospitalization in a new, US-based clinical trial.

However, these numbers can be misleading because vaccines were tested at different times with different methods.

Half of Trump Voters Refuse to Get Covid Vaccine

Initial hesitancy to take the Covid vaccine has decreased in every demographic group except Trump supporters. A new poll found that a full 50% of unvaccinated 2020 Trump voters now say they will “never” get vaccinated for COVID-19, up 6 percent from last month. Meanwhile, reluctance has fallen among every other group. Only 8% of Biden supporters say they will never get the vaccine. But 33% of blacks and 22% of Hispanics also say they won’t get the vaccine.

Covid-19 News February 2021

By February’s end more America reached half a million deaths from COVID-19 in the past year. That is more than American casualties than in World War I, World War II, and Vietnam combined.

More news – What Happened in February 2021?

Covid-19 Vaccinations

February saw almost 10% of the American population receiving their first Covid-19 vaccine shot, and one-third of those, or 3% of the population, getting both required shots about a month apart.

The second Covid-19 vaccine shot is given 21 days after the first dose for the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, 28 days after the first dose for the Moderna vaccine, and 28 days or more after the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Johnson & Johnson introduced a one-shot vaccine. While it is only 66% effective on average worldwide, it is being administrered to help achieve “herd immunity” and slow the spread.

Americans Reluctant to Get Covid-19 Vaccine

In polls, only half of Americans say they will definitely get the vaccine. A December CDC poll showed that just under half of adults in the US said they were very likely to get vaccinated. That’s below the 70% to 85% needed to suppress the virus.

However, adoption is growing. In a more recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 67% of Americans plan to get vaccinated or have already done so, 15% are certain they won’t and 17% say probably not. Many expressed doubts about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. Resistance was higher among younger people, people without college degrees, Black Americans and Republicans.

In fact, about 60% of employees at long-term care facilities who were offered the shots through a federal program run by Walgreens and CVS Health declined to get them. In New York City, 30-40% of the healthcare workers eligible for the vaccine refuse to get it.

A recent poll of New Yorkers found that 78% of White residents would take the vaccine as soon as they could compared with 39% of Black residents, 54% of Hispanics and 54% of Asians.

Covid variants outpacing vaccines

In South Africa people who recovered from a prior Covid infection were reinfected with a new, more infectious variant of the virus. While the current Covid vaccines may be less effective in protecting against new strains of the virus, they may reduce the severity of infection. The UK variant has already caused over 1,000 cases in the US across 41 states.

Covid prevention measures prevent the flu

In an average year, hundreds of thousands of Americans are hospitalized with flu. So far this flu season, just 155 people confirmed to have influenza have ended up in the hospital.

Covid-19 in China

Festivities for the Lunar New Year holiday, normally East Asia’s busiest tourism season, are muted after China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and other governments tightened travel curbs and urged the public to avoid big gatherings following renewed virus outbreaks. Elsewhere in China, Buddhist and Daoist temples that are usually packed with holiday worshippers were closed. Streets in major cities were largely empty.

Covid-19 News January 2021

A year after the first news of the virus trickled in from China and the first cases appeared in the US, Covid-19 has infected one hundred million and killed more than two million people worldwide. With about 4% of the world’s population, the US accounts for not quite one-quarter of all Covid cases. The percentage of Americans infected is nearly double in other hard-hit countries like Brazil, France, and Italy.

More news: What Happened in January 2021?

A handful of vaccines have been approved by various countries and the most vulnerable are being inoculated first. So far, China, India, Russia, the UK and the US have all developed Covid vaccines, with others being made by multinational teams – like the American-German Pfizer vaccine.

Experts say “herd immunity”, or vaccination of 70%+ of the US population, may occur by summertime. However, even as the first vaccines are administered, almost half the population says they won’t get it.

In fact, while residents of nursing homes and their caregivers have been considered a top priority for COVID-19 vaccination, only 38% of nursing home staff accepted shots when they were offered, new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed Monday.

Meanwhile, the virus is mutating and resurging in some countries like South Africa.

December 2020 Covid News

With more than 20 million cases and 350,000 deaths, the US ended 2020 with twice the cases and deaths as the next closest country India.

In late December the first Covid vaccines were approved and administered to politicians, health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities first. The next phase treats adults between 65 and 75, and then those between 16 and 64 with high-risk medical conditions and “other essential workers.” It may take until late spring to finish vaccinating high-risk populations if all goes according to plan. That means mid-summer may be a “realistic” timeline for the general public to begin vaccinations

But even as worldwide distribution and prioritizing begins, a majority of Trump-supporting, rural Christians say they won’t get it. Among the most reluctant to get the vaccine: Trump supporters (only 47% said they would), people who live in rural areas (51%), people without college degrees (53%), white evangelical Christians (54%) and non-whites (58%). However, at least 70% of the population needs to be vaccinated to achieve “herd immunity” and effectively stop the spread.

For the week around New Year’s, the US has averaged 2,637 coronavirus deaths every day, according to Johns Hopkins University. That’s an average of one Covid-19 death every 33 seconds.

Hospitals in the United States are on high alert for the new, more contagious COVID-19 strain that first surfaced in the United Kingdom and has since shown up in Colorado, California and now Florida. While the new strain spreads easier, it can still be treated with the same vaccines.

Between Thanksgiving and New Year, cases in Los Angeles surged from 400,000 to 800,000. With no hospital beds available, ambulance crews in the county were given guidance not to transport patients with little chance of survival. And the patients who are transported often have to wait hours before a bed is available. Hospitals are opening church gyms to serve as hospital units, and a person is dying of the virus every 15 minutes in Los Angeles County.

England is facing a third national lockdown that will last at least six weeks, as authorities struggle to stem a surge in COVID-19 infections that threatens to overwhelm hospitals around the UK.

New Covid Stimulus Payments Delayed

Three days before Christmas and hours before they were set to adjourn, Congress passed a nearly trillion dollar Covid stimulus bill that nobody had time to read. The stimulus was tied to an emergency spending bill that will keep the government from shutting down. However, payments were delayed when President Trump rejected it and asked Congress to increase to payout from $600 for an eligible recipient to $2,000.

The $900 billion relief package will send a $600 direct stimulus payment to most Americans, extend unemployment payments, and includes a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses, restaurants and theaters.

Revives supplemental federal pandemic unemployment benefits but at $300 per week — through March 14 — instead of the $600 per week benefit that expired in July. Extends special pandemic benefits for “gig” workers and extends the maximum period for state-paid jobless benefits to 50 weeks.

Provides $600 direct payments to individuals making up to $75,000 per year and couples making up to $150,000 per year — with payments phased out for higher incomes —- with $600 additional payments per dependent child. But income limits for receiving a check are lower than the last round. Individuals with $87,000 in income and married couples who file jointly earning $174,000 and up don’t qualify.

