local cicada and C19 update

On July 9th I first heard the cicada's song, and I last heard it on September 28. I'd have posted this on the 28th but I had to be certain, so I listened carefully for the sound during the week that followed.

So that I can read about my own experience of the C-19 pandemic, here is an update.

Quebec's case count dropped to the 80-120 range throughout most of June, July, August and the first half of September. As of about September 17 there was an almost constant rise all the way up to 1191 cases as reported today. One big difference is that there are more than 25,000 tests being performed each day now compared to at the start of the pandemic, and also, through the summer where far fewer tests were done.

The government hasn't been giving a clear signal as to where these cases are coming from. Schools have reopened, restaurants and bars had reopened but are now closed again (except for take-out). Earlier this month and at the end of September we were told that it seemed to be mostly private home parties that allowed for super-spreaders. A debate came up about the right to privacy in one's own home as compared to the importance of saving lives in society. In the last few notices from the government there hasn't been a further explanation as to the source of this growth in infections.

Given this second wave, the Quebec government has initiated another lockdown which is less restrictive than the first time there was a lockdown. For example, all of Plaza Pointe-Claire had to close down back in March/April, however during this 28-day lockdown the Plaza has stayed open (so far).

Earlier in September work had sent a message asking who wanted to head into the office as of October; this is before the second wave hit. I had indicated I would come in on Tuesdays. My reasoning was to break up the 7-days in a row per week that I am staying in my apartment. Now that there is a second wave in action, my one-day-a-week in the office has been pushed to at least the start of November. We'll have to see if this second wave abates. I am grateful that I was able to continue working; many other industries or job-types had to close due to this pandemic.

At this moment there are a handful of vaccines that are in phase 3 trials worldwide, and the government of Canada has purchased 10s of millions of doses from a small variety of companies in case any of them turn out to be winners. Checking with a variety of seemingly reliable media sources, it would seem that by mid winter, one or more of these vaccines will hopefully prove to be both safe and effective. Once that happens, vast production will need to ramp up as quickly as possible; the first doses likely to be given to health care workers and the most vulnerable. Production and distribution time for this may take until late spring or early summer. Given that C-Ling is immunocompromised it is possible that my family would get in early; otherwise, I do not expect at this time to get vaccinated until perhaps this time next year.

My mood is still good; that I get the kids with me every other week means that I am not socially isolated, I have been getting out to walk or run regularly, I've been doing more reading. I also watched parts of the US Open (tennis) and the French Open (tennis) and NBA Playoffs and NFL games. Now that the weather is turning colder I am less inclined to run outdoors, however, as can be seen in my blog, I've done some long walks this summer, I am planning to continue doing that.