There are only so many synonyms for “unprecedented,” and this year the Burnaby NOW has probably used them all to describe the year that was 2020.
Along with a trail of words, these bizarre last 12 months have also left a trail of images that we’ve gathered together to show how a worldwide pandemic and international protests played out in Burnaby alongside the more “precedented” happenings in the community.
Click through the month of March – when the COVID-19 pandemic landed in B.C. – and allow your mind to be blown by photos from the beginning of the month when dozens of maskless SFU students gathered together atop Burnaby Mountain in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en people amid the Coastal GasLink pipeline crisis and a swarm of maskless fans crowded together at the Langley Events Centre to celebrate Burnaby South Secondary’s provincial boys basketball championship win.
Images from the end of March show closed playgrounds wrapped in caution tape and local firefighters modelling a new apocalyptic look as they sought to preserve scarce PPE by responding to medical calls wearing the same mask and tanks they’d use in a fire.
Thanks to all those who helped us document these last 12 months.
Be kind, be calm, be safe!
