Headed for Harder Times (Pandemic Part XIV)

A deadly virus spreading unchecked throughout the country, a disinterested president steeped in denial, a drawn-out election, and the same president unwilling to admit defeat. Yeah, we're in a mess o' hurt.

Mon., Oct. 26

• The country hit its highest seven-day rolling average so far: 68,000.
• Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed as Supreme Court justice by the Senate, and Trump held a swearing-in ceremony on the South Lawn of White House.

Tues., Oct. 27

• The White House issued a news release that listed ending the pandemic as one of Trump's accomplishments. 

Thurs., Oct. 29

• There were 85,000 daily new cases in the country, a new record.

Fri., Oct. 30

• The U.S. was adding a case every second; 90,000 new cases.
• The country surpassed nine million cases, and the last million cases were added in the last two weeks.
• There were more than 1,000 deaths yesterday.
• The University of Washington model said there would be 399,000 Americans dead from the virus by February, considering what states would likely do to control it; 514,000 dead if nothing was done.

Sat., Oct. 31

• Canada announced it would keep the border closed for at least another month.
• Ninety million people have already voted in the Presidential election (by mail or early voting), two-thirds of the total that voted in 2016.

Sun., Nov. 1

• Daily cases neared 100,000.

Mon., Nov. 2

• European countries, including England, France, and Germany, were shutting down again. 
• A study showed that if one household member gets the virus, there's a 53% chance at least one other will.
• Gov. Baker announced a 10 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew and a mandatory mask order in public, even if people are more than six feet apart.

Tues., Nov. 3

• A Stanford study estimated 30,000 cases and 700 deaths could be traced to 18 of Trump's campaign events.
• The Presidential election took place, with no winner called due to all of the mail-in ballots that couldn't be counted until election day.
• Trump held a gathering of about 150 people in the East Room of the White House; most weren't wearing masks.

Wed., Nov. 4

• The country passed 100,000 daily cases: 104,004.

Thurs., Nov. 5

• There were 116,000 daily cases.
• Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada still hadn't been called in the election. Trump spoke from the White House briefing room and told lie after lie about how the election had been stolen from him, although he wouldn't admit he lost.

Fri,. Nov. 6

• There were 125,000 new cases.
• White House chief of staff Mark Meadows was diagnosed with the virus. He was at the election gathering in the East Room of the White House without a mask on Nov. 3.
• Joe Biden addressed the nation from Wilmington, Delaware, and told people to let the election process play out.

Sat., Nov. 7

• Pennsylvania was called for Biden in late morning, putting him over 270 electoral college votes. People filled the streets, mostly with masks but no social distancing. Trump wouldn't concede. Biden and Harris spoke at a drive-in rally that evening, followed by fireworks.

Sun., Nov. 8

• There were 128,000 daily cases.

Mon., Nov. 9

• Pfizer announced its vaccine had tested 90% effective in Phase 3 trials. The vaccine uses mRNA and must be kept at 80 degrees below 0 Celsius.
• The country reached 10 million cases (added one million in the last 10 days); total of 237,000 deaths.
• Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, who was also at the election night East Room gathering, tested positive.
• President-elect Biden announced his coronavirus task force.
• The Dow Jones soared 800 points on news of Biden's election and Pfizer's vaccine, but stocks that have been popular during the pandemic, like Zoom and Netflix, fell.
• The Utah governor declared state of emergency and finally issued a mask mandate.
• The FDA gave emergency approval to bamlanivimab, the antibody drug that Trump was given when he had COVID.

Tues., Nov. 10

• More than 62,000 Americans were hospitalized with COVID, a record.
• There were 135,000 new cases.
• Dr. Fauci said the average American could have access to a coronavirus vaccine by April.

Wed., Nov. 11

• There were 140,000 new cases.
• The CDC said masks protect the wearer as well as others.

Thurs., Nov. 12

• The Masters golf tournament started in Augusta, Georgia, seven months late.
• There were 152,000 new cases nationally, 2,500 in Massachusetts.
• There were 66,600 hospitalized nationally.
• Authorities said small, informal gatherings were now the biggest spreaders, as opposed to facilities like nursing homes in the early days.
• The UWA model projected 438,000 deaths by Mar. 1.
• Massachusetts hit 10,000 deaths. 
• Texas became the first state to hit one million cases.

Fri., Nov. 13

• There were 153,000 daily cases.
• 130 Secret Service officers had tested positive and were likely exposed at Trump rallies. 
• The first case at Sarah's school was reported.

Sat., Nov. 14

• There were 166,000 new daily cases.

Sun., Nov. 15

• The country hit 10 million cases, one week after reaching nine million.

While the virus spreads out of control, Trump refuses to concede the election and has told his staff not to help Biden's transition team. The administrator of the General Services Administration, who must sign an ascertainment order for the president-elect to receive funding and office space for the transition, refuses to do so. Trump is pouting while the country goes over the cliff.

As the weather gets colder, it's getting harder for Sarah to have outside meet-ups with friends. I'm not comfortable with indoor activities, however, so it seems I'll soon have to say no to her requests soon. I'm afraid it's going to be a long, lonely winter for her. Don and I, on the other hand, are good at hibernating.

The CDC recommends celebrating the holidays only with members of your household, so we won't be hosting Mom for Thanksgiving. I can't imagine things will be any better by Christmas. What a strange time.