March 2020
Going through February timeline events it becomes clear that the excrement started to impact the rotary air-moving device in the later half of the month. At the beginning of March there are a number of developing timeline threads.
In March medical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which includes N95 face masks, disposable rubber gloves and body covering, is increasingly short supply around the world. In the US, the shortage of PPE becomes apparent early in the month and the problem rapidly degenerates into what is called “a wild west free-for-all” of states bidding against each other on the open market. The federal government is largely absent from these bidding wars, but late in the month anecdotal reports start to surface that the federal government is “redirecting” shipments states have already purchased.
Meanwhile, President Trump continues to deny any problem, even as more senior advisors publicity sound alarms over the potential severity of the Coronavirus. While some Trump Administration advisors sound alarms, other advisors publicly downplay any threats stating “everything is under control,” while simultaneously warning selected insiders of serious negative pandemic impacts.”
The cruise ship industry has it’s own problems as Coronavirus cases are reported on their ships, which are then forced into quarantine with all passengers locked onboard. Then the Coronavirus makes an appearance on US Navy ships that are deployed away from the US.
This is all set against a backdrop of increasing global spread, increasing Coronavirus deaths, and increasing numbers of countries and US states desperately going into lock-down as a means of combating the virus. The global economy starts to collapse as financial people increasingly recognize the impact of a pandemic and unemployment mounts due to lock downs.
March 1
State of Emergency Declared: FloridaGlobal Cases: 87,137 | Global Deaths: 2,977 | Countries: 58
March 2
President Trump Press Brief: “You know, interestingly, we were discussing — and a question I get asked a lot by people is, on average, you lose from 26,000 to 70,000 or so and even some cases more from the flu. We lose — we have deaths of that per year. Worldwide, it’s hundreds of thousands of deaths from the common flu. And they ask, you know, what’s the difference and how does this differ, and I guess there are things that are similar and things that are different. Every one of them is different. And I was shocked to hear this. You know, three, four weeks ago, I said, “Well, how many people die a year from the flu?” And, in this country, I think last year was 36- or 37,000 people. And I’m saying, “Wow, nobody knew that information.”Report published by the Office of Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) “Everyone But Us“: “Our review of previously unreported government trade data indicates that the value of U.S. ventilator exports jumped 22.7% percent from January to February. We also found that in February 2020, the value of U.S. mask exports to China was 1094% higher than the 2019 monthly average. […]as recently as March 2, the Trump Administration was encouraging American businesses to increase exports of medical supplies, especially to China.”Global Cases: 88,948 | Global Deaths: 3,039 | Countries: 64
March 3
Vice President Pence in a press brief announces the is issuing new guidance that anyone can be tested for COVID-19 with no restrictions, subject to a doctor’s orders. Under previous guidance tests were only available to people who traveled to countries affected by the novel coronavirus outbreaks and came in contact with a diagnosed patient, or showed severe symptoms. expresses frustrations on U.S. government’s coronavirus response. “The administration has had months to prepare for this and…if someone in the White House is actually in charge of responding to this crisis it would be news to anyone in my state. This is really a frightening time. At least six people in my home state have already died from the virus and I’m told we should expect more.”The US Federal Reserve slashes interest rates by half a percentage point in a bold attempt to give the US economy a jolt in the face of concerns about the coronavirus outbreak. It was the first unscheduled, emergency rate cut since 2008, and it also marks the biggest one-time cut since then. The new benchmark interest rate is a range of between 1% and 1.25%.Stocks go on a wild ride after the Federal Reserve slashes interest rates by a half-point to help insulate the US economy from the global coronavirus outbreak. The Dow swung nearly 1,400 points from its low to its high point over the course of the day. At one point, the index was down by 997 points. It finished down 786 points. estimates the country would need roughly 3.5 billion of medical-grade N95 masks, which filter out about 95% of all liquid or airborne particles. “We have about 35 million.” This is one percent of the needed supplies.Global Cases: 90,869 | Global Deaths: 3,112 | Countries: 72
March 4
President Trump Press Briefing: “I just want to add, if I might — and to go a little bit further — the Obama administration made a decision on testing that turned out to be very detrimental to what we’re doing. And we undid that decision a few days ago so that the testing can take place in a much more accurate and rapid fashion. That was a decision we disagreed with. I don’t think we would have made it, but for some reason it was made. But we’ve undone that decision.”President Trump interview: “Now, this is just my hunch, but based on a lot of conversations with a lot of people that do this, because a lot of people will have this and it is very mild… So if, you know, we have thousands or hundreds of thousands of people that get better, just by, you know, sitting around and even going to work, some of them go to work, but they get better and then, when you do have a death like you had in the state of Washington, like you had one in California, I believe you had one in New York, you know, all of a sudden it seems like 3 or 4 percent, which is a very high number, as opposed to a fraction of 1 percent.”President Trump Interview: “the mortality rate for the novel coronavirus, which the World Health Organization upped on Tuesday to 3.4 percent, is a false number. […] this is just my hunch”. The president went on to estimate that “we have thousands or hundreds of thousands of people that get better, just by, you know, sitting around and even going to work” […] “They don’t know about the easy cases because the easy cases don’t go to the hospital, they don’t report to doctors or the hospital in many cases so I think that that number is very high,” […] “I think the number, personally, I would say the number is way under one percent.” State of Emergency Declared: California, West Virginia, Hawaii, MississippiGlobal Cases: 93,091 | Global Deaths: 3,198 | Countries: 76
March 5
US Congress passes an $8.3 Billion Spending Package To fight and treat the Coronavirus. The bulk of funding is designated to agencies responsible for prevention and care. State of Emergency Declared: MarylandGlobal Cases: 95,324 | Global Deaths: 3,281 | Countries: 85
March 6
During a visit to the , President Trump states: “Anybody that wants a test can get a test,” adding, “Anybody right now and yesterday — anybody that needs a test gets a test. We — they’re there. They have the tests. And the tests are beautiful.” In a news follow-up, the vice president’s office explained that tests were available through state labs, but that doctors needed to contact the state lab to get one. “if someone wants a test, and a physician does not agree, a person cannot be tested.” states the coronavirus “is contained” in the US. Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway makes similar though less definitive comments the same day saying the virus “is being contained.” State of Emergency Declared: Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, UtahGlobal Cases: 98,192 | Global Deaths: 3,380 | Countries: 88
March 7
President Trump Press Brief at : “You know, my uncle was a great person. He was at MIT. He taught at MIT for, I think, like a record number of years. He was a great super genius. Dr. John Trump. I like this stuff. I really get it. People are surprised that I understand it. Every one of these doctors said, “How do you know so much about this?” Maybe I have a natural ability. Maybe I should have done that instead of running for President.”