The stimulus also delivers more than $30 billion for procurement of Covid vaccines and treatments, distribution funds for states, and a strategic stockpile. Adds $22 billion for testing, tracing and mitigation, $9 billion for health care providers, and $4.5 billion for mental health.

November 2020 Covid-19 News

November 2020 ended with nearly 14 million cases, and over a quarter-million Covid deaths in the US. Officials are warning that the Christmas season will be deadly given the number of Americans who traveled and gathered over Thanksgiving. The former head of the FDA predicted that 30% of Americans could be infected by year’s end.

Los Angeles County, the biggest county in the US, is now under a stay-at-home order. All public and private gatherings with anyone outside a single household are now banned in LA and will last three weeks.

In North Texas, for the third consecutive day, more than 15 percent of hospital beds are now taken up by patients fighting the coronavirus. If that number remains above 15 percent for seven days in a row, an order by Gov. Greg Abbott requires the 19-county region to rollback restaurant capacity to 50 percent and close bars.

New York is dangerously close to overwhelming its hospital system with new COVID-19 cases — and preparing to recruit retired doctors and nurses to the front lines again.

The drug company Moderna announced that it would be submitting its coronavirus vaccine for emergency approval from the FDA on Monday. Once submitted, Moderna’s will be the second coronavirus vaccine on its way to emergency approval from the US health agency. Pfizer submitted its vaccine for approval earlier this month.

AstraZeneca is also in phase 3 trials. Though all three companies announced positive results, AstraZeneca’s performance lagged behind that of its two rivals. Pfizer and Moderna reported 95% efficacy and 94.5% efficacy, respectively. One dosing regimen in AstraZeneca’s trial produced 90% efficacy.

The new, so-called RNA vaccines use a new approach. Instead of giving you a dead or weakened version of the virus itself (like the measles and chickenpox vaccines), these contain only a tiny fragment of the virus.

October 2020 Covid Updates

The end of October saw a surge in coronavirus cases in Europe and the U.S., wiping out months of progress, prompting new business restrictions, raising the threat of another round of large-scale lockdowns and sending a shudder through financial markets. “We are deep in the second wave,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday. “I think that this year’s Christmas will be a different Christmas.”

Nearly 9 million Americans have been infected with coronavirus, and 227,000 have died so far. Worldwide over 1 million people have died, and million have been infected.

Coronavirus is Airborn and Lingers on Surfaces and Skin

In October, the CDC said the novel coronavirus can be spread through aerosols, which “can linger in the air for minutes to hours” and travel farther than six feet. Previously it was thought the coronavirus is spread only through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks or breathes. While experts still believe that is the main way it is spread, airborn transmission caused the CDC to revise its guidelines in dealing with the virus.

Another study showed that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, remained viable on samples of human skin for about 9 hours, compared to a strain of the influenza A virus that remained viable on human skin for only 2 hours. The good news is that using an 80% alcohol disinfectant gel killed both in 15 seconds. A previous study of the virus on surfaces found it remained viable on copper surfaces for up to 4 hours, on cardboard for up to 24 hours and on plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours.

10,000 Dead Mink Infected with Covid-19 by Humans

10,000 mink are dead in Covid-19 outbreaks at US fur farms in Utah and Wisconsin after virus believed spread by humans.

Initial research shows the virus was transmitted from humans to animals, and so far has not seen any cases of the opposite.

China Reopens, Encourages Domestic Travel

Chinese officials are encouraging the population to travel during upcoming holidays. A half billion Chinese are expected to travel for China’s National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival in early October, through the eight-day Golden Week. Called “revenge travel” it’s “the government’s hope that people will travel or consume more than they usually do… because of pent-up demand from being cooped up.”

After 53 days with no new coronavirus cases reported, a dozen new infections in one city prompted officials to start testing all nine million residents within one week. In Wuhan, which has a slightly larger population, all citizens were tested in just 10 days earlier this year in response to a resurgence of the virus.

Trump Has Coronavirus

On October 2nd, President Trump and the First Lady were diagnosed with coronavirus. Trump benefited from a 24-hour treatment and several experimental therapies given in a dedicated hospital suite by the military’s best doctors, none of which is available to the general public.

The President spentd three nights in the hospital, and then returned to the White House with a big show. While a dozen White House staff have tested positive, the first thing Trump did upon his return was remove his mask and pose for photos. Trump said, “Now I’m better and maybe I’m immune? I don’t know. But don’t let it dominate your lives.”it

Until he was diagnosed with Covid, Trump rarely used a mask and mocked others for wearing them. He instructed reporters to remove them during news conferences, and has bristled in meetings when attendees try to speak through a face covering. In the days between Trump’s diagnosis and return to the White House, more than 2,000 Americans died and 150,000 became infected. 

Vaccines Won’t Be Ready by Election

The FDA released guideliness for drug makers seeking emergency approval for their new vaccines. The FDA says they should monitor trial participants for a minimum of two months after their final dose in phase-three clinical trials. President Trump, publically calling for a vaccine prior to election day which is less than two month away, lashed out at the head of the FDA in a Tweet, calling the move a political hack job.

World Economy is Split

At the end of July the number and combined wealth of the world’s billionaires rose 14% from 2017. The total number of billionaires now stands at 2,189, up from 2,158 in 2017. The jump in their wealth is mostly due to the surge in asset prices from March, after governments around the world started imposing lockdowns to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The measures briefly sent stocks tumbling to their lowest levels in years, but central banks swiftly stepped in to provide trillions of dollars to support commercial banks and borrowers. Those moves encouraged investors to dive back into stocks.

Most of the new billionaires came from technology and healthcare.

Meanwhile in the US, nearly 13 million Americans were unemployed in September. That’s about 7 million more workers than pre-pandemic levels. While the early part of the recession was characterized by temporary furloughs, permanent job loss is rising.

Companies such as Allstate, American Airlines, Disney, Royal Dutch Shell, and United Airlines have each announced plans to cut thousands of workers in recent weeks.

September 2020

More news: What Happened in September 2020?

Coronavirus Infections and Deaths

Johns Hopkins says coronavirus deaths have reached 1 million worldwide. The US leads the world with the most dead and infected. The overall US daily death count remains higher than it was in July, and is rising again, mostly in the Great Plains and the South. The US ended September with more than 7 million cases and 205,000 deaths.

Brazil, the second-biggest driver of the worldwide death toll, is also trouble once again. Brazil counts 142,000 deaths and nearly 5 million cases reported. Led by a president who repeatedly downplayed the threat from the coronavirus, Brazil’s initial response was chaotic at best, enabling a surge in deaths through July and August. 

Mexico, Columbia, Peru and Argentina are also among the countries with the most deaths and cases in September.

