October 2020

Adverse effects of COVID policies keep being reported, from increased alcoholism, suicides, poverty, and anxiety. WHO even warns about economic damage from lockdowns in mid-October.

Nevertheless, Fauci and other pro-lockdown advocates in the government and media tell Americans to prepare to “hunker down” for the winter.

With about a month left until the election, Trump is pilloried in the press for his response to COVID-19. He is blamed for the spread of the disease and for promoting “misinformation.”

Counselor to the president Hope Hicks tests positive for COVID. Her diagnosis leads Trump to quarantine. Trump and First Lady Melania test positive the next day.

Trump cancels in-person election events and goes to Walter Reed hospital in Maryland for treatment. His symptoms are reported as mild and he returns to the White House in three days. By October 12 he is back on the campaign trail.

Facebook and Twitter both take action over Trump’s social media posts, citing misinformation concerns. Facebook additionally bans all groups presumed to be related to “QAnon.” Youtube will also ban COVID “misinformation” content later in the month.

Mask mania continues—California governor Gavin Newsom asks people at restaurants to wear masks in between bites of food.

Concerns about disenfranchisement due to COVID continue to be amplified, and mail-in voting surges.

A new Supreme Court Justice is selected—Amy Coney Barrett—Fauci calls her White House Rose Garden ceremony a “super spreader event.”

It is becoming more clear that a vaccine will not be approved before the election. Overall willingness to take a vaccine is decreasing, while those in the media and government are still debating who should be prioritized first when the vaccines do eventually roll out—and how to increase uptake amongst a reluctant public.

Key Dates and Stories:

• October 1: New York launches coronavirus contact tracing app as cases rise in hot spots
• October 2: Trump tests positive for COVID-19
• October 5: Don't Be Afraid Of It': Trump Dismisses Virus Threat As He Returns To White House
• October 5: CDC revises guidance, says COVID-19 can spread through virus lingering in air
• October 6: Facebook removes Trump post falsely saying flu is more lethal than Covid
• October 9: Fauci calls Amy Coney Barrett ceremony in Rose Garden 'superspreader event'
• October 11: WHO warns against COVID-19 lockdowns due to economic damage
• October 12: Trump is back on the trail, but he still can't shake the coronavirus politically
• October 13: Pfizer to enroll kids as young as 12 in COVID-19 vaccine study
• October 16: $3.1 Trillion: Pandemic Spending Drives The Federal Budget Deficit To A Record
• October 18: Twitter removes tweet from top Trump Covid-19 adviser saying masks don't work
• October 28: Fauci says it's time for the US to 'put aside these extraordinary excuses' and mandate masks