Member-only story
Making Sense of 2020 in America
This year has been one of the most difficult, craziest years in recent history. On New Year’s day we had no idea what we were about to endure.
By January, rumblings of a contagious virus in Wuhan, China was hitting the news. My daughter’s dream of a study abroad in Shanghai was postponed indefinitely. Cases began popping up outside of China, spreading into Europe. By February, New York and California were reporting cases. Colleges were being shut down and eventually lower education schools were closed and virtual learning was thrust into gear.
Medical experts warned of dire consequences if strict measures were not adhered to. Americans were urged to stay at home to prevent a surge of cases, while medical supplies could catch up to demand.
As I write this the United States has now surpassed 215,000 deaths from Covid-19 and even the President has tested positive. It is now the middle of October and we are still encouraged by medical experts to social distance and wear masks due to the iminent threat of a fall surge.
Throughout these last 9 months we have also witnessed natural disasters no doubt contributed by climate change, bush fires in Australia, hurricaines, and more fires in California.