The Timeline

timeline covid-19

Not necessarily "rights" related, but COVID-19 is very much a part of our lives right now, and there are many myths out there about what has or has not been happening...

This is a timeline of actions taken by President Trump’s administration to combat COVID-19 with Impeachment sprinkled in to lend context to the Lefts fight with the Right. This will be a living timeline.

Now to put this in the proper context, The Democratic party was currently impeaching the President of the United States while China was looking to be competive with the United States somehow by experimenting with the Coronavisrus that would ultimately come to be known as COVID-19.

Let us begin...

A Nation Distracted

July 2017: Two Dems (Brad Sherman and Al Green) file first article of impeachment charging “obstructed justice” two months after Trump fired James Comey but goes ignored by Republican majority led House

January 8 2019: Dems, having won majority in House, Sherman and Green reintroduce their article of impeachment. That same day, freshman Dem Rashida Tlaib proclaims Democrats would “impeach the motherfucker!”

March: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sought to tamp down pro-impeachment sentiments in the early days of the new Congress, calling it “divisive” and suggesting lawmakers should wait and see how the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election led by special counsel Robert Mueller played out

April: Mueller’s report publicly released. It found no evidence that Trump campaign conspired with Russia’s efforts to interfere with 2016 presidential election.

Spring & Summer: Groundwork of impeachment inquiry being laid

  • Congress approves $391 million in military aid to Ukraine.
  • June 19: Trump inquires about aid which is put on hold by administration

July 25: Ukraine call occurs

August 12: Whistleblower files complaint based on hearsay and second-hand knowledge

  • Leaks of classified information relative to complaint ensue

September 20: The Wall Street Journal publishes story alleging Trump pressuring Ukraine to investigate Joe Bidden’s son in the July 25 phone call.

September 24:

  • New whistleblower forms and rules, changed to remove first-hand knowledge (and other) requirements, uploaded to ICIG’s website, though new forms and rules indicate a revision date in August.
  • Pelosi orders impeachment inquiry by six committees (Financial Services, the Judiciary, Intelligence, Foreign Affairs, Oversight and Reform, and Ways and Means) in the House of Representatives accusing Trump of betraying his oath of office U.S. national security and the integrity of the country’s elections

October 8: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell starts planning for a possible Senate trial

October 28: After partisan closed door depositions, House approves resolution to fully authorize impeachment proceedings

November 13: Intelligence Committee hearings start

December 4: Judiciary Committee phase begins with partisan constitutional law scholars testifying and calling for impeachment

December 5: Pelosi announced House Judiciary Committee to draw up articles of impeachment

December 12: House Judiciary Committee, after heated partisan deliberation, drafts two articles of impeachment on abuse of power, and obstructing congress. Nothing at all to do with the Ukraine phone call or Russian collusion that they had been so vocal over.

COVID-19 Rears its Ugly Head

January 6 2020 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issue a travel notice for Wuhan, China due to the spreading coronavirus

January 7: The CDC established a coronavirus incident management system to better share and respond to Information about the virus

January 11: The CDC issued a Level I travel health notice for Wuhan, China

January 17: The CDC began implementing public health entry screening at the 3 U.S. airports that received the most travelers from Wuhan -San Francisco, New York JFK, and Los Angeles

January 20: Dr Fauci announces the National Institutes of Health is already working on the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus

January 21: The CDC activated its emergency operations center to provide ongoing support lo the coronavirus response

January 23: The CDC sought a ·special emergency authorization” from the FDA to allow states to use its newly developed coronavirus test

January 27: The CDC issued a level Ill travel health notice urging Americans to avoid all nonessential travel to China due to the coronavirus

January 29: The White House announced the formation of the Coronavirus Task Force to help monitor and contain the spread of the virus and provide updates to the President

January 31: The Trump Administration:

  • Declared the coronavirus a public health emergency
  • Announced Chinese travel restrictions
  • Suspended entry into the United States for foreign nationals who pose a risk of transmitting the coronavirus

