COVID-19 has changed the entire world, and it feels like it happened overnight. I decided to start this diary to keep track of all of the changes and to pose some questions and observations. I'm a freelance journalist and a journalism university instructor, living in Richmond, B.C., a suburb of Vancouver, Canada.
As of yesterday, March 19, 2020, B.C. had 271 cases of COVID-19 and has had eight deaths. Canada has had 934 cases and 12 deaths.
In my house, we are all staying home, except to go for walks or bike rides, or to the grocery store. We're trying to limit those outings as well, but getting outside just as the cherry blossoms are blooming and the sun is coming out is also important for our mental health.
A week ago, things were not like this. A week ago, I was just starting to think about staying home. Restaurants were still open, bars were still open, all the shops were still open. Here's a list of how the world has changed in the past 10 days or so:
- Canadian borders have closed, even to the United States, except for essential business
- No international travel is allowed
- All Canadians abroad have been told to come home
- Bars and restaurants have closed, except for takeout
- Those who can, are working from home
- Schools have closed for the foreseeable future
- Universities have all moved online, overnight
- Many services have closed, including things like hair salons, massage therapists and dentists
- Major companies, like Apple, have closed all of their stores worldwide
- People are not allowed to gather, unless they can stay six feet apart
- People older than age 60 aren't supposed to go out at all
- Children aren't supposed to see their grandparents
- Movie and live theatres have all closed
- Any sort of conference or group event has been cancelled
- Professional and amateur sports are on hold for the foreseeable future
- It's hard to find things like toilet paper or hand sanitizer in the shops because people are hoarding them
- Some grocery stores and pharmacies have reduced their hours and are offering one hour a day for seniors to shop
- Busses are now free -- no fares are being collected because the fare boxes are at the front of the busses. People are being asked to board from the back doors, so the bus driver isn't exposed.
- Grocery stores are installing plexiglass shields to protect cashiers from the virus
- People can now get employment insurance without a waiting period
- People who are self-employed and who don't contribute to employment insurance can now access a special fund
- Banks across the country have said people can defer mortgage payments for six months
- Pharmacists can now renew prescriptions without the doctor getting involved
- Doctors are now doing video and phone appointments
- Car insurance can now be renewed online
I've probably missed a few, but the changes I've mentioned are monumental. Some are positive (doctor's by phone, free busses, online car insurance), but others were unimaginable just two weeks ago. Certainly, in my lifetime, there has never been this much change, this fast.
I hope in another two weeks I can look back and see that things have calmed down, but I fear that may not be the case. Hang in there, everyone.
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