President Trump says he would rather have people remain onboard a cruise ship, which was denied entry to San Francisco over coronavirus concerns. ‘I like the numbers being where they are’ Trump says. State of Emergency Declared: New YorkGlobal Cases: 101,927 | Global Deaths: 3,486 | Countries: 93
March 8
In support of surging urging demand from international customers, Vapotherm, a New Hampshire firm that produces medical respiratory equipment, ships two tons of high-flow disposable patient circuit units used for operating its respiratory aids from the Port of Los Angeles. State of Emergency Declared: OregonGlobal Cases: 105,586 | Global Deaths: 3,584 | Countries: 101
March 9
President Trump and his Coronavirus Task Force Team start daily televised news briefings, as means of disseminating public information on government response to the pandemic. Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing.President Trump Tweet: “So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that!”Global markets plunge after the implosion of an alliance between OPEC and Russia caused the worst one-day crash in crude prices in nearly 30 years, fueling panic triggered by the escalation of the coronavirus epidemic. State of Emergency Declared: Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, Kansas, IowaGlobal Cases: 109,577 | Global Deaths: 3,809 | Countries: 104
March 10
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing.President Trump Press Brief: “I think the U.S. has done a very good job on testing. We had to change things that were done, that were nobody’s fault. Perhaps they wanted to do something a different way, but it was a much slower process from a previous administration. And we did change them. We made the changes. But the testing has gone very well. And when people need a test, they can get a test. […] And we’re prepared, and we’re doing a great job with it. And it will go away. Just stay calm. It will go away. We want to protect our shipping industry, our cruise industry, cruise ships. We want to protect our airline industry — very important. But everybody has to be vigilant and has to be careful. But be calm. It’s really working out. And a lot of good things are going to happen. The consumer is ready, and the consumer is so powerful in our country with what we’ve done with tax cuts and regulation cuts and all of those things. The consumer has never been in a better position than they are right now. State of Emergency Declared: Colorado, North CarolinaGlobal Cases: 113,702 | Global Deaths: 4,012 | Countries: 109
March 11
Video of a U.S. House Oversight Committee hearing on COVID-19 preparedness and response with and testifying. The declares the outbreak a pandemic. There are now more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries, and 4,291 people have lost their lives. Thousands more are fighting for their lives in hospitals.President Trump evening White House speech […] European travel restrictions (beginning Friday March 13 at midnight) “will not only apply to the tremendous amount of trade and cargo but various other things” and that they would cover “anything coming from Europe to the United States” […] announces that health insurance companies have agreed to extend coverage to include coronavirus treatment and to waive all coronavirus-related co-payments. Travel between the US and UK is exempted from travel ban. The ban applies to the 26 countries in the and only to foreign nationals and not American citizens, and permanent residents who will be screened before entering the country. Ends his ten-minute speech with “The virus will not have a chance against us. No nation is more prepared, or more resilient, than the United States.” Futures markets drop during his speech. 
During his speech President Trump made numerous references to China, referred to the disease as a “foreign virus” and said “sweeping travel restrictions on China” imposed by the U.S. had prevented the scale of outbreaks now seen in Europe. “It started in China and is now spreading throughout the world.”Immediately following President Trump’s evening speech, a spokesperson for the major insurance lobby AHIP disputes Coronavirus treatment coverage via Tweet: “For testing. Not for treatment.” State of Emergency Declared: Louisiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Alaska, District of Columbia, Arizona, ArkansasGlobal Cases: 118,319 | Global Deaths: 4,292 | Countries: 113
March 12
Bedlam at European airports as Americans traveling abroad attempt to return home. In reaction to President Trump’s speech, global stock markets suffer the worse one-day crash since 1987. Second time in one week a 15-minute pause in trading was triggered to stop a panic.Lijian Zhao, an official spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, used Twitter to insinuate that the US Army brought the coronavirus to China. He added that the US should be “transparent,” and owes China an explanation. This message was then repeated by other Chinese diplomats including the Chinese ambassador to South Africa. makes an initial order for $4.8 million of N95 masks from 3M for the national stockpile, but the contracts don’t require 3M to start making deliveries until the end of April.New York City’s 41 Broadway’s theaters shutdown indefinitely due to the pandemic. State of Emergency Declared: Puerto Rico, Delaware, Wisconsin, Montana, Virginia, Nevada, Tennessee, WyomingGlobal Cases: 125,260 | Global Deaths: 4,613 | Countries: 117
March 13
