Page 130 - 2020

GLOBAL EVENTS SHUmOWN
On a scale rarely witnessed, events and entertain-
ment venues around the world were postponed or
cancelled. In North America, the CDC recommended that no
mass gathering around the U.S. with more than 50 people be held for
a period of 8 weeks. The NHL, NBA, MLB, PGA and virtually all sporting events were either cancelled or moved ahead without spectators.
As knowledge and public awareness regarding the spread of the virus increased, churches, schools, daycares, museums, tourist sites and other public venues where people congregate en masse worldwide were closed indefinitely. Workplaces began to implement 'work from home' procedures while smaller business were simply closed until further notice.
PANDEMIC CHRONOLOGY
DEC. 31, 2019: WHO SAYS MYSTERIOUS PNEUMONIA SICKENING DOZENS IN CHINA Health authorities in China confirm that dozens of people in Wuhan, China, are being treated for pneumonia from an unknown source. Many of those sickened had visited a live animal market in Wuhan, but authorities say there is no evidence of the virus spreading from person to person.
JAN.11, 2020: CHINA REPORTS 1ST NOVEL CORONAVIRUS DEATH Chinese state media reports the first death from novel coronavirus, a 61-year-old man who had visited the live animal market in Wuhan.
JAN. 21, 2020: 1ST CONFIRMED CASE IN THE UNITED STATES A man in his 30s from Washington state, who traveled to Wuhan, is diagnosed with novel coronavlrus. Japan, South Korea and Thailand also report their first cases one day prior.
JAN. 23, 2020: CHINA IMPOSES STRICT LOCKDOWN IN WUHAN China imposes aggressive containment measures in Wuhan, the epicenter of the out- break, suspending flights and trains and shutting down subways, buses and ferries in an attempt to stem the spread of the vjrus.
JAN. 30,2020: WHO DECLARES GLOBAL HEALTH EMERGENCY For the sixth time in history, the World Health Organization declares a "public health emergency of international concern," a designation reserved for extraordinary events that threaten to spread internationally.
FEB. 5, 2020: DIAMOND PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP QUARANTINED More than 3,600 passengers are quarantined on a cruise ship off the coast of Yokohama, Japan, while passengers and crew undergo health screenings. The number of confirmed cases on board the ship would eventually swell to more than 700, making it one of the largest outbreaks outside of China.
FEB.11, 2020: NOVEL CORONAVIRUS RENAMED COVID-19 The World Health Organization announces that novel coronavirus' formal new name is COVID-19. "Co" stands for coronavirus, "Vi" is for virus and "D" is for disease. Health officials purposely avoid naming COVID-19 after a geographical location, animal or group of people, so as not to stigmatize people or places.
FEB. 26, 2020: 1ST CASE OF SUSPECTED LOCAL TRANSMISSION IN U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirm the first case of COVID-19 in a patient in California with no travel history to an outbreak area, nor contact with anyone
diagnosed with the virus. It's suspected to be the first instance of local transmission in the United States. Oregon, Washington and New York soon report their own cases of possible community transmission.
FEB. 29,2020: 1ST DEATH REPORTED IN UNITED STATES The first COVID-19 death Is reported in Washington state, after a man with no travel history to China dies on Feb. 28 at Evergreen Health Medical Center in Kirkland, Washington. Two deaths that occurred Feb. 26 at a nearby nursing home would later be recorded as the first COVID-19 deaths to occur in the United States.
MARCH 3, 2020: CDC LIFTS RESTRICTIONS FOR VIRUS TESTING The CDC issues new guidance that allows anyone to be tested for the virus without restriction. Previously, only those who had traveled to an outbreak area, who had close contact with people diagnosed with COVID-19, or those with severe symptoms, could get tested.
MARCH 11,2020: COVID-19 DECLARED PANDEMIC The WHO declares COVID-19 a pandemic, with reported cases on every continent with the exception of Antartica.
MARCH 13, 2020: PRESIDENT TRUMP DECLARES NATIONAL EMERGENCY President Trump says he will open up $50 Billion in federal funding to fight Covid-19.
MARCH 23, 2020: HEAVILY POPULATED U.S. STATES SHUTTING DOWN By March 23, California, New York, Illinois, Texas, Nevada, New Jersey and Florida had ordered most businesses closed and people to stay inside.