When dates become markers of time that we want to forget they become all the harder to deal with. This is one of those dates that is near impossible not to note both for myself and everyone else. One year ago early in March, Covid-19 became a part of our lives in the most real of ways.

We're marking this anniversary both consciously and unconsciously using a new set of vocabulary words to define it. Pandemic. Isolation. Locked in. Lockdown. Mask up. Social distancing. Covid fatigue. Vaccinated

March 4th 2020 was my last trip out the door except to walk the dog, a doctor’s appointment six months ago and then that glorious trip to get the vaccine four weeks ago. The word isolation took on an entirely new meaning as did the words high risk. Survival is what it has been and continues to be about.

We all have our stories. Looking at life from the inside out through windows has created its own vision that often feels very scary. Restriction to save lives has become a way of life.

We've been living in the midst of a pandemic that will be one of the most bizarre stories shared with future generations. The one thing we are coming to realize is that life will never be quite the same. It can’t be given all we have lived through this past year.

Looking at key points that have taken place over these past twelve months is fascinating in its own way. So much has happened so quickly.

As noted by the American Journal of Managed Care, on January 15, 2020 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first case of the coronavirus in the United States.

January 21, 2020 the coronavirus had killed 4 people and infected more than 200 in China.

On February 3, 2020 the United States declared a public health emergency due to the coronavirus outbreak. The announcement was made three days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency.

March 11, 2020 WHO declares Covid-19 a pandemic.

March 19, 2020 California became the first state to issue a stay at home order

March 25, 2020 Reports find extended shutdowns can delay second wave

March 27, 2020 The CARES Act goes into law; the largest economic recovery package in history.

May 1, 2020 The FDA grants Remdesivir, a treatment found to speed recovery for those with advanced Covid-19, Emergency Use Authorization

May 28, 2020 Deaths in the United States from Covid-19 reach 100,000 according to the CDC

June 10, 2020 The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases reaches 2 million.

July 7, 2020 The U.S. reports 3 million Covid-19 infections.

July 14, 2020 Early data from Moderna clinical trials shows their vaccine effectiveness.

July 21, 2020 The AstraZeneca vaccine shows early positive results

July 22, 2020 HHS and the Department of Defense form a partnership with Pfizer and BioNTech for December delivery of 100 million doses of their Covid-19 vaccine candidate.

August 11, 2020 Trump administration reportedly agreed to pay $1.5 billion to Moderna for 100 million doses of their vaccine.

August 13, 2020 Candidate Joe Biden calls on all governors to implement a mask mandate for public use

August 17, 2020 Covid-19 becomes the third leading cause of death in the United States.

September 1, 2020 The U.S. rejects WHO global vaccine effort

September 15, 2020 CDC reports on spread of Covid-19 at restaurants.

September 21, 2020 Johnson & Johnson begins phase 3 clinical trials of their one shot vaccine.

September 23, 2020 A Houston hospital finds a more contagious strain of Covid-19 in their new patient population.

September 28, 2020 Global Covid-19 cases surpass 1 million

October 22, 2020 FDA approves Remdesivir as first Covid-19 drug.

November 9, 2020 FDA issues Emergency Use Authorization for Eli Lilly's antibody treatment.

November 20, 2020 The CDC urges people to stay home for Thanksgiving amid spikes in Covid-19 cases.

December 11, 2020 FDA approves Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer, BioNTech vaccine.

December 18, 2020 FDA approves Emergency Use Authorization for Moderna vaccine.

December 29, 2020 The first case of a new Covid-19 variant is detected in Colorado.

Layered on top of all of the stress this past year was the day to day political combat taking place. For a moment, President Trump seemed to care about the pandemic. That moment was short lived and he began the process of politicizing Covid-19. It's hard to imagine the politicizing of life and death, but that's an achievement that should forever be punished.

The presidential campaign was a critical diversion in our fight to survive. But who was taking care of us as a country was a question asked every day. We were leaderless.

As I walked down the street last week with the sun shining on the sidewalks, I flashed back to a year ago this time and thought to myself, how can I go through another summer like last?

Reality answers a part of that question. I've received my Covid-19 vaccine doses, feel as protected as one can feel and am filled with gratitude for the science that brought us the vaccines. I sense freedom on the horizon, but know that it must still be thought of in terms of risk/benefit ratio.

Then I saw pictures of parents in Boise, Idaho encouraging their children to burn the face masks we know can save lives. Cheering their children as they threw masks into a burning pile.

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