2020: A (long, terrifying, anxiety-inducing) pandemic year in photos
Kalifa Sarah Clyne
A police officer can be seen using his foot to immobilise a protester during fiery demonstrations in east Port of Spain in June, after police killed three men in Morvant. Photo by Jeff Mayers
Dictionary.com's word of the year may be "pandemic," but for many people, the word of the year might be "tired." Tired of covid19, tired of staying inside, tired of cooking at home, tired from working while homeschooling children...just tired. It's been a long and, if we are being honest, really bizarre year.
More than 1.7 million people have died worldwide from covid19, with over 82 million falling sick.
Locally, the country has faced what feels like a lockdown with no predetermined end date, with families separated from each other and connecting virtually in a year where a hug or a kiss is taboo. People have lost jobs, parents have had to juggle work and teaching, and teachers have been forced to relearn how to deliver education to the nation's children.
While the year may have seemed to be all about covid19, there were much more topics in the news cycle, including Carnival, an election, Black Lives Matter protests, a cricket tournament and a" sou-sou" scandal. Review 2020 below.
And cheers to 2021!
JANUARY
Second-place winners St Francois Girls' College play Erphaan Alves' Soca Global at the Junior Panorama finals in January. Photo by Vidya Thurab
Several streets was block off around the Red House as members of the military practice their parade for the ceremonial opening of parliament in January. Photo by Sureash Cholai
President Paula-Mae Weekes addresses MPs, senators and judges at the re-opening of the Red House in January. The Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago sat in the Red House for the first time since 2011. Photo by Jeff Mayers
Black Indians on display at the launch of Tobago Carnival on January 19. Photo by David Reid
Thousands have a blast at the Black 2 Blue Breakfast Party, Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba in January. Photo by Chequana Wheeler
FEBRUARY
Baby dolls from Newtown RC, Belmont and St Francis RC on parade at the Ministry of Education's Schools' Carnival Champions showcase 2020 at the Grand Stand of the Queen's Park Savannah, in February. Photo by Sureash Cholai
Trinidad-born rapper Nicki Minaj, left, wipes the tears of a girl from the St Jude's Home for Girls in Belmont, Port of Spain, after she began to cry during Minaj's visit to the home on February 28. Photo bySureash Cholai
Kees Dieffenthaller, left, and Iwer George party on Carnival Tuesday in Port of Spain. Photo by Roger Jacob
STRONGMAN: Power lifter Rondell Hunte easily lifts a woman during the Ash Wednesday cooldown at Maracas Bay. Photo by Jeff K Mayers.
Port of Spain mayor Joel Martinez, left, and Arts and Culture Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, right, congratulate the King and Queen of J’Ouvert, Herbert Pierre and his daughter Lillian. Photo by Roger Jacob
Machel Montano and his wife Renee share a kiss at Machel Monday, The Wedding at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale
MARCH
Mason Hall Primary School copped second place in the Primary School Folk Song category at the Music Festival in March. Photo: David Reid
APRIL
The new Curepe Interchange as seen from the north, above the Southern Main Road in Curepe, was opened in April. Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
A long stretch of Manzanilla Beach remains unoccupied in April as people were forced into their homes by stay-at-home measures enacted to slow the spread of covid19. The beach is covered in sargassum seaweed. Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
A customer washes her hands before entering Xtra Foods supermarket, Arima, in April. Government had advised that frequently washing hands was one way to curb the spread of coronavirus. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale
A customer at the San Fernando market adheres to the government's call to cover your face while in public. Photo by Lincoln Holder
Police officers were deployed in downtown Port of Spain in April and made sure people were not gathering in numbers larger than five. Photo by Sureash Cholai
MAY
GREAT ESCAPE: Minister of Finance Colm Imbert sets off on a short jog as he tries to avoid social activist Nazma Muller when she confronts him about marijuana-related legislation outside the Red House on Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, in May, as two police officers look on. Photo by Roger Jacob
JUNE
A protester talks to the media on George Street, Port of Spain on day three of protests over the police killing of three men from Morvant in June. Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Protesters and police clash during protests in east Port of Spain on June 30. Protests broke out after police shot three men dead the previous weekend. Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Azalea,12, and Jayley, 14, ride waves on Gundee Beach, at Five Islands Water and Amusement Park, Chaguaramas, in June. Photo by Angelo M. Marcelle
DEFACED: The defaced statue of Christopher Columbus seen through locked gates in Independence Square, Port of Spain in June. Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
A protester makes a statement on racism with a sign at the Black Lives Matter protest, Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain on June 8.
