2020 in Review
Edward Calkins '22 Managing Editor
The year 2020 was shaped around thrilling events, stunning deaths, entertaining specials and irksome masks. On January 1, the headline for the New York Times read: “IRAQ PROTESTERS ASSAULT EMBASSY AFTER U.S. STRIKE.” 322 days later it read: “ANOTHER VACCINE APPEARS TO WORK AGAINST THE VIRUS.” A preliminary outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in China expanded to become a world-wide pandemic. The first case of coronavirus in the United States was reported on January 15. February 29 marked the first reported death in the United States related to the coronavirus. Maryland was among some of the first states in the U.S. to shut down. On March 13, Governor Larry Hogan complicated the economy by shutting down the majority
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Columbia, Maryland, June 2, 2020 -Protesters in the crowd pause for a moment of silence during a demonstration organized by HoCo 4 Justice, at the lakefront in Columbia. BALTIMORE SUN MEDIA GROUP/BRIAN KRISTA
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Columbia , Maryland, April 7, 2020 - Monna Youmans with the Howard County Health Department holds up a sign with instructions for motorists arriving at the Emissions Testing Station. The station has begun operating as a COVID-19 test site for patients with scheduled appointments. BALTIMORE SUN MEDIA GROUP/BRIAN KRISTA
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of businesses and schools, forcing families to isolate from others. Living in the shadow of the virus, social distancing and face masks became the new normal. Perhaps the most challenging factor of the coronavirus response in the U.S. was the fact that it is an election year. As if the virus wasn’t enough to handle, the U.S. also dealt with uncontrollable wildfires on the west coast, a crash in the stock market, world war three threats, an impeachment trial and hysteria towards murder hornets. The rest of the world had drama of its own, including Australian wildfires, an explosion in Beirut, complications to the Olympic Games and the ongoing dispute between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Senior Elizabeth Banyas refuses to look at the downside: “We need to forget politics and come together now, more than ever…hopefully a vaccine or solution will come out, and we can start to have more things in-person. Then, we can start to formulate our [Howard] community again.”
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May 25 saw a video of George Floyd go viral after he was shown pleading for his life. Paired with the ill-timed deaths of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, many Americans joined in protests around the country. While a few protests became violent, the majority stayed peaceful and brought systematic racism to the nation's attention. On June 2, youth-led group HOCO For Justice led a “Black Lives Matter” protest in Columbia that was the largest in Howard County history.
Staying mentally healthy in 2020 was easier said than done. According to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, depression rates in the U.S. have tripled during the pandemic. Luckily, the Howard community found ways to cope with all the uncertainty. “I really enjoyed playing the drums and taking bike rides,” says junior Nico Drummond. Banyas capitalized on the extra time as she says, “I see this time as a way to recharge before college. I’ve learned how to be self-propellant and cook, both being important for college.” Health and physical education teacher Mr. McGoun adds, “Get outside! It is easy to be stuck on screens all day, so getting some fresh air can really help keep you healthy.”
2020 produced many premature deaths. "I think that John Prine had the biggest impact on me. He was a simple countryman that always had a positive outlook on life. His music was so joyful and positive. His death set the tone of 2020," says Drummond. The world paused on January 26 when former NBA player Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, were among nine victims in a fatal helicopter crash. “I was never really a big basketball fan, but Kobe’s death made me realize how fragile life is. You never know when it can be snatched up from you,” says Mr. McGoun. The African American community suffered the loss of civil rights activist John Lewis (July 17) and actor Chadwick Boseman (August 28). Women’s rights activist Ruth Bader Ginsburg also lost her life on September 18. Ginsburg spent 27 years on the U.S. Supreme Court and was the second woman to ever serve on the Court. The entertainment world also lost Mr. Peanut, the 108-year old Planter’s mascot, musician Eddie Van Halen (October 6) and long-time Jeopardy! host Alex Trabeck (November 8).