The US government publishes “PanCAP Adapted U . S. Government COVID – 19 Response Plan,” warning policymakers that a pandemic “will last 18 months or longer” and could include “multiple waves,” resulting in widespread shortages that would strain consumers and the nation’s health care system. In an evening speech, President Trump declares a national emergency — “two very big words” — to free up $50 billion in federal resources to combat coronavirus, even as he refused to take personal responsibility for administration failures early in the outbreak. Video of President Trump’s news brief, declaring a state of emergency. Travel restrictions President Trump announced two days earlier go into effect. Clarifications by Administration officials state there are no plans to ban cargo.Pentagon officials announce a total domestic travel ban for all troops, civilian personnel and their families until May 11 in an effort to limit their potential exposure to the coronavirus. In addition, troops will be granted “only authorized local leave” for the duration of the travel restrictions, limiting their ability to visit family and friends in far away states. State of Emergency Declared: Idaho, U.S. Virgin Islands, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, South Carolina, Nebraska, North Dakota, South CarolinaGlobal Cases: 132,758 | Global Deaths: 4,955 | Countries: 122
March 14
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing. State of Emergency Declared: Georgia, GuamGlobal Cases: 142,534 | Global Deaths: 5,392 | Countries: 134
March 15
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing.Concerned that communities of color are disproportionately dying from the coronavirus, Congress asked the to collect national data on the race and ethnicity of COVID-19 cases and deaths. sent the report to Congress on the day of the Congressional deadline. The 2.5 page report only includes race and ethnicity information for less than half of the 1.7 million people who have tested positive for COVID-19. suggested the administration’s slow-walk of the data is an effort to avoid criticism of its coronavirus response and conversations about longstanding health disparities among people of color. Sen Elizabeth Warren Tweet: “ should be embarrassed by the lazy, incomplete, 2.5-page copy-and-paste job it calls a “report” on the racial disparities of COVID-19 cases. I’m going to keep fighting until we get this monthly demographic data as required by law.” Statement by : “What Congress required was a comprehensive report on health disparities related to the COVID-19 pandemic. What we got from President Trump was a lazy, four-page copy and paste project that links to a handful of limited, previously available data sets. This wholly inadequate response tells us nothing except what we already knew: the Trump Administration would prefer to ignore the disproportionate impact this crisis is having on communities of color. We are not done pushing for answers and action here, not by a long shot.” State of Emergency Declared: Maine, Oklahoma Stay-At-Home Ordered: Puerto RicoGlobal Cases: 153,517 | Global Deaths: 5,735 | Countries: 143
March 16
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing.The UK Imperial College Study Published “Impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to reduce COVID19 mortality and healthcare demand“. This report predicts the possibility of up to 2.2 million deaths in the US due to the pandemic. President Trump told governors during a conference call that if they need more vital medical equipment they might be better off to get it on their own. “Respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves,” Trump told the governors during a phone call. “We will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves. Points of sales, much better, much more direct if you can get it yourself.”The allows the sale and distribution of commercially-developed Coronavirus tests kits validated through diagnostic s. The has engaged with more than 100 test developers since the end of January, providing templates and advice about the process. More than 80 developers have sought assistance with development and validation of tests they plan to distribute. State of Emergency Declared: VermontGlobal Cases: 167,515 | Global Deaths: 6,606 | Countries: 150
March 17
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing. Video Clip: President Trump explains why he fired the White House Pandemic Team. Produced by “NowThis” media organization.Despite critical shortages of medical across the US, a steady flow of the medical equipment needed to treat the coronavirus continues to be shipped abroad.The Trump administration is pushing to use the coronavirus pandemic to accomplish their goals of tough immigration restrictions. Officials are working on a plan to deny entry to all asylum seekers, according to multiple sources. That may include a plan to return all illegal border crossers without due process. This plan has run into opposition from several government agencies, in part because of concerns that it would violate US and international law, including treaties on how to deal with refugees and victims of torture.Global Cases: 179,111 | Global Deaths: 7,426 | Countries: 158
March 18
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing.President Trump Tweet: “I always treated the Chinese Virus very seriously, and have done a very good job from the beginning, including my very early decision to close the “borders” from China – against the wishes of almost all. Many lives were saved. The Fake News new narrative is disgraceful & false!”President Trump officially designates as a lead agency to manage the federal government’s pandemic response. The US Senate passes the $100 billion “The Families First Coronavirus Response Act” and immediately start working on a third relief package.The United States and Canada will suspend non-essential travel between the two countries due to the coronavirus pandemic. The restrictions will likely allow for significant flexibility. Unlike travel restrictions on Europe and China, this would be a mutual agreement between the two countries.Global Cases: 191,127 | Global Deaths: 7,807 | Countries: 159
March 19
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing.President Trump Press Brief: “Governors are supposed to be doing a lot of this work, and they are doing a lot of this work,” […] “The Federal government is not supposed to be out there buying vast amounts of items and then shipping. You know, we’re not a shipping clerk.”President Donald Trump says he’s pushed the to eliminate barriers to getting therapeutics for coronavirus to patients. He said drugs currently used as an antimalarial — hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine — would be made available almost immediately to treat coronavirus.
