Just Don't

So, today, Ottawa moves from being in a COVID red zone to an orange one, and some restrictions will be lifted. But just because the decision-makers have allowed this doesn't mean we have to let our guards down.

With the lifted restrictions, restaurants are allowed to reopen with a maximum number of guests limited to... 50? Seriously? With the original strain of the virus, South Korean scientists proved that you could contract COVID in as little as five minutes. And with the new strains, which are more aggressive, you can catch the virus within seconds. So why would you want to take your mask off, indoors, with a room full of strangers?

I know that restaurant servers are suffering during this pandemic and I feel for them. But if you really want to support the restaurant, order takeout or have it delivered to your door (preferably, directly from the restaurant owners, rather than delivery services like Skip The Dishes). If you can, tip generously.

Just don't dine in the restaurant.

Lifted restrictions also means that Ottawans can have a maximum of 10 people in their homes. And for the life of me, I can't think of why I'd want six or seven people in my house. Don't get me wrong: I miss my extended family and my friends, but I want to be able to hug them and share laughs freely, without masks.

Just don't have guests over.

Without restrictions, we're simply prolonging this pandemic. I've often said that if we had locked everything down and ordered people to stay at home for six to eight weeks, we likely would have stopped the spread and ended this pandemic. I'm sure that this is a very simplistic look, but I am certain that enough strict rules would have put a stop to the pandemic.

Look at New Zealand.

Sadly, our provincial leaders aren't interested in doing what needs to be done, and so we're now 11 months into this crisis, with no end in sight.

Remember, this virus wants to survive and will do whatever it can to keep going. It doesn't take holidays into account. It doesn't make exceptions. It doesn't rest.

Do yourself a favour. Take control of ending this pandemic. Put our recovery into your own hands. Don't dine in restaurants. Don't invite people into your homes. Stay in your own home and only go out for absolute essentials. When you're out, wear a mask and keep your distance.

Lifting restrictions means that this pandemic isn't going to end anytime soon. So just don't.