May 28 can’t come quickly enough.
Last week the provincial government announced its reopening plan and it was met with a mass exhalation of breath, like a weight was lifted off our chests. The date was set that the province-wide curfew was up, and restrictions on outdoor dining and other activities were . . .
eased. Finally, some kind of light at the end of the tunnel.
Despite having the dubious distinction of one of the highest death tolls in the country, Quebec is leading everyone but the northern territories in the number of vaccinations administered per capita at the moment, which has allowed for this ambitious reopening strategy. It hinges on certain vaccination thresholds to advance, so there’s no guarantee that we’ll hit the benchmarks set by government but it’s good news that we’re pulling out of this catastrophe.
These restrictions easing come with tons of caveats and exemptions that we’re not necessarily going to meet. But it doesn’t look like we’ll be moving backwards. What a relief from the flip-flopping that characterized the earlier lockdown rules.
Contrasted with the incoherent waffling from our neighbours in Ontario (splash pads open, splash pads closed, no golf, yes golf, etc) this plan is straightforward and decisive.
However, it doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods yet.
Despite all the fanfare around vaccinations, uptake among the general public has begun to lag now that they’ve been opened to the younger age groups. The later stages of this reopening plan hinge on a high number of second doses to the most vulnerable populations, like health care workers and the elderly, so that operation needs to continue smoothly as well. Masks will likely be required until high thresholds of second doses are hit, which won’t be until much later in the year.
When the weather is this nice, it’s hard to contain yourself though. Who doesn’t want to hug their relatives and travel to another part of the country? Who doesn’t want to get together with friends on a patio somewhere?
There’s an urge to throw caution to the wind and just get on with the summer. But let’s take time to be glad we can leave our homes any time we please and revel in the fact that we can get our hair cut. It’s all about the small victories.
Caleb Nickerson
