Covid And The Rest of Us

[lisaviolet]

Chiming in from Montreal. What to say, what to say. 896 new cases in the Province of Quebec today, I believe 360 in Montreal. We are to become red tonight, tomorrow ? Nobody really knows what this means. We were asked to do NOTHING for 28 days. No socializing at all. Please stay home.

I believe it was stated school will not be closed no matter what, we will see if this is retracted. We only have medical exemptions for online learning, soooo... our health minister says he is trying to find a way to keep our economy going while avoiding a shutdown.

The photos of the bars, mont-royal, etc, from this weekend are downright embarrassing. I realize it was 90 degrees, and I once was young too, and so I keep trying to tell myself what would you have done at 20, I hope I would not have been in a crowd of thousands in a pandemic in the worst hit city in the country, who is now once again emerging as the same.

Personally, this is very hard week for me and my family. Friday will be 3 years that I have lost my daughter , and we have never been home, in this house, we always leave, it is just that much harder mentally that we can not. My sister has offered her place in Tremblant, and they won’t be allowing Montrealers, they will once again be stopping on the highway and asking Id.

mommasita. Love sent.

Are they doing checks at the bridges to the townships as well? (I can't imagine what a back up that would cause)

Asking because North Hatley has a soft spot in my heart, and the drive and arrival would be beautiful. No matter how many times I have made the turn onto the lakefront - well it always gives me a sigh.

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So sorry that Montreal is being hit so hard.

Most of my good friends are there. One just had to have her entire family tested, but had good results - all negative.

 

[lisaviolet]

That’s how it works I’m in Germany they call you. Unless you tell them your name is Mickey Mouse and give a fake number. A bar in Hamburg had a huge outbreak and a good portion of the contact Infos was false.

How utterly frustrating.

 

[Karin1984]

Latest press conference in NL:
- For the next three weeks we are going to be strict to prevent a real lock down
- Group size - max 30 inside, 40 outside.
- Locally exceptions can be made for theaters and stuff. (So those who have taken measures and are doing well)
- Reservation system for museums etc. stays
- Max 3 visitors at home (Excl. kids till 12)
- When you return from an orange zone (Belgium is new on this list) 10 days of home quarantine
- Working from home is mandatory again, unless absolutely not possible.
- No unnecessary travel
- Masks still obligatory in public transport
- Bars and restaurants close at 10 p.m., last entry at 9 p.m.
- Reservations for bars & restaurants still required.
- For take away, open till 2 a.m. no alcohol after 10 p.m.
- No public at sport events
- Sport canteens have to close
- Contact professions have to register their clients as well.

We will probably still not get a mask mandate, but shopkeepers (and such) are allowed to refuse people who do not wear mask in the three big cities, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht.

 

[lisaviolet]

A one day 700 case count was just reported (Ontario).

 

[lisaviolet]

We will probably still not get a mask mandate, but shopkeepers (and such) are allowed to refuse people who do not wear mask in the three big cities, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht.

That is a lot of pressure on the shopkeepers.

 

[Karin1984]

That is a lot of pressure on the shopkeepers.

I haven't really looked into the rules, as I do not live in these three cities. But I still have faith in the sanity of Dutch people, I think we are a pretty obedient nation (good and bad sides to this). When last week the B-celebrities started to protest they were immediately punished by media and other celebrities. And there are not that many people protesting. The majority is behaving, and our group of idiots is small.

I think step 1 is in communication. Be clear and consistent in communicating what you want in your shop.

 

[lisaviolet]

I haven't really looked into the rules, as I do not live in these three cities. But I still have faith in the sanity of Dutch people, I think we are a pretty obedient nation (good and bad sides to this). When last week the B-celebrities started to protest they were immediately punished by media and other celebrities. And there are not that many people protesting. The majority is behaving, and our group of idiots is small.

I think step 1 is in communication. Be clear and consistent in communicating what you want in your shop.

That's great.

I do feel the same here. For a long time we were with without a mask mandate in stores. And regardless the majority wore them. So it was followed without a mandate for the most part.

But what did happen in a few stores, smaller independent ones, that I would frequent was that they would openly serve people without masks, despite signage. And that puts everyone in jeopardy, well mostly the workers, as masks are not 100%. And the vibe I felt was that the workers did not want a confrontation. So they just served the customer.

So when Toronto went to masks inside all stores/buildings, I do believe it helped some shops with compliance. Why? Because I have never seen it happen again.

It is easy to say they just shouldn't serve those without masks, but some of these workers do not get paid enough to deal with nonsense in these smaller independent shops.