January 31: The Department of Homeland Security took critical steps to funnel all flights from China into just 7 domestic U.S. airports

January 31: Pelosi tweets that Trump’s travel restrictions are a form of discrimination and a threat to our security, values, and rule of law

January 31: Biden posts a tweet that compares this travel restriction to the “Muslim Ban,” thereby presenting a discriminative action on Trump’s part

January 31: Bernie Sanders posts a tweet in response to a CNN tweet, “It is outrageous that Donald Trump continues to push a racist travel policy that dehumanizes immigrants and their families for his own political purposes.

On day one of my administration, I will overturn this xenophobic and discriminatory ban.”

January 31: CNN tweets, “JUST IN: The Trump administration has announced an expansion of the travel ban — one of the President’s signature policies, which has been derided by critics as an attempt to ban Muslims from the US — to include six new countries”

February 1: Biden tweets, “We are in the midst of a crisis with the coronavirus. We need to lead the way with science — not Donald Trump’s record of hysteria, xenophobia, and fear-mongering. He is the worst possible person to lead our country through a global health emergency.”

February 1: Biden tweets, “Trump further diminished the U.S. in the eyes of the world by expanding his travel ban. This new “African Ban,” is designed to make it harder for black and brown people to immigrate to the United States. It’s a disgrace, and we cannot let him succeed.”

February 3: The CDC had a team ready to travel to China to obtain critical information on the novel coronavirus. but were in the U.S. awaiting permission to enter by the Chinese government

February 4: President Trump vowed in his State of the Union Address to “take all necessary steps” to protect Americans from the coronavirus

February 4: Bernie Sanders tweets, “In the year 2020, how can a president of the United States give a State of the Union speech and not mention climate change?”

February 6: The CDC began shipping CDC-Developed test kits for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus to U.S. and international labs

February 9: The White House Coronavirus Task Force briefed governors from across the nation at the National Governors’ Association Meeting in Washington

February 9: Nancy Pelosi tweets, “Last week, we stood up against President Trump’s efforts to mislead the American people & took a stand for workers’ rights. Here are a few moments that stood out.” Citing a story published by Medium.

February 11: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) expanded a partnership with Janssen Research & Development to “expedite the development” of a coronavirus vaccine

February 12: The U.S. shipped test kits for the 2019 novel coronavirus to approximately 30 countries who lacked the necessary reagents and other materials. The CDC was prepared to travel to China but had yet to receive permission from the Chinese government

February 13: Nancy Pelosi tweets, “The President’s latest effort to steal Congressionally-appropriated military funding in order to build his wasteful, ineffective border wall undermines our national security and the separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution.”

February 14: The CDC began working with five labs to conduct ‘community-based influenza surveillance’ to study and detect the spread of coronavirus

February 18: HHS announced it would engage with Sanofi Pasteur in an effort to quickly develop a coronavirus vaccine and to develop treatment for coronavirus infections

February 20: Nancy Pelosi tweets, “American voters should decide American elections — not Vladimir Putin. All Members of Congress should condemn the President’s reported efforts to dismiss threats to the integrity of our democracy & to politicize our intel community.” Citing a story from the NYTimes

February 24: The Trump Administration sent a letter to Congress requesting at least $2.5 billion to help combat the spread of the coronavirus

Febeuary 24: Nancy Pelosi tweets, “Americans need a coordinated, fully-funded, whole-of-government response to keep them and their loved ones safe. The President’s request for coronavirus response funding is long overdue and completely inadequate to the scale of this emergency.”

Note: Trump addressed this in his #SOTU address on February 4th while Pelosi was ripping up the House copy of the transcript.

