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There are different degrees of openness in the U.S., but in general, the whole country seems to be moving rapidly in the direction of being open, even if some (California for example) will take longer than others. Meanwhile, I just read about a coming Italian lockdown, and just saw comments complaining about new lockdowns in Finland and Ontario. It seems that the U.S. is opening, but everyone else in the Western world is doubling down on lockdowns and everything else. Why is this happening?
Well, first of all, Ontario is not Canada. It is only one of ten provinces of Canada. So what occurs in Ontario is not necessarily representative of what happens in Canada as a whole.
That being said, you're right, in a general pan-Canadian sense. Although I'm unclear on the details, I'm given to understand that thirty or so years ago, Canada shut down its vaccine manufacturing facilities. Note that this was not due to limitations created by "universal healthcare," or anything like that; it was simply that the Canadian government could buy polio, tetanus, and other vaccines cheaper from the US and Europe and other traditional allies, than it could from our own facilities. So, for economic reasons, the Canadian government opted to buy cheaper vaccines from elsewhere. Hey, who doesn't like lower taxes?
Flash forward to now. We've got little in the way of vaccine manufacturing facilities, and no way to get the little we do have up to speed in a reasonable timeframe. We're relying on imports from our friends--but our friend the US won't export any vaccines to us, and our friends in the EU want to look after their people first. We're at the back of the line. It's not Justin Trudeau's fault, though he does share some of the blame, mostly because he's not a great negotiator. Rather, it's the fault of various Canadian governments over the last thirty years.
And so, we've been promised vaccines at some unspecified date in the future, but only to those who fit a certain demographic (my demographic may be eligible next month, but no guarantees; it depends on shipments from overseas; I might get a vaccine in June or July or maybe September, in spite of the fact that I'm over 60 years old). We can go to a bar or restaurant, but not sit at the bar; we have to sit at a table, with no more that two others at that table. Movie theatres are closed, casinos are closed, race books are closed, gyms are only partially open. And yet, we see on TV, that the US is opening up. No masks, fully open bars and restaurants. Spring Break in Florida! No masks, no social distancing! And seeing what our American friends can do, we're getting tired of what we must do.
Not surprisingly, what is happening is modern-day speakeasies are forming. One guy will offer to host a gathering for his friends, but Alan and Fiona will arrive at 3:00, Bill will arrive at 3:15, Chris at 3:30, Doug and Elaine at 3:45, and so on. That way, the neighbours won't get suspicious, and report anything. As long as everybody's quiet, nobody's the wiser. Another popular one is the "pizza dodge," where an empty pizza box is delivered, but it looks like a pizza delivery, right? Except it isn't, because the "pizza delivery guy" joins the "Chinese food guy" and the "Uber Eats" guy, and the "Skip the Dishes" guy, and other food delivery guys, and they all settle in at one guy's place to watch the hockey game. Totally illegal, under current laws, but that's what is happening.
My view? No matter how badly the vaccine rollout has been botched in Canada, it's time to open things further. Why? Because it's easier to keep an eye on bars, restaurants, casinos, race books, theatres, etc. if they are open. It is much more difficult to keep an eye on if Canadians must resort to speakeasies and the Pizza Dodge. And given Canadians' access to US media, where Canadians can see how much freer Americans are in this regard, Canadians won't like being restricted much any more.
US is doing a pretty good job on vaccination in comparison. NJ for example has administered 1.9 million first doses, which even without the 2nd dose should hit 80%+ effectiveness in 30ish days. There are ~7 million people aged 18+ in the state, so 27% of the adult population was conferred substantial immunity to COVID-19 (with some lag for effectiveness). If the supply of vaccines accelerates, we'll be over 50% in a month and maybe 70% end of May. My impression is that other countries are months to a year behind.
There are different degrees of openness in the U.S., but in general, the whole country seems to be moving rapidly in the direction of being open, even if some (California for example) will take longer than others. Meanwhile, I just read about a coming Italian lockdown, and just saw comments complaining about new lockdowns in Finland and Ontario. It seems that the U.S. is opening, but everyone else in the Western world is doubling down on lockdowns and everything else. Why is this happening?
Because America is a fully armed country and we don't take no mess.
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Originally Posted by dashrendar4454
There are different degrees of openness in the U.S., but in general, the whole country seems to be moving rapidly in the direction of being open, even if some (California for example) will take longer than others. Meanwhile, I just read about a coming Italian lockdown, and just saw comments complaining about new lockdowns in Finland and Ontario. It seems that the U.S. is opening, but everyone else in the Western world is doubling down on lockdowns and everything else. Why is this happening?
