The first few COVID-19 vaccinations were administered this week to health-care workers in the province. Many are calling it a welcomed sign of hope, even as active case numbers continue to rise and restrictions remain in place through the holidays. This week, the Edmonton zone reached more than 10,000 active cases at one point. That had The Loop producer Clare Bonnyman thinking about whether she would be prepared if she got the virus. She fills us in on what the experts say you should do to be ready. CBC reporter Madeleine Cummings reached out to a number of single parents in Edmonton to see how they’re facing challenges and coping during the pandemic. Plus, CBC producer Julia Lipscombe shares her love for those so-bad-they’re-good holiday movies, and we’ll hear from a Stony Plain resident who decided simple Christmas decorations weren’t enough.

This 2020 holiday season will be one to remember, but not in the way we might have hoped. The provincial government announced new COVID restrictions this week and urged Albertans to keep close to only household contacts for the next four weeks. This week on The Loop, we’ll take a closer look at the restrictions with CBC reporter Elise von Scheel. Canadians have accessed billions of dollars in federal aid programs during the pandemic, but CBC reporter Stephanie Dubois examines whether it goes far enough to help Alberta businesses. Also, living alone can be isolating without a pandemic to deal with. CBC producer Emily Pasiuk asked some Edmontonians how they’re handling their solo time. And CBC Edmonton is on a mission to Make The Season Kind with our holiday campaign to raise money for the Edmonton Food Bank. Listen to this episode of The Loop and then go to cbc.ca/bekindyeg for the chance to win a special prize.

Alberta health officials have reported over 1,000 new COVID cases each day for two weeks now and hospitalization rates continue to rise. News came out this week that the province has asked the feds and Red Cross for help to supply indoor field hospitals, if needed. CBC reporter Janet French looks at how the province plans to handle the growing number of cases in hospitals. Plus, Premier Jason Kenney says restrictions to fight COVID require a “minimal impairment” of people's fundamental rights, as laid out in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Law professor and constitutional scholar Eric Adams discusses COVID measures in relation to the Charter. Tara also sits down with long-time CBC newsreader Don Bell to hear about his career and wish him a happy retirement. And hear how espresso helped an Edmonton student win first place at the National Spelling Bee of Canada.

The province’s surge in COVID cases had many wondering if and when the government would implement new restrictions. Premier Jason Kenney declared a state of public health emergency and announced new measures to slow the spread of the virus this week. The Loop producer Clare Bonnyman joins Tara for a primer on what those measures are. Plus, reactions to the restrictions from Dr. Noel Gibney (who wrote the initial letter to government and health officials calling for a “circuit breaker” lockdown), Edmonton banquet hall owner Jay Singh, and restaurant owner Katy Ingraham shares her thoughts and explains why she decided to voluntarily close a few weeks ago. And CBC producer Kyle Muzyka takes a look at the settlement reached between Enoch Cree Nation and the federal government over the First Nation’s land that was used as a practice bombing range during World War II.

As COVID cases continue to rise, so does the percentage of cases that can’t be connected to a known source. Contact tracing has been a difficult task for health officials. Dr. Deena Hinshaw acknowledged and confirmed this week that the province is in its second wave of the virus. She said what happens in the future is in our hands. This week on The Loop, CBC reporter Robson Fletcher examines how effective Alberta’s contact-tracing app has been since it launched six months ago. After a boom and bust, reporter Jamie Malbeuf looks at whether real estate in Fort McMurray could be taking a positive turn. Plus, The Loop producer Clare Bonnyman on how Edmonton seniors groups are adapting and preparing for the COVID winter season, and a Whitefish Lake First Nation artist channels personal inspiration into a Marvel comic contribution.

As COVID case numbers continue to rise across the country, some provinces are tightening restrictions. Manitoba has moved into level red of its pandemic response with non-essential services closed to in-person customers for at least two weeks. The Alberta government has so far stayed away from strict, sweeping lockdown measures. Some are happy to hear that, while others say the acute-care system is in jeopardy. This week, an Edmonton doctor discusses why he wrote a letter urging officials to enforce a short, sharp, “circuit breaker” lockdown. CBC reporter Paige Parsons tells us how a group of men are seeking justice after the death of their alleged abuser. Personal trainer and fitness columnist Chris Tse talks about a local business focused on diversity and inclusion. Plus, the number one trend of 2020: pandemic puppies.

Many Albertans are keeping a close eye on the daily COVID updates as the number of new cases continues to rise. There are over 6,200 active cases in the province—the highest total recorded since the pandemic began. What does that mean for the spread of the virus as we enter the winter months? Beyond COVID, how is the city supporting our vulnerable population to find shelter as the temperature drops? This week, CBC web journalist Trevor Howlett looks at the rise in coronavirus cases. CBC’s Andrea Huncar explains why hundreds of women are being notified about a class-action lawsuit against Samson Cree Nation. We’ll also hear how Camp Pekiwewin (an Indigenous-led homeless encampment) is transitioning as winter approaches. Plus, thoughts on a divisive U.S. election from Americans living in Edmonton.

Monday morning began with news that health-care workers walked off the job to stage a wildcat strike at hospitals across the province. At the same time, next week’s U.S. presidential election is drawing attention from those who can and can’t cast a ballot. Many people took to social media recently to celebrate the life and legacy of a beloved Edmontonian, and it also happens to be Halloween this weekend—with COVID restrictions, of course. Clare Bonnyman hosts The Loop this week and gets a closer look at the wildcat strike from CBC reporter Wallis Snowdon. CBC national reporter Raffy Boudjikanian shares what it’s like to be covering the U.S. election in Washington. Mark Connolly remembers Oilers locker-room attendant and legend Joey Moss, and hear how one household has prepared a Halloween scare during the pandemic.

This week the CBC broke a story about proposals to change the curriculum for Alberta students from K-6. Changes that if imposed, could completely restructure the way we educate our kids. And it’s one of many things that makes these days feel faster — more restless. We’re no longer in the early days of the pandemic, when things were quieter and we baked bread at home. COVID case numbers are rising in Edmonton, temperatures are dropping, the days are shorter and it’s hard not to feel a little low. This week on The Loop reporter Janet French helps us dig into those proposed curriculum changes, and we also speak to a psychologist about how to slow down and take care of yourself as the days get colder. Plus CBC News Network Producer Terry Reith tells us the story of Alberta’s iOAT program and those who rely on it, and we meet a newly minted multi-millionaire in Calmar.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on many job sectors. The unemployment rate in Alberta is currently at 11.7 per cent, which is above the national average. While the federal government has opened applications for the new Canada Recovery Benefit, times are still tough for many. Then this week came with an announcement from the UCP government that thousands of jobs will be cut in the Alberta Health Services implementation plan. CBC investigative reporter Jennie Russell takes a closer look at that plan and reaction to the health care cuts. Also, staying home isn’t an easy answer for everyone these days. CBC reporter Josee St-Onge has been looking at how domestic violence cases are affected by the pandemic. Local band nêhiyawak is on the short list for this year’s Polaris Music Prize, so we’ll hear from a member of the band about their sound and nominated album, nipiy. Plus, the thrill of seeing the northern lights for the very first time.