 

[bavaria]

I have not followed this thread for weeks, as I have been travelling again almost non-stop, including to 'closed' countries. Some random thoughts:

- the DACH countries continue to have cases but low deaths, and not many restrictions. Local restrictions are implemented as needed vs punishing the entire country. In Austria life is almost normal, with pool/sauna open, hotels hosting conventions, large gatherings permitted, etc. A small rise in cases did require masks in shops from last week for a limited period (I forgot as previously only required masks in grocery stores and in banks etc but not all shops) Liechenstein isn't considered part of DACH but is pretty much COVID free and with almost no restrictions at all or mask wearing (and I was told to remove my mask recently)

- southern Europe generally seems to be more mask wearing (perhaps because some areas were harder hit) but in many areas there isn't really much restrictions. I had a friend in Canada (who reminds me of the poster from Winnipeg on this thread) who was so confused by a photo I sent her. It was of me in a crowded Saturday night in a town square in southern Europe, and she was confused and concerned re the lack of masks.

- sat with a German epidemiologist at an event last week in a different country and he said the thought now is that 'the virus is insignificant'. He also felt that German restrictions were not needed and we should be more like Austria

- general consensus in many countries is that there will not be a future lockdown like in March. As we see, lockdowns are not having much different impact vs those countries which are just implementing short term local restrictions when case rise about x per 100,000

- the media and the population have largely moved on from COVID. Die Welt and the SZ and other serious German newspapers don't have COVID as the top story, it's usually the environment, them some US politics, then COVID. The Friday environmental movement has returned, with socially distanced protestors on bikes or walking in various cities, with no issues

Going back to the thread one of the Canadians posted, what am I doing differently since March? Well, in the last few weeks I have hugged people, touched strangers, swam indoors and outdoors, sauna, float, gym, buffet breakfasts, hotels, trains, planes, automobiles, shared ride services, shared car services, taxis, busses, church, wedding, funeral, restaurants indoors and outdoors, shopping, wine tasting, museums, concerts, markets, etc etc etc. Almost everything is 'normal' except that of course the extreme reaction to COVID means that my life has been so completely turned upside down and won't be the 'same' again. I'm mourning that and I'm angry with how the media has continued to influence thought when the facts seem to indicate that this is not the same virus we thought in March....

 

[bavaria]

Separate post to talk about testing... Berlin reduced the testing of returning travellers as there is such a low number of positives that tests are just wasted. Frankfurt Airport still has test centres for mandatory testing if you come from a 'high risk' country, and test centres if you just want a test for reassurance. So do many other airports and train stations around the country.

We used a train station one yesterday as my partner was going to visit family and wanted peace of mind. It took longer to walk from the car than to be tested - total time from arrival at the test centre to leaving was less than 7 minutes. Create a user ID online, scan the QR code, go into the room for a deep throat swab, and leave. Results by email within 24 hours. No cost, even though he is not German.

Test kits are also available for 79 Euros on Amazon, or if one if flying to a country that requires proof of a test, one can pay at the airports for an 'official' document with test results, done just a few hours before boarding.

It does make one wonder how the US can still be struggling to test effectively when one can be tested so easily.

 

[bavaria]

Well I am actually against any quarantine.

So much good things in your post. Also, as we discussed, airline crew are exempt from quarantine. I am frankly a bit annoyed that in recent weeks in my travels I see crews from US airlines checking into hotels, not abiding by the mask rules or the social distance markers. It's clear they are from US airlines as I know the various uniforms well.

So when we have 18-21 Americans arriving in a city in Europe, many of whom are not wearing masks or following local rules, who don't have to quarantine, and then go out and see the city, how is it any safer than the passengers on that plane doing the same thing? And why do the passengers have to quarantine, but not the crew?

And then we have this gem from an American worker at the US R&R facility in GAP who went bar hopping whilst having symptoms. The German government is considering criminal charges.

Bavarian state premier Markus Söder has called the events surrounding the outbreak "a model case of stupidity,"

https://www.dw.com/en/us-army-probe...-at-military-ski-resort-in-bavaria/a-54954950

 

[mommasita]

mommasita. Love sent.

Are they doing checks at the bridges to the townships as well? (I can't imagine what a back up that would cause)

Asking because North Hatley has a soft spot in my heart, and the drive and arrival would be beautiful. No matter how many times I have made the turn onto the lakefront - well it always gives me a sigh.

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So sorry that Montreal is being hit so hard.

Most of my good friends are there. One just had to have her entire family tested, but had good results - all negative.