The EU has made a mess of vaccine manufacture and distribution.
Countries outside of the EU such as the UK have already vaccinate a third of the population, and are reopening schools and other facilitates.
The UK has also rolled out the second jab, which is also being successfully administered.
The US has similarly been successful in terms of it's vaccination program.
Well, first of all, Ontario is not Canada. It is only one of ten provinces of Canada. So what occurs in Ontario is not necessarily representative of what happens in Canada as a whole.
That being said, you're right, in a general pan-Canadian sense. Although I'm unclear on the details, I'm given to understand that thirty or so years ago, Canada shut down its vaccine manufacturing facilities. Note that this was not due to limitations created by "universal healthcare," or anything like that; it was simply that the Canadian government could buy polio, tetanus, and other vaccines cheaper from the US and Europe and other traditional allies, than it could from our own facilities. So, for economic reasons, the Canadian government opted to buy cheaper vaccines from elsewhere. Hey, who doesn't like lower taxes?
Flash forward to now. We've got little in the way of vaccine manufacturing facilities, and no way to get the little we do have up to speed in a reasonable timeframe. We're relying on imports from our friends--but our friend the US won't export any vaccines to us, and our friends in the EU want to look after their people first. We're at the back of the line. It's not Justin Trudeau's fault, though he does share some of the blame, mostly because he's not a great negotiator. Rather, it's the fault of various Canadian governments over the last thirty years.
And so, we've been promised vaccines at some unspecified date in the future, but only to those who fit a certain demographic (my demographic may be eligible next month, but no guarantees; it depends on shipments from overseas; I might get a vaccine in June or July or maybe September, in spite of the fact that I'm over 60 years old). We can go to a bar or restaurant, but not sit at the bar; we have to sit at a table, with no more that two others at that table. Movie theatres are closed, casinos are closed, race books are closed, gyms are only partially open. And yet, we see on TV, that the US is opening up. No masks, fully open bars and restaurants. Spring Break in Florida! No masks, no social distancing! And seeing what our American friends can do, we're getting tired of what we must do.
Not surprisingly, what is happening is modern-day speakeasies are forming. One guy will offer to host a gathering for his friends, but Alan and Fiona will arrive at 3:00, Bill will arrive at 3:15, Chris at 3:30, Doug and Elaine at 3:45, and so on. That way, the neighbours won't get suspicious, and report anything. As long as everybody's quiet, nobody's the wiser. Another popular one is the "pizza dodge," where an empty pizza box is delivered, but it looks like a pizza delivery, right? Except it isn't, because the "pizza delivery guy" joins the "Chinese food guy" and the "Uber Eats" guy, and the "Skip the Dishes" guy, and other food delivery guys, and they all settle in at one guy's place to watch the hockey game. Totally illegal, under current laws, but that's what is happening.
My view? No matter how badly the vaccine rollout has been botched in Canada, it's time to open things further. Why? Because it's easier to keep an eye on bars, restaurants, casinos, race books, theatres, etc. if they are open. It is much more difficult to keep an eye on if Canadians must resort to speakeasies and the Pizza Dodge. And given Canadians' access to US media, where Canadians can see how much freer Americans are in this regard, Canadians won't like being restricted much any more.
Are neighbors spying on each other AND reporting suspicions to the authorities?
Are neighbors spying on each other AND reporting suspicions to the authorities?
They were doing that in my state the People Republic of Mass, where the Governor set up a hotline.
Biden told us the other night we will be able to have cookouts on the 4th of July despite the Neanderthals that are acting stupidly...
The Dems criticized Trump to no end for not enforcing lockdowns but now the Dems are experiencing the fact that Americans are going to do what they want.
People realize this is NOT A PANDEMIC. No ambulance sirens, no people dying in the streets, no healthy or younger people dying. Just the very old, very sick whom are already dying.
Most people want to live their lives and not cower in their basements in fear of something that has a .000001% chance of harming them. The most dangerous thing most people do is drive or be passengers in vehicles on public roads. That's it.
The EU has made a mess of vaccine manufacture and distribution.
Countries outside of the EU such as the UK have already vaccinate a third of the population, and are reopening schools and other facilitates.
The UK has also rolled out the second jab, which is also being successfully administered.
The US has similarly been successful in terms of it's vaccination program.
Thankyou former President Donald Trump.
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