The year began with impeachment hearings and just kind of went downhill from there. Political upheaval, social and racial turmoil, and a pandemic on top of it all —most of us agree that we’d like to forget 2020. This is Part 1 of two parts, because, well, we’re talking about 2020 here.
Beginning in January, a novel coronavirus swept through the Wuhan province of China, hospitalizing thousands and leading to thousands of deaths. The virus spread quickly through China, then was transmitted to Europe, prompting a public health crisis in Italy, France, and other nations. The U.S. response was to ban some travel from China, then Europe — but it was too late. COVID-19 spread in March throughout the United States, and despite state and local officials trying to stop it through non-essential business shutdowns, face mask mandates and social distancing rules for essential businesses, cases and deaths continued to climb. A second wave of infection began in November and hospitals were overwhelmed with new patients. Vaccines were developed and approved at a breakneck pace, with Pfizer delivering in mid-December, and Moderna vaccine approved and ready to be delivered shortly thereafter.
Globally, as of December 21 2020, nearly 1.7 million people have died from COVID-19. Over 77 million positive cases have been reported. The U.S. has seen over 317,000 deaths alone, followed by Brazil, India, Mexico and Italy. (Johns Hopkins University).
The COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t just a public health crisis, it created an economic crisis as well, particularly in the United States. Each state created its own rules and mandates. In many states, businesses and government agencies required people to work from home, emptying out usually bustling downtown areas. Theatres and concert venues closed down. Businesses deemed “non-essential” were forced to close for months. Restaurants and bars had to close to inside dining and only allowed to re-open to customers on a limited basis. Millions were laid off, overwhelming the unemployment systems and straining public resources. Tenants couldn’t pay their rent, and mortgage companies showed a sharp uptick in defaults. Food banks were overwhelmed with need, with thousands in lines for food assistance as the year wore on. Despite a government moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, countless Americans faced an uncertain 2021.
Locally, the effects of COVID-19 lead to the cancellation or postponement of major events, including the Indianapolis 500, most county fairs, the Indiana State Fair, all theatre and concerts, virtually all professional sporting events, high school sports, library closures, and the deaths of over 7,000 Hoosiers. Churches, schools, and daycares closed, then gradually opened again under restrictions. There were over 500,000 positive cases of COVID-19 in the state, concentrated in extended care facilities and nursing homes. Over 1,000 Marion County residents died from March through December from the virus. It is unknown how many survivors will suffer long-term effects from the illness.
Many businesses in Indiana were deeply affected by COVID-19. Major downtown employers in Indianapolis asked workers to work from home, and schools were closed for much of the year. State and local governments also asked employees to work from home, if possible. Downtown restaurants and shops suffered as a result of fewer people working downtown. In addition, restaurants outside the Mile Square couldn’t seat people indoors, and the carryout and delivery options just didn’t bring in enough money to keep the lights on. Unemployment in Indiana (seasonally adjusted) shot up from 3.1% in January to 17.5% in April back down to 5%. Much of the job loss occurred in the hospitality industry (hotels, restaurants, bars, entertainment venues), and non-essential manufacturing. While those on unemployment got extra help during the crisis, thanks to a big stimulus package from the federal government, the money ran out too soon for many.
Small and mid-sized businesses found many barriers to accessing help, including funds from the federal Payroll Protection Program. Larger businesses that could negotiate the paperwork found it easier to get help, while the smaller folk had to fend for themselves. A report released in October revealed that large companies received the lion’s share of the PPP loans.
Given the economic and social pressure of lockdowns and business failures, it is no surprise that there was a backlash against restrictions in many areas. From individual confrontations at stores and restaurants between business owners and anti-maskers, to mass protests such as those seen in Michigan, those who felt that mask mandates and government-forced closures was a hit to their freedom. Things took a terrifying turn when a plot to kidnap the governor of Michigan and “put her on trial” for “overstepping authority” was stopped by the FBI. Other officials were threatened, and statehouses were mobbed by armed unmasked groups of people demanding their “freedom” back.
On the other hand, many in the community pulled together. Several social media groups formed with the purpose of helping each other find scarce resources (toilet paper, santizers, bleach and the like). Organizations began food drives to help people who have lost their jobs. Still others created a phone tree for vulnerable neighbors to check in on them periodically. Hundreds of people pulled out sewing machines and started making face masks and gowns. People volunteered to bring food to first responders at hospitals. To show appreciation for the hard work nurses and doctors were doing, people organized mass applause sessions at regular intervals. There were fly-overs of hospitals, and the unspoken gratitude of a grateful nation to all those who worked to keep people alive and healthy.
COVID-19 has robbed the world of thousands upon thousands of loved ones. Here in Indianapolis, Brian Fonesco of the Phoenix Theater died from the disease. Just a few of the other notable deaths from COVID-19 include country-western superstar Charley Pride; founding member of the Four Seasons group Tommy DeVito; former Temptations singer Bruce Williamson; baseball great Tom Seaver; musician Trini Lopez; playwright Terrance McNally; politician Herman Cain; entertainer Roy Horn (Seigfried and Roy); music legend John Prine; jazz pianist Ellis Marsallis Jr.; actors Nick Cordero, David Prowse (Darth Vader), Mark Blum, and Carol Sutton.
In such a monumental year, our world has changed in ways we are still struggling to understand. It is important to document what has happened so we don’t forget.
Next week, we’ll tackle the other news that was fit to print in 2020, including demonstrations for racial justice and the contentious general election.