In a recorded interview with writer and investigative reporter Bob Woodward, President Trump told Woodward he was purposely downplaying the dangers to avoid creating a panic. He also acknowledged the threat to young people. “Just today and yesterday, some startling facts came out. It’s not just old, older. Young people too, plenty of young people,” Trump said. Tump also acknowledges downplaying the seriousness of this virus to the public to avoid starting a panic.China reports no new locally spread infections for the first time since the pandemic began. The US State Department issues an unrecedented Level 4 Global Travel Advisory. The advisory recommends U.S. citizens avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. Stay-At-Home Ordered: CaliforniaGlobal Cases: 209,839 | Global Deaths: 8,778 | Countries: 166
March 20
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing.Nigeria’s Lagos State government has disclosed that hospitals are receiving patients suffering from chloroquine poisoning where people living in Lagos are overusing the drug as a preventive measure to coronavirus. The excessive usage of chloroquine now endangers lives in Lagos State, Nigeria. Reports indicate that the drug’s price has been hiked since the news broke. Chloroquine has been gaining traction on social media since some news agencies reported it had been approved for the COVID-19 pandemic.President Trump announces his administration is waiving federal requirements for standardized tests for students in kindergarten through 12th grade because the coronavirus pandemic has forced most schools in the country to close for an indefinite period during annual testing season. Education officials in states throughout the country had been pleading with the administration for relief from the federal mandates, and some states did not wait for the federal government to cancel the tests. At least 10 have already moved to cancel or postpone tests without federal approval.A news survey of over 250 US health care providers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic report shortages of in the hospitals, outpatient clinics and offices where they worked. Many reported being forced to ration or reuse supplies, including surgical and N95 masks, for fear of running out. Many also said they were facing shortages of basic sanitary supplies, including hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.House Oversight and Reform Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Government Operations Subcommittee Chair Gerry Connolly (D-Va.): “The Postal Service is in need of urgent help as a direct result of the coronavirus crisis. Based on a number of briefings and warnings this week about a critical fall-off in mail across the country, it has become clear that the Postal Service will not survive the summer without immediate help from Congress and the White House.” Stay-At-Home Ordered: The Navajo NationGlobal Cases: 234,073 | Global Deaths: 9,804 | Countries: 172
March 21
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing.US Dept of Labor Report:The total number of people claiming initial jobless benefits for the week ending March 21 was 3.3 million, an increase of 3.0 million from the previous week. followed up their March 12 order for medical with a larger $173 million order of N95 masks from 3M. As with the earlier order, this contract doesn’t require 3M to start making deliveries to the national stockpile until the end of April. Stay-At-Home Ordered: Illinois, New JerseyGlobal Cases: 266,073 | Global Deaths: 11,183 | Countries: 178
March 22
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing.President Trump Tweet: “@JBPritzker, Governor of Illinois, and a very small group of certain other Governors, together with Fake News @CNN & Concast (MSDNC), shouldn’t be blaming the Federal Government for their own shortcomings. We are there to back you up should you fail, and always will be!”The Czech Republic seizes around 680,000 protective masks and thousands of respirators which China had sent to Italy as a gift to help tackle Italy’s coronavirus outbreak. The Czech health minister claims this equipment was seized from speculators.Three weeks after its first coronavirus infection was discovered, the New York City region now accounts for roughly 5 percent of the world’s confirmed cases, making it an epicenter of the pandemic and increasing pressure on officials to take more drastic measures. More than 15,000 people in New York State have tested positive, with the majority in the New York City region. This is about half of the cases in the United States.President Trump suggests he might lift restrictions intended to prevent the spread of coronavirus if the economic pain from the measures becomes too great, tweeting that “we cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself. Trump Tweet: “WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF. AT THE END OF THE 15 DAY PERIOD, WE WILL MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHICH WAY WE WANT TO GO!” Stay-At-Home Ordered: New YorkGlobal Cases: 292,142 | Global Deaths: 12,783 | Countries: 182
March 23
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing.Bao-Ping Zhu, a Chinese American who was resident adviser to the US Field Epidemiology Training Program in China from 2007 to 2011, commented on the position’s July 2019 closure by the Trump Administration; “If someone had been there, public health officials and governments across the world could have moved much faster. “It was heartbreaking to watch.” Stay-At-Home Ordered: Washington, West Virginia, Oregon, Ohio, Connecticut, Louisiana, Yakama NationGlobal Cases: 332,930 | Global Deaths: 14,509 | Countries: 185
March 24
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing.President Trump Town Hall: “It’s a two-way street,” Trump said of his discussions with governors about providing their states with federal aid. “They have to treat us well also. They can’t say, ‘Oh gee, we should get this, we should get that.’ We’re doing a great job.[…] We’re literally building hospitals and medical centers, and then I hear that there’s a problem with ventilators — well, we sent them ventilators, and they could have had 15 or 16,000, all they had to do was order them two years ago. But they decided not to do it. They can’t blame us for that.”Three sailors aboard the deployed US aircraft carrier “Theodore Roosevelt” (CVN 71) tested positive for COVID-19. The Theodore Roosevelt is reported to be the first ship in the U.S. Navy to have a COVID-19 outbreak while deployed overseas.Japan announces the 2020 Summer Olympics, originally scheduled to be held in Tokyo starting July 24, will be rescheduled. The Olympics will open on 23 July 2021 with the Closing Ceremony to take place on 8 August.New York begin medical trials of the drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, procuring 70,000 doses of hydroxychloroquine and 750,000 doses of chloroquine. In addition, Bayer, the drug maker, has donated 3 million doses of Resochin, its brand name for chloroquine, to the federal government.President Trump announces he would like to “restart the U.S. economy” by Easter. “I’d love to have it open by Easter, OK? I would love to have it open by Easter. I will tell you that right now. It’s such an important day for other reasons, but I’ll make it an important day for this, too. I would love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter.” Stay-At-Home Ordered: Michigan, New Mexico, Delaware, Massachusetts (advisory)Global Cases: 372,755 | Global Deaths: 16,231 | Countries: 189
March 25
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing.A Phoenix-area, Arizona, man is dead and his wife is under critical care after the two took chloroquine phosphate intended for use only in aquariums, in an apparent attempt to self-medicate for the novel coronavirus. The wife said they learned of chloroquine’s connection to coronavirus during a President Donald Trump news conference, which “was on a lot actually.” They took the drug because they “were afraid of getting sick,” she said. Stay-At-Home Ordered: Hawaii, Indiana, Wisconsin, Idaho, U.S. Virgin Islands, VermontGlobal Cases: 413,467 | Global Deaths: 18,433 | Countries: 191
March 26