Staying mentally healthy in 2020 was easier said than done. According to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, depression rates in the U.S. have tripled during the pandemic. Luckily, the Howard community found ways to cope with all the uncertainty. “I really enjoyed playing the drums and taking bike rides,” says junior Nico Drummond. Banyas capitalized on the extra time as she says, “I see this time as a way to recharge before college. I’ve learned how to be self-propellant and cook, both being important for college.” Health and physical education teacher Mr. McGoun adds, “Get outside! It is easy to be stuck on screens all day, so getting some fresh air can really help keep you healthy.”
2020 produced many premature deaths. "I think that John Prine had the biggest impact on me. He was a simple countryman that always had a positive outlook on life. His music was so joyful and positive. His death set the tone of 2020," says Drummond. The world paused on January 26 when former NBA player Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, were among nine victims in a fatal helicopter crash. “I was never really a big basketball fan, but Kobe’s death made me realize how fragile life is. You never know when it can be snatched up from you,” says Mr. McGoun. The African American community suffered the loss of civil rights activist John Lewis (July 17) and actor Chadwick Boseman (August 28). Women’s rights activist Ruth Bader Ginsburg also lost her life on September 18. Ginsburg spent 27 years on the U.S. Supreme Court and was the second woman to ever serve on the Court. The entertainment world also lost Mr. Peanut, the 108-year old Planter’s mascot, musician Eddie Van Halen (October 6) and long-time Jeopardy! host Alex Trabeck (November 8).
A major source of the world’s entertainment was shut down when many sports leagues were canceled due to the pandemic. Freshman Grace Hall says, “It was just weird not seeing sports on TV during the weekend or going to my sister’s millions of tournaments.” With the lack of visual entertainment, streaming services stepped up their game and brought conversation starters with shows such as Tiger King and Hamilton. Drive-in movie theaters and concerts emerged as the best “out-of-the-house” entertainment. On May 30, many Americans witnessed astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken become the first Americans to be launched into space since 2011.
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Baltimore, Maryland, September 13, 2020 - The Baltimore Ravens open their 2020 season in an empty M&T Bank Stadium against the Cleveland Browns. BALTIMORE RAVENS PHOTOS/JOEY PULONE
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To raise money for coronavirus relief, NFL stars Tom Brady and Peyton Manning joined golf legends Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in a televised charity golf match. Many musicians also contributed to relief funds by giving once-in-a-lifetime performances while in a virtual setting.
As a result of the pandemic, families have had to find ways to stay connected virtually. Drummond says, “Our family has been able to virtually see our grandparents every Sunday. It helps me keep my mind straight while enjoying my family." Animals continue to nurture their relationships with humans while in isolation. “My dog helped me stay distracted and passed the time so that I could tune out the chaos in the world,” says junior Gregory Heiger. Thematically, events such as birthdays and weddings looked far from normal during 2020. Mr. McGoun reflects on his wedding from earlier this year, saying, “Planning a wedding is hard to begin with, but with the addition of the pandemic, it made it even harder. We had to cut the guest list in half and we actually set up a Google Meet for those most at-risk. The best part was that my 99-year-old grandma got to see the wedding and was amazed with the advancement of technology.”
As a result of the pandemic, families have had to find ways to stay connected virtually. Drummond says, “Our family has been able to virtually see our grandparents every Sunday. It helps me keep my mind straight while enjoying my family." Animals continue to nurture their relationships with humans while in isolation. “My dog helped me stay distracted and passed the time so that I could tune out the chaos in the world,” says junior Gregory Heiger. Thematically, events such as birthdays and weddings looked far from normal during 2020. Mr. McGoun reflects on his wedding from earlier this year, saying, “Planning a wedding is hard to begin with, but with the addition of the pandemic, it made it even harder. We had to cut the guest list in half and we actually set up a Google Meet for those most at-risk. The best part was that my 99-year-old grandma got to see the wedding and was amazed with the advancement of technology.”