Isabelle Torres, Staff Writer |
2020 came in crashing with the wildfires in Australia, killer wasps, the loss of basketball icon Kobe Bryant, the Pentagon officially releasing footage of “unidentified flying objects,” the police murder of George Floyd leading to ongoing Civil Rights Protests throughout the country, the impeachment of President Donald Trump, the global pandemic, the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the 2020 Presidential Election. The year has been difficult for many and tension is at an all-time high in the country. However, the year is almost coming to end with 2021 right around the corner.
This past weekend the 2020 Presidential election took place and after five days of counting ballots, it was announced that former Vice President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won. President Donald Trump has yet to give a concession speech. President Trump has issued a statement baiting his supporters of the legitimacy of the election. As his supporters believe there have been acts of voter fraud, the President has gone on to sue swing states in which he lost. Biden and Harris are to be sworn into office on Jan. 20, 2021 making Kamala Harris the first woman in the office and the first person of color to be vice president. When news broke that Biden and Harris won, the presidential campaign supporters celebrated across the country.
With positive cases of COVID-19 surging all over the world, it seems that a potential lockdown much like the one in March and April will likely happen once again if cases continue to rise. France, Germany, Greece and other European countries have already decided to impose national monthly lockdowns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that a vaccine for the virus is being developed as quickly as possible and should be available by the end of the year. Supplies will be limited at first, but the CDC says they hope that most adults will have been vaccinated or access to the vaccine by 2021.
The holidays are fast approaching but because of the virus and potential lockdown, celebrations will look a little different this year. The CDC suggests limiting gatherings to immediate family members and to continue to practice safe social distancing guidelines. It is best to hold virtual events with family for the holidays instead of traveling, as this will reduce the spread and exposure of the virus. The famous New York City New Year’s Eve ball dropping ceremony is to be held virtually this year.
All SUNY colleges are to transition to remote learning after the Thanksgiving break for the remainder of the semester to combat the spread of the virus from holiday traveling. Finals week will pose challenges for students as everything will be held virtually and the effect could be harsh for students’ grades.
The National Basketball Association is set to start their 2020-21 season on Dec. 22 after The Board of Player Representatives of the National Basketball Players Association approved plans. The season will go on with a 72-game schedule for the 2020-21 season. The National Football League (NFL) is still set to finish out their season and as of right now the Super Bowl is scheduled for Feb. 7, 2021 in Tampa Bay at the Raymond James Stadium. However, the NFL would consider pushing the championship game to March of 2021 under COVID-19 contingency plans. The game will include fans in the stadium but at a reduced capacity of 20 percent, which is about 13,000 fans.
This is just a glance of what is to expect of the remaining two months of 2020. As one door closes, another opens and as 2021 approaches there is much to look forward to.
Leave a Reply