Ontario might have hit the peak of COVID 19

[pigletto]

Here is the part I don't understand and I'm sure someone could help me. If we just open right back up, isn't that just asking to see a huge spike in numbers and to go through all of this again? A new surge, and a new peak? Is there really any hope for "normal" until we can come up with A) tests for antibodies and B) a vaccine?
I'm not trying to be debbie downer here at all. I'm just trying to wrap my mind around what is ahead for us.

 

[uandmfan]

Ford said start to open up today but said we won't be back to normal until there is a vaccine. If you look at Europe they are opening up in stages, as is New Zealand. PEI has an opening up plan and it's also staged. But I don't think we will be back to full-blow normal for a long time. Or at least that's the message he's sending now.

 

[Kaadk]

Here is the part I don't understand and I'm sure someone could help me. If we just open right back up, isn't that just asking to see a huge spike in numbers and to go through all of this again? A new surge, and a new peak? Is there really any hope for "normal" until we can come up with A) tests for antibodies and B) a vaccine?
I'm not trying to be debbie downer here at all. I'm just trying to wrap my mind around what is ahead for us.

If they go right back to pre-closure, processes, then sure. But I expect we'll see the restrictions loosen in stages. Like, social gatherings might go from 5 back up to 20, but still be limited, restaurants still on take out only, social distancing still encouraged might be the first phase. Then next might be restaurants open, but at limited capacity and some of the non-essential stores opening, like Canadian Tire opening back up as a second stage. Third stage would be some of the businesses allowed to return to working, as long as some form of social distancing is still maintained... etc... And so on and so until we eventually get back to 'normal' in a few years from now, which by, then, there's hopefully a vaccine.

 

[Jrb1979]

If they go right back to pre-closure, processes, then sure. But I expect we'll see the restrictions loosen in stages. Like, social gatherings might go from 5 back up to 20, but still be limited, restaurants still on take out only, social distancing still encouraged might be the first phase. Then next might be restaurants open, but at limited capacity and some of the non-essential stores opening, like Canadian Tire opening back up as a second stage. Third stage would be some of the businesses allowed to return to working, as long as some form of social distancing is still maintained... etc... And so on and so until we eventually get back to 'normal' in a few years from now, which by, then, there's hopefully a vaccine.

The talk from Dr. Tam that mass gatherings won't be around til a vaccine or a treatment. That means no theme parks no sports with crowds.

 

[isabellea]

In QC, the cases are mostly around Mtl and a huge percentage are in long-term care facilities. Today the premier announced they will soon share a back to school plan and that it won’t be mandatory but that it might be for only a few regions that are not heavily hit with the virus. I don’t expect my kids school to re-open first since we live in Mtl but if they could go back, I would send them. If they are to get infected and be sick (improbable but possible), I prefer it happens now when our most fragile population is confined (grand-parents) and when our paediatric hospitals are not busy than in September when we might have a second wave that could be even worst than the first (like what happened with Spanish flu) and when the hospitals might be busier just because fall and winter are when you have more cases of flu, bad stomach flu, etc.

 

[hdrolfe]

It's strange to me that Quebec talks of relaxing restrictions when they have the most cases of any province in Canada. I get that the majority of them are in nursing homes, and even in Ontario nursing homes are seeing increases while community spread has at least slowed down. Having worked in a nursing home (many years ago), it is really scary. The staff in them are normally overworked as it is, this adds a whole new level to it, and I can understand why the military is being asked to assist.

As for Ontario, Ford stepped back a bit from his morning comments in this afternoon's speech. However, I do hope that places like Canadian Tire and pet stores will be able to reopen soon, and perhaps certain parks with social distancing measures in place. I trust they will do it in steps. I don't believe schools will open until September though, at this point if they are stepping back from May 18th, then what is the point in having them open for only a month before summer holidays? And that would assume a quick return to school.

It is nice to see that at least two vaccines are going into human trials, so perhaps by Fall we will have one that works. I think a serum test to see if people have had it, given how many are asymptomatic, or who weren't tested because they weren't severe, would be a great idea and hopefully one will be approved for use in Canada soon. It is also nice to see that Canadian hospitals haven't been overwhelmed as was predicted, I know that can change, and it is a result of our isolation efforts, but we do seem to have slowed this down. I'd like to see how many people have had it now, not just the ones who were severe enough to be tested but also those who weren't. I don't think that will be possible for awhile unfortunately.

I waiver between believing we will be locked down until Fall or later and believing we will be released by the end of May. The uncertainty of it all is what frustrates me. I am sure many of you are like me, planners. It's why I belong to DIS after all, planning Disney trips! I guess I need to take up yoga and try to settle my mind.

 

[isabellea]

We have three curves in QC, nursing home (private and public) that are a true disaster, Montreal and its suburbs and the rest of the province. Some regions have no or very low active cases and I think that is where they will start re-opening schools and businesses. Those regions are already closed (police controls who can go thru or not) so no reason to keep very strict confinement rules there because Mtl has cases.

 

[amw]

I don't believe schools will open until September though, at this point if they are stepping back from May 18th, then what is the point in having them open for only a month before summer holidays? And that would assume a quick return to school.

My daughter is in Grade 12. I’m hoping she does get a chance to go back to school, even if it is one month (Or extend the year, these kids can’t get summer jobs.) First, her teachers are assigning minimal work online, with no tests. Her only real course was the e-learning course she was already doing prior to the shutdown. I know everyone is given a pass — but they are not learning for university. I’m also hoping they can recognize the grads. I know a prom is highly unlikely. At the very least, they need to empty their lockers!

