January 2021
58th Edition
JANUARY 2021
THE SOUTH SHUSWAP SCOOP
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Goodbye to 2020 By Barbra Fairclough 2020 was a year of natures "firsts" and January 1st "Snowmagedon" set the tone. Fast accumulating record snowfall caused closed roads and power outages. The SCOOP/Kicker office was without power for five days. Firefighters struggled to open roads so crews could get in. Subzero temperatures and heavy snowfall put neighbourhoods in peril. Warming shelters opened. The first algal bloom gets the attention of local officials in April as water testing is announced for a small bloom near Paradise Point on the southern arm of Shuswap Lake. The second algal bloom begins to emerge end of May and persists in Shuswap Lake. After a period of cancelled water testing due to COVID, Interior Health (IHA) announces that the algae bloom was "first detected" on July 22. Testing results confirm it is primarily non harmful green algae and IHA advises to not swim and to keep pets out of the water. From Paradise Point westward Shuswap lake is opaque green. Shuswap Watershed Council announces in October that the algal bloom is officially over. BC government declares a provincial "health emergency" on March 17. Before long businesses shutter and restrictions were called. Coffeehouses and public programs close, halls shuttered in March.
Shuswap First Responders stop responding to calls due to lack of personal protective equipment. A Chamber of Commerce COVID Business Impact Survey concluded that 83% of impacted businesses have seen a drop in revenue and 64% expect to reduce staff by half and 25% of businesses will be laying off all staff. The chamber rallied hard for local business and quickly brought in "Shop the Shu" in support of buying local. Residents talk openly of how they chose to spend at home. April is volunteer month and folks in our communities did just that. At every turn volunteers stepped in. Cedar Centre volunteers and others muster to assist grocery shopping and home deliveries. Lions Club volunteers step in to assist in pharmacy deliveries. Sorrento Farmers market goes online. Business leaders pivot and work around the clock to keep business open. Local food producers shift, adjusting to a new normal. Early March, 80 people came to an Incorporation Committee Meeting at Cedar Center. On March 20th CSRD offices close until further notice, staff are deployed at home, Incorporation Committee meetings are on hold. (Continued on page 3)
