The COVID-19 History Project

This really happened.

This Day in COVID: August 21, 2020

New Research Suggests In-Person Voting May Be Less Risky Than Previously Thought

The report concludes Wisconsin voters who braved the pandemic and went to the polls in April did not see a surge in COVID-19 infections, although another study reaches the opposite conclusion.

NPR

Chilean policeman appears in court over blinding of protest student

Reuters

Senator drops F-bombs as he struggles to unmute in Post Office hearing

Reuters

More research needed on coronavirus mutations, WHO says

Reuters

WHO chief hopes coronavirus pandemic will last less than two years

Reuters

South Africa's COVID-19 infections breach 600,000 mark

Reuters

COVID-19 Is Prompting Wealthy People to Move Out of Cities. The Plague Had the Same Effect Hundreds of Years Ago

The coronavirus pandemic is by no means the first time wealth has enabled mobility in a time of crisis. Case in point: Henry VIII

Time

Severe inhumanity': California prisons overwhelmed by Covid outbreaks and approaching fires

Families of prisoners declare public health and human rights catastrophes as officials resist calls to evacuate as virus spreads

The Guardian

How COVID-19 Is Upending Extracurriculars

US News

Inflammation: the key factor that explains vulnerability to severe COVID

The Conversation

Our Mission

The COVID-19 History Project is a curated archive of the events and policy decisions surrounding the emergence of COVID-19.

The pandemic era of 2020-2022 saw massive increases in restrictions on daily life—enforced by the government and by social stigma—accompanied social protests that roiled cities worldwide

In the United States alone, trillions of dollars were spent by the federal government to offset the forced closure of businesses and the devastation of normal life.

The impacts of these policy decisions are still being felt today.

Some would like us to forget the actions and people that played a significant role during the pandemic.

But we of the COVID-19 History Project don't want to forget. Through our work, we hope there will always be an archive to learn from and interpret this fascinating, disturbing, time in world history.

The Timeline

In order to learn from the mistakes of the past, and give COVID-19 decision makers the credit—both good and bad—they deserve, we have compiled a media timeline from every day of the pandemic.

We have endeavored to make the timeline comprehensive without being duplicative, following the major trends as they unfolded.

We provided analyses for each month highlighting major events, but encourage readers to make their own conclusions about these events as well.

This Day in COVID: August 21, 2021

Details

Mask, vaccine conflicts descend into violence and harassment

AP News

Sean Penn compares being unvaccinated with pointing a gun at someone | CNN

CNN

Australia: Scores arrested at anti-coronavirus lockdown protests

At least seven police officers injured amid nationwide demonstrations against government’s COVID containment measures.

Al Jazeera

Can neobanks’ popularity outlast the pandemic?

The fintechs saw a surge of interest during lockdown. Now to turn a profit

The Economist

Trump Rally Today In Cullman, Alabama, Despite Declared Covid-19 Coronavirus Emergency

Alabama has run out of intensive care unit (ICUs) and has one of the lowest Covid-19 vaccination rates in the country.

Forbes

Radio host who regretted vaccine skepticism dies of Covid-19

"I know if he were able to tell you this, he would tell you, 'Go get vaccinated,'" said Phil Valentine's brother, Mark Valentine.

NBC News

Facebook's Most Viewed Article In Early 2021 Raised Doubt About COVID Vaccine

The social network acknowledged it had held back a report about the most viewed content on its platform in the first three months of 2021.

NPR

With Officials’ Backing, Dubious Virus Remedies Surge in Latin America (Published 2020)

The New York Times

Video: Opinion | Dying in the Name of Vaccine Freedom

In Arkansas, many are choosing personal liberty over vaccination — at a heavy cost.

The New York Times

Epidemiological Update: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - 21 August 2021

As of 20 August 2021, 210,112,064 confirmed cumulative cases of COVID-19 have been reported globally, including 4,403,765 deaths, for which the Region of the Americas contributed 39% of cases and 47% of deaths.

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

How music helped people cope with COVID-19 stress

The World Economic Forum

Sri Lanka announces lockdown as coronavirus cases surge, president to address nation

Reuters