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August

White House Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator Deborah Birx warns that COVID is now more “widespread” than ever, a comment which Trump describes as “pathetic.”

Fauci defends Birx from Trump’s criticism, and also says a recent “surge” in cases should lead states to reconsider lockdowns. Media follows his lead advocating for more lockdowns as well.

Parents tired of school closures look into creating learning “pods” or small groups for their children’s private tutoring.

As policy makers begin shutting down schools or delaying reopening for the fall, some organizations warn this will lead to catastrophic learning losses. Masks are also being worn by children in classrooms.

Multiple states and localities launch COVID exposure apps to conduct “contact tracing.”

Reporting continues on the “disproportionate impact” of COVID-19 on racial and sexual minorities. The New York Federal Reserve says black-owned businesses need more aid because they have been hit harder. Another study suggest women of color impacted by “pandemic joblessness” at a higher rate than others.

As vaccine developments progress, debate rages over how to coerce people into taking the vaccine, with some opinion pieces advocating mandates. One USA Today piece says “Defeat COVID-19 by requiring vaccination for all. It's not un-American, it's patriotic.”

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was held in South Dakota over the weekend of August 8-9, much to the anger of the media as attendees were largely defiant of COVID-19 social distancing and masking recommendations.

The event was deemed a ‘superspreader’ and was the subject of multiple reports and think pieces concerning the disease spread and the number of people killed by COVID-19. The left-wing “March on Washington” also in August recieved no such scrutiny.

On August 10 Trump announced Scott Atlas would join his administration as an advisor. Atlas’ skepticism of mask mandates and social distancing measures draw immediate criticism from many news outlets and cause tension with Birx and Fauci.

Novavax, which is working on a traditional vaccine (as opposed to mRNA) announces new trials. Canada puts in an early order for 76 million doses.

Freeing prisoners as a means of preventing the spread of COVID-19 has been a point of policy advocacy in the media and think tanks from almost the very beginning. August is no different, and some states and localities do take action on these policies this month.

Some context is added to the COVID-19 death toll as CDC concedes 94% of those that died with COVID had other underlying conditions.

Key Dates and Stories:

  • August 2: Birx warns US is ‘in a new phase’ of coronavirus pandemic with more widespread cases
  • August 3: Fauci says states seeing surge in COVID-19 cases should reconsider some lockdown measures
  • August 4: U.N. chief warns world faces 'generational catastrophe' because of COVID-19 school closures
  • August 5: Johnson & Johnson reaches deal with U.S. for 100 million doses of coronavirus vaccine at more than $1 billion
  • August 8: Federal spending on COVID-19 vaccine candidates tops $9 billion, spread among 7 companies
  • August 9: Scenes From a Biker Rally, Undaunted by the Virus
  • August 9: Amid COVID-19, California releases some inmates doing time for murder. Advocates push to free more
  • August 10: Trump brings Scott Atlas on as an advisor on COVID-19 matters
  • August 11: Russia becomes first country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine, says Putin
  • August 13: Joe Biden calls for a nationwide mask mandate as he pushes his plan to combat coronavirus
  • August 20: The Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden has just been banned from Delta for refusing to wear a mask
  • August 22: Children over 12 should wear face masks to combat Covid, says WHO
  • August 23: Trump, without evidence, accuses FDA of delaying coronavirus vaccine trials and pressures agency chief
  • August 28: “March on Washington” sees tens of thousands of people come to D.C. to protest racial justice
  • August 28: Trump announces $750 million deal with Abbott Labs for 150 million rapid COVID tests
  • August 30: New CDC report shows 94% of COVID-19 deaths in US had contributing conditions

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