We are halfway through 2020 and a lot has happened to humanity that we should reflect on ourselves and as part of humanity. 2020 has given a lot for us to self-reflect and consider what is important to us individually. The issues that have arisen throughout 2020 have given food for thought of the world we know today and allows to consider what issues we need to address to drive change for future generations and what they can achieve when we are gone.

The World Health Organisation has designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife. The United Nations declared 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health; the International Commission for Acoustics designated 2020 as the International Year of Sound.

Bushfires in Australia

Towards the tail-end of 2019, Australia and the world witnessed one of the largest bushfires that killed as many as 500 million animals. Australia declared a state of emergency on 2nd January. The bushfires saw human property/livelihoods destroyed along with millions of animals such as koalas, kangaroos, and many other species that are a symbol to Australian wildlife and culture. Many images of the disaster started to spread everywhere showing the effects of bushfires and highlighting climate change. Images of Australian firefighters working long hours with little sleep fighting bushfires, eventually, they would get assistance from their colleagues around the world to help them combat the bushfires. Australian civilians also did their part to help with the crisis by providing water and shelter for animals that have seen their habitats destroyed.

Months after the horrible disaster, forests and nature are slowly recovering and emerging from the ashes of the aftermath. New buds of the plants are growing, hints of green break the blackened charred trees and forest floor.  

COVID-19 Pandemic

Majority of 2020 so far has been dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic which has sent fear across the world and still does as countries slowly reduce their lockdown restrictions.

• 30th January - the World Health Organisation declares the outbreak of the disease as a Public Health Emergency of International concern, this would be the sixth time that this measure has been invoked since 2009.

• 11th February – World Health Organisation names the disease as COVID-19.

• 27th February - Stock market crashes seeing a decline in stock prices that are worst since the 2008 recession. During the period we saw a huge trend of panic buying around the world. Mass populations stockpiling on essentials seeing shelves emptied of its goods. Toilet paper and hand sanitisers were one of the most desired items amid rumours of lockdowns occurring around the world.

• 8th March - Italy places 16 million people in quarantine, which is more than a quarter of its population, however a day later, Italy quarantines the whole country becoming the first to apply the measure worldwide.

• 14th March - Spain going into lockdown as COVID-19 cases in the country surge.

• 20th March - Worldwide death toll from COVID-19 surpasses 10,000 with a total number of cases reaching a quarter of a million.

• 24th March - India and the United Kingdom go into lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19. The result of the global COVID-19 pandemic sees the suspension of sports all around the work including the Football European Championships and the Olympics as well as sports participation on all levels from grassroots to professional.

• 2nd April - Number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 passes 1 million worldwide. Conspiracy theories linking the emergence of 5G are linked to the existence of COVID-19 sees an increase of videos promoting this theory and sees 5G mobile phone masses being set on fire and broadband engineers receiving death threats in several UK cities.

• 7th April – Japan declares a state of emergency in response to COVID-19. Japan finalises a stimulus package worth 108 trillion yen which is equal to 20% of the country’s GDP.

• 10th April - COVID-19 death tolls exceed 100,000 globally, which is a ten-fold increase from March 20. EU finance minister agrees on a €540 billion loan package to help with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

• 14th April - Donald Trump announces the United States will be suspending funding of the World Health Organisation pending an investigation of its handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its relationship with China.

• 15th April - COVID-19 passes 2 million worldwide.

• 17th April - Death tolls in Europe surpasses 100,000 of COVID-19 related deaths.

• 19th April -  Unrest breaks out in Paris, Berlin, and Vladikavkaz as people oppose lockdowns.

• 23rd April - Facebook removes pseudoscience and conspiracy theory from targeted ads as criticism increases against Facebook of its involvement in spreading misinformation about coronavirus.

• 25th April - sees the global death toll from COVID-19 exceeding 200,000. The United Kingdom becomes the fifth country to report 20,000 deaths.

• 27th April - COVID-19 cases pass 3 million worldwide and the number of confirmed cases in the United States passes 1 million.

• 1st May - Announcement of recovered COVID-19 patients reaches 1 million worldwide.

