You can divide Canada into 3 parts in the reaction to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic to date. Quebec and Ontario, in that order, dominate the country's COVID-19 cases. British Columbia and Alberta have struggled with cases but not to the extent of the top provinces. The rest of the provinces as well as the territories haven't had to deal with a lot of cases and deaths. That isn't to diminish what those areas have gone through in terms of cases and deaths; just a comparison to the rest of Canada.
Some provinces are now loosening some restrictions. Unlike their equivalents below the 49th parallel, caution is still key.
Saskatchewan has a 5-phase plan that starts this morning.
Phase 1 (May 4)
- Medical services including dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, opticians, podiatry, occupational therapy and chiropractic treatment.
- Facilities to accommodate low-risk outdoor activities, such as boating and fishing.
- Online reservations for campgrounds, which are then to be opened on June 1.
- Golf courses will reopen with restrictions beginning May 15.
Phase 2 (May 19)
- Clothing stores, sporting good stores, vaping supply shops, bookstores, jewelry stores, boat and ATV dealerships, accessory stores, music stores, electronic stores, pawnshops and travel agencies.
- Personal services including hairdressers, registered massage therapists, acupuncturists and acupressurists.
New Brunswick is allowing a family to pick another family to hang out with in the next phase. Manitoba is allowing haircuts. Even Quebec is making moves with different timetables inside and outside of Montréal. Younger Quebec children will be allowed to go back to school, though school is optional.
Prince Edward Island has 27 reported cases and started lifting restrictions on Friday. New Brunswick has gone 15 days in a row with no new reported cases. Newfoundland and Labrador has 2 straight days with no new cases; the province has 259 reported cases and 3 deaths. Nova Scotia has been the outlier in the Maritimes with 37 deaths.
The Northwest Territories and Yukon posted no new cases this weekend. Nunavut has only 1 known case.
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The provincial premiers have expressed significant caution and threats to go back if people don't observe social distancing or if the number of cases dramatically increase. Conservative and less conservative premiers haven't played political cards in these decisions.
Like the United States, Canada places those decisions on the provincial (state) levels as how to close and when to open. Also like the United States, Canada isn't doing enough testing, especially Ontario.
Like the United States, the majority of Canada's deaths so far have been in long-term care homes. The number we heard last week was 79% of Canada's reported deaths have come from long-term care homes. A shocking number but one that might affect the steps the provinces are taking right now. This is only Phase 1 of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
The next 4-6 weeks will give some clue on whether the provinces are making the right move and if they have to scale back their easing of restrictions. If I had to pick whether to be in Georgia (U.S. state) or Saskatchewan for the next 6 months, I would enjoy Saskatoon berry pie and wear the green of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
photo credit: CBC News
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