The optimism that usually accompanies the changing of the calendar was quickly dashed early in 2022.
2021 brought with it one last “gift”, the Omicron variant of COVID-19, and with it a return to Alert Level 4 restrictions to shut down any hope of a “normal” holiday season. Households were thrust back into their tight ten, cultural gatherings were limited, and recreation activities were shut down.
The highly-infectious Omicron variant brought with it yet another interruption in the K-12 school year as students were thrust back online for the majority of the month as a back-to-school plan was developed, forcing Public Health to rely on rapid testing, a practice it had set out to avoid.
On January 24, students, teachers and staff with two negative rapid tests could return to in-class instruction, with the hope that February would bring a reprieve from COVID-19.
Opposition to Restrictions
Much like the previous year, January would not end quietly.
On January 29, thousands would gather in the nation’s capital to protest COVID-19 restrictions and vaccination mandates.
Initially organized as a rallying cry against Public Health restrictions, the trucker’s convoy attracted people with a wide range of concerns and complaints, many of them political. The protest in Ottawa and at key border crossings turned into an occupation, dragging into weeks, building frustration among residents who felt abandoned by law enforcement officials.
It would not be until mid-February before the crowds were eventually dispersed by police, bringing with it the arrest of some of the key organizers.
“For the VOCM News Service”
(Photo via Son of a Critch TV Twitter.)
It could not have come at a more fitting time. As the people of the province were thrust back into lockdown, CBC released its newest comedy television series based on the life of a treasured VOCM alumnus.
“Son of a Critch”, born from the memoir of popular local comedian Mark Critch about growing up as the son of VOCM News’ own Mike Critch, quickly struck a chord with Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, as well as those around the world.
