The COVID-19 pandemic

[jeffster]

The cases were really trending mostly in the right direction until mid-August, so I am hesitant to say that the relaxing of the restrictions in May, for example, was a key problem.

Stage 3 in August is what seems to have triggered it. Whether Stage 3 in itself, or the perception it gave to people that things are OK now. Reposting the chart from a few pages earlier:

I think people are letting their guard down. I think people are getting more physical with each other too, like hugs and handshakes.

Another issue I see is more and more people not wearing masks while in public, including on GRT and Ion. I think, especially on transit, wearing a mask needs to be enforced 100%.