Global Health: Coronavirus, or COVID-19
August 1 – Africa: South Africa
With 200,000 Covid-19 cases, South Africa is the hardest-hit country in Africa with the coronavirus pandemic, which adds a burden on the country’s health system that has been already fighting HIV and tuberculosis cases. However, the coronavirus in South Africa is not as bad as predicted. One reason is that the pandemic struck South Africa later than Europe and North America and experts here have had time to learn from both the mistakes and innovations from earlier hotspots.[1]
South Africa’s battle against Covid-19
(Aug 2)- Latin America
Latin America is considered the world’s most affected region by the coronavirus pandemic, with Brazil second and Mexico third-highest global Covid-19 death toll after the United States. In response to surging Covid-19 cases, Peru, Argentina and Colombia are extending quarantine orders. Latin American and the Caribbean suffer from great economic inequalities with enormous informal economy, and where it is difficult to observe social distancing rules. The region’s health care system has been quickly overburdened on top of lack of resources and manpower. But infections are also reaching the political class, with six top government officials testing positive for the coronavirus in Brazil and a dozen officials, including the interim president in Bolivia.[2]
(Aug 28) – Europe
Europe is grappling with a second coronavirus surge. Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany are recording the highest number of new coronavirus cases since March or April. France introduces a mandatory mask wearing while in public in Paris and its suburbs. The UK continues to be hit by local outbreaks. Cases are also rising in the country. Spain also is registering a spike of new cases. However, Spain’s Director of the Center for Health Emergencies says the situation is different; today only 4 percent of infected people die compared to 12 percent in March during the peak of the pandemic. Also, only 1.6 percent of the cases were asymptomatic then, while in August 56 percent showed no symptoms.[3]
(Aug 29) – World
The number of coronavirus infections worldwide exceeds 22 million. Countries around the world are at different points in the fight against the virus.[4]
Economic recession
The world’s top developed economies are all officially in a recession due to the pandemic. Canada France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States report that their economies shrank dramatically in the first half of 2020, although each at different speeds. Between April and June, the U.S. economic output shrank by 9.1 percent, Canada recorded the sharpest decline in records dating back to 1961, 11.5 percent, while the United Kingdom has fared the worst with its economy shrinking by 20.4 percent in the same period of time.[5]
More on the state of the world’s top economies during the pandemic
(Aug 31) – North America: United States
The United States passes six million confirmed coronavirus cases.[6] The U.S. also averages 1,000 deaths per day from coronavirus, with a total of more than 170,000 deaths so far. Per capita, Georgia has had the most cases per day over a seven-day average of any state, followed by Texas and Florida. These states are led by governors who pushed to reopen during the spring, including restaurants, bars, and gyms, saw major summer surges of cases, and are currently pushing to reopen schools.[7]
Back to school
Many of the schools and colleges across the country that decided to reopen for in-person classes report a surge in new coronavirus cases. In Mississippi, nearly 2,000 K-12 students and more than 300 employees have been quarantined due to possible exposure.[8]
Covid-19 and Native Americans
The rate of coronavirus among American Indian and Alaskan Native people is 3.5 times higher than among White people. Some factors might be the limited access to running water and household size.[9]
Health and social inequities and minorities in the U.S.

August 4 – Middle East: LEBANON
Explosions, protests, and government resignation
Two enormous explosions of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored at the port in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, kill at least 154 people and injure more than 5,000. They also wipe out entire neighborhoods in the city leaving tens of thousands homeless and causing property damage estimated at billions of dollars. The ammonium nitrate, a chemical used in fertilizer and bombs, had been stored there for six years without safety measures. Many Lebanese blame Lebanon’s leaders for the blast accusing them of negligence and corruption.[10]
Protests
Outrage over the blasts spark massive anti-government protests across Lebanon, becoming yet another demonstration in a series of protests over economic collapse, mismanagement and corruption in the country’s ruling elite that have been going on since 2019. The protests become violent when demonstrators clash with security forces. Angry protesters storm three government ministries demanding the government to resign.[11]
(Aug 10): Due to mounting pressure, Prime Minister Hassan Diab announces the resignation of his government.[12]
The Beirut Explosions in Photos

