The Next Stage

We're screwed.

Coronavirus illustration: 3D4Medical

Starting tomorrow, most of Ontario will be moving into Stage 3 of the COVID-19 recovery strategy. In Stage 3, nearly all businesses can fully reopen, including gyms, restaurants, and pubs. Indoor gathering limits will increase to 50 people, while outdoor limits will be double, at 100.

Given that only just last week, Ottawa and some other cities mandated masks for indoor public spaces, the move to Stage 3 seems ludicrous, irresponsible, and contradictory. If you have to wear a mask, how are you going to eat or drink? Some cities will not be imposing a mandatory mask policy until next Monday, and others haven't mandated masks at all. How are we supposed to reduce the risk of transmission?

My daughter works for a coffee shop. In Stage 2, the shop opened (it doesn't offer drive-through service so was closed during Stage 1) but its tables were cleared away. A Plexiglas barrier was placed across the counter and the server wore a mask and gloves. You ordered your drink and snack, paid, and then took it outside. A few tables were spaced apart, should you want to enjoy your purchase there.

Starting tomorrow, the tables in her shop will return indoors. I'm not happy with this arrangement. Masks will come off. People, being people, will play fast-and-loose with the rules.

I've told my daughter that if she feels uncomfortable with this new arrangement, she can quit. She's only going to be there for another five weeks or so, anyway, when she'll be heading off to school in the fall.

Assuming students can go back in September.

For months, we've been trying to get this pandemic under control, and in Canada we've been doing a pretty good job, despite the fact that we've moved slowly on getting people to cover their faces. We've wanted to flatten the curve so that life can get back to somewhat normal, so that kids can go back to school, and that we'll be in good shape for when a vaccine is finally found.

We're rushing things. By moving to Stage 3, by allowing people back into restaurants, gyms, and movie theatres (good god!), let's make sure that kids are protected and able to continue their education.

By moving to Stage 3 so early, we'll be even more quickly onto the next stage: back to Stage 1. Which will make the past four months of staying home for naught.

We're screwed.