Today, January 4, I will wander up to Dunbar to receive my 3rd vaccine shot – my Booster – thus, hopefully, completing the Trifecta of Protection that the system is telling us we need for personal and collective safety. We’ll see.

When I closed the Gallery/Café on December 16 – for my annual Xmas break – my intention was to open a couple of weekends per month throughout the winter season in 2022. Although we’d heard about the new Omicron variant at that time, most of the spike in cases was happening in South Africa – where it originated – and Europe, where it appears to have spread. On December 16, new cases in Canada stood at 6,942…rising but not as bad as waves # 2, 3, or 4 (see chart below)

Within a few days of closing it became apparent that Canada was going to follow on the same trajectory that we’d witnessed in Europe, and where we are in fact – now. Numbers/Cases have pretty much gone “off the chart” and we are all left wondering how to navigate this new situation. Luckily, it seems that Omicron – although terribly virulent – may not be as life-threatening as its predecessor – the Delta variant – and, there may be early indicators that this dramatic rise in cases may be short lived.

In any event, my responsibility as a Gallery/Café owner, is to ensure the safety and well-being of my customers, and of course, myself and my partner Cathy. Given this uncertain moment we are experiencing, I have decided to remain closed until we have a better understanding of the severity of the Omicron variant, and we see the numbers start to decline dramatically. I will also feel somewhat more secure when I have allowed my new booster to work its magic, which apparently takes about two weeks.

All that being said, my feeling is that we’ll start to see a decline mid January, and should have a better idea about Booster efficacy and the severity of the variant (Of course, my friend Jordy had to point out to me this morning that Jimmy Fallon has been vaxxed and boosted and has just tested positive for Covid-19 😆)It’s been a weird ride…

In a perfect world, I shall be opening the Gallery/Café sometime in late January or early February – hope to see you then! Stay Safe🙏❤️