Thought of the Day - March 1 - Canada's Florida

Last week BC's approach to COVID was referred to as Canada's Florida by a US social media epidemiologist. Thinking a little about this, it is true. Compared to all other provinces we have had fewer restrictions. We use the word lock-down, but other than some forced business and school closings last spring we have not really had any lock-downs. Moreover, we have not led in any mitigating activities either. Indeed despite being the first province with a spate of COVID deaths, we have simply followed other provinces and territories (the delay in masks on public transport and the lack of a tracking app, are two notable examples).

So is BC Canada's Florida? No. Florida has seen 1,425 deaths per million (higher than Quebec), BC is at 265. They are over five times higher, thus any comparisons are ludicrous. More like Sweden maybe? Nope, Sweden has a death rate of 1,265 per million (about the same as Quebec).

We have talked before about what countries around the world are doing, and whether these actions are right or wrong. Governments in some countries have gotten serious about eradicating the virus, and pretty well got the job done. But none of them are in the western world.

Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding tried to do the US a service by sensationalizing the Novel Coronavirus in its early days, and now he is hoping to do the same before the third-wave hits. However, I am actually not sure there is much correlation between western-world government action and Coronavirus management; most of the time we just keep busy slamming the barn door after the horse has bolted.

While government policy is one piece of the puzzle we still need to remember it was and will always be in your hands as to what happens - after all, if choice is not one of the hallmarks of the western world then a lot of people have died needlessly.

Cheers

Cliff