‘Did you see the new CDC map that tells us where all the covid-19 cases were in the province?’ I asked Camp after Rosie brought around a couple of pints.

            ‘Yes, I did. From January until end of July. Doesn’t tell us anything really. It’s better than nothing but I would have liked to see when those cases occurred. It doesn’t mean anything to know that we had 7 cases in 7 months. Were they in April or July?’

            ‘Why don’t they include that info?’

            ‘Because they are paternalistic and don’t trust us to be able to handle the information. They are in their academic ivory towers and cite privacy concerns and make up default policies and general rules of conduct.  We need to know all the info in order to make our own judgements and assessments. Most of us are responsible people and will do the right thing anyway. They don’t have to make rules about wearing masks when most of us do it anyway. To be told to be responsible is condescending and paternalistic. Nobody made any rules about wearing helmets for skiers and yet today most everybody wears one.’

            ‘On the other hand, what’s the point of wearing a mask on the bus or the subway and then go to a restaurant and take it off. And what do you think of the University of Alabama where over 1000 students have tested positive for Covid-19 since classes resumed?’ I said. 

            ‘Boggles the mind. Here in B.C. we act like everybody is infected, there they act as if nobody is. Makes no sense really. University students are all young people, most of whom will get over it quickly, just as long as they don’t kill their grandpa or grandma.’

            ‘Health is important but so are our schools, work places and social interactions. We need to find a safe middle ground, a place where we can all be comfortable, informed and considerate. If we were only concerned about health, then why not set the speed limit at 10km per hour. Nobody would get killed on the roads,’ I said. 

            ‘That’s a good one,’ Camp said while finishing his pint. ‘Also, due to distancing and all these personal hygiene protocols we have less influenza and other contagious diseases making the rounds. A bit of a silver lining there.’

             ‘How is Muriel holding up during these crazy times?’ I asked.

            ‘She is adapting like most of us,’ Camp said, ‘but she is not looking forward to teaching on line instead of in a classroom but that’s the new reality for colleges, universities and schools. Zoomland is the new classroom and the new office. The only advantage is that you can teach and work from anywhere but there is really nowhere to go right now.’

            ‘Maybe the new saliva test with instant results will soon be available. It would make travel a lot safer again. Quebec is trying it out right now,’ I said. ‘Do you think there will be another lockdown in the winter if the curve goes up again?’

            ‘I don’t think so,’ Camp said. ‘We have now much better control, treatment and tracing capabilities then in March. Also, wearing masks indoors will go a long way towards containing the spread. Masks are a lot less disruptive than a lockdown.’

            We signalled Rosie that we were ready for another one. When she brough them around I asked her if she would send her boy to school next week.

            ‘I don’t have much choice,’ she said, ‘I have to work and I’m not much good at home schooling and I can’t afford a sitter. I trust in the teachers and the school boards to do the right thing. Sean, my son, wants to go to school. ‘It’s been the longest spring break ever,’ he said the other day.’

            ‘