Coronavirus Timeline

I’ve become curious about my personal experience with the coronavirus emergency. I have followed the outbreak since the Chinese government first reported it on December 31, but for a long time it was in the background, with other developments taking priority; for example, the impeachment trial and the Democratic presidential primary race.

I decided to put together a timeline for coronavirus developments, and ended up creating a 13-page timeline of some 5,000 words. The timeline blends important global events; developments in the United States and Italy (Italy is widely seen as an example of what can happen in the United States); statements by Donald Trump; US testing deficiencies; developments in Ohio; and developments affecting me personally.

The entire timeline is far too long to post here, so I’ll do so in increments.

Here’s the timeline of events that have affected me personally:

Feb. 28 – I post my first Facebook update relating to the coronavirus. It is a link to a Babylonbee satire: Mike Pence Orders All Women to Wear New Coronavirus-Resistant Uniforms.” The accompanying photo shows women in red outfits from “The Handmaid’s Tale.” In coming days I post links to other humorous stories about the coronavirus.

March 8 – On Facebook I post my first serious update on the coronavirus emergency: a link to a Columbus Dispatch story, “Ohio checking 5 for coronavirus; more testing labs open.”

March 9 – First 3 cases of corona virus confirmed in Ohio.

March 9 – I meet a friend for lunch near campus. Students are much more sparse than usual. While having lunch I see a Fox News report that the New York stock exchange has had a third massive sell-off. The Dow Jones industrial age has fallen some 2,000 points.

March 9 – The Ohio State University suspends face-to-face classes until at least March 30; instructors asked to convert face-to-face courses to online courses. Semester is scheduled to resume on March 16. Students are encouraged not to return to campus at the conclusion of Spring Break (March 9-13). In coming days many other universities will announce suspension of face-to-face courses.

March 9 – I go to Kroger’s and buy a 2-week emergency supply of food (frozen, canned, and dry goods); also 1 8-roll package of toilet paper and 4-roll package of paper towels. (Both categories have already been picked over—about 1/3 of shelf space still has these items.) No hand sanitizer available.

March 10: Like hundreds of other OSU instructors, I begin conversion of my two face-to-face courses to an online configuration.

March 10 – Ohio governor asks for event organizers and sporting events to limit spectators. The NBA, NHL, MLS, and Major League Baseball postpone their seasons shortly thereafter.

March 10 – I place a status update on Facebook with a link to a New York Post story on Italian physician Daniele Macchini’s March 6 Facebook post concerning the situation in Bergamo, Italy, where 1,245 people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus. The update is widely reported in the media. He likens the outbreak to “a tsunami that has swept us all,” warns against complacency regarding the virus and questions “the war on panic” that has resulted on too little preparation for when the virus strikes in force. A second Italian physician in Bergamo tells a newspaper that doctors are forced to treat on the basis of their chances of survival. “We can’t attempt miracles. It’s the reality.”

March 12 – A 5th Ohioan, a 55-year old man, tests positive for Covid-19. He is in intensive care. Ohio governor Mike DeWine orders closure of the state’s K-12 schools and limits public gatherings to 100 people, with certain exceptions, including grocery stores, restaurants and bars, forms of transit, athletic events that exclude spectators, weddings, funerals or religious worship. Numerous Ohio churches voluntarily choose not to hold worship services soon thereafter (many churches across the country follow suit).

March 12 – Ohio Director of Public Health Dr. Amy Action announces estimate that 1 percent of Ohio population (about 111,000 out of 11.1 million) are carrying the coronavirus.

March 12 - Ohio State suspends face-to-face classes for the remainder of the spring semester and orders students out of residence by March 22. Beginning March 23, all instruction will be virtual, while spring break has been extended to March 22 so faculty and staff can prepare virtual coursework.

March 12 – After I pick up Chloe from after care, she and I go to a nearby Kroger’s to pick up tortilla chips and salsa. The store is packed, so we decide to pick up additional groceries to make the wait in the checkout line worthwhile. We discover that the shelves with toilet paper and paper towels are bare.

March 13 - I go to Kroger’s and buy an additional 2-week emergency supply of food (frozen, canned, and dry goods), per guidance published in the New York Times; also a 28-lb bag of dry dog food (approximately 30-day supply). also a 28-lb bag of dry dog food (approximately 30-day supply). As on Thursday at the North Broadway Kroger’s, there is no toilet paper or paper towels, and certain items—pasta and bread, for instance—are all but gone.

March 13 – I join a Facebook Group, “Online Teaching Tips for the Plague-Averse,” established so that college instructors across the country can share ideas about the sudden shift of face-to-face classes to an online format. As of midnight the number of members stands at 1,419.

March 13 – North Broadway Children’s Center, where Chloe has after care, sends an email saying that on Monday, March 16 it will have normal hours to assist parents caught off-guard by DeWine’s order that Ohio K-12 schools suspend classes. . In a separate email, NBCC says that it will be closed beginning Tuesday, March 17th with a planned re-opening on Monday, April 6th.

March 13 – The pastor of my church emails the congregation that worship services on March 15 “and very likely the remainder of Sundays in March. I recognize that this decision will be a great loss for many – personally, unless I’m in worship on Sunday, my week doesn’t feel right. Still, I believe most loving decisions seek the good of the whole over the good of the few.”

March 13 –Columbus City Schools Superintendent Dr. Talisa Dixon sends an email to all CCS Families and Students: “We are in the midst of a truly unique and unprecedented situation as we prepare for an extended school closure at least through April 3, due to the Governor’s orders regarding the community spread of COVID-19.”

March 13 – I meet a friend for dinner at Hadley’s Pub and Kitchen in downtown Columbus. The pub is about 2/3 full during Happy Hour, then thins out rapidly. Few additional customers come in.

March 14 – Shortly after midnight I create and upload to YouTube a 59-second video entitled, “Students, Take Care of Yourselves.”

March 14 – I meet a friend for a tour of novelist Louis Blomberg’s house at Malabar Farm State Park. Only 4 other people are on tour. Afterward we have lunch at Black Dog Tavern, a very large restaurant. Only about ten other customers. We are meticulous about washing our hands frequently.

March 14 – WBNS-TV in Columbus reports confirmed cases and testing numbers as of March 14: 26 confirmed cases in Ohio. Of those cases, 12 are female and 14 are male. Cases by county: 2 in Belmont County, 4 in Butler County, 11 in Cuyahoga County, 1 in Franklin County, 1 in Lorain County, 3 in Stark County, 2 in Summit County, 2 in Trumbull County. The ages of these cases range from 31-86 years old. Seven patients have been hospitalized. 264 people under investigation for possible exposure. 85 have tested negative.

March 14 – Pastor Eric emails the congregation: “I’m delighted to invite you to join us online for worship tomorrow morning. We will livestream at 10:30 on our JustNorthUCC Face Book page.” The email includes information on how to access the livestream.

March 15 - I watch my church's livestream service via Facebook.

March 15 –In the United States, the current tally is coronavirus cases 3,045, with 60 deaths and 56 recoveries. Global numbers are 159,367 cases, with 5,973 deaths and 75,959 recoveries.