India reported 6 million cases and nearly 100,000 deaths, and since May when the government largely lifted a strict lockdown, infections and deaths have been on a upward spiral. While India has the third most deaths, as a percentage of the population it ranks fairly low. 

Vaccinations May Get US Back to Normal by Next Summer

The U.S. should have enough Covid-19 vaccine doses for Americans to return to “regular life” by the third quarter of next year, according to the CDC. Vaccinations may begin in November or December, but in limited quantities with those most in need getting the first doses, and then about “six to nine months” to get the entire American public vaccinated.

As of September, four drug companies, Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, have started phase three testing, and a fifth vaccine, by Novavax, is expected to begin a late-stage testing in October. Dr. Anthony Fauci told Congress on Wednesday “it might take some time” for FDA-approved inoculations for Covid-19 to become available because of the “rigorous clinical testing required” to develop a safe and effective vaccine. However, there is “growing optimism” that scientists will find one or more safe and effective vaccines by the end of the year or early 2021.

He also said that vaccine doses will be rolled out over the coming months and the U.S. should have 700 million doses by April. “In November you’ll probably be maybe 50 million doses available. By December maybe another 100-plus million. And then you get into January and February. By the time you get to April, it’ll be a total of about 700 million.”

Coronavirus in Texas

As of Labor Day, at least 640,370 Texans were infected with COVID-19, with a death toll of 13,472. By the end of the month, there were nearly 750,000 cases and more than 15,000 deaths – about the same as Argentina at this point.

Dallas County Covid-19 Deaths and Infections

In the first week of September, Dallas county had 73,961 confirmed cases of Covid-19, and 946 confirmed deaths. By mid-month, the death toll rose to 985 with 76,149 cases. The fatality rate is fairly steady at 1.4%. Meanwhile, neighboring Tarrant County has 80% of Dallas’ population, but only 60% as many confirmed cases. While Dallas and Tarrant counties have about the same area (909 vs. 902 square miles), Dallas has a larger suburban population on the periphery.

By the end of September, Dallas county accumulated 81,372 cases of the virus since testing began in March, and 1,021 confirmed deaths. Since the first COVID-19 death in late March, Dallas County has averaged 5.3 deaths per day.

August 2020 Covid-19 Update

In August, WHO said a vaccine will be a “vital tool” in the global fight against the coronavirus, but it won’t end the Covid-19 pandemic on its own and there’s no guarantee scientists will find one. Instead, world leaders and the public must learn to manage the virus and make permanent adjustments to their daily lives to bring the virus down to low levels. 

August began with 20 million reported coronavirus cases and nearly 750,000 deaths globally. During the month the numbers climbed to nearly 25 million infected and about 840,000 dead. The United States leads the world in COVID-related fatalities with more than 180,000 in five months. 

The number of coronavirus cases is still rising in every region of the country. California is now the third U.S. state to register over 10,000 deaths after New York and New Jersey. Texas has the fourth highest number of fatalities. New research on the rate of asymptomatic transmission does not bode well for these numbers.

Vaccine Won’t End Covid-19

There are now six strains of Covid-19, ending any hopes to a one-shot vaccine. However, Dr. Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said it’s unlikely that a vaccine will deliver 100% immunity; he said the best realistic outcome, based on other vaccines, would be 70% to 75% effective. Plans now are for widespread testing to quickly distribute targeted vaccines to geographic hot spots.

US Leads the World in Covid-19 Deaths

With more confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. than any other country, the failure of the US to contain the virus has been met with alarm in Europe. Italy was once the epicenter of the outbreak in Europe, but after a strict nationwide, 10-week lockdown, vigilant tracing of new clusters and general acceptance of mask mandates and social distancing, Italy has become a model of virus containment.

“We Italians always saw America as a model,” said Massimo Franco, a columnist with daily Corriere della Sera. “But with this virus we’ve discovered a country that is very fragile, with bad infrastructure and a public health system that is nonexistent.”

With America’s world’s-highest death toll, its politicized resistance to masks and its rising caseload, European nations have barred American tourists.

South Dakota Covid-19 Cases Spike During Sturgis Bike Rally

Many Americans ignore the warnings; not changing their daily behaviors. For others, the politicization of government response to the pandemic has spurred outright defiance. While the crowd was roughly half of the previous year, at least 250,000 bikers attended the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in North Dakota, mostly ignoring social distancing and mask-wearing. South Dakota has no state-wide mandate for wearing masks or prohibition against indoor gatherings. New cases of Covid-19 linked to the gathering have now appeared across the country, prompting health officials to call it a “super spreader event.”

New York Sherriff Deputies Enforce Quarantine

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s travel order, which requires people who have spent at least 24 hours in the dozens of states (and Puerto Rico) where the coronavirus has been spreading like wildfire to quarantine for 14 days after arriving in the area, is being enforced by Sherriff’s Deputies at tunnels, airports and train stations.

Putin Says Russia is First with Covid-10 Vaccine

On August 11th, Russian President Putin announced Russia has approved ‘world first’ Covid-19 vaccine. Named Sputnik V after the first, surprise satellite in orbit, the vaccine has not undergone phase 3 human trials, but was adminstered to Putin’s daughter already.

Fall School Reopening vs Online Learning

School districts are scrambling to improve online learning for classes in the fall, because they spent so much time over the summer working on reopening plans to meet safety guidelines that they ignored online offerings. And millions of students nationwide still lack devices and Internet access, including 700,000 students in California alone.

President Trump insisted in all-caps tweets that schools must fully reopen in the fall so the economy could as well, even as coronavirus cases and deaths swelled. Education leaders warned politicians they would need billions of federal dollars in aid to reopen safely, but that money has yet to be approved by Congress. 

Coronavirus and the Economy – US Stock Market Rebounds to Historic Pre-Pandemic Highs

August ended with stock market indeces at or near all-time highs, even as the economy continues to tumble and unemployment rises. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record highs near the end of the month, while the Dow Jones Industrial was near it’s historical high set before the pandemic only seven months ago.

Covid-19 and American Unemployment

The end of July saw nearly 1.2 million laid-off Americans apply for state unemployment benefits while companies slashed jobs just as a critical $600 weekly federal jobless payment ran out. Democrats want to extend it until at least January, but Republicans argue it is too high and disincentives Americans from going back to work.

The first week in August saw a seasonally adjusted total of 963,000 Americans filed new claims for jobless benefits, 228,000 claims fewer than the week before. But after briefly dipping below the one million mark, new applications rose back above 1 million. New applications for unemployment have remained stubbornly high for months even as the number of coronavirus cases are declining. At about 1m claims a week they are five times as high as the average 200,000 weekly claims before the pandemic.