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing., a respected physician and experienced diplomat who seemingly serves as a voice of reason in her role as coordinator of the White House’s coronavirus task force, raises a lot of eyebrows with her effusive praise of President Trump as “attentive to the scientific literature and the details” during an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network. Stay-At-Home Ordered: Colorado, Kentucky (advisory)Global Cases: 462,684 | Global Deaths: 20,834 | Countries: 194
March 27
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing.Based on data from several quarantine facilities in Wuhan which house patients for further observation after their discharge from hospitals, Chinese scientists reported that as many as 10% of those who have recovered from COVID-19 and tested negative, tested positive again. President Trump Signs $2 Trillion Coronavirus rescue package into law. known as the , this is the third aid package from Congress this month to address the growing pandemic.President Trump Press Brief: Stated he instructed Vice President Mike Pence not to reach out to governors who aren’t “appreciative” of his administration’s efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus in their states. “I say, ‘Mike, don’t call the governor of Washington; you’re wasting your time with him, Don’t call . It doesn’t make any difference what happens.’ You know what I say: ‘If they don’t treat you right, I don’t call.’ He’s a different type of person; he’ll call quietly anyway.” “All I want them to do, very simple, I want them to be appreciative. I don’t want them to say things that aren’t true. I want them to be appreciative. We’ve done a great job.”Chinese scientists reported that as many as 10% of those who have recovered from COVID-19 and tested negative, tested positive again. Based on data from several quarantine facilities in Wuhan which house patients for further observation after their discharge from hospitals. Stay-At-Home Ordered: Minnesota, New HampshireGlobal Cases: 509,164 | Global Deaths: 23,335 | Countries: 196
March 28
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing.US Dept of Labor Report:The total number of people claiming initial jobless benefits for the week ending March 28 was 6.8 million, an increase of 3.6 million from the previous week.China suspends entry to the country by nearly all foreign nationals. This is a temporary a temporary measure China feels compelled to take in light of the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the world. All of China’s provincial and municipal governments are adopting different quarantine policies or various restrictive measures – based on a color-coded health code scheme. Stay-At-Home Ordered: Rhode Island, Alaska, MontanaGlobal Cases: 571,659 | Global Deaths: 26,493 | Countries: 196
March 29
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing.President Trump Press Briefing; raises allegations that medical workers are stealing medical . “Something is going on, and you ought to look into it as reporters. Where are the masks going? Are they going out the back door? How do you go from 10,000 to 300,000? And we have that in a lot of different places. So, somebody should probably look into that, because I just don’t see, from a practical standpoint, how that’s possible to go from that to that. And we have that happening in numerous places — not to that extent; that was the highest number I’ve heard. To make sure he was understood, the president later underscored his claim by saying, “I don’t think it’s hoarding … I think maybe it’s worse than hoarding.”A planeload of health care supplies arrives in New York City from China, part of an effort the White House says will expedite the arrival of goods that are badly needed to fight the coronavirus pandemic. This is the first of approximately 20 flights planned through early April for a public-private partnership called “Project Airbridge.” The White House says the flights “will result in these critical medical supplies reaching the United States in 2-3 days vs. the normal 20-40 days they would take to arrive if they were shipped by sea.”The publishes an update to their March 27 bulletin citing research into forms of transmission of the Coronavirus. Based on the available evidence, including the recent publications mentioned above, continues to recommend droplet and contact precautions for those people caring for Covid-19 patients. continues to recommend airborne precautions for circumstances and settings in which aerosol generating procedures and support treatment are performedGlobal Cases: 634,813 | Global Deaths: 29,891 | Countries: 197
March 30
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing.The issues an emergency use authorization for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to treat patients hospitalized with Coronavirus. Despite President Trump’s claim that these drugs are “game-changers” in treating Coronavirus, there is little scientific evidence that chloroquine, or its closely-related analogue hydroxychloroquine, are effective against this virus.Anecdotally, other states have reported receiving small percentages of what they’ve requested in masks, gloves, ventilators and other supplies. But it appears Florida has received 100% of what it has requested or a greater proportion of its request than other states.Sen Warren (D-MA) sends a letter to complaining about medical equipment diverted from Massachusetts, medical shortages, and the need for more equipment.New York Mayor Bill de Blasio Press Brief: This is a critical week for medical supplies needed to fight the coronavirus. As of Monday there is enough protective gear, such as masks, gloves and gowns, to get through the week, but worried about next week. “Our first milestone is this coming Sunday. We must shore up to get ahead of the challenges we will start to face that following week. April 5 is a day I am very worried about in terms of equipment and personnel.” Stay-At-Home Ordered: Kansas, Maryland, North Carolina, District of Columbia, VirginiaGlobal Cases: 693,282 | Global Deaths: 33,106 | Countries: 197
March 31
Video of the Daily Coronavirus Task Force Team News Briefing.Tweet: President Trump Blames the governors of New York and New Jersey for getting a late start on controlling the spread of Coronavirus. President Trump warns of a “painful” and “tough” two-week stretch ahead as he extended nationwide distancing measures that – even if followed closely – could still mean more than 100,000 and up to 240,000 Americans die from coronavirus. “I want every American to be prepared for the hard days that lie ahead. We’re going to go through a very tough two weeks,” Trump said, setting expectations for a dire fortnight where death rates spike., the nation’s top infectious disease expert, states that the White House’s coronavirus task force is actively discussing recommending broad use of masks in the US to prevent the spread of coronavirus.The U.S. government places a moratorium on ’s global shipments of personal protective gear, asking it to instead be sent to the U.S. The heightened scrutiny comes as American health care workers complain of severe shortages of masks, goggles and gloves amid a nationwide spike in coronavirus cases, and as Democrats rip the administration for shipping aid to other countries while vastly underestimating America’s own needs.Sen Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Tweet: “Trump told states they were on their own to purchase medical equipment, so that’s what MA tried to do. But then the federal government outbid MA at least 3 times – and reports show two of our orders were seized by federal authorities. This is unacceptable.”New York City issued Fire Department guidance on transporting patients with cardiac arrest to hospitals. The City hospitals are so overwhelmed that EMS and paramedics are now being advised not to bring such victims to the hospital if they do not respond to resuscitation efforts at the scene. Stay-At-Home Ordered: ArizonaGlobal Cases: 750,890 | Global Deaths: 36,405 | Countries: 197
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Timeline Source Data File
I built this timeline from a set of working notes in spreadsheet format. At present, my working notes have 1247 news entries, in addition to other references that form my “Additional Reading” sidebar entries, and other source references. Not all these news items are published in this timeline, for various reasons. My notes are freely available under a Creative Commons license (BY SA) to any writer or researcher who finds this work useful.
