2020, a year that is engraved in our minds forever has come back from the past in attempt to haunt us. Several months dedicated to the recovery of businesses, schools, hospitals, and everything we know and love now possibly gone to waste as the same disasters repeat themselves. Our nation continues to be haunted by the return of environmental tragedies, the loss of a leader, and new viruses lingering.
On January 5th, 2020; fires in Australia erupted and burned through wildlife habitats. Homes destroyed, wild life endangered attempting to escape the flames, so much loss and heartache at the beginning of the year most of us expected to be the best year yet. Around the same time five years later on January 7th, the Palisades fire started a year after the LA City Council decided to make a cut in the LA Fire Departments budget. Just how the Australia brush fires destroyed several habitats for animals, the Palisades fires spread causing several homes to be destroyed. Multiple fires erupted across Southern California; Altadena, Malibu, Pasadena, Eaton Canyon, and the Pacific Palisades relentlessly destroying everything in it’s path.
The next tragedy was the loss of NBA legend and Hall of Fame athlete Kobe Bryant that died in a tragic helicopter accident January 26, 2020. Early on a cloudy Sunday morning nine passengers, including Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi Bryant, were on board during the crash that is suspected to be caused by the pilot’s disorientation. On December 24, 2024 the 39th president, Jimmy Carter, passed away at the age of 100 years old. His funeral took place January 9th, 2025 where several past presidents were in attendance to pay their respects to Carter and his family. Carter did not die due to an accident, regardless he was a well known person who had a significant impact on society and will be remembered in history.
January 18th, 2020 was the first day of the medical war the US was about to begin. When the Coronavirus broke out in the US, fear infected all people across the nation as the sickness responsible for the death of thousands ran wild. It was a virus even medical professionals and scientists were concerned because of the lack of information they had yet to learn. It wasn’t until 2 years later on May 11th that the quarantine was officially declared over. Precautions were still taken as society slowly returned to their normal routine, but after so much loss and chaos nothing would ever be normal. Similar to the Coronavirus, HMPV is a respiratory virus that causes flu-like symptoms. According to the World Health Organization, “It continues to spread at lower levels”. Thankfully it is not seen as a threat and cases are perceived as minor, but nonetheless a virus can be a danger to the world.
2025 started with several challenges and issues that have caused people to worry, but none have been spread worldwide. Loss or sickness is part of the cycle of life and wildfires are eventually contained. In these moments it is important to cherish the present because life is constantly changing. Expect the unexpected because nothing is set in stone. The past will not be forgotten and will be moments that we can learn from.
