On January 1, 2021, the United States crossed 20 million COVID-19 cases, marking a somber start to the New Year.
The virus, spreading rapidly, claimed over 347,000 lives, the highest national death toll globally, according to Johns Hopkins University. The US struggled to control the outbreak, with a record 3,900 daily deaths reported on December 30, 2020.
Vaccine Rollout Faces Delays
Hopes for swift relief from COVID-19 vaccines faded as the US vaccination program lagged. Only 2.8 million people received their first dose by January 1, far short of the Trump administration’s goal of 20 million by year-end.
Logistical issues and overstretched hospitals slowed progress, prompting criticism from President-elect Joe Biden, who urged mask-wearing and stronger action.
Global Vaccination Efforts
Globally, the pandemic killed at least 1.8 million people since emerging in China in December 2019, per AFP’s tally. The World Health Organization validated the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for emergency use on December 31, 2020, aiding global distribution.
The UK, Canada, and US approved Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, while the UK also greenlit Oxford-AstraZeneca. BioNTech’s Ugur Sahin told Der Spiegel on January 1 that production must ramp up to meet Europe’s vaccine shortage.
Europe’s Struggles and Restrictions
In Germany, senior doctors criticized delays in vaccinating hospital staff, a priority group. France accelerated its plan, offering shots to health workers over 50 starting January 4, 2021. France also tightened curfews in 15 high-infection regions, moving start times to 6 p.m. from 8 p.m., and delayed reopening theaters and cinemas. An illegal New Year’s rave near Rennes drew 2,500 attendees, sparking clashes with police.
Global New Year’s Impact
New Year celebrations worldwide, including in Sydney, New York, and Rio, saw cancellations or reduced festivities due to COVID-19 restrictions. Rio’s Copacabana beach reported 89% less trash, reflecting fewer crowds after authorities urged residents to stay home, said sanitation chief Flavio Lopes. Travel restrictions, like COVID-19 tests for UK-Paris train passengers, added complexity post-Brexit.
Preparing for Post-Holiday Surge
Experts warned of a post-holiday case spike due to gatherings. Norway, with low infection rates, introduced mandatory arrival testing and seven-day quarantines starting January 2, 2021, after detecting five cases of the UK variant. The US faced scrutiny for inconsistent mask and distancing guidance under Trump, though he claimed success in vaccine distribution in his New Year’s message.
Path Forward in 2021
Biden, set to take office on January 20, vowed to prioritize the vaccine rollout. The race to vaccinate remains critical, with the US and global communities bracing for ongoing challenges as new variants and rising cases threaten recovery efforts.
