(Editor's note: The following message is submitted to Walking Horse Report by Bill Cantrell, the President of the Walking Horse Trainers' Association.)

By Bill Cantrell, WHTA President

As warm weather enters "Our World" with blue clear skies and beautiful colored flowers, I've wondered at times how anything could be wrong in our universe.  How could a deadly disease, its origins traceable to a winged animal, take over "Our World" in such a short time span. COVID-19 is on a global killing spree, putting us together against a virus rather against one another.  Who would have guessed that all we needed to end international hostilities was a killer bug and an order to shelter inside our homes...there to think about life and death.

A cease-fire from all world conflicts is needed and the reason is based upon the idea that all nations need to work together to fight the global pandemic. There will be plenty of time for assigning blame after the bodies are counted.  For now, the world's focus needs to be on stopping the virus spread and developing a vaccine.  This can only be done by joining forces, sharing resources, and setting aside differences that the virus doesn't recognize.  My prayer is that the human race might come away from this nightmare with a greater appreciation for the fragility of life and the gift of peace.  The pandemic has taught us one lesson....we are one world.

As I mentioned in my previous message on April 22, 2020, I shared that May would be a critical month in show casing what is ahead for us in the horse show season.  That has proven true.  Horse shows are being re-scheduled.  This is good for all.  As we begin to reopen, I am certain it will not immediately be a return to normal.  Everyone wants to return to the way it was, which doesn't only mean getting back to work and reviving the economy.  Mostly, people just want to be able to hug again, to see their friends and family, to make a dash to the store without having to think about gloves, masks and sanitizers.  Obviously, everyone's experience with the pandemic has been different...and yet my sense from talking with others is that  many Americans don't plan to return to regular order anytime soon.

As I think back over the last several months...and you may have done the same thing...I asked myself how did we get to where we are today.  What are the timelines that have taken us to this gloom and doom.  So, I asked my wife to research a timeline of events of this horrific pandemic. I wanted to share this with each of you.  The following journey, listed below came from two main sources...New York Times and Washington Post.

I know this has been a lengthy message, but hopefully, worthwhile.  It is important to know" it's not over yet" and more challenges and opportunities are on the horizon.  We must all work together to see a brighter day from this tragic virus that has affected "OUR HEALTH AND WEALTH".

HOW THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC UNFOLDED: A TIMELINE

December 31, 2019
The Coronavirus, which surfaced in a Chinese seafood and poulty market, has spread to over 177 countries.  The outbreak of the virus began in Wuhan, China.

January 11, 2020
China reported its first death.

January 20, 2020
Other countries, including the United States, confirmed cases.  The first confirmed case in the U.S. was in Washington State where a man in his 30's developed symptoms after returning from a trip to Wuhan.

January 23, 2020
Wuhan, a city of more than 11 million, was cut off by the Chinese authorities.

January 30, 2020
The W.H.O. declared a global health emergency.

January 31, 2020
The Trump administration restricted travel from China.

February 2, 2020
The first coronavirus death was reported outside China.

February 5, 2020
A cruise ship in Japan quarantined thousands.

February 7, 2020
A Chinese doctor who tried to raise the alarm died from the virus. He was reprimanded by the Chinese authorities, and he was forced to sign a statement denouncing his warnings that the virus was going to get out of control.

February 11, 2020
The disease the virus causes was named. The W.H.O. proposed an official name for the disease the virus coronavirus causes:  COVID-19, an acronym that stands for coronavirus disease 2019.

February 14, 2020
France announced the first coronavirus death in Europe.

February 19, 2020
Hundreds left the quarantined cruise.  At least 621 people aboard the ship were infected.

February 21, 2020
A secretive church was linked to the outbreak in South Korea.

February 23, 2020
Italy saw a major surge in cases.

February 24, 2020
Iran emerged as a second focus point.

February 26, 2020
Latin America reported its first case.

February 28, 2020
Infections spiked in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa recorded its first infection.

February 29, 2020
The U.S. reported a death.

March 3, 2020
U.S. officials approved widespread testing.

March 11, 2020
President Trump blocked most visitors from continental Europe.

March 13, 2020
President Trump declared a national emergency.

March 15, 2020
The C.D.C. recommended no gatherings of 50 or more people in the U.S.

March 16, 2020
Latin America began to feel the effects.

March 17, 2020
France imposed a nationwide lockdown and The E.U. barred most travelers from outside the bloc.

March 19, 2020
For the first time, China reported zero local infections.

March 21, 2020
Hawaii ordered a mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers.

March 23, 2020
Prime Minister Boris Johnson locked Britain down.

March 24, 2020
The Tokyo Olympics delayed until 2021 and India announced a 21-day lockdown.

March 26, 2020
The U.S. lead the world in confirmed cases.

March 27, 2020
Trump signed a stimulus bill into law.

March 28, 2020
The C.D.C. issued a travel advisory for the New York region.

March 30, 2020
More states issued stay-at-home directives.

April 2, 2020
Cases topped one million, and millions lost their jobs.

April 6, 2020
Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved into intensive care.

April 8, 2020
Companies planned vaccine trials.

April 10, 2020
Cases surged in Russia.

April 14, 2020
President Trump planned to stop U.S. funding of the W.H.O.

April 15, 2020
The global economy slid downward...the worst since the Great Depression.

April 16, 2020
Brazil's president fired the health minister after a disagreement over lockdown measures.

April 17, 2020
President Trump encouraged protests against some state restrictions.

April 19, 2020
Chile issued "immunity cards" to people who have recovered from the virus.

April 21, 2020
Officials discovered earlier known U.S. coronavirus death in California which moved the timeline of the virus's spread in our country weeks earlier.

April 24, 2020
The European Union, pressured by China, watered down a report on disinformation and President Trump was criticized over disinfectant comments.

April 26, 2020
The global death toll surpassed 200,000.

April 27, 2020
Oxford scientist led the race for a vaccine.

April 30, 2020
Airlines announced rules requiring face masks.

May 1, 2020
The FDA authorized emergency use of an antiviral drug called Remdesivir.  In addition, the W.H.O. extended its declaration of a global public health emergency.

May 3, 2020
Several countries targeted China over the coronavirus.

May 5, 2020
The coronavirus reached France in December, 2019, doctors said, rewriting the epidemic's timeline.  Its first report was originally reported on January 24, 2020.

May 6, 2020
Barack Obama criticized the U.S.'s virus response. In addition, Poland delayed its presidential election.

May 10, 2020
The British Prime Minister relaxed certain restrictions.

May 13, 2020
A Top W.H.O. official said this virus "may never go away".

May 17, 2020
Japan & Germany, two of the world's largest economies, enter recession.

May 22, 2020
U.S. begins the "real" reopening phase.