Quebec sees first COVID-19 death
There are now 94 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Quebec and we’ve seen the first death in an elderly person in the Lanaudière.
SAQ stores are staying open, but with restricted hours, security to limit the number of shoppers, and a requirement to pay by card, not cash.
Ephraim 16:27 on 2020-03-18 Permalink
There are going to be a lot of homeless people with the inability to buy bottles.
Kevin 16:49 on 2020-03-18 Permalink
The cash thing is silly. You’re not going to die from handling bills and change.
It’s also silly to constantly be wearing gloves while you handle everything, touch your face, go for a smoke, etc…
Just wash your hands.
CE 17:30 on 2020-03-18 Permalink
I’ve gotten used to setting cash down on the counter to be taken and to not putting my hand out to have change given back to me. The switch happened pretty fast.
Ian 17:48 on 2020-03-18 Permalink
Is it even legal to refuse to take cash? Serious question.
Chris 19:29 on 2020-03-18 Permalink
Kevin: Indeed. We should be careful to neither underreact nor overreact to this crisis. I’m seeing some overreacting at this point, some people are acting like it’s an airborne plague.
Ian: Yes, it is. Businesses are not obligated to take cash, cheques, interac, or anything else for that matter.
Tim S. 20:11 on 2020-03-18 Permalink
Ian: I researched the definition of “legal tender” once after a dispute with a store clerk, and the rule seems to be that legal tender – cash, I suppose, must be accepted as payment for a debt. So, in a sit-down restaurant, having consumed the meal, you are in debt to them, and they can’t refuse your offer of cash to redeem your debt (I pity the SPVM officer called into the middle of such a dispute). In a store however, because you haven’t taken possession of the item, they can ask for whatever they want in exchange.
dmdiem 20:44 on 2020-03-18 Permalink
chris, there is some evidence (not yet peer reviewed) that it can remain aerosolized for several hours. Not as bad as the measles or chickenpox, but not great either. Let’s just hope its not 3.6 roentgen.
Ephraim 21:25 on 2020-03-18 Permalink
@Tim S. – There are legal limits to coins, though. So someone can’t walk in there and pay with a bulldozer worth of nickels. I don’t think you can legally refuse cash, though. In San Francisco they actually had to pass a law to require businesses to take cash as it was keeping the homeless and poor out. In the US, many people aren’t banked at all. In fact, Walmart essentially runs a cheque cashing business and bank in many US stores… it’s sad.
Dhomas 08:11 on 2020-03-19 Permalink
I was speaking to someone from the SAQ about the possibility of them closing. They told me the unions would like for them to close, but they’re somewhat of an “essential service” for folks who have problems with addiction. They are often unable to stock up on liquor, as they don’t have the means to buy it and/or store it.
Blork 09:29 on 2020-03-19 Permalink
Oh great. This notice just appeared at the top of the page of my SAQ mail order (that is supposed to be delivered today):
Canada Post has suspended home deliveries requiring a proof of age and will indicate you where to pick up your order at a post office near you. The SAQ pledges to give back the $12 delivery fee to FBQ.
…entirely defeating the purpose of the mail order.
OK maybe not entirely. The suggestion before was to order online for pickup at your local SAQ (thus avoiding the shuffling about in the store and the paying process) and to use Canada Post delivery if you are in quarantine. I’m not in quarantine but I wanted to try it. But from Canada Post’s POV, EVERY MAIL DELIVERY OF BOOZE is to a house under quarantine, so I suppose you can’t blame them for not wanting to do that.
Kate 10:30 on 2020-03-19 Permalink
Dhomas, the SAQ is important, and not just for career alcoholics. The bars are closed, a lot of people are now stuck at home, and if having a drink in the evening makes life more tolerable, then the SAQ is on the side of the angels.
If we had to drink nothing but dépanneur wine for three weeks, there might be a revolt.
david100 10:36 on 2020-03-19 Permalink
I agree with Kate. Without booze, spending so much time indoors would be intolerable.
dmdiem 11:09 on 2020-03-19 Permalink
w…t…f…
its not just alcohol. its anything that requires a signature.
“You will receive a notice card indicating the post office where you can pick up your items by showing proof of identity and signing. If you are sick or under self-isolation, please arrange for someone to pick up these items in your place.”
you cannot, by definition, send someone else to pick up something that requires id.
so now canada post is requiring any one who is sick, but needs a package delivered, to leave the house, go to the post office and stand in line. exposing who knows how many people.
this is insane.
