2020 – NOT Our Year
We are now in the month of May, just four months into the calendar year and it appears life may get more difficult before it gets better. Earnest New Year’s resolutions have broken faster than most years in the past. Revelations replace resolutions this year with little news of good, and a substantial amount of news of the bad and the ugly.
2020 is not our year! At this point, the only things predictable in this world are unpredictable. Here’s a look at just how haywire the first four months have been.
World War III Draft Scare
Before the new year commenced, President Donald Trump was in the middle of a conflict regarding provocative actions taken by Iraqi supporters of Kataib Hezbollah against the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Trump acted on the matter, making arguably one of the most controversial decisions of his career. Just three days into the new year, Trump launched an air raid near the cargo area of Baghdad International Airport, resulting in the death of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani. News of this resulted in panic across the country causing American citizens to wonder if they will see world war III, and whether or not they are eligible to be drafted. Along with widespread concern came a steady barrage of memes created by the promising youth of our country.
Australian Bushfires
In another part of the world, Australia dealt with overwhelmingly dangerous wildfires that brought historic levels of destruction to the country’s landscape and wildlife. Beginning in June 2019, the bushfires lasted about 240 days, taking at least 27 lives. On top of the human death toll, nearly one billion animals are feared dead, along with the destruction of more than 2,000 homes. An estimated 27.2 million acres were burned, which is almost half as many than the total that burned in the Amazon. Damages and economic losses have been estimated in the billions.
COVID-19
Closer to the end of 2019, an outbreak of a virus was reported in Wuhan, China. That same virus has traveled to approximately 187 countries, infecting the lives of over 3 million, and taking the lives of at least 205,000. The virus is known as COVID-19, but is commonly referred to as coronavirus. On March 13, Trump declared a state of emergency, opening access to $50 billion. Nearly two weeks later, on March 26, the Senate approved a $2 trillion stimulus package. If we weren’t in too much debt already, we sure are now. Apparently the best way to escape a potential economic crash and depression is inflation.
COVID-19 Cancelations
As coronavirus continued to spread, citizens were asked to quarantine themselves to limit the spread of the virus. Before this happened, social distancing became a part of our daily routine. Thanks to social distancing, many large crowd events were canceled, including: popular sporting events such as the NCAA tournament, drafts, MLB finals, etc. Other important events canceled or postponed include school graduations, award ceremonies, concerts, and even Oktoberfest. Although Oktoberfest and many sports events have been cancelled, Americans will continue to binge drink from the safety of their homes watching marble races on ESPN ‘The OCHO’ until quarantine is officially over.
Kobe dies
But that isn’t the worst that has happened to sports in 2020. On January 26, one of the greatest basketball players to play the sport, died from a helicopter crash outside of Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant, 41, and his daughter Gianna, 13, were killed along with 7 others. Kobe and Gianna’s memorial service was held on February 24, at the Staples Center.
Tom Brady joins Buccaneers
Another unpredictable sports moment occurred, after 20 seasons and 6 of 9 Super Bowl wins, Tom Brady leaves everything he once knew to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their 2021 season. Brady looks forward to the chance of earning a ring with a different team. Former Patriots’ TE, Rob Gronkowski, will be leaving retirement to join his former teammate on the field in Tampa.
Local News
2020 has proved to be a merciless year, even for those who live in the paradise of Hawaii.
After 67 years, Like Like Drive Inn officially closed their doors to the public on April 30. Just like many other restaurants, this historic family-owned business has fallen victim to COVID-19. But that wasn’t the worst news locals heard in the month of April. Although locals will be disappointed by this decision, another business comes to mind. Now, not even a box of powdered-sugar Donettes can fill the void that 2020 has created. Love’s Bakery, a 169-year-old bakery has announced they will be discontinuing their famous powdered-sugar Donettes. If this is news to you, then you are unfortunately too late.
Another historical tradition has been broken, but not by coronavirus, but by an arsonist in Waikiki. On Thursday night, February 27, an arsonist set fire to the historical surfboard alley next to the police station in Waikiki. About 525 surfboards were destroyed by the crime, but the boards held more than monetary value. Many of the boards were shaped by people who died long ago, boards that held a fortune of sentimental value, even boards that were designed to be used by lifeguards to rescue others.
On top of that, Hawaii stands at about a 37 percent unemployment rate. Whether you are looking forward to an event, missing a loved one who has passed, or experiencing financial struggles, we can get through this. As long as the next eight months are less eventful than the first four, I expect we will see the year 2021.