Anika Kasula | ’20-’21 Director of Fundraising
HOW COVID-19 SPREAD
The coronavirus is currently a common household name that is affecting almost every single person on this planet. Recently, the United States of America has proved to be the country with the most number of Covid-19 cases and deaths. Here is a quick timeline of how this virus was able to take a hold of one of a once invincible nation. Jan 15, 2020 - The virus was first brought into the United States after a 30-year-old man returned to Washington State after a trip to Wuhan, China (where the virus was thought to have first risen). Jan 21, 2020 - Upon developing symptoms of the coronavirus, the 30-year-old was confirmed to be the first case of COVID-19 in America Jan 23, 2020 - The WHO declares Covid-19 a global-health emergency Jan 24, 2020 - Head of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases tells US citizens that the risk of getting the coronavirus is low, claiming that the death rate due to this virus is lower than that of the flu. However, we now know this statement to be false. Jan 29, 2020 - An American came to Alaska from Wuhan and was not checked for the virus Jan 30, 2020 - The first person-to-person-transmission of the virus was in Chicago, when the husband of a woman who visited China contracted the virus. Jan 31, 2020 - People who came from China to the US were ordered to be in quarantine by President Trump. Feb 2, 2020 - President Trump restricts travel from China to the United States.
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Feb 6, 2020 - First Covid-19 death in the United States (in the Santa Clara County); the first death was thought to be in Seattle on Feb 28, but autopsies show that the novel corona virus was the reason for a death in California on Feb 6, proving that California was introduced to the coronavirus long before previously thought. Feb 7, 2020 - The US donated millions of dollars worth of medical supplies to other countries where Covid-19 was significantly affecting their citizens Feb 11, 2020 - President Trump claims that Covid-19 will disappear once the temperature rises, in order to assure US citizens that they have nothing to worry about concerning the virus. Feb 29, 2020 - The FDA made sure to allow hospitals around the US access to Covid-19 testing facilities. Mar 3, 2020 - The US has more than 30 cases; it was announced that testing for the virus would be free for all. Mar 11, 2020 - President Trump heavily restricted travel to countries in Europe as well. Covod-19 is considered a pandemic. In a matter of eight days, the number of coronavirus cases went from 100 to 1,000. March 13, 2020 - The coronavirus is issued a national emergency in the US. Schools and workplaces began shutting down, as people were starting to practice social distancing. March 17, 2020 - Covid-19 is proven to last in the air for three hours, shutting down the theory that it is not an airborne disease. It was also discovered that the virus could last on solid surfaces for up to three days. March 19, 2020 - There are more than 10,000 cases in the US. In eight days, the cases went from 1,000 to 10,000. Stay-at-home orders (state-wide quarantine) were first issued in California.
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