PART II:
Part I of 5 years since COVID: 2020 Year In Review, explored areas of the impact of COVID-19 had on education. Part II covers the first cases of COVID, along with deeper global impacts including politics, celebrities, culture, and sports.
First Discoveries of COVID-19
In the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak, change happened fast, and uncertainty soon became the new normal. What began as various reports of an unknown illness quickly escalated into a global health emergency. The first case of the coronavirus was reported on January 20th, traced back to a man who had recently returned from China. This was just the beginning, as the virus began to spread rapidly, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to make some hard decisions fast. Ten days later, on January 30th, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a public health emergency. The next day, January 31, President Trump banned travel from China. On February 29th, The first COVID-19 death was reported in the U.S before several previous deaths were discovered. Just 11 days later on March 11th, The WHO announced the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic.
COVID-19 in Oklahoma
From March 11th, 2020 to April 8th, 2021, SWOSU issued several Coronavirus announcements and updates to keep students, faculty, and staff updated on how COVID would affect both the college and the state of Oklahoma as well as resources on what to do if you’re feeling like you may have contracted the virus. To see all given updates, visit https://bulldog.swosu.edu/_resources/archive/announcements.php
On April 2nd, 2020 Governor Kevin Stitt issued the Eighth Amended Executive Order 2020-07 which lists orders given from Governor Stitt on protecting Oklahomans against the threat of COVID. Items discussed in the executive order included all things from healthcare workers, to no out-of-state travel of state employees, to even regulations of some pharmacy drug prescriptions. The first listed order states that the 19 people reported with the virus are a threat to all 77 counties. Shortly followed by #17, of the recommendation of adults over 65 with underlying medical conditions to stay home unless working at a critical place of business or to run necessary errands. Additionally, for the time being gatherings of 10 or more people would be prohibited in #19, including businesses that had more than 10 employees working at 1 time, forces them to get creative with complying with this order. See the full executive order here https://www.sos.ok.gov/documents/executive/1928.pdf. The city of Weatherford complied with orders given by Gov. Stitt until a November 2020 Council meeting when it was voted 3-2 on a No Mask Mandate.
Impacts of 2020 around the globe
Although COVID-19 left a devastating impact on the world, it wasn’t the only event that happened in 2020. Ending sight of an Australian wildfire season that lasted nearly nine months, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down from royal duties, Joe Biden announcing Kamala Harris as his Vice President running mate, BidenHarris eventually winning the election and the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the 49ers to claim the Super Bowl LIV title. 2020 was a wild time for everyone, and here’s a small glimpse back at a time when it felt like nothing could go right.
Before COVID 19 was a major issue, on February 2nd, Andy Reid and The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the 49ers for the Super Bowl LIV title. Happening in Politics and also before the pandemic, on January 8th, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they will be stepping down from royal duties. On a more sensitive topic, one of the biggest events that will never be forgotten in 2020 is the death of George Floyd on May 25th, 2020. Additionally, several Black Lives Matters rallies took place in the summer of 2020. In the midst of the pandemic on August 11th, Joe Biden announced Kamala Harris as his Vice President running mate. Weeks later after the election on December 14th, It is announced that Joe Biden secured enough electoral votes to win the presidency.
In conclusion, looking back on 2020, it’s clear that the year was full of challenges no one could’ve ever imagined. From the rapid spread of COVID-19 to political events and social issues, everything changed. While 2020 might have been a tough year, there is no doubt that it also showed how strong people can be when they face times like this together.
Coming up in the last part of 5 years since COVID: 2020 Year In Review, we’ll explore Births,Deaths, and growing up in a global pandemic.