February 26: President Trump discussed coronavirus containment efforts with Indian PM Modi and updated the press on his Administration’s containment efforts In the U.S. during his state visit to India

February 26: Three part tweet from Bernie Sanders, “I am deeply concerned not just by the rise of cases of coronavirus worldwide, but by the inadequate and incompetent response we have seen from Donald Trump and his administration. Today, HHS Secretary Alex Azar wouldn’t guarantee that a coronavirus vaccine would be affordable to all. Under the Trump doctrine, if you’re wealthy you can buy a vaccine, but if you’re poor or working class you may get sick or even die. That is outrageous and unacceptable. We need a vaccine that is available to all, not just those who can afford it. Let me be clear: it has never been more important to finally guarantee health care as a human right by passing Medicare for All.”

February 29: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowed certified labs to develop and begin testing coronavirus testing kits while reviewing pending applications

February 29: The Trump Administration:

  • Announced a level 4 travel advisory to areas of Italy and South Korea
  • Barred all travel to Iran
  • Barred the entry or foreign citizens who visited Iran in the last 14 days

March 3: The CDC lifted federal restrictions on coronavirus testing to allow any American to be tested for coronavirus, “subject to doctor’s orders.” The While House announced President Trump donated his fourth quarter salary to fight the coronavirus!

March 4: The Trump Administration announced the purchase of $500 million N95 respirators over the next 18 months to respond to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus

March 4: Secretary Azar announced that HHS was transferring $35 million to the CDC 10 help slate and local communities that have been Impacted most by the coronavirus

March 4: Chuck Schumer tweets, “While President Trump is playing fast and loose with the facts, and blaming everyone not named Donald Trump—Congress is taking responsibility and acting like the adult in the room.

The Trump admin’s response to coronavirus has been slow and halting.

Congress is taking action.”

March 5: Bernie Sanders tweets, “As the coronavirus spreads, we need emergency funding for response agencies, increased hospital capacity, and we must care for our most vulnerable. Donald Trump must stop spreading lies and fear, and put scientists and health professionals in charge.”

March 6: President Trump signed an $8.3 billion bill to fight the coronavirus outbreak. The bill provides $7.76 billion to federal, state, & local agencies to combat the coronavirus and authorizes an additional $500 million in waivers for Medicare telehealth restrictions

March 9: President Trump called on Congress to pass a payroll tax cut over coronavirus

March 10: President Trump and VP Pence met with top health insurance companies and secured a commitment to waive co-pays for coronavirus testing

March 11: President Trump:

  • Announced travel restrictions on foreigners Who had visited Europe in the last 14 days
  • Directed the Small Business Administration to issue low-interest loans to affected small businesses and called on congress to increase this fund by $50 billion
  • Directed the Treasury Department 10 defer tax payments for affected Individuals & businesses, & provide $200 billion In “additional liquidity”
  • Met with American bankers at the White House to discuss coronavirus March 13: President Trump declared a national emergency in order to access $42 billion in exiting funds to combat the coronavirus

March 13: President Trump announced:

  • Public-private partnerships to open up drive-through testing collection sites
  • A pause on interest payments on federal student loans
  • An order to the Department of Energy to purchase oil for the strategic petroleum reserve March 13: The Food & Drug Administration:
  • Granted Roche AG an emergency approval for automated coronavirus testing kits
  • Issued an emergency approval to Thermo Fisher for a coronavirus test within 24 hours of receiving the request

March 13: HHS announced funding for the development of two new rapid diagnostic tests, which would be able to detect coronavirus in approximately 1 hour

March 14: The Coronavirus Relief Bill passed the House or Representatives.

March 14: The Trump Administration announced the European travel ban will extend to the UK and Ireland

March 15: President Trump held a phone call with over two dozen grocery store executives to discuss on-going demand for food and other supplies.

March 15: HHS announced it is projected to have 1.9 million COVID-19 tests available in 2,000 labs this week

March 15: Google announced a partnership with the Trump Administration to develop a website dedicated to coronavirus education. prevention, & local resources.