The impact of the recession is now spreading. American Airlines announced it would cut 19,000 jobs by 1 October and Delta said it furlough more than 1,900 pilots unless it can reach a cost-cutting deal with unions. United Airlines announced earlier this summer that it could cut 36,000 positions later this year.

Coronavirus in Dallas, TX

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that bars are a “leading transmission zone” and that coronavirus cases in Texas must decrease dramatically before he would consider allowing drinking establishments to reopen again. Bars in Texas were forced to close this spring due to several county-wide stay-at-home orders, but were allowed to reopen at 25% capacity on May 22. Abbott quickly reversed course as cases began to surge, and closed bars again on June 26.

Of cases requiring hospitalization, two-thirds of all COVID-19 patients have been under 65 years of age, and about half do not have high-risk chronic health conditions. With a population of 2.6M, about 2% are infected.

There have been 900 deaths in the county attributed to the virus, with nearly 70,000 cases, giving it a 1.3% fatality rate, and is now the third leading cause of death in the county behind heart disease and cancers.

Since March 20, the date of the first reported COVID-19 related death in Dallas County, the county has averaged 5.2 deaths per day.

Coronavirus and the US Presidential Election

A CBS News poll shows opinions about Covid-10 in the US are divided along politcal party lines. While 57% of Republicans said the number of coronavirus deaths is acceptable, 67% of independents and 90% of Democrats said the number of deaths is “not acceptable.” 73% of Republicans said the US respondse to the pandemic is “going well,” while 62% of all voters said the response is “going badly.”

In August Joe Biden chose Kamala Harris as his VP running mate, and both parties help their conventions. It only took a day for Trump to question Harris’s eligibility to be Vice President or President – reminiscent of his birther attack on Obama. Harris’s parents were immigrants, she was born in Oakland, CA and is indisputably eligible.

Trump is casting false accusations of massive fraud in mail-in voting, though has now reversed his position on the practice in Florida, a must-win state with a Republican governor. Expecting widespread mail-in voting due to Covid-19, Democrats want to increase funding to the Postal Service in the latest stimulus bill to handle it, but Trump is fighting it, claiming widespread fraud would result. A week after Trump wanted to change Post Office procedures, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said all changes being made to the Postal Service would be suspended until after the November 3 election.

Trump is also calling for more and earlier debates to help his chances with early voters. He wondered out loud if it would be a good idea to delay the elections, and said he would take a “wait and see” approach to accept the results. Facebook and Twitter have pulled posts by US President Donald Trump for violating their COVID-19 misinformation rules.

More news: July 2020 News in a Nutshell

June 2020 Coronavirus Update

More news: What Happened in June, 2020?

The first week of June 2020 saw coronavirus restrictions ease as racial protests escalated and some jobs returned.

Businesses are reopening, but many states still require travelers to self-quarantine upon arrival. The Florida Keys will reopen to tourists Monday, more than two months after the island chain closed to visitors. Forida, with 56,163 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 2,451 deaths, reopened beaches, hotels and gyms last week.

Having just reopened after coronavirus lockdown, businesses across the US were shut down or looted in several major US cities as rioters hijacked what had been peaceful protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. Protests

The US economy added 2.5 million jobs in May, after 20.7 million positions vanished in April. The U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 13.3 percent from 14.7 percent a month earlier. This was well below the 20% rate expected. However, the Chairman of the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank says to expect 2020 to end with an 8% unemployment rate.

However, reopening has led to the second wave of coronavirus hospitalization in 14 states since Memorial Day.

May 2020 Covid-19 News

Wednesday, May 27 – Face Masks Become “Politically Correct”

The wearing of masks while out in public has emerged as a politically charged issue as Trump has called for a return to pre-pandemic life in the hopes of revitalizing the US economy. 

But Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and a member of the White House’s coronavirus task force, said he believes that while wearing a mask is not “100% effective,” it is a valuable safeguard and shows “respect for another person.”

President Donald Trump called wearing a face mask “politically correct” on Tuesday, while former vice president Joe Biden called Trump “a fool” for demeaning them, highlighting the politicization that has emerged around face masks during the coronavirus pandemic. In some plalces, businesses have reopened with face masks required, but in other places business owners do not allow them in their stores as a political statement.

In New York state, where almost 30,000 people have died, Long Island began reopening Wednesday, leaving New York City as the only area remaining essentially locked down. In California, barbershops and hair salons are being allowed to reopen across most of the state.

There are more than 5.6 million confirmed coronavirus cases globally, with nearly 1.7 million in the United States. More than 350,000 people have died worldwide, with almost 100,000 Americans dead in four months.

Friday, May 22 – Covid-19 in US a Changing Patchwork of Hot Spots

Peak death week in the US was supposed to be in March, but the nationwide curve is more like a plateau. In the last weeks of May, the US is seeing hot spots of infections and deaths as states reopen businesses and other facilities. From The Atlantic today: “But the stark turning point, when the number of daily COVID-19 cases in the U.S. finally crested and began descending sharply, never happened. Instead, America spent much of April on a disquieting plateau, with every day bringing about 30,000 new cases and about 2,000 new deaths.”

The article continues: “This pattern exists because different states have experienced the coronavirus pandemic in very different ways. In the most severely pummeled places, like New York and New Jersey, COVID-19 is waning. In Texas and North Carolina, it is still taking off.”

Heading into Memorial Day weekend, a study predicts some Southern locations are poised for sharp upticks in new Covid-19 cases. The Miami area, populous areas of Texas, and parts of Alabama and Tennessee will see rapid surges in new Covid-19 cases.

Montgomery, Alabama’s capital, was down to one available ICU bed. A Montgomery doctor said, “We need to take more individual responsibility in how we go about our daily lives.” She said the holiday weekend and loosened restrictions could cause the virus to “go like a prairie fire … It is now really having the potential to get out of control.” Social distancing and masks “really work,” she said. “This emphasis on personal responsibility is fantastic. If everybody did that we wouldn’t need to worry about arguing about these restrictions. The challenge is we all have different ideas of personal responsibility in a civil society.”

Wednesday, May 20 – States Reopen Amid #FakeCrisis Protests and Parties As Infections Rise

There are now close to 5 million global cases and roughly 325,000 deaths since the virus first emerged in Wuhan, China less than five months ago, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The number of newly reported coronavirus cases worldwide hit a daily record this week with more than 100,000 new cases over the last 24 hours, according to the World Health Organization. Almost two-thirds of the Covid-19 cases were reported in just four countries: US, Russia, Brazil, and UK.

With 1.5 million cases of the virus and almost 92,000 fatalities, all 50 US States have started reopening businesses to some extent.

In Florida, where there have been 46,000 confirmed cases and nearly 2,000 deaths, a man who initially said he believed the coronavirus was a “fake crisis” that was “blown out of proportion” is now hospitalized with the virus. He regrets not wearing a mask to help prevent giving it to his wife, who is on a ventilator and not expected to survive.

