About

It was December 31, 2019 when the government of Wuhan, China confirmed that Chinese health authorities were treating dozens of cases of a new virus. A few weeks later the first death was announced and soon after Wuhan was cut off from the rest of China and the world. On January 28, 2020, BC health authorities announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in BC. The coronavirus and the news continued to travel as we listened intently to understand what was happening around the world. The World Health Organization declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020 and, soon after, Canada and the Province of British Columbia began the domino effect of Public Health Orders (PHO), closures and restrictions. Like everyone around the world, Gabriola community quickly had to adapt to a ‘new normal’.

Gabriola Island Pandemic Stories is a collection of video interviews, written submissions and images that document stories, memories and accounts of Gabriolans’ everyday experiences dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic on Gabriola Island. The project has resulted in a commemorative booklet, a website with video interviews, and an exhibit. Gabriola Museum and Historical Society would like to thank Gabriola Island community members sharing their experiences, stories, and images for this project.

This project is a collaboration between Gabriola Historical and Museum Society and the Gabriola Arts Council program “Gabriola: Together We Triumph.” The project is funded by The Department of Canadian Heritage and the Government of Canada.