10
January 2021
www.GlobeMiamiTimes.com
A Look at Covid-19WORLD inVIEW DECEMBER Pandemic by the Numbers WORLD VIEW WORLD VIEW
✦ The world began the month of December with approximately 63.6 million confirmed cases and 1,477,000 deaths, and ended the month with approximately 83.9 million cases and 1.8 million deaths. This is an increase of roughly 20.3 million cases and 323,000 deaths during December. For comparison, during November, the number of cases increased by 17.6 million and deaths increased by 282,518. https://bit.ly/38lOjOo, https://bloom.bg/3pP92QG
ARIZONA VIEW ARIZONA VIEW
✦ The United States began the month of December with approximately 13.7 million confirmed cases and 270,000 deaths, and ended it with approximately 19.7 million cases and 336,779 deaths: an increase of roughly 6 million cases and 67,000 deaths during December. For comparison, in November those numbers were 4.55 million new cases and 38,000 deaths, and in October, there were 1.85 million new new cases and 24,000 deaths.
USA VIEW USA VIEW
GLOBE-MIAMI ✦ OnVIEW December 3, the U.S. recorded more than 3,100 COVID deaths in one day, GLOBE-MIAMI making it the worst day for the country since the pandemic began. The highest daily VIEW death toll during the spring surge was 2,752. The country set another record two weeks later, on December 17, with 3,656 people dying in a single day. https://nyti.ms/38iM2DF, https://nbcnews.to/3bc01NH ✦ December 11, experts estimated that COVID-19 will cause more deaths than 9/11 or Pearl Harbor every day for the next 60 to 90 days. On 9/11 nearly 3,000 people died, and at Pearl Harbor about 2,400 people were killed. https://wapo.st/3omNzOS ✦ By December 21, an American was dying every 33 seconds of COVID-19, according to the Washington Post. https://wapo.st/35daKn6 ✦ December 26, US case numbers passed 19 million, which means at least 1 in every 17 people has been infected. And with a death toll of 332,000, one in every 1,000 Americans has died. Dr. Fauci described the current surge in cases as a surge “that has just gotten out of control in many respects.” https://bloom.bg/3pWMzRK, https://nyti. ms/38m8c8a, https://wapo.st/3s2wjk0, https://cbsn.ws/3oyf8oc, https://bit.ly/2MFKE5T, https://cnn.it/38i7J71
I believe this (the vaccine) is the weapon that will end the war.” ~ New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo
✦ December was devastating in Arizona. The state began December with about 337,139 confirmed cases and 6,687 deaths, and ended it with an estimated 520,207 cases and 8,864 deaths: an increase of roughly 183,068 cases and 2,177 deaths during December. In November, those numbers had been 91,193 cases and 521 deaths.
ARIZONA VIEW
✦ During the month, Arizona’s Rt ranged between 1.04 and 1.22. For five days in December (the 11th through 13th, the 16th, and the 17th), Arizona was the top state in the nation for rate of spread. https://bit.ly/3bcSiib
USA VIEW
GLOBE-MIAMI GILAVIEW COUNTY
✦ According to numbers from AZDHHS, Gila County began the month of December with 3,076 confirmed cases and 93 deaths, and ended it with a total of about 4,517 cases and approximately 135 deaths: an increase of 1,441 cases and 42 deaths during December. In November, the number of deaths was 17 and the number of new cases was 1,087.
PERSONAL IMPACTS
WORLD VIEW WORLD VIEW
✦ A new coronavirus began to spread quickly in the United Kingdom in mid December. This new variant spreads much more easily than the original one, but thankfully is not considered to be more deadly. https://bloom.bg/2JTu1mc
✦ Around the world, the holiday season was tamped down by the pandemic. The Netherlands was under a strict five-week lockdown. The rules were eased slightly to allow household to have three instead of the usual two guests. People in the United Kingdom could travel and get together between December 23 and 27 – but there was a limit to three households for “Christmas bubbles.” Italy was under a nationwide curfew and partial lockdown. https://bbc. in/3oy8ZbC
ARIZONA VIEW ARIZONA VIEW USA VIEW USA VIEW
✦ December 2, Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the CDC, warned that the coming winter could be “the most difficult time in the public health history of this nation.” He said “December and January and February are going to be rough times” and estimated that deaths from COVID could come “close to 450,000” by February, without a large number of Americans embracing social distancing and masks. According to the White House coronavirus task force, “we are in a very dangerous place” and “the COVID risk to all Americans is at a historic high.” https://nyti.ms/3rYebb3, https:// cnn.it/3beWu0Z
GLOBE-MIAMI VIEW GLOBE-MIAMI VIEW
✦ Despite the worsening pandemic numbers, the CDC actually shortened its 14-day coronavirus quarantine guidance, hoping it would boost compliance. The CDC reduced its recommendation to a 7-day or 10-day quarantine, depending on a person’s test results and symptoms. A CDC official said, “Reducing the length of quarantine may make it easier for people to take this critical public health action by reducing the economic hardship associated with a longer period, especially if they cannot work during that time.” ✦ Throughout December, Congress politicked over aid proposals and failed to deliver a stimulus/relief package until the end of the month. First, a bipartisan group of senators introduced a $908 billion proposal, which Mitch McConnell immediately rejected. The Trump administration proposed a $916 billion package, which included $300 per week unemployment supplements but no individual stimulus payments. By the middle of the month, Congress and the White House were in talks over a $900 billion deal that would provide $600 direct payments, enhanced federal unemployment insurance, roughly $300 billion in PPP loans, funds for testing and vaccine distribution, and relief for hospitals – but no new money for state or local governments. They came to an agreement on the 21st, and the Senate approved the package on the 22nd, but Donald Trump refused to sign it, saying he wanted to increase the amount of the direct stimulus checks to $2,000. Trump finally signed off on the package on the 29th. By then, however, two unemployment programs had expired, leaving 14 million unemployed Americans to face delays in benefits. Meanwhile, the House passed a bill to increase stimulus payments to $2,000, but Mitch McConnell blocked it – suggesting that the Senate would consider larger payments later. ✦ According to the Washington Post, 54 million Americans are facing hunger in 2020 – 45% more than in 2019. As they run out of stimulus funds, many are turning to shoplifting for food. https://wapo.st/3noTKjY ✦ In December, Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s lawyer Jenna Ellis, and California Republican senator Devin Nunes all tested positive for the coronavirus. https://bit.ly/3pULMAL, https:// cnn.it/2JOCabq, https://bit.ly/3pTp2kM
WORLD VIEW
ARIZONA VIEW
✦ December 2, The Arizona Medical Association warned that the health care system could soon become overwhelmed. On December 4, only 9% of ICU beds statewide were available.
✦ Amid increased spread of COVID-19, Arizona cities, counties and organizations took steps to reduce the spread. Tucson imposed a three-week curfew. Pima County also enacted a nighttime curfew. The Phoenix City Council canceled sporting events at city fields and parks. Playgrounds and grass areas remained open for use. Tempe re-closed its gyms and fitness centers and called off sports tournaments. The University of Arizona started requiring visitors to campus to get tested before their visit. Maricopa County suspended civil jury trails through February. Mesa public schools decided to return to online learning for two weeks in January.
USA VIEW
GLOBE-MIAMI VIEW
✦ In better news, MLB told managers to plan on spring training starting on time in February. https://bit.ly/35hg4G7