The Trini Flash water taxi sails past the Carnival Fantasy cruise ship, anchored off the Port of Port of Spain in June, when 26 nationals were transported ashore and put in state quarantine. Photo by Roger Jacob
JULY
Suspected covid19 patients arrive at the Caura Hospital after additional coronavirus cases were discovered in July. Photo by Roger Jacob
UNC Oropouche East candidate Dr Roodal Moonilal and a lion mascot greet supporters on Mohess Road, Penal, on July 17, nomination day for the general election. Photo by Lincoln Holder
A worker from Trinidad Innovation sanitising Ramish & Leela Supermarkets after a covid19 patient visited the store in San Juan . Photo by Jeff Mayers
Principal of Nelson Street Girls' RC School Lisa Lync, ensures there is social distancing as schools re-opened for SEA students in July The exam, originally carded for March was rescheduled to August 20 due to covid19 restrictions. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale
Small contractor Alastai Ramharack protest at the OAS compound at Golconda, San Fernando, in July. Photo by Marvin Hamilton
PDP Tobago East candidate Watson Duke, second from left, accompanied by the party's Tobago West candidate Tashia Grace Burris, as well as family and party supporters, speaks to the media before filing nomination papers for the general election at the John Dial Multipurpose Facility, Tobago. - David Reid
UNC candidate Marsha Walker walks away after the PNM leader Dr Keith Rowley told her "I will have nothing to do you. You slandered me!" outside the Point Cumana Regional Complex, Carenage. Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Teron Mohan, interim president of the Barkeepers and Owners Association (left) and members of the association protest over covid19 rules on bars at the Queen's Park Savannah opposite the Office of the Prime Minister in July. Photo by Roger Jacob
AUGUST
While beaches remained closed, workmen construct dining decks on Maracas beach in August. Photo by Sureash Cholai
San Fernando Boys' RC students leaving the school after sitting their SEA exam under covid19 regulations.The SEA exam was originally carded for April 2, was initially projected to take place in May but took place in August due to covid19 restrictions. Photo by Lincoln Holder
People flocked to Store Bay, Tobago, in August ahead of the Government’s closure of all beaches and rivers as a measure against the spread of covid19. Photo by David Reid
Women inmates sew face masks at Golden Grove Prison, Arouca. Photo by Angelo Marcelle
One Race...Human is the message the management of Carrat Shed Restaurant & Bar in Marabella. The message was prompted by several racist posts on social media following the 2020 general election. Photo by Marvin Hamilton
UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar shows her inkstained finger to supporters as she left the Hermitage Presbyterian School after voting in the August general election. Photo by Lincoln Holder
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his wife Sharon arrive for the swearing-in ceremony of the Cabinet at President's House in August. Photo by Sureash Cholai
SEPTEMBER
Rahkeem Cornwall (right) of St Lucia Zouks hits a six while wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran of Guyana Amazon Warriors watches during the teams' Hero Caribbean Premier League semi-final match at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. (Photo by CPL T20 via Getty Images) -
Members of the Special Operations Response Team and police from the Financial Intelligence Branch at the home of the administrator of the popular investment scheme "DSS" in La Horquetta. Photo by Roger Jacob.
TKR supporter Joey "Posh" Richardson chose the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Port of Spain as the backdrop to celebrate the team's winning performance in the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba in September. The CPL took place in Trinidad Tobago after Government agreed to allow matches to take place with compliance to covid19 measures. Teams and staff quarantined prior to matches and matches took place at two venues without fans in attendance. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale
Tennis player Makeda Dain checking out this Halloween jack-o'-lantern carved pumpkin at Country Club, Maraval, during the Lease Operators Junior Tennis Tournament. Photo by Sureash Cholai
Sherry Sookhoo, parent representative of the group Justice for CSEC & CAPE 2020, carries a placard during a protest over CXC results by members, including students, at Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain, in September. Photo by Vidya Thurab
Parishioners at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, San Fernando, practise physical distancing during mass. Photo by Chequana Wheeler
Families pack household items on the roadside. They were among 20 families evicted from housing previously owned by Petrotrin at Clifton Hill, Point Fortin. Photo by Marvin Hamlton
Promising boxer Shirley Wolfe sits on a mattress with her father at their home off the Southern Main Road in Claxton Bay after they were threatened with eviction for squatting. Photo by Lincoln Holder
Signs of coastal erosion near Coral Point, off Icacos Beach Road, Icacos. Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Calling for prison reform, these protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of National Security and opposite the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain. Photo by Sureash Cholai
Nadirah and Asha Ramsook celebrating their Divali with lighted deyas to place around their home in Cunupia . Photo by Sureash Cholai
Drugs Sou Sou (DSS) protesters hold placards while facing the Red House in Port of Spain on November 6 after police raided the scheme's HQ and confiscated funds . Photo by Sureash Cholai
Venezuelan children having a meal after arriving at the Los Iros beach after being deported and then returning to Trinidad by pirogue. Photo by Lincoln Holder
Read story: Venezuelan women, children land again at Los Iros
DECEMBER
Christmas is coming: The scene at Chinatown in Port of Spain. Photo by Sureash Cholai
National swimmer Aqeel Joseph, 18, practises his butterfly stroke while training at the Centre of Excellence Swimming Pool Complex in Macoya. Joseph will be leaving the country to attend the University of Indianapolis to study engineering. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale
Shoppers flock to Charlotte Street, Port of Spain, in huge numbers on foot and in cars in an attempt to get those all-important, last-minute items on Christmas Eve. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale
Jeremiah and his brother Joshua at the December 28 Holy Innocents' Day mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC Church, Harris Promenade, San Fernando. Photo by Lincoln Holder
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"2020: A (long, terrifying, anxiety-inducing) pandemic year in photos"