A very memorable day here in B.C… the announcement that this is all pretty-much coming to an end; the official announcement that as of July 1st, we’re in Phase 3 and that the public health emergency will be lifted five days later.
Some notable changes, effective this Thursday:
– For the most part, masks will be optional… recommended, but not mandated
– No need to provide proof of vaccination anywhere
– Return to normal for personal indoor and outdoor gatherings
– For organized indoor gatherings, 50 people or 50%, whichever is greater
– For outdoor organized gatherings, 5,000 people or 50%, whichever is greater
– No capacity limits or restrictions on religious gatherings and worship services
– Fairs, festivals and trade shows – back to normal (with a plan in place)
– Canada-wide travel is ok
– No group limits for indoor or outdoor dining
– Normal liquor service, though no socializing between tables
– All indoor fitness classes allowed at normal capacities
– Gyms and recreation facilities, normal capacity
Given today’s new-case count of 29 and zero deaths and given the strong momentum still in place for vaccination (around here), it makes perfect sense. It’s exactly on track with what was optimistically expected… and all of this announced on what’s to be the last Dr. Bonny / Mr. Dix live 3pm briefing. I saw the first one, saw many in between, and, evidently, I saw the last one… though I didn’t know it at the time.
I started writing about this pandemic on March 17th, 2020. The Provincial State of Emergency was declared the next day, on the morning of March 18th. Accordingly, when the PSoE is lifted on Tuesday, I think that’ll be an appropriate finish line for me as well. A few more thoughts, one last contest… and, on Tuesday, call it a day. It’s Summer, and I’ve barely been anywhere for 18 months; time to get on with it and not have to be near a computer every day at 5pm.
This is all, in essence, the end of the pandemic… but it’s not the end of Covid, and there are a lot of variables that could cause wrinkles in the end-game… but the biggest game-changer… the one big, important piece… vaccines… will have a lot to say with respect to mitigating any sort of grand resurgence.
Sure… there will be pockets of outbreaks… but they’ll be dealt with swiftly. We may see an uptick in cases in the fall, but I suspect most people won’t know whether their sniffles and C19 or not; nor will they care. If hospitalization is needed, there will be plenty of beds and an awful lot of knowledge with respect to effective treatment. And if it’s a mild case… and if they’re vaccinated and everyone else around them is as well, that’s as much as any of us can do.
Beyond that, it’s pretty simple: Let’s get on with our lives.
….the US? 4th wave?
YAHOO!!!! Thanks Hort!! 👏👏👏👏 💉💉💉💉
🙏 ….. Words to cherish. ❤️
Thank you, for all of these informative and engaging posts, Horatio. Let me know when the book is published!
Are you leaving us? No!!!!!!!! I enjoy reading your blogs everyday.
Thank you for all your posts! They were certainly something to look forward to. You kept us all updated with the numbers but also lots of other interesting stuff. You are a great storyteller! Thanks again.
Best post yet ❤️🏌️♂️🏇
Thank you Horatio for all the great reads and informative posts during the pandemic. I have read almost every one and always looked forward to them. You deserve time away from computers. I do hope you will write and share more of your prose in the future.
The end of the pandemic here…. but we need the rest of the world vaccinated, and so many places are way behind… so hopefully that can happen
Have really enjoyed your writing through this Horatio! Will miss your updates as well as the pressers in a strange way! But bring on normality 🙂
This is not nearly the end of the pandemic. It is the end of it in B.C., assuming the delta variant does change things too much. The pandemic continues to kill thousands elsewhere.
Good news good news! But the wounds to many industries, entertainment, hospitality, sport of kings and many more are sure deep and it will take some time to heal and recover. Very happy to see things easing up finally and we are hopefully on the road to recovery. I look forward to getting back to what I love to do… playing music for people in bars, at events and at festivals. I have been as cooperative as I could be throughout ‘for the good of the herd’… all vaxed up now and ready to roll. But I still somehow feel we have been played in many ways. I guess time will tell. Or will we ever really know? Your daily posts Horatio Kemeny have made more sense to me than the news media reports and have given me and others a great insight as to what we have been and are going through. Thank you so much for keeping us informed with your thoughtful and well written posts. I look forward to reading your posts every single day! Let’s hope we are indeed on the road out of this mess! Cheers to you and thanks for all you do! 🍻🎯👏🏇🎸😎👍
Thank you very much Horacio, your analysis has truly been helpful to me throughout. Wishing you a relaxing summer, even though I’m sure your busy brain will take a bit of time to mellow out after this. All the best 🙏
Thank you Mr. Kemeny for all your hard work, well done!
Thank you Horatio for all the wonderful reads. I looked forward to them daily. Good luck to you and enjoy your summer.
Thanks Horatio.
The delta variant is changing our recommendation here to mask up again…
Thanks for committing to putting out such great information and thought provoking posts.
I was almost going to say “who wants to bet on how long before he’s back at the keyboard?” but …really, really do wish some serious, serious rest and relax for you, HK … Thank you so, so much.
Thanks you so much for all your hard work. Looked forward to reading your blogs every day!! Have a Great summer with lots of winners!
Boy, you sure helped alot!!
Will definitely miss your posts.
Like I wrote a while ago, I really want a signed copy of your first book. 😁
Look forward to seeing you and many people at the races!!!
Thank you so much Horatio for all your thoughts and taking the time to share them with us.
I’ve really enjoyed your posts, all the best.
Nice job on keeping up with. Your posts have been a daily bright spot, and fostered some good conversations.
The big issue that is still unresolved, as far as I know, is the status of our borders, and international travel.
The only thing I know for sure about that is that it will not be only the Japanese travellers who you will see wearing masks in airports….
Thanks for keeping us informed and entertained. Keep up with your writing. The world needs to hear more from you.
Thank you Horatio, good job.!👍
I was looking forward to reading everyday about things and events that you managed to tie together, in such an insightful way.
I will miss reading them , and yes, you deserve a good Summer ahead!
The only sad part of this is the end of your posts. Informative, intelligent, interesting – I’ll miss this kind of content on Facebook. Thanks for being there through this pandemic!
https://youtu.be/7O0viZ1-Co0