In Fort Worth, a bar director threw himself two big warehouse birthday parties drawing hundreds of people. Police responded to the party, but only due to a complaint about the noise, and took no action.

According to a model by UT Southwestern, the key to controllling new cases is the effectiveness of social distancing and other measures. Currently judged at 60% effective, a small drop means a big increase in coronavirus cases. Conversely, increasing social distancing effectiveness to 69% can nearly wipe out new cases in months.

The model shows that the DFW area will see 800 new cases a day by early July, rather than the roughly 250 daily the area is experiencing now, if current measures such as distancing, wearing of masks and frequent hand washing, continue.

The current measures are 60 percent effective, according to the report. If measures were relaxed resulting in a 57 percent effectiveness rate, the number of new infections daily would jump to more than 1,000 by early June, the model suggests.

If prevention measures were increased to result in 65 percent effectiveness, cases would slowly decrease for the rest of the year, and if the measures rose to 69 percent effective, cases drop to near zero by August.

Friday, May 8 – US Has Highest Unemployment Since Great Depression

Thanks to the coronavirus crisis, the United States is now facing the highest unemployment rate since the Great Depression.

The economy shed 20.5 million jobs in April, and the official unemployment rate rose to 14.7 percent. But, due to a data collection error it could be 19.5%, which is just under the 1932 record of 22% during the Great Depression.

Thursday, May 7 – New York Sets Criteria for Reopening Businesses

The Governor of New York issued seven criteria that a region such as New York City must meet in order to reopen businesses. Currently, no region in the state meets them, although New York City is still experiencing declines in hospitalizations and deaths.

1. A 14-day drop in hospitalizations, or fewer than 15 new admissions in a three-day rolling average
2. A 14-day decline in hospital deaths, or fewer than five total deaths across a three-day rolling average
3. A rate of new hospitalizations below two per 100,000 residents, across a three-day rolling average
4. At least 30 percent of total hospital beds unoccupied
5. At least 30 percent of ICU hospital beds unoccupied
6. At least 30 tests for every 1,000 residents per month
7. At least 30 contact tracers retained per 100,000 residents

South Korea and Hong Kong successfully relaxed pandemic restrictions without having another rise in cases by data sharing, using targeted testing and contact tracing.

Meanwhile, Texas has already opened many businesses and has seen coronavirus infections increase. Texas has 34,422 cases and 948 deaths so far. Retail stores, restaurants, malls, museums, libraries, and movie theaters were allowed to reopen last Friday at 25% capacity. Barbershops and salons can reopen tomorrow, also at 25% capacity. And on May 18, non-essential manufacturing and office-based businesses can reopen.

Monday, May 4 – US Death Projection Revised Upwards as Businesses Reopen

About 4.5 million Italians are returning to work Monday as Italy — one of the countries hardest hit by COVID-19 — begins lifting some restrictions meant to stop the spread of the disease. Italy has lost nearly 29,000 people because of the coronavirus, second only to the United States.

In the US restriction are losening, but new projections make clear that reopening the economy comes with predictable, fatal risks. With businesses reopening and restrictions easing in the US, an updated CDC computer model predicted up to 3,000 Americans could die each day by June 1, compared to the current death toll of about 2,000 per day.

The increased estimates come as states have eased restrictions and after a weekend many Americans spent outside at protests or enjoying spring days in the park for the first time in weeks. Texas, Florida, Colorado, Indiana, Nebraska, South Carolina and West Virginia, among others, loosened restrictions to revive the sputtering economy and calm residents.

President Donald Trump had previously said he expected 65,000 Americans to die, but on Sunday night, he revised that estimated death toll up to 80,000-90,000 people. A White House coronavirus task force official said projections have shown between 100,000 to 240,000 American deaths, even with social distancing.

Friday, May 1 – Covid-19 Pandemic Will Last Two Years

Because of its ability to spread from people who don’t appear to be ill, the coronavirus pandemic is likely to last as long as two years and won’t be controlled until about two-thirds of the world’s population is immune, a group of experts said in a report. Experts say people need to be prepared for periodic resurgence over the next two years.

More than 3.2 million people around the world are known to have been infected and nearly 240,000 have died worldwide.

Across the United States, governors are struggling to square demands to restart businesses with the possible health consequences of loosening social distancing rules.

Rent Strikes in California

As California enters its second full month under stay-at-home orders designed to prevent more coronavirus cases, a growing number of tenants are turning their personal economic situations into mass protests, demanding that legislators at all levels of government pass laws to cancel rent until the public health crisis is over. They call it a “rent strike” and it is just one tactic marking a dramatic new escalation in the long-running fight over affordable housing in California.

US Economy and Stock Market

More than 30 million Americans, representing 18.6% of the US labor force, have filed for unemployment. Millions of small businesses have requested forgivable loans to stay alive. the US GDP could decline at a breathtaking annualized rate of 40% during the second quarter. And yet the stock market is racking up massive gains. Even after retreating on Thursday, the S&P 500 spiked 13% in April. It was the best month for US stocks since January 1987. It’s common for Wall Street to price in a recovery long before Main Street feels it because investors look three to six months into the future

April 2020 Covid-19 News

April 27 – America Getting Back to Business Despite 55,000 Deaths

As coronavirus cases near one million and more than 55,000 have died in the US, Georgia, Texas and other states are loosening their lockdowns.

Today Georgia allowed residents to dine at restaurants for the first time in a month, as more U.S. states began easing restrictions where the coronavirus outbreak has taken a light toll. Businesses like gyms, nail salons and tattoo parlors must adapt to new health guidelines such as masks for employees and keeping customers six feet apart.

The reopening of these businesses and spaces has drawn criticism and concern over whether it’s too soon for people to safely gather. The debate is split along party lines. Among Texas Republicans, 47% of those polled think the virus has either already been contained or will be contained enough in the next few weeks to allow activities like social gatherings, office work and sporting events. Only 12% of Democrats have similar expectations. 

However, while “red states” are loosening restrictions, the San Francisco area has extended stay-at-home orders through the end of May.

April 21 – US Debates Reopening Businesses

The U.S. is nearing 800,000 Covid-19 cases and has more than 44,000 deaths. Globally, there are 2.5 million infections and more than 170,000 Covid-19 deaths.

The battle between the states and the federal government is heating up about when to open the economy and start letting people go back to work due to the coronavirus. Republican women protested the lockdown order in Dallas, while Texas reopens nonessential businesses for to-go service. Texas Lt. Governor Patrick claimed that the Texas death toll wasn’t high enough to warrant the state-wide shutdown. 19,458 Texans have been sickened from the virus, while 495 have died.