Thank you. I’m glad for your friend and her family,

In regards to the checks on highways and bridges, I honestly do not know, but we have a press conference at 5:30 with Legault .

 

[EMom]

We had a trip to Eastern/Central Europe planned for May 2020, and had to reschedule for May 2021. The more days pass, the less optimistic I am about that trip actually happening.

DH works with several sites worldwide and until recently, the Czech coworkers were very positive about how things were going, COVID-wise. Over the past few weeks, their outlook has changed and to hear them tell it, things are getting MUCH worse and their previous confidence has evaporated.

If any of you are in Eastern/Central Europe, or have friends and relatives who are there, is this the sense you are getting from them? TIA

 

[bavaria]

We had a trip to Eastern/Central Europe planned for May 2020, and had to reschedule for May 2021. The more days pass, the less optimistic I am about that trip actually happening.

DH works with several sites worldwide and until recently, the Czech coworkers were very positive about how things were going, COVID-wise. Over the past few weeks, their outlook has changed and to hear them tell it, things are getting MUCH worse and their previous confidence has evaporated.

If any of you are in Eastern/Central Europe, or have friends and relatives who are there, is this the sense you are getting from them? TIA

No, although Czech has seen a rise in cases due to tourism. But people are not dying and death rates remain flat. There isn't a general worry in the population and certainly not a wish for lockdowns.

https://www.welt.de/debatte/plus215...daten-der-verschiedenen-Laender-verraten.html
In fact Germany, Austria, and Portugal all have had fewer deaths in 2020 than in previous years, with minimal covid restrictions.

 

[mommasita]

Well. Starting Oct 1, we will be closing bars, restaurants for inside dining, casinos, libraries. We are not allowed ANYONE that does not physically live at our address, unless it is necessary, plumber, electrician, etc. This is Montreal, Quebec City, the areas that were declared “red” zones, and will be for a minimum of 28 days. Schools remain open. Many other small things, but those are the main things.
Canada also extended the border closure another month

ETA: no leaving red zones, but they will not be policing at the moment.

 

[EMom]

No, although Czech has seen a rise in cases due to tourism. But people are not dying and death rates remain flat. There isn't a general worry in the population and certainly not a wish for lockdowns.

https://www.welt.de/debatte/plus215...daten-der-verschiedenen-Laender-verraten.html
In fact Germany, Austria, and Portugal all have had fewer deaths in 2020 than in previous years, with minimal covid restrictions.

Thanks, that’s good to know. Maybe his coworkers are just a bit panicked. I know they were feeling very up when all the tourist sites started reopening. But that does bring tourists, doesn’t it?

 

[ronandannette]

Well. Starting Oct 1, we will be closing bars, restaurants for inside dining, casinos, libraries. We are not allowed ANYONE that does not physically live at our address, unless it is necessary, plumber, electrician, etc. This is Montreal, Quebec City, the areas that were declared “red” zones, and will be for a minimum of 28 days. Schools remain open. Many other small things, but those are the main things.
Canada also extended the border closure another month

ETA: no leaving red zones, but they will not be policing at the moment.

What exactly does the bolded mean?

 

[NFLDERS]

Thoroughly disgusted by the continued reckless behavior of these car enthusiasts. Wasaga Beach, Ontario was their unfortunate location this past week-end. At least some 200 tickets/fines issued thus far.

 

[mommasita]

What exactly does the bolded mean?

We are not supposed to be travelling from a red zone to a non red zone unless it’s a priority, like work related. So nobody should be going up North or anything, at the moment they are not policing the highways like in the spring.

 

[ronandannette]

We are not supposed to be travelling from a red zone to a non red zone unless it’s a priority, like work related. So nobody should be going up North or anything, at the moment they are not policing the highways like in the spring.

How far do these zones extend? Are they neighbourhoods within the city or regions of the province or what? How would authorities know what zone somebody is from if everybody (presumably) has Quebec plates? Random check-stops?

 

[elphaba91]

I was more curious why they had to close their business in the first place. I do not own a dog, so I might be fully wrong here. But I always thought that the owner brings the dog to the groomer, one groomer needed per dog (?), and the owner leaves while the dog is being groomed and pick them up later. Is there a lot of contact between owner and groomer?

I'm not a dog owner either (much prefer my self-cleaning cats! ) But whenever it has been questioned why a particular business/activity is closed despite being 'perfectly safe' the answer has been that they want to minimise any unnecessary movement at all. I guess they figure that once you're out of your house for any reason you're more likely to stop and chat with someone, sit in the waiting room, etc.