The news today is not good in that the COVID-19 outbreaks are continuing to grow exponentially. Yet, a number of activities and behaviours in the U.S. and Canada indicate that many people are not taking this pandemic seriously. For example:
- A recent survey in Canada about the outbreak indicated that 37 percent of men are either a little or not at all worried about it, compared to 25 percent of women. Only 20 percent of men aged 18 to 29 years old are very worried about the virus.
- This past weekend, people of all ages could be seen in parks strolling in large groups, sunning on beaches, sipping beverages together, etc., etc. This despite multiple warnings from health authorities to “socially distance” from each other for up to 2 metres apart (6 feet for Americans).
- Among essential businesses not closing in Ontario are liquor and beer stores. Go figure!
- Given a multitude of concerns expressed by IOCs around the globe, Japan has finally been forced after much pressure to postpone the summer Olympics until 2021. Meanwhile, the Olympic flame sits idly by in Tokyo.
- The American President stated publicly that two old anti-malaria medications are being considered as potential treatments for the virus and he considers them “game changer.” This despite the fact that his top infectious diseases advisor says that the evidence is flimsy and may even be dangerous and they are not without serious side effects.
- Instead of declaring that the outbreak could take months to get under control, President Trump continues to express his policies in terms of weeks, preferring to unrealistically bank on reassessments at the end of March 2020. He appears to be more concerned about the stock markets.
- A lot of scams are surfacing which rely on taking advantage of the fears of people, including some that market themselves as cures or treatments for the coronavirus.
- Some returnees to Canada and the S. are not going into a 14-day self-isolation period upon their return as per the requirements of each national government.
- The Canadian Prime Minister, himself in self-imposed isolation, has had to once again strongly reiterate to Canadians that, unless absolutely essential, they should “go home, and stay home.”
These are just a few of the examples of how people and governments are responding to the COVID-19 emergency. I hope that we can do much better in the coming weeks and months! For the time being, like a lot of citizens, I am now practicing “social distancing” from home while greatly appreciating the work of those who are essential workers caring for us, our loved ones and our neighbours.
FROLITICKS 