Im not even letting myself think about their universities not opening for them In the Fall.

I think a big reason they would send the little kids back to elementary school “even for a month” is because if businesses start opening up, elementary schools are essentially daycares.

 

[Donald - my hero]

Too tired to really read and reply to everyone's comments but i think the information my hubby has received this week might help answer a few questions about "returning to normal".

We live in Guelph and our MPP is Mike Schreiner. We were concerned when he was elected that we would have no voice since he's the ONLY Green member but he has done a wonderful job for not only our city but our entire province. One of his worries right now is how the small businesses in every small town will manage because they don't really qualify for the wage subsidy, can't pay rent and might close. Our MP used to be the Chair of the Chamber of Commerce for our city and is also concerned about small businesses that he has helped for years. Monday they hosted a webinar to let business owners understand what reopening will involve. Here's what the plan is to be:
Gradually allow companies to start up again in reverse order of how they are needed starting with manufacturing and moving up. Example cars- first the plants that prepare the parts, next the factory that the parts get shipped to followed by the actual assembly lines to build the cars. Each step will take 2 weeks before moving on since that is the incubation period of the virus, if no cases spring up then the next step can open, and so on until you get the car built. Make sense? Not sure what this means for something like a restaurant but you get the picture.

He has hired a co-op student from one of the universities for the *summer* term and they usually start the first of May. He got an email from the university today saying the students can start as late as July 31st but that there will be no one in the actual co-op office until August at the earliest. Guess that means that at least for Waterloo, there will be nothing happening on campus during most of the summer.

It has to be gradual or as someone else mentioned we'll have the same outcome that the Spanish flu did.

 

[elaine amj]

Yes, I am worried about the 2nd wave. I rather think my family will stay home for a long time to come

 

[isabellea]

I learned yesterday from contacts that McGill University is preparing for an online semester for the fall. Might not happened but the universities are preparing for that eventuality.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

I'm going to call WDW ticketing this week and ask about de-linking my tickets. I think I should do this now versus wait until they start to open. I might not be as lucky if I wait.

 

[ottawamom]

I'm going to call WDW ticketing this week and ask about de-linking my tickets. I think I should do this now versus wait until they start to open. I might not be as lucky if I wait.

Please let me know how it goes. How long did Airmiles say they would give you your airmiles back? I thought there was a deadline on that offer (or there was, everythig changes so often). I would be interested in doing this as well if it's possible.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

@ottawamom, On the AM website it says April 30, if you purchased the tickets prior to March 5. I have a strong suspicion that April 30 date will get bumped out if there is no opening date WDW by then. Is Disney closed until May 31 like Universal?

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

And, if there is a second wave late fall, all of these refunds could get implemented again. So much can happen between now and then.

 

[dancin Disney style]

My DD has been in regular contact with her university program chair and this is what she has been told....
The summer programs are all online as it had been for the final month of the winter term. Campuses/offices will remain closed. Many of the offices run on skeleton staff or close over the summer anyway so this isn't much of a change. The Fall term is currently being planned but basically right now they will continue online classes. There are several plans being worked on that can allow for classes to be transitioned back to in person if/when/where possible. At this moment, no one expects in person classes for September.

 

[Kaadk]

One of my client's was informing me their son was already told online classes only through the summer of 2022. (That was in Dallas). It wouldn't surprise me to see universities here following suit, or at least through Summer of 2021, at least for those courses that are capable of being remote. Colleges are more likely to be a mix, depending on the course. Comp Sci for instance, is probably remote, but Auto Mechanics needs to be able to access an engine at some point.

For my grade school kids, while I'm capable of helping them to a limited degree, they really need the interactions that a normal school day brings. The self-study model our board is using, is only going so far with them.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

@Kaadk same with my DD11. She is French Immersion and I am not French LOL I did take Core French from grades 2-12 so I do know some and can comprehend reading it. But to actually TEACH her math, etc that isn't going to happen.

What if if kids were broken up into morning (8-12) and afternoon (1-4) schools with cleaning going on in between shifts. Then they could spread the kids out in the classrooms over two per class (?) with space in between each student? But then what happens for the parents who have to still go TO work versus working from home?

Ugh, it's going be messy, I think.

 

[Raimiette]

I'm going to call WDW ticketing this week and ask about de-linking my tickets. I think I should do this now versus wait until they start to open. I might not be as lucky if I wait.

Please let me know how it goes. How long did Airmiles say they would give you your airmiles back? I thought there was a deadline on that offer (or there was, everythig changes so often). I would be interested in doing this as well if it's possible.

Yes, if you could let me know as well that would be great. I have 2 tickets for September that I'm not likely to use now (at least this year) purchased through the Airmiles Personal Shopper with park hopper.

I have a feeling given the amount of time out we are to September they aren't going to let me refund regardless but honestly, even if WDW opens by September, the States is getting RAVAGED by the virus and who knows when the border is going to open. On top of that, there are rumors that when WDW comes back there will be a restriction in activities (no characters, half-capacity restaurants, no parades, no fireworks etc.) that I feel it would be a waste of money until all this is sorted out.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

They key to all of this is whether the border re-opens for leisure travel and what stipulations are required if one chooses to cross. The US may make Cdns quarantine for 14 days in their hotel upon arrival. Then Cdns will need to quarantine for 14 days at home upon return from the US/Europe. Who has 5 weeks (at minimum) for vacation in one shot? Hardly anyone. I have 5 weeks per year, but not to use in that manner.