10-word review
A step up from 2020, a far cry from 2011.
The Skinny
The virus is still around, the climate’s still changing, but the White House has stopped ordering McDonalds on a nightly. January 2021 lends a glimmer of hope to start the year off with.
Here be spoilers… (if you’ve been living under a rock)
What we liked
A COVID-19 vaccine
Although most of Europe’s still on lockdown, and most of the U.S.A should still be on lockdown, the days of isolation aren’t due to last much longer. Multiple vaccines are now being rolled out globally, with efficacy rates as high as ninety-five percent.
Summer festivals are back on the calendar, live sports are welcoming live spectators — it feels like a return to normalcy is right on the horizon. Well, not the normalcy of days old when the job market flourished and a nine-to-five could earn you a livable wage. No, a new normal where rent’s due and money’s short, but being able to breathe fresh air without falling ill feels like plenty cause for celebration.
New administration in the White House
Searching up ‘idiot’ on Google no longer presents the same results as searching up ‘president of the United States’. And searching up ‘has a woman ever been vice president?’ now results in a resounding yes. A week into the new administration, the US has already rejoined the Paris climate accord and revoked the travel ban on primarily Muslim countries. The process of undoing the last four years seems to be well underway.
Smooth sailing through phase three
Singapore continues to be a safe haven as phase three progresses as seamlessly as the first two did. With gatherings of up to eight people now allowed, daily life feels much like it did pre-pandemic. There’s still a bit left to be desired by club-goers and social butterflies who happen to have more than eight friends, but if they made it through lockdown, they should be fine waiting a few months longer.
What we didn’t like
The Capitol stormed
An incitement of insurrection from Donald Trump — the former US president, now twice impeached — resulted in thousands of his supporters storming the United States Capitol on January 6. In protest of the election results, many of them resorted to violence, assaulting police officers and reporters as they moved to occupy the building.
Olympics cancelled?
The Tokyo Olympics, originally scheduled for July 2020, might end up being canceled altogether. Though a necessary decision, this would bring heartbreak for participants and viewers alike.
Countless athletes stand to see their dreams of competing at the highest level stolen away. Whether it be due to age or a lack of means, waiting another four years is simply not an option which everyone can afford.
What to look out for
February.
January 2021 has now come to a close. The 2022 update is expected to premiere twelve months from now.
