One year ago I wrote a piece called “Change” about the promise of vaccine clinical trials and summer reopenings, versus the possibility of summer (2020) COVID surges. The article ended: “What we don’t know is, will May of 2020 be part of the beginning, the middle, or the end?”

A few months ago the talk was about which vaccines were in clinical trials, which were approved for emergency use, and when they would be available. Next we worried about who was eligible and how to get our shots. Now, five months into the vaccination rollout, we have had enough time and experience to move forward in the areas of efficacy, improvements, and accessibility.

Unprecedented! If there’s one thing we can agree on, it’s that we are living in unprecedented times. And it’s all because of the pandemic. As a historian, I tend to be skeptical of that description. I would argue that we have had it all before: widespread disease, bitter political conflict, economic uncertainty, you name it. But

This week the State Department posted over 115 new level-4 travel advisories this week due to risks from COVID-19. If you had thought about going to France or Germany last week, the State Department would have told you these countries were at Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Today, the same countries are rated Level 4: Do Not Travel. In other words, don’t even think about it. Except for one country: Bhutan.

Overheard today: “During the pandemic, we used to . . . ” It’s so natural right now, right here, in southern California, to feel like it’s over. Vaccines are being given, restaurants are opening up, cases and hospitalizations are down. Our governor says the economy is posed to “come roaring back.” I earnestly hope so.

Last year we knew so little about this virus. Now we are seeing the results of a full year of research along with six months of vaccine experience. I’ve sorted the major stories into three categories: Openings, research, and regulations.