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From the first reported case of COVID-19 in the United States to vaccine rollouts, here are the milestone dates from 2020.
Read More: The First Wave: Inside Colorado’s Initial Response to COVID-19
January 20
The first reported case of COVID-19 is confirmed in the United States a little more than one month after the virus emerged in Wuhan, China.
March 5
The first official case of COVID-19 is confirmed in Colorado.
March 10
Americans—including Coloradans—stockpile toilet paper and disinfectant products, leading to empty shelves at grocery stores.
March 11
The World Health Organization (WHO) declares COVID-19 a global pandemic.
March 15
The federal government officially recommends “social distancing”—a phrase then-President Donald Trump tweeted out just one day before—recommending against any gatherings of more than 50 and asking people to stay six feet from others. Zoom happy hours become a thing.
March 16
Moderna begins human trials of a COVID-19 vaccine.
March 18
Although some school districts have already switched to remote learning, Colorado Governor Jared Polis announces a four-week closure of school buildings statewide beginning on March 23.
March 23
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock issues a stay-at-home order; the order initially does not include liquor stores or recreational dispensaries among so-called essential businesses, but the city reverses that decision after lines 100-people deep materialize at those businesses.
Read More: How Denver Residents Are Coping with the Anxiety of the Coronavirus
March 25
Polis issues a statewide stay-at-home order.
April 3
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises Americans to wear masks in public spaces, even though there is still uncertainty about how the virus spreads; shortages of personal protective equipment quickly follow.
Read More: Face Masks Are Now Required in Denver—Here’s What That Means
April 30
The Trump administration launches Operation Warp Speed to produce an effective COVID-19 vaccine.
May 8
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorizes the first COVID-19 test.
May 28
The death toll from COVID-19 infections surpasses 100,000 in the United States, including 1,114 Coloradans.
July 6
The global medical community issues an open letter calling on the WHO to acknowledge the virus is airborne. Days later, the CDC asks people (again) to wear masks.
August 26
The FDA issues an emergency use authorization for the BinaxNOW COVID-19 test kit, which can detect the virus in 15 minutes.
September 16
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announces it will make COVID-19 vaccines free as vaccine makers like Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson enter late-stage clinical trials.
October 5
The CDC updates guidelines that acknowledge the virus is likely to be spread through the air.
December 22
The CDC releases its recommendations for vaccine rollouts; health care workers and older adults begin receiving the vaccine almost immediately.