Chris 11:10 on 2020-03-19 Permalink
Tim S.: That’s not correct; it is as I said, see for example: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/it-may-be-legal-tender-but-more-businesses-are-snubbing-cash-1.4428655
Ephraim: Laurentian Bank won’t even take *rolled* coins: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/laurentian-bank-wont-take-customers-800-dollars-in-coins-1.5284469
Regarding the ‘need for booze’… is the SQDC still open?
Michael Black 11:53 on 2020-03-19 Permalink
First, not every package requires a signature. Alcohol and marijuana are special cases since they don’t want some kid to order and say “my father’s taking a shower” when it”s delivered.
I don’t see anything about this at Canada Post. They do have a FAQ and one is about if tye custimer doesn’t want to come to the door. It indicates they may be more lenientduring this “crisis” but maybe they’ve changed policy and tge site hasn’t been updated.
But, you can easily send someone from the same address. Having the card left when they couidn’t deliver is one of the “IDs” required.
If you need someone else to get it, there is a process spelled out at Canara Post’s website.
You can even get a package without “proper ID”, it just takes more pieces of paper.
dmdiem 12:20 on 2020-03-19 Permalink
They have waived signature requirements for most things. Which is smart. Alcohol and marijuana only require proof of age id. So anyone can pick it up with the delivery notice.
“Registered, Xpresspost Certified, Proof of Identity, COD (collect on delivery) and items where custom fees are due” all require the recipient to show up in person. This is not an insignificant amount of mail.
Unfortunately my nearest post office is right next door to my nearest saq. Which is just outside of walking distance for me. Since i dont know anyone with a car i guess im gonna be sober for the duration. That or dep wine. Ugh. Sober it is.
jeather 13:40 on 2020-03-19 Permalink
I’m not for obvious reasons willing to drive people, but I AM willing to figure out a way that I can pick up mail or alcohol for people who need it, if you’re in St-Henri or Griffintown contact Kate and she has my email and real name.
dhomas 14:25 on 2020-03-19 Permalink
@Kate, david100: I completely agree. Being in isolation sober would be almost unbearable for me and my wife. I was simply relaying what the SAQ employee had told me. In any case, I stocked up at the SAQ Depot (15% discount when you buy 12+ bottles), just in case. 🙂
JaneyB 15:16 on 2020-03-19 Permalink
Dep beer is often good and I dunno about your IGAs but mine is a wonderland of excellent beers and local ciders. I realize it’s probably more of a scotch moment than a cidre moment right now lol.
dmdiem 15:43 on 2020-03-19 Permalink
JaneyB thats a great idea. I think iga even delivers wine and such. I went to check their website, but it seems to be down. I think you might be right about the scotch moment, although after reading the Imperial College report, I think this might actually be a crippling heroin addiction moment.
jeather you’re an angel. or at the very least santa claus.
EmilyG 16:56 on 2020-03-19 Permalink
I’ve been stuck inside. I wish I had some wine.
dwgs 08:19 on 2020-03-20 Permalink
EmilyG what neighbourhood are you in?
Michael Black 08:48 on 2020-03-20 Permalink
Maybe they’ve invented freeze dried wine. So only a small packet of powder has to be delivered just add water when you’re ready to drink.
Kevin 09:15 on 2020-03-20 Permalink
Bu brand wine is available at grocery stores and it’s better than some stuff I’ve had from the SAQ.
Tim S. 09:38 on 2020-03-20 Permalink
Chris: the article you linked to provides a link to the Bank of Canada that says that cash/legal tender is: “the money approved in a country for paying debts.” So I don’t think that contradicts my point, though like I said I would hate to be the police officer called upon to mediate such a technical dispute. Maybe it could be a sitcom episode. Also, David Graebner is great on the whole cash/debt nexus.
Sadly, I’ve been told to avoid alcohol for non-pandemic related health reasons. Normally I don’t drink so often that it’s an issue, but these days….
Ephraim 09:42 on 2020-03-20 Permalink
@Chris – Rolled coins are still subject to limits. But they are also subject to suspicion. The bank needs to weigh them or write the account number on them, in case they come back “light”.
These are the limits… Section 8(2) of Canada’s Currency Act states that a payment in coins is a legal tender for no more than:
$40 in coins above $1
$25 in $1 coins
$10 in coins over 5c and under $1
$5 in 5c coins.