Pandemic has presented challenges to provide special education Mar 14, 2021 catholic news service Students are seen in a school in the Diocese of San Diego amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Credit: CNS photo/Courtesy Diocese of San Diego.) When the World Health Organization declared a global COVID-19 pandemic March 11, 2020, the world shuddered, then shuttered. WASHINGTON, D.C. — When the World Health Organization declared a global COVID-19 pandemic March 11, 2020, the world shuddered, then shuttered. “Pivot” became the word of the hour as much of everyday life had to adjust to a different way of doing things. Education was just one facet that had to do a quick about-face from in-person to online teaching and learning.