COVID-19: how it goes
We’ve now got 39 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Quebec, and François Legault has ordered bars, theatres, gyms, ski hills, sugar shacks, arcades and pools to close. “But the government wants people to keep working so businesses and office towers remain open, as will public transit.” Yay.
I was just out around Little Italy doing some normal non-hoarding grocery shopping for the week. Lots of folks were out – you would not have suspected anything had changed. I didn’t look inside the Caffè Italia but I saw people going in and out, and there was quite a crowd on the sidewalk outside Café Vito in Villeray as well.
At the SAQ, the cashier asked me to turn the wine bottle so he could scan the bar code without touching it, and asked me to pay with a card rather than cash. He had gloves on, and told me the union was insisting on these measures.
People still want to be out socializing. It’s hard to make Montrealers stay inside and stay away from society just as winter’s wrapping up and we all want to be outside for awhile.
Chris 16:19 on 2020-03-15 Permalink
>as will public transit
It better. Lots of hospital workers get to work that way.
Uatu 16:49 on 2020-03-15 Permalink
I went to the SAQ as well on Friday because I really needed a drink after the events of the past week…
Kate 16:55 on 2020-03-15 Permalink
Yup.
Alison Cummins 17:38 on 2020-03-15 Permalink
I think being outside is encouraged. We’re supposed to go out to do groceries, to help people and to go for walks — a formula both rational and humane.
Ian 18:01 on 2020-03-15 Permalink
I was out for a casual stroll soaking up some sun and I saw that all the Mile End cafés are full like nothing is going on at all.
It’s great that Legault is shutting down bars and asking restos to enforce distancing but the cafés need to be shut down too, it’s ridiculous.
Kevin 18:13 on 2020-03-15 Permalink
Very different in NDG. Friday was normal for a quiet time in winter. This morning very fee were out-except at the pharmacies
Ephraim 19:20 on 2020-03-15 Permalink
The cafes should be closed, other than pick up. People have to get this social distancing and QUICK. The faster we do this, the flatter the curve, the more lives we save and the quicker we get back to normal. I can’t even visit my mom.
walkerp 19:24 on 2020-03-15 Permalink
People were out for brunch but in way fewer numbers than you would normally have on a beautiful day in early March. I think they are slowly getting the idea.
JP 20:54 on 2020-03-15 Permalink
Re: Brunch in small groups and full cafes in Mile End: My sense is that there is still a segment of the population that feels they’re either immune to this or if they do get it, they’ll end up recovering and being fine, so why bother being cautious. Vulnerable populations (the elderly, immuno-compromised, etc) are all around us, not to mention we’re trying to alleviate pressure off the healthcare system. The point in taking this seriously, at least for me, is to protect those vulnerable populations and flatten the so-called curve.
I completely understanding stepping out, going for a walk, doing groceries, running errands, but full cafes!! I really, really wanted to meet up with friends this weekend, but it just seemed irresponsible. I think cafes should have had a “to-go” policy implemented. People can spend time in small groups with family/friends in their homes instead.
Ephraim 21:19 on 2020-03-15 Permalink
One of the countries was reporting a higher than usual amount of people under 60 with higher mortality rates. France yesterday cautioned against analgesics, telling people to use acetaminophen/paracetamol rather than asprin, ibuprofen, etc.
Blork 22:02 on 2020-03-15 Permalink
I had a dentist appointment scheduled for Monday morning and I got a call this afternoon that it has been cancelled on the advice of the dental board. *
OTOH this weird time is a chance to try new things. For some people that means working from home, or actually spending some time with their kids. For me it means I just ordered $250 worth of booze from the SAQ to be delivered to my door by Canada Post, even though there’s a spectacular SAQ Sélection about a seven minute walk from chez moi. I never had a reason to use that service before, but the idea of having some plug deliver booze to my door has been a weird fantasy since I was a teenager, so there.
I don’t think it’s called “the dental board” but you know what I mean.
Douglas 23:43 on 2020-03-15 Permalink
The gym!!
Make no mistake about it guys. We are officially in a recession that will last 6 months. Consumer confidence is overnight killed right now everywhere. Buckle up everyone.
mare 01:07 on 2020-03-16 Permalink
I have an appointment with a specialist tomorrow, after waiting 10 months on a “black box” waiting list. It better not get cancelled, I prefer to have this surgery done before there aren’t any operating rooms anymore; I also need to go back to work and earn some money.