August 9 – Europe: BELARUS
Presidential election
Belarus’s main opposition candidate, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, rejects the official results of the presidential elections, accusing President Aleksander Lukashenko of rigging the vote. The incumbent, who has been in power for the last 26 years and is often referred to as Europe’s last dictator, was claimed to have won 80.23 percent of the vote, a figure widely seen as not credible. Foreign independent observers were not allowed to participate, but an alternative exit poll suggests that Tikhanovskaya won an overwhelming majority of the votes.[13] In response to the alleged rigged election, more than 200,000 people come out onto the streets across Belarus demanding Lukashenko’s resignation. The government responds with violent suppression of the protests, deploying water canons, stun grenades and rubber bullets against the demonstrators.[14]
The most striking images from Belarus protest

August 9 – East Asia / Middle East / North America:
CHINA / IRAN / UNITED STATES
China-Iran Partnership
A leaked document shows that China and Iran are entering into a 25-year strategic partnership in trade, politics, culture, and security. China will invest in Iranian infrastructure, transport and seaports, while Iran will provide China with steady supplies of discounted oil and gas. For sanctions-hit Iran, this cooperation ensures the flow of cash into its economy. For China, with its growing influence in East Asia an Africa, this partnership allows China to play more active role in the Middle East, challenging the United States interests and undermining its influence in the region.[15]
More on the China-Iran partnership and its implications

August 18 – Africa: MALI
Military coup
Mutinying soldiers arrest Mali President Obrahim Boubakar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse. The military coup d’état follows widespread anti-government protests over economic mismanagement, corruption, as well as the worsening security situation with jihadi groups and increasing communal violence.[16]
(Aug 21): After forcing the president and prime minister to resign, coup leaders say they are talking to opposition parties about appointing a transitional president.[17]
Are military coups on the rise in Africa?

August 20 – Europe: RUSSIA
Poisoning of opposition leader
Traces of the nerve agent Novichok used to poison Russia’s main opposition leader, anti-corruption activist, and a leading critic of President Vladimir Putin, Alexei Navalny, were found on a water bottle in his hotel room in the Siberian city of Tomsk where he stayed before falling ill and collapsing on the plane.[18] After two days in the hospital in Russia, he was transported for treatment to a hospital in Germany, where it was determined that he was indeed poisoned with the Novichok nerve agent. Navalny’s team accuses President Putin of ordering the poisoning.
More about Alexei Navalny
What is Novichok nerve agent
How does the Novichok nerve agent work? (Video 1:01 min)

August 26 – North America: UNITED STATES
Environment – California fires / Climate change
Hundreds of wildfires engulf the American state of California, burning over a million acres of land in less than a week and forcing a hundred thousand people to evacuate. The smoke from the fires is spreading beyond California causing the quality of air to reach dangerous levels. California wildfires are part of natural cycle in many ecosystems, but these are more intense, burning more than three times the average acreage in just nine days. According to statistics from Cal-Fire, these are the largest, most destructive, deadliest wildfires on record for the state. Longer drought and a record-breaking heat wave in the West played a significant role in these rapid wildfires.
Connection to Climate Change
Climate change has led to more intense droughts, especially across California, which combined with increased temperatures are causing more intense wildfires.[19]
More on the California wildfires and their connection to climate change
Inequality of climate change

August 28 – North America: UNITED STATES
Hurricane Laura
Hurricane Laura strengthens from Category 2 to Category 4 within just 24 hours right before making landfall in the U.S. state of Louisiana. This deadly hurricane is tied with the 1856 Last Island hurricane as the strongest storm to hit Louisiana. The devastation and damage that stretches all the way to northern parts of the state is estimated at $8-12 billion. The storm kills at least 30 people in the U.S., displaces tens of thousands from their homes, and leaves hundreds of thousands of people without electricity and water.[20] An analysis of satellite images dating back to 1979 shows that global warming increases chances for hurricanes to become stronger and more destructive as warmer waters provide more energy for storms.[21]
Climate Change Is Making Hurricanes Stronger

