Covid numbers continue to climb
We broke an arbitrary number Wednesday as the cumulative total of Quebecers who’ve been diagnosed with Covid since the start of the pandemic passed half a million. But we also saw a record 6361 new cases over the last 24 hours.
The Journal notes the return of waiting lines to get into stores. The Gazette predicts that Quebec is going to impose a new curfew, limit gatherings to six, and decree a two-week shutdown on nonessential businesses. But we’ll know at 6 pm.
Blork 12:53 on 2021-12-22 Permalink
I went to the SAQ yesterday, and they had put the sign back up saying “limit 29 clients at a time.” I was also shocked at how bare the shelves were; a couple of weeks ago when others were complaining about shortages due to the distribution strike, my local SAQ was normally stocked. But yesterday about 75% of the shelves were empty! I thought maybe there was a run on booze before a lockdown, but then I saw a pattern; some item were fully stocked and some completely empty. I assume if it was a run on booze people wouldn’t be very discriminating.
It hit the grocery store this morning for what will hopefully be the last time before the new year (notwithstanding a dep run or two). I did not see any signs limiting access, and there were no lineups, but then it was 9:15AM. Pretty busy inside though.
DeWolf 17:06 on 2021-12-22 Permalink
La Presse reported this morning that a curfew had been considered but is now off the table. We’ll see whose sources are more reliable.
I think at this point, a short but sharp lockdown would do nothing but good, but a curfew is abusive and ineffective. It didn’t work last year and we had it for five months. Why would it work this time around?
Matthew H 17:25 on 2021-12-22 Permalink
It is mind-boggling that anyone can think the curfew was ineffective. Go to the CBC Coronavirus Tracker site, switch the timespan to “All Time”, and toggle between Quebec and Ontario (or any other large province). Look at the difference in the height of the third wave from Jan–May 2021!
DeWolf 17:36 on 2021-12-22 Permalink
The overall trend between the two provinces is nearly identical, especially in the two months after the curfew was first imposed. The main difference is that Ontario had a higher peak during the third wave. Why would the curfew have suddenly made a difference in April but not in January, February or March?
If you’ll recall, plenty of regions in Quebec had big outbreaks during the spring, despite the curfew. But the province’s overall trend was influenced by Montreal, which kept cases relatively low because of good contact tracing and targeted vaccinations:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-how-montreal-has-so-far-dodged-a-third-covid-19-wave-and-what-other/
walkerp 17:47 on 2021-12-22 Permalink
The curfew was great for the environment and air and noise pollution in Montreal. Bring it on.
Raymond Lutz 18:34 on 2021-12-22 Permalink
We need that same covid19 lock-down 5% degrowth year after year after year to stay in line with the Paris agreement (ie stay under +2C) Jancovici, en français.
Max 22:19 on 2021-12-22 Permalink
The Gazoo says Quebec’s going to announce *9,000* new cases tomorrow.
https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/covid-19-updates-montreal-quebec-new-cases-vaccine-vaccination-booster-shot-omicron-legault-restrictions-curfew-lockdown-december-22
We’re in for a real shit show these next few weeks. Merry Christmas everybody.