One year ago, COVID-19 was not a household phrase and some people had gone their whole lives without knowing how to sew a face mask.
People were visiting, vacationing, spectating.
We asked readers what they were doing in the few weeks leading up to the World Health Organization’s declaration of the global pandemic on March 11, 2020.
The memories came in via email and in the Facebook comments.
Here's some of what you had to say:
"I went shopping for groceries with my husband. Because I was told I'm high-risk category — 75 years old with COPD. My husband has to do all the shopping since then while I've been confined to our home except for my specialist appointment teleconference at Timmins hospital." Carol Doyle
"The last normal thing we did before the COVID was celebrate my husband’s birthday on March 9th. The next day we were in lockdown. Here we are one year to the day and we are still staying home. At least we are safe and glad there (are) no active cases in Timmins. We sure are lucky." Gale Cook
"We were on vacation in Florida!" Mauno and Sheila Saarela
"I went out for dinner with Mackenzie and Esther at East Side Mario’s." Sheryle Westcott via Facebook
"We were in Costa Rica just before the pandemic.. Can't wait to travel again!" Vicky Osawamick via Facebook
"Going to see my grandsons play hockey! " Paulette Gauthier via Facebook
"Went to dinner at a restaurant with my entire family and friends for my birthday!"Carole Price via Facebook
"Went to Panama." Robert Marc via Facebook
"Went shopping, drinking and lunch spent the day in Progreso, Mexico, without a mask" Cecile Lachance via Facebook
"Had a bash for my 30th on the 16th .. the Monday we went into lockdown." Karoline Millette via Facebook