Meanwhile, Congress is voting on another round of stimulus funding for hospital and small business reliefe, and President Trump said he will sign an unprecedented executive order to temporarily suspend immigration to the U.S.

What’s It Like to Get Coronavirus?

According to a new study from Italy,  43% of people with the virus have no symptoms. Among those who do, it is common to feel congestion, fever, aches, and general malaise. While some start feeling better and eventually recover, other people become short of breath, their heart racing and mind detached from reality. They experience organ failure and spend weeks in the ICU if they survive at all.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Worst Day for US Coronavirus Deaths

Yesterday in the US 2,228 Americans died from Covid-19, a single-day record. The US now has 600,000 cases which is three time mores than any other country, and 26,000 deaths. There are nearly 2 million cases worldwide, but the actual numbers are believed to be much higher due to testing shortages, unreported cases and some governments hiding the scope of their outbreaks.

The coronavirus lockdown has crippled the economy, with at least 15 million of Americans losing their jobs in the past three weeks. Unlike other economic downturns that hurt real estate or manufacturing, the nation-wide lockdown has the biggest impact on services – from entertainment and dining to travel – where 80% of Americans are employed. For example, the TSA only screened 87,534 travelers yesterday compared to 2,208,688 on the same weekday last year – a 96% decrease. Even as coronavirus deaths are peaking, Governors are making plans to ease restrictions to restart the economy.

Trump Cuts Off WHO Funding

President Trump, claiming the organization mismanged and covered up the spread of coronavirus, cut off funding to the World Health Organization which falls under the United Nations. Trump has questioned US funding to the United Nations, withdrawn from global climate agreements and criticized the World Trade Organization – claiming they were ripping offs.

Trump’s Signature on Stimulus Checks Delays Disbursements

The IRS is adding President Trump’s signature to paper stimulus checks, even though it could delay mailing them by a week. The signature is ornamental, as he’s not authorized to sign those checks. Physical checks are being mailed to mainly low-income Americans without bank accounts for direct deposit.

Thursday, April 9 – 1.5 Million Covid-19 Cases Worldwide

As of Thursday morning, more than 1.49 million coronavirus cases had been diagnosed worldwide, including more than 432,000 in the U.S., the most infected country in the world. Of the 432,596 confirmed US cases, New York state has 159,937 and 7,067 deaths. 

Covid-19 Cases by Country

• USA 432,596
• Spain 152,446
• Italy 139,422
• Germany 113,615
• France 83,080
• China 82,883
• Iran 66,220
• UK 61,497
• Turkey 38,226 

14 Million Americans Jobless in Last Three Weeks

New Labor Department figures on Thursday showed that 6.6 million Americans made initial unemployment claims last week, bringing the three-week total to more than 14 million. The unemployment rate had at a historic 50-year low but when the next monthly figures are calculated, it could be as high as 15%. The jobless rate peaked at 24.9% in the 1930s Depression while it hit 10% in October 2009 in the Great Recession.

Covid-19 Vaccine Will Take At Least a Year

While there’s no cure for Covid-19, there are attempts to treat it, including various vaccines in different stages of testing.

Wednesday, April 8 – Wuhan, China Lifts Lockdown

After a 2 1/2 month lockdown in Wuhan, China, where the Covid-19 outbreak originated, travel restrictions were lifted, stores reopened and trains were running. Norway, Denmark, Austria and the Czech Republic are easing restrictions even as a second wave of infections hits several Asian countries.

However, a study said that keeping the social distancing measures in place until early April could delay the “second wave” until early October. If the ban were lifted too soon, it could happen as soon as August. According to scientific studies, tiny particles carrying the coronavirus can linger in the air longer than was originally thought, driving home the importance of avoiding packed indoor spaces.

Monday, April 6 – Peak Death Week in the US

With 350,000 cases and 10,000 deaths, a US health official said the country is in the “peak death week,” even though US hospitals are already facing severe shortages of personal protective equipment, ventilators, testing supplies and staff.

New York has 4,758 coronavirus-related deaths, 3,100 of them in New York City, where trenches are being dug in Central Park as temporary mass graves.

More than 90% of Americans are under stay-at-home orders issued by states.

Thursday, April 2 – Nearly One Million Cases Worldwide

More than 939,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported worldwide, and over 47,000 people have died.

Initial estimates of US unemployment claims were low, with 6.6 million actual first-time claims in the week ending March 28 — a new historic high. Including the prior week’s 3.3 million initial claims, Americans have filed nearly 10 million jobless claims in the last two weeks alone, putting the unemployment rate above 10%. However, predictions call for unemployment up to 30%.

The FBI reported 3.7 million gun purchase background checks in the month of March, a 41% surge that shows people are buying guns. 

Wednesday, April 1 – 100,000 – 240,000 Americans Will Die from Covid-19

April Fools Days was canceled as Covid-19 cases surged to 903,819 with 45,335 deaths worldwide, according to Worldometer data tracker. In the US, cases topped 200,000, while deaths rose to 4,394. New York cases jumped to 83,712, with 1,941 deaths.

Between 100,000 and 240,000 US deaths are predicted, assuming the lockdown is effective at stopping the spread. If not, then more than one millions Americans could die. By comparison, there are 20,000-50,000 deaths per year from seasonal flu, and 150,000 from chronic respiratory disease, which is the #4 cause of death in the US and a high-risk condition for catching the coronavirus. In New York City, where an emergency hospital occupies Central Park, FEMA sent 85 refrigerated trucks to serve as temporary morgues. In Las Vegas 500 residents of a homeless shelter were forced to sleep in a parking lot, while rooms in nearby hotels and resorts are empty.

US unemployment claims are estimated at 7 million the past two weeks, or just under 10% of the near-record 71% of working-age Americans who were employed just two months ago. The $2.2 trillion economic stimulus package, or Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, is making it easier for workers to seek unemployment benefits. However, President Trump will not open a special enrollment period for Obamacare that would have made it easier for people to enroll without paperwork proving loss of health insurance. 

March 2020 Coronavirus News

Monday, March 30 – US Cases Surpass China, Deaths to Peak in Two Weeks

Global deaths from the virus have surpassed 30,000, with more than 10,000 of those in Italy. Spain reported its highest increase in coronavirus deaths Sunday but saw a drop in infection rate.

At 137,000, the US surpassed China and Italy with coronavirus cases. The US has 2,400 deaths, but the death toll is expected to peak in another two weeks. A Navy hospital ship docked in New York City, where some patients must share one ventilator or go without, and refrigerated trucks hold bodies because the morgues are full.

Stocks turned positive last week with the Dow more than 20% from its recent low as lawmakers and central bankers around the world made progress on relief and stimulus measures. President Trump extended social distancing guidance until April 30, where last week he wanted the US economy back in the swing by Easter, April 12th.

