January 11, 2022

January 11th is the 11th day of the year. There are 354 days remaining until the end of the year.

Students will return to school for in person learning next Monday.

All 2 million Ontario students, both elementary and high school, back in class January 17th.

The government said the two-week switch to remote learning would help slow the spread of the Omicron variant. It also said it would use that time to make sure schools had enough N95 masks for teachers and staff, and distribute HEPA filters for classrooms.

Chatham-Kent Public Health reported 363 new cases Monday.

The hospitalized cases dropped to 19, with 2 new deaths reported locally.

Ontario reported 9,706 new cases. Ontario COVID-19 hospitalizations is at 2,467 patients.

Remember, due to testing eligibility changes the province warns the counts are an underestimate of the true spread of the virus in the community.

The drama around tennis star Novak Djokovic continues. He won a court battle Monday to stay in Australia to play in the Australian Open despite being unvaccinated against COVID-19, but the government threatened to cancel his visa a second time.

A Federal Circuit Court Judge reinstated Djokovic’s visa, which was canceled after his arrival last week because officials decided he didn’t meet the criteria for an exemption to an entry requirement that all non-citizens be fully vaccinated. The judge also ordered the government to release Djokovic within 30 minutes from a Melbourne quarantine hotel where he has spent the last four nights.

That would mean Djokovic could again face deportation and could miss the Australian Open, which starts on January 17th.

I’m pleased and grateful that the Judge overturned my visa cancellation. Despite all that has happened,I want to stay and try to compete @AustralianOpen
I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans. 👇 pic.twitter.com/iJVbMfQ037

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 10, 2022

The Toronto Blue Jays have hired the first woman coach in the organization. Jamie Vieira has been hired as a minor-league hitting coach, she’s from Georgetown.

She worked in the front office last season, joining the club as an intern in 2019.

On Sunday, the New York Yankees hired Rachel Balkovec to manage in the minor leagues, a first in affiliated pro baseball.

The Yankees have hired Rachel Balkovec as the manager of the @TampaTarpons, their Low-A affiliate.
She’ll become the first female manager in affiliated professional baseball history. https://t.co/F1A9psUEqQ pic.twitter.com/EjQJmIVfmz

— MLB (@MLB) January 10, 2022

An $8 million tourist attraction in London has closed after opening just six months ago.

The Marble Arch Mound closed Saturday after developing a reputation as a major disappointment and the source of widespread mockery on social media since opening in July. Ahead of its closure, tickets to the attraction were being sold for free.

The Mound was supposed to have sweeping greenery, unique views of the city and a light exhibition inside. But that never came together; opening with most of the attraction unfinished and scaffolding still visible.

The views at the top of the Mound were described as underwhelming and less than had been expected.

Marble Arch Mound, dubbed ‘London’s worst tourist attraction’, closes this weekend after five months of controversy and ridicule. ⛰🗓️

MORE 👇 pic.twitter.com/PChfPyzwdK

— My London (@myldn) January 7, 2022

Categorised in: 5 Things You Need To Know

This post was written by Chris McLeod