Montreal City Weblog

Kate 11:55 on 2020-05-19 Permalink Reply  

• Ian 19:11 on 2020-05-19 Permalink

  I saw an illegal schul in my neighbourhood walking up the alley just east of Parc. I saw a big birthday party walking back down the alley just west of it.

  I was walking down alleys to try to avoid people as I performed an errand, to no avail. I also saw groups of 3 and 4 people on almost every street. Hassids, students from France, trendy girls, hipster bros, cynical locals – the whole Mile-End gamut.

  I do think we still need physical distancing and am practising it personally and professionally – but it’s growing increasingly hard to see the point when everyone in my alley lets their kids run in an out of each others houses and the parks are full of bored university students sitting around in close circles. It’s hard to justify waiting a half an hour in line to do my groceries when I know this bullshit is constantly going on.

  Local kids are knocking at my gate, asking my kids to come out and play – and I am having to say no. This is very, very hard.

• Kate 20:12 on 2020-05-19 Permalink

  Yes. Hard on your kids. They must want to get out and run around.

  I went to the local fruiterie today, a small place with very little room to move. There are 2 owners, and the one present wasn’t wearing a mask. The 2-3 customers I saw weren’t either. They have hand sanitizer at the door but that’s the extent of it.

  I’ve also seen neighbours (adults and kids) visiting back and forth across the alley, as the weather gets nicer.

• walkerp 20:19 on 2020-05-19 Permalink

  Here is an interesting perspective on moving away from the all or nothing approach.

• Ian 12:10 on 2020-05-20 Permalink

  Sure, but none of those “lower risk” scenarios involve going into each others’ houses – which I am seeing people do on the regular here. I have no problem with kids playing in the alley or whatever but sitting in the park in a small circle sipping coolers & sharing joints isn’t exactly low-risk either.

  This last weekend I was on an errand, driving past Jarry Park. Packed. Across the street at the pharmacy, a lineup of people wearing masks. The contrast couldn’t be more obvious & striking.