2020 has become a year to remember, and not in a particularly good way. With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ensuing restrictions and safety measures, schools shut down for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year, workplaces moved to a virtual format, and masks, hand sanitizer, and physical distancing became the norm.
Toronto, since the beginning of the pandemic, has been relatively good with the control of the COVID-19 virus cases, shutting down schools and essentially putting the city on lockdown for the three months between March and June. Furthermore, the number of cases remained low throughout the summer months, as many ventured outdoors, and community spread was limited. In August, the government announced the start of the third phase of reopening, allowing indoor gatherings and events, although still placing restrictions on the number of people permitted. Life, despite these restrictions, was more or less returning to normal. Then fall arrived, and with it, a spike in new cases.
Now, if you’ve been keeping up with the news, and social media, you are likely familiar with the events of the past month, with COVID-19 cases in Ontario skyrocketing. As of October 9, the number of new cases reached a new high of nearly 1000 cases in a single day. With schools reopening, and the colder weather approaching, people are spending less and less time outdoors, as well as interacting with non-household members, thus contributing to a rise in community spread of the Coronavirus.
With an increase in the number of COVID cases and community spread, it is more important than ever to wear a mask, distance, and limit interaction as much as possible. However, as a high school student, I know that this is not always the most desirable, as youth enjoy spending time with friends, and socializing. But it isn’t just ourselves we need to think about, but our community as a whole, for the COVID-19 virus affects not only the elderly but the community as a whole in negative ways, whether the effect of the virus is experienced firsthand or secondhand.