The Americas

Beyond the Headlines: how did the US coronavirus outbreak become the world's worst?

With cases rising and the issue of what to do about the pandemic becoming more about politics than science, what's next for America?

James Haines-Young
James Haines-Young

July 15, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

America is divided. Even a global health emergency has become a battle of wills about freedoms, economic costs and patriotism. But none of that has stopped the US rocketing to the top of the global chart for the highest number of coronavirus cases.

It took the US more than three months to reach a million Covid-19 cases on April 28. Another 44 days to reach two million. Just 26 days after that to pass three million on July 8 and now it is setting new record increases every few days.

President Donald Trump insists that Covid-19 will just "somehow disappear" and that the government's management has so far been exemplary. His political opponents lament a bungled, mistimed and miscommunicated strategy that has done little to stem the rising case number.

But how did America become the hardest-hit nation, what is Mr Trump doing about it and how might it impact November's presidential election?

This week we speak to Amish Adalja from the Johns Hopkins Centre for Health Security, Ethan Fosse, an assistant professor in Sociology at the University of Toronto and Willy Lowry, a former producer for The National who recently arrived back in New York from Abu Dhabi.

The New York Stock Exchange in Lower Manhattan on the first day that traders are allowed back on to the floor of the exchange on May 26, 2020 in New York City. Getty Images via AFP
The New York Stock Exchange in Lower Manhattan on the first day that traders are allowed back on to the floor of the exchange on May 26, 2020 in New York City. Getty Images via AFP
A face mask hangs on a fence in front of the New York Stock Exchange in New York. EPA
A face mask hangs on a fence in front of the New York Stock Exchange in New York. EPA
The NYSE floor, known worldwide for an anarchic atmosphere with traders shouting orders over one another, has been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus outbreak. Fewer traders will be allowed back at a given time for now in order to support six-feet social distancing requirements and they also must wear masks. AP
The NYSE floor, known worldwide for an anarchic atmosphere with traders shouting orders over one another, has been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus outbreak. Fewer traders will be allowed back at a given time for now in order to support six-feet social distancing requirements and they also must wear masks. AP
New York mayor Andrew Cuomo looks over the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday as he rings the opening bell. New York Stock Exchange via AP
New York mayor Andrew Cuomo looks over the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday as he rings the opening bell. New York Stock Exchange via AP
Traders wearing masks work on the first day of in-person trading since the closure during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange. Reuters
Traders wearing masks work on the first day of in-person trading since the closure during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange. Reuters
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks inside the New York Stock Exchange after ringing the opening bell. Reuters
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks inside the New York Stock Exchange after ringing the opening bell. Reuters
Officials on Tuesday began removing dozens of people who have been sleeping at the city's airport during the coronavirus pandemic. AP
Officials on Tuesday began removing dozens of people who have been sleeping at the city's airport during the coronavirus pandemic. AP
A worker wears protective equipment after assisting a customer select her purchases from curb-side at The Loop fashion and shoe store as businesses slowly begin to reopen in Yonkers city, New York. AP
A worker wears protective equipment after assisting a customer select her purchases from curb-side at The Loop fashion and shoe store as businesses slowly begin to reopen in Yonkers city, New York. AP
A nurse holds her back as she walks down a hallway in the Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit at Harborview Medical Centre. AP, File
A nurse holds her back as she walks down a hallway in the Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit at Harborview Medical Centre. AP, File
President Donald Trump holds a face mask in his left hand as he speaks during a tour of Ford's Rawsonville Components Plant that has been converted to factory making personal protection and medical equipment. AP
President Donald Trump holds a face mask in his left hand as he speaks during a tour of Ford's Rawsonville Components Plant that has been converted to factory making personal protection and medical equipment. AP
Vin Norton gets a haircut by barber Cristian Lopez at Barber Walter's barbershop, as they both wear masks out of concern for the coronavirus. AP
Vin Norton gets a haircut by barber Cristian Lopez at Barber Walter's barbershop, as they both wear masks out of concern for the coronavirus. AP
People get free Covid-19 tests without showing ID, doctor's note or symptoms at a drive-through and walk up coronavirus testing centre at Barcroft Community Centre in the Arlington, Virginia. AFP
People get free Covid-19 tests without showing ID, doctor's note or symptoms at a drive-through and walk up coronavirus testing centre at Barcroft Community Centre in the Arlington, Virginia. AFP
Health workers prepare to give people free Covid-19 tests without asking to show ID, doctor's note or symptoms at a drive-through and walk up Coronavirus testing centre at Barcroft Community Centre in the Arlington, Virginia. AFP
Health workers prepare to give people free Covid-19 tests without asking to show ID, doctor's note or symptoms at a drive-through and walk up Coronavirus testing centre at Barcroft Community Centre in the Arlington, Virginia. AFP
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