Thursday, March 26 – 1/4 of the World’s People are in Lockdown

With India declaring a lockdown, it means almost 3 billion people in 70 countries are staying home.

US deaths from Covid-19 reached 1,000 today. The Senate passed a coronavirus stimulus bill, on which the House will vote Friday. The Senate vote was delayed last night while Democrats reinserted prohibitions for President Trump’s receiving any bailout money.

New York City is scrambling to find more hospital beds and ventilators, as patients die in emergency rooms. 2,000 ventilators from the national stockpile, but has less than half of the 30,000 it needs.

Wednesday, March 25 – US Stimulus Deal Reached as Unemployment Surges

Spain now has 3,434 deaths from Covid-19 – more fatalities than in China – up 27% from the day before. In Madrid, an ice skating rink has been converted to a mass morgue.

In New York City, where 192 people have died from Covid-19, hospitals are already nearing capacity. New York accounts for 60% of US cases, and cases have doubled every three days. Ventilators and intensive care beds are already in short supply, and estimates say twice as many will be needed. In New York City, where 15,000 are infected, residents are leaving in droves.

In the US the House and Senate reached a deal on a $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package. The stimulus would send $1,200 to individuals making less than $75K per year, and a lesser amount for those who earn between $75-$99K. The income limits for couples in double, and gives an extra $500 per child to families. Payouts would cover about 90% of Americans.

The Federal plan boosts unemployment insurance payments $600 a week on top of state benefits for four months. The program also provides jobless benefits to independent contractors, gig economy workers and the self-employed, who typically don’t qualify for unemployment.

While politicians first spoke of getting money in the hands of Americans “within two weeks”, the reality is that the process could take longer. In 2001, it took six weeks for the IRS to start sending out rebate checks authorized by President George W. Bush’s tax cut.

Projections estimate new US unemployment claims will be over 2 million this week, a spike so large and unprecedented that all economic predictions are suspect. However, some project the unemployment to cap around 9%, slightly less than the peak of the Great Recession in 2009.

Tuesday, March 24 – Italy Deaths Nearly Double China

Worldwide, there are over 392,700 confirmed cases and more than 17,200 deaths. Most new cases of coronavirus are now outside of China – in the US and Europe – with Italy the hardest hit and Spain close behind. Today in Italy 64,000 infections are reported with 6,000 deaths, and Spain has 40,000 cases and 2,700 deaths. With 6,733 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 336 deaths, UK is declaring a lockdown of citizens.

China has 3,281 deaths, but cases have steadily declined since February. More than 73,000 of the 81,588 confirmed cases have recovered, and the lockdown in Wuhan, China where the outbreak started is set to lift on April 8.

In the US there are 46,481 confirmed cases of the virus and 593 deaths. New York has the most cases with over 20,800. Congress is still debating and adding amendments to a stimulus bill that would send checks to Americans and extend unemployment benefits, among other measures.

As non-essential businesses close, others are hiring frantically. Help wanted signs and billboards advertise immediate jobs for food delivery, at supermarkets such as Kroger and Albertsons, pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, convenience and discount stores like Dollar General and 7-Eleven, and retail giants like Amazon and Walmart.

On the news of a stimulus, today traders bought back some of the worst-hit stocks, such as Boeing and Chevron, driving the Dow Jones industrials to a gain of around 8.5%. The S&P 500 jumped more than 7%, but crude oil futures dropped to $24.01 due to slack demand and the Russia / OPEC price war.

Friday, March 20 – Italy Deaths Exceed China’s, UK Shuts Down

Amid growing coronavirus shut-downs, the US moved tax day from April 15 to July 15, and student loan payments can be deferred. Illinois will shelter in place starting Saturday, and New York is preparing for a state-wide lockdown starting Sunday night when only essential businesses remain open. New York City has reported 5,100 coronavirus cases so far.

The death toll from coronavirus in Italy has surpassed China. In the UK the Prime Minister announced a nationwide lockdown, ordering cafes, pubs, and restaurants to close tonight and not reopen. The government will pay 80% of wages to those out of work up to $2,900US per month.

An economic report predicted that infections will peak globally by the third quarter of 2020, with the recovery beginning in the second half of next year. Today an economist said the economic downturn may be less severe than the deep recessions of 1981-82 and 2008-09, but worse than the mild recessions of 1991 and 2001. The S&P 500 has plunged by around 30% since its all-time high on Feb. 19 – just one month ago. After the stock market crash of Oct. 29, 1929, the S&P 500 fell 86% in less than three years and did not regain its previous peak until 1954.

Thursday, March 19 – Fatalities Grow

Today global deaths passed 9,300 with more than 230,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19. Italy now has 3,400 deaths – more than in China where the virus originated. In the US there were more than 10,750 confirmed cases, up from about 1,600 a week earlier, when there were 40 reported deaths. Deaths jumped to 154 across 22 states – including the first reported fatalities in Connecticut, Michigan, Missouri, and Pennsylvania.

Wednesday, March 18 – Coronavirus Infections Double in Two Weeks

As of this morning, there were 6,519 cases and 114 deaths in the US, and 201,000 cases and 8,000 deaths worldwide. More new cases are reported in Europe each day than in China at the height of the epidemic, leading some to wonder if less authoritarian countries can stop the spread.

The IRS is giving more time to pay taxes, while President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act so the private sector can ramp-up manufacturing and distribution of emergency medical supplies and equipment such as masks, ventilators, and respirators. Trump also order Navy hospital ships deployed to the American coasts.

General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler closed all US factories due to the coronavirus. Ford said it plans to close its factories in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

Tuesday, March 17 – New Reality Sets In

Forecasts say the US could lose up to one million jobs in April alone, which would be worse than the steepest job loss during any month of the Great Recession 10 years ago. The Trump Administration’s emergency stimulus proposal sounds more like the Democratic candidate debates, with talk of sending money to Americans immediately, except for millionaires. San Francisco is already under a “shelter in place” order, with New York City soon to follow. In Kentucky, a Covid-19 patient’s home isolation is enforced by police after he checked himself out of the hospital, but in Florida half-naked college students still congregated on the beach. Countries worldwide are closing borders, nobody is allowed outside in Italy, and in France, all gatherings are banned.

In the US life changed over the past two days by social distancing from people and public places, and many people financially strained or out of work. While the focus is on containing the spread over the next two weeks, preventive measures may be needed for months or even a year until a vaccine is made.

Monday, March 16 – the US Shuts Down as New Cases in China Decline

There are now more coronavirus cases outside China than inside as global infections stand at 167,000 and 6,000 deaths. The number of infections in Europe is growing faster than in China during the height of its outbreak, where new cases are decreasing. Iran has the worst outbreak in the Middle East.