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Red Dawn Emails
The New York Times has published the entire “Red Dawn” email chain. The chain starts January 28 and continues through mid-March. Although some emails are heavily redacted, much of the material is readable and shows an incredible awareness among senior policy makers of the impending impact of the Coronavirus and increasing frustration with our government’s inaction.
I’ve made the email chain available as part of this timeline.
CDC Report to Congress
Congress asked the CDC for data on how the Coronavirus is affecting communities of color. The CDC sent back a report with links to its public website on the day it was due, March 15. The report is available here for download.
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CDC Report to Congress On Paycheck Protection Program And Health Care Enhancement Act Disaggregated Data On U.S. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Testing
PanCAP Adapted US Government COVID – 19 Response Plan
This plan outlines the United States Government (USG) coordinated federal response activities
for COVID -19 in the U.S., published March 13, 2020
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Impact of Non-pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) to Reduce COVID-19 Mortality and Healthcare Demand
Researchers from four world health organizations including The Imperial College London assess remedial actions for reducing the spread of the Coronavirus absent a vaccine.
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Coronavirus Task Force Briefings
Starting March 9 President Trump and key Members of his Coronavirus Task Force initiated near-daily press briefings which continued until April 27. These briefings provide important insight into White House actions during this time. As such, video feeds of the daily briefings lead each day’s events. I feel watching these briefings helps put President Trump’s remarks in context with other key events of the day.
Global Coronavirus Spread
First reported confirmed cases per country.Discrepancies in ‘First Case’ Count
March 1
Armenia – Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed on his Facebook page that the COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have spread to Armenia.Czech Republic – The Minister of Health, reported three cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory. All cases were connected with northern Italy. One case a man returned from a conference in Udine, the second a woman (tourist, U.S. citizen) studying in Milan and the third a man who returned from a skiing holiday in Auronzo di Cadore.Dominican Republic – A 62-year-old man from Italy entered the country on 22 February and fell ill on 24 February, when he was transferred to Ramón Lara military hospital from the beach resort of Bayahibe.Saint Barthélemy – A resident of the French island of Saint Barthélemy was diagnosed with COVID-19. His parents on the neighbouring island of Saint Martin also tested positive.Saint Martin – a couple from the French part of Saint Martin island were diagnosed with COVID-19. Their son, who lives on the neighbouring island of Saint Barthélemy, also tested positive.Scotland – detected in Tayside. The person had then recently travelled to Italy.
March 2
Andorra – a 20-year-old man returned to the country from Milan, Italy.Indonesia – a dance instructor and her mother were infected from a Japanese national.Latvia – a woman who had flown from Milan, Italy, to Riga through Munich, Germany.Morocco – a Moroccan expatriate residing in Bergamo, Italy who arrived from Italy on 27 February, and an 89-year-old woman Moroccan who had returned to Morocco on 25 February from Bologna, Italy.Portugal – two men, a 60 year-old doctor who traveled to the north of Italy on vacation and a 33 year-old man working in Spain, tested positive.Saudi Arabia – a Saudi national returning from Iran via Bahrain.Senegal – a 54-year-old man from France was the first confirmed case of COVID-19. He had traveled on Air Senegal February 29.Tunisia – a 40-year-old Tunisian man from Gafsa returning from Italy.
March 3
Argentina – a 43-year-old man who had arrived on March 1 from Milan, Italy.Chile – The Minister of Public Health confirmed the first case of COVID-19, making the country the fifth in Latin America.Jordan – a man who returned from Italy two weeks prior, before quarantine procedures for Jordanians returning from Italy had been put in place. Liechtenstein – a young man who had contact with an infected person in Switzerland. He developed symptoms and turned himself to the state hospital.Ukraine – a man who had traveled from Italy to Romania by plane and then arrived in Ukraine by car.
March 4
Faroe Islands – a man who returned home from a conference in Paris, France on 24 February.Hungary – two cases, students from Iran who were studying in Hungary. One was enrolled at the Pharmacy Faculty of Semmelweis University. The other person studied at Szent István University in Gödöllő and just returned from Iran.Poland – a 66-year-old man, returned from a visit to Westphalia in Germany by bus to Świecko and from there by private car to Cybinka.
March 5
Bosnia and Herzegovina – a father and son who were thought to have contracted the virus while visiting Italy.Palestine – Seven cases detected at a hotel in the Bethlehem area, where a group of Greek tourists had visited the hotel in late February.Slovenia – a tourist traveling from Morocco via Italy.South Africa – a South African returning from Italy.Vatican City – a priest who had arrived from one of Italy’s “red zones”- the municipalities under the strictest quarantine regimen.