March 15: All 50 states were contacted through FEMA to coordinate “federally-supported, stale-led efforts’ to end coronavirus

March 16: President Trump:

  • Held a tele-conference with governors to discuss coronavirus preparedness and response
  • Participated in a call with G7 leaders who committed to increasing coordination in response to the coronavirus and restoring global economic confidence
  • Announced that the first potential vaccine for coronavirus has entered a phase one trial in a record amount of time
  • Announced “15 days to slow the spread” coronavirus guidance

March 16: The FDA announced empowering states to authorize tests developed and used by labs in their states.

March 16: Asst. Secretary for Health confirmed the availability of 1 million coronavirus tests, and projected 2 million tests available the next week and 5 million the following week

March 17: President Trump announced:

  • CMS expands tele-health benefits for Medicare beneficiaries
  • Relevant Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act penalties will not be enforced
  • The Army Corps of Engineers is on * standby” to assist federal & state govts

March 17: President Trump spoke to fast rood executives from Wendy’s, McDonald’s and Burger King to discuss drive-thru services recommended by CDC

March 17: Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin met with lawmakers to discuss stimulus measures to relieve the economic burden of “ coronavirus on certain industries. businesses, and American workers

March 17: Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a partnership between USDA, Baylor University, McLane Global, and Pepsi Co. to provide one million meals per week to rural children in response to widespread school closures

March 17: The Treasury Department

  • Contributed $10bil through the economic stabilization fund to the Federal Reserve’s commercial paper funding facility
  • Deferred $300 billion in tax payments for 90 days without penalty, up to $1mil for individuals & $10mil for business

March 17: The Department of Defense announced it will make available to HHS up to five million respirator masks and 2,000 ventilators

March 18: President Trump announced:

  • Temporary closure of the U.S.-Canada border to non-essential traffic
  • Plans to Invoke the Defense Production Act in order to increase the number of necessary supplies needed to combat coronavirus
  • FEMA has been activated in every region at its highest level of response
  • The U.S. Navy will deploy USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy hospital ships
  • All foreclosures and evictions will be suspended for a period or lime

March 18: Secretary of Defense Mark Esper confirmed:

  • 1 million masks are now immediately available
  • The Army Corps of Engineers is in NY consulting on how 10 best assist stale officials

March 18: HHS temporarily suspended a regulation that prevents doctors from practicing across state lines

March 18: President Trump spoke to:

  • Doctors, physicians, and nurses on the front lines containing the spread of coronavirus
  • 130 CEOs of the Business Roundtable to discuss on-going public-private partnerships in response to the coronavirus pandemic

March 19: The Trump Administration’s Coronavirus Response Task Force Identifies the anti-malaria drug chloroquine as effective at killing the coronavirus and promises to make it available Immediately.

March 19: Chuck Schumer tweets, “What is going on here, President Trump? We called on you to invoke the Defense Production Act. But in addition, we expect you to use it immediately. Why aren’t you using this authority now to make testing kits, masks, beds, ventilators?”

Note: Trump started looking into this on March 18th

March 21: Bernie Sanders tweets, “Mr. President, get your act together. Utilize the Defense Production Act and protect our medical personnel.”

Note: Trump started looking into this on March 18th

March 26: Nancy Pelosi tweets, “Testing. Masks. Ventilators. It’s not a mystery – we need many more. The President must invoke the Defense Production Act to immediately mass produce and coordinate distribution of these vital supplies. “

April 15: Nancy Pelosi tweets, “Delaying direct payments to vulnerable families just to print his name on the check is another shameful example of President Trump’s catastrophic failure to treat this crisis with the urgency it demands.”

Note: Nancy Pelosi on January 15 handed out and used pens with her signature printed on them (for each stroke of her signature) to sign the articles of impeachment and used pomp and circumstance to play up the whole impeachment process.

April 27: Chuck Schumer tweets, “President Trump is abusing this pandemic to eliminate honest, independent public servants like Acting Inspector General Glenn Fine because they are willing to speak truth to power.”