Life, interrupted: Finding a new normal in a pandemic year

A year has passed since our world was turned upside down. When the COVID-19 pandemic came to Canada, lives were lost and daily life was interrupted.

Since then, we've been fighting to find a rhythm in this reality. On this Now or Never, meet people who are still picking up the pieces and forging ahead:

• In February of 2020, Alexa Dirks (also known as indie pop act Begonia) was on the verge of her big break. With a new album, a series of sold-out shows and international tour dates ahead — she was ready for the big time. But just a few weeks later, she traded packed concert venues for difficult moments of quiet isolation. 
• We check in with Mike and Bev Carter, the owners of the only grocery store in Milverton, Ont. When COVID-19 struck and Bev was infected, Mike lived in a trailer outside his grocery store for a full 41 days. One year later, we find out how they're doing.
• In January, 2020, Amanda Haymond had just given birth to her sixth child. With her older kids in school, she was looking forward to quality time bonding with her infant. When schools closed, she found herself struggling to cope — but found support in an unexpected place: a postpartum comedy night.
• Chef Shane Chartrand has appeared on dozens of cooking shows and made meals for Justin Trudeau, Gordon Ramsey and Alicia Keys. But since the pandemic decimated the restaurant industry, he's been left out-of-work and "broke". Hear how he's coping and keeping positive in the kitchen.
• March 16th, 2020 is a painful anniversary for Julia Booth. Not only was it the week the world "shut down" due to the pandemic... It also marked one year since her partner Danny Howard died of brain cancer. Hear how near-daily dips in the Pacific Ocean are helping her deal with both grief and COVID stress.