March 6
Bhutan – a 76-year-old US male who traveled to the country via India. Cameroon – a French national who arrived in the capital Yaoundé 24 February.Togo – a 42-year-old Togolese woman who traveled between Germany, France, Turkey, and Benin before returning to Togo.Colombia – a 19-year-old female patient who recently traveled to Milan, Italy.Peru – a 25-year-old man who had traveled to Spain, France and the Czech Republic tested positive.Serbia – a 43-year-old man from Bačka Topola who had traveled to Budapest.Slovakia – a 52-year-old man, who had not traveled anywhere but his son had recently traveled to Venice, Italy. he next day, his son was confirmed positive along with the son’s wife.
March 7
Albania – a father and son who had traveled from Florence, Italy.Costa Rica – a 49-year-old woman tourist from New York, United States, tested positive for the virus.Maldives – from an Italian tourist who had returned to Italy after spending holidays in Kuredu Resort & Spa. The Health Protection Agency of the Maldives confirmed two cases in the Maldives, both employees of the resort.Malta – an Italian 12-year-old girl who was placed in isolation with her family as required by the Maltese health authority’s guidelines for people from Italy or other highly infected countries. Both parents were found positive as well.Paraguay – a 32 year-old man from Guayaquil, Ecuador, living in San Lorenzo, Central department.Saint Lucia – a 63-year-old woman with a travel history from the United Kingdom.
March 8
Bangladesh – the first three cases included two men that recently returned from Italy and a female relative.Bulgaria – a 27-year-old man from Pleven and a 75-year-old woman from Gabrovo. Neither of the two had traveled to areas with known coronavirus cases.
March 9
Brunei – a 53-year-old male who had returned from a tabligh (Muslim religious gathering) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 3 March.Cyprus – a 25-year-old man from Limassol who had returned from Italy and a 64-year-old health professional from Nicosia who had returned from the UK.Channel Islands (Guernsey) – The first case was a patient in the Bailiwick of GuernseyMoldova – a Moldovan woman who returned from Italy tested positive for the coronavirus.
March 10
Burkina Faso – the first two cases in the country were reported.Honduras – the first two cases were a рregnant woman who traveled to Spain and returned on 4 Мarch. The second case is a 37-year-old Нonduran woman who returned 5 Мarch on a flight from Switzerland.Jamaica – the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) confirmed the first case as a female patient who arrived from the United Kingdom on 4 March.Mongolia – a French male who traveled from Moscow to Dornogovi.Panama – First reported case.
March 11
Bolivia – the first two cases identified in the departments of Oruro and Santa Cruz.Cote D’Ivoire – an Ivory Coast national who had recently been to Italy.Cuba – the first three cases were Italian tourists.French Polynesia / Tahiti – the first case of COVID-19 was Maina Sage, a member of the French National Assembly.Guyana – a 52-year-old woman suffering from underlying health conditions, including diabetes and hypertension, who had recently traveled from New York.Saint Vincent and The Grenadines – a tourist who traveled on British Airways from the UK via Barbados to Saint Vincent via LIAT.Turkey – a Turkish man who had contracted the virus while travelling in Europe.
March 12
Cayman Islands – a 68-year-old Italian man in critical condition who was transferred from the cruise ship Costa Luminosa to a hospital in the Cayman Islands on 29 February due to heart issues, was the first confirmed coronavirus case.Gabon – a 27-year-old Gabonese man who returned to Gabon from France, four days prior to confirmation of the coronavirus.Ghana – the first two cases were people who came back to the country from Norway and Turkey.Guadeloupe – the first case of COVID-19 confirmed.Trinidad and Tobago – a 52-year-old man who had recently been to Switzerland.
March 13
Antigua and Barbuda – an unidentified woman was the first confirmed case.Aruba – Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes announced the first two confirmed cases of coronavirus on the islandEthiopia – the victim later identified was a Japanese citizen.Guatemala – a Guatemalan man who traveled from Italy to Guatemala.Guinea – A Belgian national who is an employee of the European Union delegation in Guinea tested positive for COVID-19.Kazakhstan – two Kazakh citizens in Almaty who had recently returned from Germany were confirmed to be infected with COVID-19.Kenya – a 27-year-old Kenyan woman who traveled from the US via London, was confirmed.Kosovo – the first two cases were a 77-year-old man from Vitina and an Italian woman in her early 20s, who worked in Klina with Caritas Kosova.Mauritania – an expatriate from a yet to be disclosed country in the Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott.Puerto Rico – the first three confirmed cases are a 68-year-old Italian woman from the cruise ship Costa Luminosa and her 70-year-old husband, and a 71-year-old Puerto Rican cancer patient in treatment at Auxilio Mutuo Hospital whose relatives had traveled off the island.Saint Lucia – a 63-year-old woman with a travel history from the United Kingdom.Sudan – a man who died in Khartoum on 12 March 2020 and had visited the United Arab Emirates in the first week of March.Suriname – an individual who arrived from the Netherlands multiple days prior to testing positive.Uruguay – The first four cases were all imported. One patient had attended a wedding with 500 people and two others had taken a six-hour bus trip from Montevideo to Salto.
March 14
Central African Republic – a 74-year-old Italian man who returned from Milan, Italy.Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) / Republic of the Congo – a 50-year-old man who returned from Paris, France.Equatorial Guinea – a 42-year-old woman in Malabo, who returned from Madrid.Eswatini – A 33-year-old woman, who returned from the United States at the end of February and then traveled to Lesotho before returning home .Namibia – a Romanian couple who arrived in Windhoek from Spain via Doha, Qatar, on 11 March.Rwanda – a total of five cases identified the same day.Seychelles – two people who were in contact with someone in Italy who tested positive.
