COVID-19 National Emergency — 1.2 Million Americans Die in Deadliest US Epidemic Since 1918

Trump declared a national emergency on March 13, 2020 as COVID-19 spread across the US. The pandemic ultimately killed over 1.2 million Americans — the deadliest epidemic in US history since the 1918 influenza. GDP contracted 19.2% (annualized) in Q2 2020. Operation Warp Speed produced two authorized mRNA vaccines within 12 months — unprecedented in medical history. The $2.2T CARES Act and subsequent legislation provided over $5 trillion in pandemic relief.