canada has almost ubiquitous mask use and fairly widespread mask laws. many jurisdictions have seen restrictions and lockdowns. the increase in spread is happening despite staunch measures to stop it.
...which is what the science always said was inevitable, short of chinese-style fascist tactics. so, if you want to live in a police state anyways, right? no thanks.
the reasons for the spread in canada seem to be the following:
- religion seems to be the primary non-essential culprit, and the thing that should be restricted the most, if you want to learn from our failings
- schools & workplaces are major vectors
- get togethers like thanksgiving (which aligns with colombus day in canada) are a major source of spread
- there was a very stupid election in bc two weeks ago that seems to have completely blown the situation up
bars, restaurants and night clubs do not seem to be a substantive source of transmission.
while it is clear that we are somewhat behind the united states in the epidemic curve, it is just as clear that nothing we've done has made any substantive difference at all.
the amount of debt we've taken on, however, is a potential serious threat to the longterm viability of our superior government-run social services.
so, stop pointing to canada as a success story - it's just not true, and it never was. it just took longer to get here because we're on the northern fringes of civilization.
rather, the lesson to learn from canada is that quixotic struggles against viruses are foolish.
we are an actual example of extreme mismanagement, and the very purpose of the country is under threat due to it.