COVID, THE WORLD AND STLCC A timeline of the events of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its effects on the world and STLCC. jacob politte online editor
2019: Dec. 31: The World Health Organization (WHO) is first informed of cases of pneumonia of an unknown cause in Wuhan City, China.
2020: Jan. 7: A novel coronavirus, “COVID-19” was identified as the cause of the pneumonia cases by Chinese authorities. Jan. 28,: Then President Trump is officially briefed on the COVID-19 virus, and is warned by officials that his response to the virus will be “the biggest national security threat you face in your presidency.” He chooses to downplay it in the coming months. Feb. 7: In an interview with Bob Woodward of the Washington Post for his book “RAGE” Trump reveals that he is fully aware of the severe consequences of the pandemic. “It’s also more deadly than even your strenuous flu... this is deadly stuff.” In another interview with Woodward a month later, he admits to playing the virus down. “I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down… because I don’t want to create a panic.” Mar. 9: An individual unknowingly carrying the COVID-19 virus is present on the Forest Park campus.
Mar. 25: The Meramec Montage suspends its print editions for the remainder of the semester. Mar. 30: All on-campus classes are canceled and moved online for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. Classes that involved a lab or studio component that couldn’t be converted online are “paused.” Apr. 1: All STLCC outdoor athletic facilities were secured and made inaccessible “until further notice.” Apr. 6: The reported COVID-19 death toll in the United States passes 10,000. Apr. 14: STLCC announces that all summer courses will be held online. Apr. 24: The reported COVID-19 death toll in the United States passes 50,000. May 16: STLCC campuses are reopened to most janitorial staff. Many STLCC employees continue to work from home. May 28: The reported COVID-19 death toll in the United States passes 100,000.
Mar. 12: STLCC Chancellor Jeff Pittman releases an email announcing that STLCC will continue on with on-campus classes, but admitting that the situation is an evolving one. Meanwhile, an individual unknowingly carrying COVID-19 is present on the Meramec campus.
May 29: The Trump Administration announces its intent to terminate the United States’ affiliation with the WHO. Jun. 1: Chancellor Pittman announces in a Press Release that due to an “impending budget shortfall” that will negatively affect colleges throughout Missouri, Senior Members of STLCC leadership (including Meramec President Feleccia Moore-Davis and himself) will each be taking one day of furlough a month through the end of the year starting the following month. He also announces the freezing of a high number of vacant positions, the suspension of the travel budget and reduction of professional development and operational costs.
Mar. 13: STLCC’s Spring Break is extended by one week. Meanwhile, an individual unknowingly carrying COVID-19 is present on the Florissant Valley campus.
Jun. 22: An college employee unknowingly carrying COVID-19 is present at various locations on the Forest Park campus. They tested positive four days afterward.
Mar. 18: STLCC’s Spring 2020 commencement is postponed until December. Non-essential employees are designated to work from home.
Jul. 28: The reported COVID-19 death toll in the United States passes 150,000.
Mar. 11: WHO officially recognizes COVID-19 as a pandemic due to its alarming spread and severity worldwide. NBA shuts down operations, and the rest of the sports world begins to follow suit.
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