SOURCES:
[1] By David McKenzie and Brent Swails. “Africa’s battle against Covid-19 will be won or lost here.” CNN. July 6, 2020. Accessed October 1, 20 from https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/06/africa/western-cape-south-africa-coronavirus-epicenter-intl/index.html
[2] Rafael Romo. “What happens in August could be key in Latin America’s coronavirus fight, expert says.” CNN. August 2, 2020. Accessed October 1, 20.
[3] Adam Renton, Steve George, Tara John and Ed Upright. August 28 coronavirus news. “All you need to know about Europe’s outbreak.” CNN. August 28, 2020. Accessed October 6, 20 from https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-pandemic-08-28-20-intl/h_29988859c9311692d66b8fa6d77e44bc
[4] Jessie Yeung, Adam Renton, Jack Guy, Ed Upright, Meg Wagner and Mike Hayes. “A continent-by-continent look at where coronavirus stands across the world.” CNN. August 19, 2020. Accessed September 20, 20 from https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-pandemic-08-19-20-intl/index.html
[5] Julia Horowitz. “Covid-19 dealt a shock to the world’s top economies. Here’s who has fared the worst.” CNN. August 28, 2020. Accessed October 6, 20.
[6] “Covid in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count.” The New York Times. August 31, 2020. Updated September 24, 2020. Accessed September 24, 20 from https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20200831&instance_id=21770&nl=the-morning&regi_id=116760350&section_index=2&section_name=three_more_big_stories&segment_id=37206&te=1&user_id=0ef246d5969dc9d5afd9a72aa16cf7e2
[7] Christina Maxouris, Eric Levenson and Nicole Chavez. “Georgia, Texas and Florida lead the country in coronavirus cases per capita.” CNN. August 19, 2020. Accessed October 1, 20.
[8] Ibid 7.
[9] Ibid 7.
[10] “The Beirut Explosions in Photos.” The New York Times. August 4, 2020. Accessed September 16, 20 and “Beirut explosion: Lebanon’s government ‘to resign’ as death toll rises.” BBC News. August 10, 2020. Accessed September 16, 20.
[11] Ben Hubbard and Mona El-Naggar. “Clashes Erupt in Beirut at Blast Protest as Lebanon’s Anger Boils Over.” The New York Times. August 8, 2020. Accessed September 16, 20.
[12] “Lebanese government resigns as public anger grows.” BBC News. August 10, 2020. Accessed September 17, 20.
[13] Chris Baynes. “Belarus election: Opposition candidate rejects official results after authoritarian president Lukashenko claims landslide victory.” The Independent.            
August 10, 2020. Accessed September 17, 20.
[14] Oliver Carroll. “Belarus election: Police and protesters clash on streets as ‘dictator’ Lukashenko declared winner.” The Independent. 9 August 2020. Accessed September 18, 20.
[15] Alam Saleh, Zakiyeh Yazdanshenas. “Iran’s Pact With China Is Bad News for the West.” Foreign Policy. August 9, 2020. Accessed September 1, 20 from https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/08/09/irans-pact-with-china-is-bad-news-for-the-west/
[16] “Soldiers seize Mali President Ibrahim Boubakar Keïta.” BBC News. August 18, 2020. Accessed September 1, 20.
[17] “Mali coup: Military junta seeks transitional president.” BBC News. August 21, 2020. Accessed September 22, 20.
[18] “Alexei Navalny’s aides say ‘nerve agent’ found on bottle in hotel room.” BBC News. September 17, 2020. Accessed September 18, 20.
[19] Tom Di Liberto. “Over a million acres burned in California in second half of August 2020.” Climate.gov. August 26, 2020. Accessed September 24, 20 from https://www.climate.gov/news-features/event-tracker/over-million-acres-burned-california-second-half-august-2020
[20] “Hurricane Laura: 400,000 without power in Louisiana.” BBC News. 29 August 2020. Accessed September 28, 20 and “2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season.” Center for Disaster Philanthropy. September 24, 2020. Accessed September 28, 20 from
https://disasterphilanthropy.org/disaster/2020-atlantic-hurricane-season/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsv7BRCmARIsANu-CQfP4_LAHp4DxT1Odz5SFyfs-cnBDbIX96gx92rRWftNRu2RjMr2YRsaAojqEALw_wcB
[21] Henry Fountain. “Climate Change Is Making Hurricanes Stronger, Researchers Find.” The New York Times. May 18, 2020. Updated Aug. 23, 2020. Accessed September 28, 20.