2020 These Were Your Headlines

Covid-19 was the undisputed story of the year but other monumental events kept us glued to the news BY

- Dennis Cavernelis

THIS time last year coronavirus wasn’t even given the kind of consideration we give seasonal flu. In fact, many of us didn’t even know about it.

Then came the alarming news from Wuhan, China: this was a devastating virus that ripped through communities, leaving death and destruction in its wake.

Very soon we all felt the effects of Covid-19 – and we won’t easily forget this year.

But there were plenty of other things that moved us beyond measure. We take a look at a few.

LIFE IN LOCKDOWN

In March President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national lockdown that saw us barred from being outdoors save for food and essential services work.

Although it saved lives, the hard lockdown decimated the economy and unemployment soared as 1,6 million people lost their jobs

JACINDA ARDERN RULES

New Zealand’s prime minister was elected for a second term in October, thanks in no small part to her world-leading Covid-19 response. The island nation became one of the few places on Earth where transmission of the virus has been eradicated, and lockdowns, masks and social distancing are no longer necessary.

The 40-year-old was praised for her compassionate, caring response and reliance on science and doctors to guide her decisions.

THE US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

The hotly contested US election resulted in several records being broken. Joseph R Biden, former vice president of the USA under former president Barack Obama, received more than 80 million votes.