The COVID-19 History Project

This really happened.

This Day in COVID: August 15, 2020

Timeline: WHO's response to the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing controversy

As an independent evaluation of the WHO's response remains underway, here's a look at some steps taken by the U.N. body and the ensuing controversy that unfolded.

ABC

Privileged parents form COVID pandemic pods that widen education gaps. We can do better.

USA Today

Dismiss Minor Misdemeanors During the Pandemic

The business-as-usual approach to minor offenses is immoral and dangerous.

The Atlantic

A Connecticut inmate killed himself with a mask meant to prevent the spread of Covid-19, officials say

CNN

We’re not ready to return to in-class learning

The Hill

Defund the police? It’s already happening thanks to the Covid-19 budget crunch

The decision about how much spending needs to be cut, and from where, will be up to each state’s bank balance and the political makeup of its government.

Politico

Vaccines are safe. But huge numbers of people around the world say they wouldn’t take a Covid jab

CNN

South Korea, U.S. delay military drills over COVID-19 concerns

Reuters

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 15, 2021

Details

Mississippi governor says request for military hospital ship denied

The United States is facing a COVID-19 surge this summer as the more contagious delta variant spreads.

ABC News

More than 1,900 children hospitalized with COVID-19 in the US as country battles the Delta surge

As of Saturday, a record number of children were hospitalized with COVID-19 in the United States, as the country grapples with the Delta variant.

Business Insider

South Dakota governor calls the Sturgis rally with hundreds of thousands of attendees 'a fantastic event' as COVID-19 cases spike

Top US health officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, voiced concerns over the Sturgis rally, citing how COVID-19 cases spiked after the 2020 event.

Business Insider

France: Over 200,000 protest against coronavirus health pass – DW – 08/15/2021

Protesters are angered by a policy that requires people to show proof of vaccination to enter public places, such as restaurants or movie theaters. Eleven people were detained as part of the demonstrations.

Vaccine patents battle intensifies as poor nations struggle in war on coronavirus

Pharmaceutical industry and health officials lock horns over intellectual property waivers for Covid-19 jabs

Financial Times

San Diego County Sheriff's Department halts jail visits amid coronavirus outbreak

At least 73 active cases of COVID-19 were reported Friday, the majority of them at George F. Bailey Detention Facility.

Los Angeles Times

‘Easy money’: How international scam artists pulled off an epic theft of Covid benefits

Russian mobsters, Chinese hackers and Nigerian scammers have used stolen identities to plunder tens of billions of dollars in pandemic aid, officials say.

NBC News

As Infections Rise, C.D.C. Urges Some Vaccinated Americans to Wear Masks Again (Published 2021)

The New York Times

Fauci calls booster shots ‘likely,’ not now but in future, citing early signs that vaccine immunity may wane.

The New York Times

Iran’s Health System ‘Beyond Disastrous’ From Covid Surge (Published 2021)

The New York Times

Inside America’s Covid-reporting breakdown

Politico

The Messiest Phase of the Pandemic Yet

Coronavirus data have always been incomplete—but the situation in America is particularly murky now.

The Atlantic

Name-calling, canceled meetings, pleas from students: A week of school mask mandate chaos

A New York school board meeting was canceled. A Tennessee meeting devolved into name-calling. A 12-year-old pleaded for masks for her younger brother.

USA Today

Iceland has been a vaccination success. Why is it seeing a coronavirus surge?

The Washington Post

Facts, fears and the evolution of masking throughout the COVID-19 pandemic

As we likely settle into a long-term relationship with COVID-19, this new relationship will not likely leave masks forgotten.

The Conversation

Despite Census numbers, COVID pandemic exodus continues in NYC

The Census highlighted New York City's booming population over the past decade, but it doesn't take into account those who have fled the city during the pandemic.

ABC7 New York

Pret a Manger in post-pandemic plan to expand beyond big city centres

Restaurant to open about 100 outlets and 100 franchises, as branches in regional towns ‘busier than ever’

The Guardian

Right out there: how the pandemic has given rise to extreme views and fractured conservative politics

Great crises have historically given impetus to right-wing mobilisation, and the COVID pandemic is no exception. However, it’s not always to the right’s benefit.

The Conversation

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on microbial and metals contaminations in a part of Thirumanimuthar River, South India: A comparative health hazard perspective

ScienceDirect.com

Post COVID-19 pandemic: Biofragmentation and soil ecotoxicological effects of microplastics derived from face masks

ScienceDirect.com