1. The Vulnerability of Democracy

The year commenced with the impeachment of the President—the third instance in the nation's 244-year history—and concluded with an election framed as a means to "protect democracy."

If we view the initial three years of the Trump presidency as a period that pushed the boundaries of American political discourse, then 2020 marked a descent into chaos. Many of us were left genuinely concerned about the stability of the United States' political framework.

Throughout this year, terms such as Fascism, Abuse of Power, Oligarchy, and Soft Coup were used to characterize the situation. The current President persistently undermined the electoral process in a manner unprecedented in American history.

Trump's rhetoric of election fraud and voting irregularities began long before the actual election, sowing seeds of doubt. Political allies attempted to manipulate postal services to obstruct mail-in voting while also deploying additional "observers" at polling places known for voter intimidation.

The assault on democracy persisted even after the election, with threats of martial law and attempts to sway the judiciary to reverse election results. Recent recordings revealed that the Republican President pressured Georgia's Republican Secretary of State to "find" votes and alter the outcome.

Such tactics are commonly associated with authoritarian regimes, reminiscent of election fraud in Russia and voter suppression in Hong Kong. Yet, America is not an isolated case; democracy faced similar threats globally in 2020, notably in Hungary and Turkey.

Engaging in the electoral process is crucial for safeguarding democracy. The high voter turnout in 2020 is encouraging, but voting should not be a mere emergency response. If democracy is to endure, it must be actively protected.

2. Economic Health Doesn't Guarantee Employment

President Trump often touted the U.S. economy as the strongest in history prior to the pandemic. While the economy was performing well, the employment situation was not as rosy, with jobless rates being the highest since 2000, but not unprecedented.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the global economy, leading to a staggering $2 trillion drop in the U.S. GDP, which has yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels.

However, the latter part of 2020 witnessed a remarkable economic recovery, with stock markets reaching record highs. Yet, this recovery did not translate into job restoration.

Approximately 11 million Americans remain unemployed, compared to about 5.5 million before the pandemic. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for coronavirus stimulus.

What we learned in 2020 is that while economies can rebound, job recovery is often lagging. The pandemic highlighted systemic vulnerabilities in employment resilience, pointing to the need for a more robust economic model to safeguard against future crises.

3. The Nature of Medical Science

In 2020, the world, especially the U.S., grappled with the severe impact of SARS-COV-2, a novel coronavirus that required us to adapt and learn rapidly.

Science is fundamentally about understanding the natural world through observation and experimentation. Thus, it's unsurprising that medical guidance regarding the virus evolved as new information emerged.

Initially, the focus was on contact transmission, leading to recommendations for handwashing and physical distancing. Early on, masks were deemed unnecessary.

By late March, projections from the White House task force estimated a grim death toll from COVID-19, with predictions of peak fatalities in mid-April. The initial predictions were not incorrect; rather, they reflected our limited understanding at the time, complicated by political interference.

As we gathered more data, it became evident that the virus was airborne, necessitating the use of masks as a critical tool in mitigation efforts.

Thanks to scientific advancements and collaboration among pharmaceutical companies, multiple vaccines are now being administered. Achieving herd immunity will require a significant portion of the population to be vaccinated, though the exact percentage remains uncertain.

The intersection of politics and science has created confusion. We must be open to adapting our understanding as new information arises, while resisting the spread of conspiracy theories that undermine scientific credibility.

Trusting in the scientific process is vital; it is a continuous journey of learning.

4. The Challenge of Finding Truth

Mark Twain once said, "If you tell the truth, you never have to remember anything." Truth is a cornerstone of our civilization, integral to justice and academia.

However, the past four years have seen a relentless attack on the very concept of truth. According to the Washington Post, Donald Trump made over 25,000 false statements during his presidency, escalating in frequency following the November election.

While many recognize Trump’s fabrications, the more insidious issue lies in the less obvious lies, those presented as truth accompanied by false or manipulated evidence—fueling conspiracy theories and eroding trust.

The emergence of deepfake technology presents an alarming challenge. Unlike the overused term "fake news," deepfakes can convincingly replicate public figures' audio and video, blurring the lines of authenticity.

We must remain vigilant in distinguishing truth from deception. As society increasingly relies on accurate information for decision-making, the ramifications of misinformation become ever more severe. We should be concerned about the future of truth in our society.