A Year of COVID-19: What we've learned in 2020, and where we're heading in 2021

Looking back at 2020 — the year of the coronavirus pandemic — the words chaotic, devastating, life-altering, never-ending and stressful come to mind.

Starting in March, when Florida had its first case of the virus in Tampa, families lost loved ones, people lost jobs, students transitioned to online learning and then back to the classroom, and long-term care facilities went into lockdown.

For weeks, finding toilet paper at the local grocery store was nearly impossible. Cleaning supplies were wiped out. In Florida, the lack of supplies made it seem like a Category 5 hurricane was about to sweep across the state.

Wearing face masks while around other people is now the norm, social distancing has become a mostly accepted practice, and so is frequent hand-washing.

More: In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic impacted everything in Volusia-Flagler

The medical community went into overdrive trying to treat the unknown virus as hospital beds filled and front line workers worked themselves to the bone.

“Being in medicine, we prepare for all sorts of emergencies, including mass casualties. Unlike these events, this pandemic has had a prolonged unfolding, and is ubiquitous throughout the globe,” said Margaret Crossman, chief medical officer at Halifax Health. “It has affected every aspect of our lives. The shock for society as a whole has been not being able to get away from it, no matter where you go.”

Thankfully, local AdventHealth and Halifax Health hospitals didn’t experience as much of a strain on their health systems that was seen in states like New York.

Still, the virus has impacted everything in Volusia and Flagler counties from the way we socialize to how government operates.

The pandemic also impacted politics. Epidemiologist Dr. Asal Johnson believes President Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election to former Vice President Joe Biden partly because many voters viewed the president's response to coronavirus as lax.

More: COVID vaccine: Is it safe, do we still wear masks? Experts answer the questions

While many countries went into full lockdowns with mask mandates, Trump instead left the decision up to state leaders and favored keeping the economy alive over health experts' recommendations.

“COVID-19 was not the reason for Trump's defeat in the recent election; his response to it was,” Johnson said. “The way he mismanaged and downplayed the impact of this virus on American lives haunted him and I believe it will stay with him forever.”

A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS

In 2020, more than 21,000 Florida residents died from the virus. More than 330,000 people have died in the United States, according to data provided by the Florida Department of Health.

Locally, Volusia County is ending the year with more than 430 deaths. Flagler County had at least 48 deaths.

“Definitely the biggest shock for me has been seeing firsthand how this virus inflicts critical illness on some and leaves others almost untouched,” said Dr. Joe Smith, chief medical officer of AdventHealth Daytona Beach. “We know the risk factors for a serious course, sure, but we have also seen this bug not play by the rules. To see a young and previously healthy person leveled by something like this always lands hard.”

The News-Journal was able to keep track of the names of those who died up until Sept. 1, when a rule change meant that Florida's medical examiners were no longer required to certify COVID-19 deaths. Now, physicians can certify deaths directly to the state Department of Health, bringing an end to what was an independent and detailed accounting of who had died from the pandemic in Florida.

Requests to the FDOH asking for a full list of names for the people who have died in Volusia and Flagler counties went unanswered this week.

As of Monday, more than 1.2 million Florida residents had contracted coronavirus, according to the FDOH. Nationwide, more than 19 million people have tested positive for the virus.

Volusia County is ending the year with more than 21,000 cases while Flagler County is ending the year with more than 3,500 cases.

Florida saw the virus peak in both July and December, when daily cases exceeded 13,000. The peak in July was the natural progression of the virus; the drastic increase in December can be attributed to Thanksgiving gatherings and holiday shopping, according to Johnson.

“What I found shocking was resistance against scientific evidence and guidelines like staying home and wearing masks for example,” Johnson said. “I found it shocking that in 2020 people still buy extreme conspiracy theories. Misinformation spread quicker than the virus itself and made it even more challenging to contain this virus.”

THE BRIGHT SIDE OF THE PANDEMIC

While there were many devastating impacts from the coronavirus in 2020, there were some bright spots in the seemingly never-ending gloom.

Communities came together to celebrate the recovery of those who were on death’s door. Business came together to help feed healthcare workers as they worked long and grueling hours in personal protective equipment. Residents sewed masks tirelessly for anyone who needed one.

Smith said he’s never seen his co-workers and rival health systems work so well together.

“The biggest change I see is that there is a renewed spirit of academia and collegial respect among health care workers. From environmental services to ICU nurses, I’ve never seen so many people so grateful for each other and working so hard to keep each other safe,” Smith said. “Doctors or hospitals who may normally compete are sharing information and supplies. It’s really something to be a part of this surreal experience, and I am proud to be on this team.”

As 2020 ends, the first doses of the coronavirus vaccine are being distributed to front line healthcare workers. In Florida, residents 65 and older are beginning to receive the vaccines.

“We could be just a few months away from achieving herd immunity with these vaccines. Perhaps it’s the doctor in me, but that is something I never dreamed I would be able to say to you this quickly,” Smith said. “I look forward to not wearing a mask and not wondering if my little girl kissing her grandma is going to land my mother in the hospital. We can all look forward to that.”

As of Tuesday, Halifax Health, AdventHealth Daytona Beach, AdventHealth DeLand and the FDOH-Flagler had received doses of the vaccine to administer to their front line workers.

The first doses of the vaccine earmarked for people 65 and older in Volusia County were sent to the FDOH-Volusia this week, according to spokeswoman Holly Smith. They will begin distributing the vaccine this Monday, Jan. 4.

“The past year has been immensely challenging and consequential for the field of public health, particularly for local health departments like Volusia’,” Holly Smith said. “Each day we make decisions with one goal in mind; to protect the health and safety of all who live and visit our county.”

LOOKING FORWARD

Health experts say that it’s not yet time for the collective community to drop its guard.

“We should continue many of our new habits developed in 2020,” Dr. Joe Smith said. “For now, maintain your distance from large crowds, wear your mask in public and stay tuned to when you can get your vaccine. Going forward, we can all do a better job about staying home when we’re sick; and for heavens’ sake, keep washing your hands regularly.”

It’s going to take time for the coronavirus vaccine to be available to the general public, according to Holly Smith.

“While many front-line health care workers have received their first dose, the general public remains months away from being vaccinated,” she said.

More: Long lines, crashing websites, conflicting information confound COVID-19 vaccine rollout to Florida seniors

Johnson knows that many people will return to social gathering events, thanks to the vaccine.

“I hope we all make a New Year's resolution to respect and trust science more than ever,” Johnson said. “We need to remind ourselves that science may not be perfect, but it is always evolving to improve humans' and the planet's condition.”

On a larger scale, Crossman hopes that as the country and Florida moves on from the pandemic after vaccination, the population will remember what they’ve experienced.

“Going into 2021, we should keep in mind that with adversity comes opportunity. This crisis has motivated many to noble pursuits and creative problem solving,” Crossman said. “The more we seek these opportunities, the better off society as a whole will be as we move forward, and out of this pandemic.”

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: A Year of COVID-19: What we've learned in 2020, and where we're heading in 2021

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