The Australian stock market had the biggest decline ever, the price of oil continued to drop, and in the UK the FTSE fell another 6%. The Dow and S&P 500 indexes had their biggest one-day losses since 1987, falling at least 12%, respectively, and the Nasdaq Composite had its biggest one-day plunge ever, tumbling 12.3%. Even the price of gold fell as people sold assets in a “dash for cash”.

Most states and cities closed restaurants, bars, and gyms, Las Vegas casinos are closing, beaches are closed, while other states and restaurant chains now offer only pickup or delivery, and Hoboken, NJ declared a city-wide curfew at night.

March, Friday the 13th – Everything is Canceled, Everywhere

President Trump today declared a national emergency with tallies of 1,700 cases and 40 deaths from coronavirus. In a press conference, Trump announced plans to catch up on testing capacity with emergency approval from the FDA for tests, and partnership with drug companies and even Walmart and Target who volunteered their parking lots for drive-through testing. The US is short on tests and testing procedures because it rejected a test provided by the World Health Organization, and had the CDC make their own, flawed version. Plus, siloed public and private healthcare in the US means there’s no national testing procedures or even a central tracking database.

Schools have extended spring break, sporting events have barred spectators, parades, church services, and concerts are canceled, Disneyland is closed, and the NBA season has been postponed. Airlines have canceled flights and laid-off workers, and restaurants are closing seating areas, operating only the drive-through. US stock markets recovered nearly 10% today on news of the national emergency and federal stimulus proposals but were down 10% for the week.

Over the weekend Australia imposed a fourteen-day quarantine for all new arrivals, UK announced plans to isolate those over 70 years old, and testing of Americans inbound from Europe saw confusion and long delays at US airports. Uneasy citizens practiced “social distancing” as prescribed by health officials, even while queuing to panic buy any remaining toilet paper and bottled water left on the shelves. Some health officials say more than half the population of some countries may become infected, so the priority is containment and quarantine to “flatten the curve” of infections so the spike of patients doesn’t overwhelm the fixed capacity of healthcare supply. On Sunday, the US Federal Reserve cut interest rates to almost zero and launched a $700B stimulus program.

And for the first time in recent memory, news headlines were free of Greta Thunberg.

March 12 – Stocks Dive After US Bans Travel From Europe

President Trump banned non-Americans traveling to the US from 26 European countries, not including the UK and Ireland, effective tomorrow. Even worse, Ireland canceled St. Patrick’s Day festivities. The day ended with a 10% dive of US markets, the largest single-day decline since Black Monday in 1987.

March 11 – Pandemic Declared

The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared Covid-19 a pandemic. In New York National Guard troops delivered food to people inside the quarantine zone in new Rochelle, just north of New York City. Google and other companies are telling employees to work from home. The worldwide death toll has surpassed 4,200, mostly in China, but at least 168 coronavirus victims died in Italy.

About 80% of the cases were mild, but the virus had a fatality rate of 2-3%. In comparison, the flu killed tens of thousands of Americans this winter, with a mortality rate of 0.05-0.1%.

In the US where there are more than 1,000 cases, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told Congress that Americans must immediately change their everyday lives to prevent catching or spreading the virus.

March 9 – Stock Market Drops

The FTSE index lost 8% before opening, and in the US the NYSE lost 6% which automatically halted trading temporarily. Oversupply and lower demand due to coronavirus, plus a crude oil price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia drove down markets sharply. Russia’s price war is part of Vladimir Putin’s strategy to take market share from Saudi Arabia and cripple shale-oil production in the US, where oil companies are preparing to cut investment and drilling plans due to plunging prices. 

Beyond the economic impact on the coronavirus worldwide, traders are scared of Donald Trump losing the November election due to a stalled economy. Both indexes rebounded the next day on news the Federal government is working on a stimulus package for hard-hit industries, but remain down from historic highs only a month ago.

March 2 – Hoarding Begins in the US

The beginning of March saw “spontaneous” cases in the US and American online shoppers searching Google for “can you get coronavirus buying products from China”. Conferences and sporting events worldwide have been canceled, and Italy has closed all schools.

With US deaths from #COVID19 still in single digits, the first days of March saw Walmart, Home Depot, pharmacies and hardware stores already running out of N95 respirator masks. Price gouging quickly followed on Amazon where shoppers searched for “N95 Mask” almost a million times in February, compared to a few thousand searches in December. The CDC is stockpiling respirators for healthcare workers, even while saying that wearing a surgical mask (alone) doesn’t stop virus spread in the general population.

Related: Does an N95 Mask Protect Against Coronavirus?

February 2020 – Coronavirus Named, Continues Spreading

The new official name for the virus, Covid-19, was announced as the death toll reached 1,000. In China, the lunar new year holiday was extended to help stop the spread of the virus. Major factories closed, airlines suspended service, and uncertainty caused sell-offs in stock markets.

More news: What Happened in February 2020?

South Korea had the most cases outside China, spread in the compound of the religious group Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The Diamond Princess cruise ship was initially not allowed to dock after some of the 3,700 passengers contracted Covid-19. American passengers were evacuated and spent 14 days in quarantine on military bases before being released. Other passengers remained aboard for 14 days and were allowed to leave only after testing negative for the virus. Among the first infections in Iran was the Deputy of Health. To prevent panic Iranian police arrested citizens for spreading rumors about the virus on social media. At a White House briefing, President Trump announced Vice President Mike Pence would be “in charge” of the U.S. response to the coronavirus. Trump claimed “tremendous success” in keeping US infections low, citing travel restrictions and promising to spend billions to fight the outbreak.

February ended with Covid-19 infecting more than 80,000 people and killing nearly 2,800. The virus has spread to 47 countries, with the most cases in China. While there are only a handful of cases in the US, the CDC warned Americans to brace for its spread. Thanks to social media and the hashtag #Covid19, new cases worldwide are reported and quarantined almost instantly, but health officials warn the virus could still develop into a pandemic.

More: What happened in February 2020?

January – Flu and Virus Outbreaks and the Employment Rate

Cities in China went into lockdown over deaths from a new SARS-like coronavirus that likely jumped from animal to human in a seafood market known for sales of bushmeat. First detected in the central city of Wuhan with 11 million residents, the “Wuhan flu”, officially named 2019-nCoV, spread to Huanggang and other cities quickly. Chinese authorities halted all planes, trains, and busses, and closed cafes, cinemas, and theaters during the Chinese New Year to slow the spread.

In the US, airports are screening visitors from areas infected by Wuhan flu, while an early start to the flu season and a rise in B strain infections, against which the flu shot was ineffective, led to millions of cases and thousands of deaths. High employment helps spread the flu, with each 1-percentage point increase in the employment rate leading to a 16% rise in flu-related doctors’ visits. The US employment rate is nearly 72% or pre-2008 recession level.

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