Updates on the Corona crisis
Community transmission of COVID-19 is present in almost every part of Montreal by now, according to public health honcho Mylène Drouin in her Wednesday press conference. There are now 2100 confirmed cases in the city.
More than half the people diagnosed with the virus in Montreal are under 50 and, of that group, the most affected are from 20 to 29. (Update: On Thursday, the Journal says the group most affected are in their forties.)
Parks are not closed but the importance of maintaining distance is restated. Mayor Plante has a Facebook thing about how if people congregate in parks, they will have to be closed, so don’t do that.
It’s not the first time I’ve seen mention of transit pass issues for yearly users, but the last time they said the April payment would be refunded. This time it’s more like a suspension – the payment for April will only be applied once emergency conditions are lifted.
Justin Trudeau admitted Wednesday that emergency measures may have to last until July.
Bike repair shops have been declared an essential service and given permission to reopen.
MarcG 17:25 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
Hilairous photo of Trudeau in that last link.
Max 17:37 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
I imagine there won’t be a lot of passes bought by people who only ride the bus this month. I think I’ll go for some individual tickets this month.
Does anyone know if the commuter train inspectors are working? I have seen any inspections lately.
Ant6n 22:35 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
+1
Chris 10:38 on 2020-04-02 Permalink
MarcG, I think you mean second to last link?
Glad to hear bike shops are open! Crazy that car shops were allowed but not bike shops. Cycling is up 50% in NYC, this might help that happen here too.
MarcG 14:12 on 2020-04-02 Permalink
I’m the victim of Kate’s editing
Ian 18:11 on 2020-04-02 Permalink
@Chris I can see the value in having your bike tuned up in case you need to go get tested or something, but I’m not sure you want to use NYC as an example of good pandemic behaviour. We aren’t even supposed to be doing groceries more than once a week, you shouldn’t just be going out for bike rides, either. Everyone is supposed to stay home as much as possible.
Kate 18:56 on 2020-04-02 Permalink
My apologies, Marc G. I reordered the items and made nonsense of your comment.
Chris 10:50 on 2020-04-03 Permalink
Ian, NYC’s biking increase was an example of a ‘silver lining’. Who said anything about leisure bike rides? Are car repair shops open because people need leisure car rides? No, they are open because transportation is still vital, and, as with public transport and car share, bike riding is a form of transport. I know at least two MDs at the Jewish that bike to work. They have more money than time and don’t repair their own flats, they just take them to the shop. And cyclists can much more easily keep 2 m apart than can public transport users.
Alison Cummins 11:06 on 2020-04-03 Permalink
Aren’t we supposed to go out to help vulnerable people and take walks? Cycling is much safer than public transit. Two weeks ago in Ottawa kids were being encouraged to cycle with their friends as an activity they could share without getting too close.
Apparently I’m not keeping up. What is the official policy on bike rides?
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The local skatepark has been closed, which I see as a really bad thing. Can’t we train neighbourhood volunteers to keep people from bunching up in groups, but still allow young people to blow off steam and use their bodies?