Thought of the Day - August 22 2021 - By the Numbers

The US continues to lead the world in new cases (now averaging about 125,000 new cases a day). As their case fatality rate is less than other countries, they are at about the same level of deaths ( 1,000) per day as a number of other major counties: Brazil, Russia and Indonesia. Mexico is not far behind, meaning that North America continues to be the new epicentre of the pandemic.

Sad to see that still half of the countries with the highest case rates per capita, and also half of the countries with the highest death rates, are still our fault. Yes, they continue to be popular tourist destinations for tourists from Europe and the Americas who believe because they are vaccinated they can act with impunity. At least Martinique, unlike French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Aruba, Sint Maarten, Saint Lucia, Fiji, Seychelles, etc. (oh, and don't forget the interior of BC) that are all topping the list, has had the guts to tell tourists to "go away". Hopefully it was not too late for them and they will manage to fare better now.

Unfortunately Canada's figures are up across the board this week. The increase in cases and hospitalizations seen in recent weeks is now also translating into deaths.

The western provinces are still leading in cases. Sorry to say, I, and I know a number of other friends from BC, are taking a long-overdue opportunity to head east. Thus, we will ensure to re-balance the provinces as our fourth wave really takes hold - just at the new school year starts. We are now back to March levels, for cases and hospitalizations - remember this was when our third wave kicked off in earnest.

There has also been significant outbreaks in the Northwest Territories. New exposure notices have been issued for Délı̨nę, Inuvik, Yellowknife.

No one gets a shout-out this week. Cases are rising across the country and we are all just "deer in the headlights". Not saying there is a good alternative, but the lack of action means the good times are rapidly coming to a close.

Cheers

Cliff