It was March 11th of last year that the World Health Organization officially designated the spread of COVID-19 as a pandemic. To mark that day, a diverse group of Saskatchewan citizens has banded together to organize a vigil on Thursday night to mourn the losses and salute the resilience of this province and beyond.

Committee Chair, Blake Sittler, says they all felt it the vigil is needed to gather together in solidarity, just like the Saskatchewan motto says, “From many peoples, strength”. There will be representatives from across the province and the online vigil includes commentary from people in healthcare, entertainment from local musicians and Jim Hopson, the former President and CEO of the Roughriders, will recite a poem.

The apex of the event will be a candlelight ceremony. It will be a vigil over Zoom Thursday night at 7, so you have to register ahead of time. The group is also hoping to have a live feed on YouTube.

Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus stated on March 11th of 2020 that the WHO had been assessing the outbreak around the clock and they were deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction, so the decision was made to characterize COVID-19 as a pandemic. Go here to register and for more information.