Coronavirus Update #4 - Stupid People

Spring breakers experiencing difficulties practicing social distancing.

Since my last posting, the numbers of cases - and deaths  - has steadily increased. 846 cases in Canada with 12 deaths and 271 cases in BC alone.

Our leaders have been very insistent on people following guidelines that will slow the progress of COVID19.

• Stay home. 
• Do not gather in groups. 
• Stay away from bars and restaurants except for take out. 

But there are some really stupid people in the world.

In the US, there are scenes every day of college aged students at the beach in places like Florida - in giant groups, drinking their faces off, having a great time, and not worried about getting sick.

'If I get corona, I get corona. At the end of the day, I'm not going to let it stop me from partying,' one spring breaker spouted.

But get this. Right now, the US has over 16,000 cases and 219 deaths. And, according to the latest facts, 20% of those infected in the US are between 20 and 44.

Also, think about the people they know and love. Siblings, parents, grandparents - all could be at risk when they decide the party is over.

Another example off stupidity. All bars and restaurants in Vancouver were ordered to close on St. Patrick's Day. Over 20 decided to ignore that order - motivated by greed. To be fair, there were a lot of foolish people that went in these bars as customers.  I hope their four leaf clovers keep them safe after such idiotic behaviour.

Six feet, not six centimetres, Donald...

Maybe picking on Trump is too easy,  but here's a photo from yesterday. Compared to Trudeau, who is by himself (granted, he is in isolation), or our provincial leaders, who are six feet apart, the US leader is seen cheek to jowl with other government representatives. Not the best social distancing, Donald!

Evangeline Lily - Crisis? What crisis?

Canadian actor Evangeline Lily joins other celebrities like Vanessa Hudgens (whining about Coronavirus being heartless and that maybe she shouldn't be quarantining), Nelydia Senrose (posting travel pics in Malaysia) and Gal Gadot (making an Imagine  video with friends rather than contributing in a more productive manner such as donations). Lily has basically decided not to change her routine, dropping her kid off at a gymnastics camp. “Just dropped my kids off at gymnastics camp. They all washed their hands before going in. They are playing and laughing,”

Great.

Of course, there are lots of other stupid things that have come about but that is to be expected in the world. Black people can't catch it (they can). Cow urine prevents Coronavirus (it doesn't). It's a Chinese virus because the Chinese wanted to infect people from Hong Kong (doubtful).  There's a bunch of Instagram filters for Coronavirus including one where you can randomly find out if you have the virus (just plain stupid). 

Bonnie Henry - an oasis of calm in a shit-storm.

Despite all of this idiocy, most people are taking this seriously and are rising to the occasion. PM Trudeau sounds genuine, sincere and is showing that he is a real leader each day when he speaks. Our provincial politicians appear on TV, 2 metres apart, and tend to tell things like it is, in a calm manner. Our provincial minister of health, Bonnie Henry, is the calmest, most sincere person I have seen in this whole crisis. I think my father-in-law would like a date with her...

I am hopeful that the above mentioned stupid people will realize the seriousness of the current crisis. It is never too late to practice social distancing and, if the majority of people are doing so, the outliers may not have much of an effect. 

Interestingly, one of the articles I read today noted that Canadians have an inherent trust in their government so they are more likely to follow the advice to flatten the curve - or plank it! 

I realize it is still early days in many ways but I am hopeful that the steps that most of us non-stupid people are taking will prevent things from becoming really bad. 

Stay home and stay healthy.