• 5th May - The United Kingdom has the highest death toll in Europe at 32,313 exceeding the death toll of 29,029 in Italy.

• 10th May - Worldwide cases passes 4 million worldwide.

• 14th May - Global death toll from COVID-19 exceeds 300,000. The UN announces a mental health crisis caused by isolation, fear, uncertainty and economic turmoil.

• 22nd May - sees Brazil become country with the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases, on 23rd May China reports no new cases for the first time since the pandemic.

• 27th May – U.S death toll passes 100,000.

• 7th June – Global death toll from COVID-19 exceeds 400,000.

• 8th June – Confirmed cases of COVID-19 passes 7 million worldwide.

• 16th June – Confirmed cases of COVID-19 passes 8 million worldwide.

• 22nd June – 9 million worldwide confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The Positives from COVID-10 pandemic

Nature makes a comeback

The pandemic sees a restriction of movement to large populations of humans. This restriction has seen a reduction in the use of public transport and an uptake of environmentally friendly methods such as walking, running, and cycling. The result is that we have seen cleaner air due to a reduction of carbon emissions and no human interferences have seen animals roaming freely in urban environments.  

Appreciation of Essential Workers

The COVID-19 pandemic placed huge demands on health services around the world. With a surge of new COVID-19 patients, hospitals struggled to cope with demand hence the implementation of lockdown procedures to slow down the spread and allow health services to cope. Not only health works, other essential workers that allow everyday life to continue such as supermarket workers, delivery drivers, public servants, cleaners, and other essential workers. These essential workers have allowed everyday people to continue to live and enjoy life while living in lockdown. Worldwide applause greeted essential workers for their work during the crisis.

Communities Unite

During the period of strict lockdown and restricted movement of people, we have seen community togetherness. From street exercise workouts, joggers running medication to the people who need it or too nice neighbours looking out for the vulnerable by getting essential items for them as they shield. During tough times, it’s nice to see communities coming together to support each other and this is seen across the world during a time where we need to look out for each other.

Family Time

Due to lockdowns restrictions such as travel restrictions, offices, non-essential shops, and schools closed during the lockdown. The closure of these sectors shops saw a huge number of people either working from home or restricted to being at home. As families or a group of housemates are restricted to be under one roof, it has allowed family members or friends to participate in activities and bond together. Children who don’t manage to spend quality time with their parents see increased opportunities to go on a bike ride, go for a walk or even to venture down the park with their parents. The lockdown has allowed everyone to reflect and spend more time with friends and families.  

Black Lives Matter

A video showing a police officer kneeling on George Floyd’s neck went viral following his death, sparking major protests across the United States and the globe. The police officer involved has been charged for his murder but still awaiting trial.

Peaceful protests soon occurred with slogans such as ‘Justice for George’, ‘I can’t breathe’ and ‘Black Lives Matter’ being the main focus. Throughout the protests, videos started to emerge showing a division in police tactics. While most were peaceful others would turn violent either because of rioting or due to police attempts to subdue demonstrations.

Some clashes between protestors and police have sparked further questions into police brutality among Black people not just in America but also across the globe. Historical statues and references to slavery either have been torn down by protestors or are in review by governments.

Among the topic of police brutality among black people, there have been questions in racism and equal opportunity in academic setting, work and entertainment industries.

#BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to Trayvon Martin’s murder. The Black Lives Matter Foundation is a global organisation in the US, UK, and Canada whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on black communities. The hope by combatting ad countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation and centring Black joy.

Summary

2020 has been a year of self-reflection due to recent events, how we as humanity want to live now and how the changes we chase will improve the opportunities given to future generations. From how we look after the environment, dealing with pandemic, and providing equal opportunities with no matter of race, gender, and class. This year provides the foundation of change among what we value the most personally and on a global stage. This year has shown the potential of human beings being able to band together and look after each other during a crisis. Some others have innovated and adapted to the situation to help the community. We as human beings are responsible for the whole of humanity and how we want to represent ourselves in this vast universe.

Take a look at my ‘What to learn from the COVID-19?’ blog post.