March 15
Uzbekistan – a Uzbek citizen returning from France.
March 16
Benin – in Porto-Novo, the capital of Benin.Liberia – a government official who traveled from Switzerland.Somalia – a Somali citizen that returned home from China.Tanzania – a 46-year-old Tanzanian who had come to Arusha from Belgium.
March 17
Barbados – the Minister of Health and Wellness, Lt Col Jeffrey Bostic confirmed the first two cases.The Gambia – a woman in her thirties who had traveled to The Gambia from the United Kingdom on 15 March.
March 18
El Salvador – a male who recently returned from Italy, where he was presumably infected.Kyrgyzstan – the first three cases in the country were confirmed after a citizen returned from Saudi Arabia.Mauritius – the Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth confirmed the first three cases.Nicaragua – a 40-year-old man who recently returned from the neighboring country of Panama.Zambia – a couple that had traveled to France on holiday.
March 19
Chad – a Moroccan passenger who flew from Douala.Fiji – a 27 year old Fijian citizen and flight attendant of Fiji Airways. He had arrived from San Francisco returning via Nadi on 16 March.Haiti – the first two COVID-19 cases in the country were confirmed.
March 20
Cape Verde – a 62 year old foreigner from the United Kingdom.Madagascar – the first three cases were confirmed in Antananarivo, the capital of . All three cases were women.Papua New Guinea – the first case in Papua New Guinea was confirmed.
March 21
Eritrea – an Eritrean national arriving from Norway.Zimbabwe – a male resident of Victoria Falls who traveled back from the UK via South Africa on 15 March.
March 22
Grenada – a 50-year-old female patient who returned from the United Kingdom on March 16.Mozambique – a 75-year-old man who returned from the United Kingdom.Syria – The Health Minister of Syria reported the first case in Syria.Uganda – a 36-year-old male who had traveled to Dubai on 17 March 2020 for a business trip.
March 23
Belize – a Belizean woman who returned to San Pedro Town from Los Angeles, California.Myanmar – confirmed its first and second COVID-19 cases.
March 24
Laos – its first two cases, becoming the last Southeast Asian country infected with coronavirus.Libya – a 73-year-old man who had returned to the country in early March from a trip to Saudi Arabia.
March 25
British Virgin Islands – of the first two cases of COVID-19, one was a 56-year-old male resident who traveled from Europe on March 15. Patient B was a 32-year-old male resident who traveled recently from New York City and came into contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 on March 8.Guinea-Bissau – the first two cases are a Congolese U.N. employee and an Indian citizen.Mali – confirmed its first two COVID-19 cases.Saint Kitts and Nevis – a 21-year-old male and a 57-year-old female citizens who arrived in the federation from New York City.
March 26
Anguilla – the first two cases in Anguilla were a 27-year old American woman and the other a 47-year old resident of Anguilla with whom she has been in contact with.
March 28
Northern Mariana Islands – the islands confirmed their first two COVID-19 cases.
March 30
Botswana – the first three cases in the country were confirmed.
March 31
Burundi – the country’s first two cases were Burundi nationals travelling back from Rwanda and Dubai respectively.Sierra Leone – a 37-year-old man who traveled from France on 16 March.Sint Eustatius – the first two cases were young men from the Netherlands who arrived on 15 March and self isolated after arrival.
Source Documents Released Under FOIA
The source documents referenced in the article “FEMA Told Congress It Had “Very Little Knowledge” About The Coronavirus Response Before March. New Documents Show It’s Been Deeply Involved Since The Beginning.” Released by the Department of Homeland Security to Buzzfeed Publishing under a FOIA request.
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Additional Reading
This article lays out how Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) leaders were deeply involved in coordinating the government’s coronavirus efforts with their counterparts at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), attending daily meetings and exchanging hundreds of emails on the topic, in February and March. This, despite the sworn testimony before Congress of FEMA officials that they were not in charge of the disjointed operation that came before they were officially placed in charge on March 18, 2020. Includes source files for download.
FEMA Told Congress It Had “Very Little Knowledge” About The Coronavirus Response Before March. New Documents Show It’s Been Deeply Involved Since The Beginning.
An article describing the funding for the United States Postal Service (USPS) as provided in the . This article provides a wealth of information on current issues with the USPS.
USPS outlines borrowing terms for $10 billion loan through the CARES Act
Thirteen years ago, a group of U.S. public health officials came up with a plan to address one of the medical system’s crucial vulnerabilities: a shortage of ventilators. The plan was to build a large fleet of inexpensive portable devices to deploy in a flu pandemic or another crisis. A federal contract was signed. Work started. Then a multi-billion-dollar maker of medical devices bought the small California company contracted to design the new machines and the project ultimately produced zero ventilators. Today, the nation’s emergency-response stockpile is still waiting on its first shipment.
The U.S. Tried to Build a New Fleet of Ventilators. The Mission Failed.
In-depth interview (audio and transcripts) describing how President Trump and some members of his administration have mismanaged the coronavirus outbreak, helping fuel the crisis. Infighting at the Department of Health and Human Services and the need to flatter Trump impeded the response to the coronavirus.
White House Knew Of Coronavirus’ ‘Major Threat,’ But Response Fell Short
An in-depth analysis of events inside the White House from January through March. Describes how wearing masks became a point of contention, over taking concrete actions to combat the spread of the virus.
Not a ‘good look’: White House fight over masks signaled Covid-19 plans running awry
Prelude <> Nov/Dec 2019 <> January 2020 <> February <> March <> April <> May <> June <> July <> August <> September <> Source Data
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