- Canada just announced that it will close its borders to non-Canadian and non-U.S. citizens.
- While this is an important step, Canada has missed other key steps in the process.
- If they hope to contain the spread, they need to act now.
It looks like Canada is taking the one step forward, two steps back approach to the coronavirus pandemic. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that he would be closing his country’s borders to non-citizens. for the time being, U.S. citizens are excluded from this ban.
While the border closing may be an essential step, it means little considering the steps they’re still failing to take.
Amazingly, shopping malls in Canada are still open for business. Some have decided to cut back on hours, but last time I checked, the coronavirus doesn ‘t have a curfew.
Canada is missing its chance to clamp down on the spread of the deadly virus. Shopping malls are like cruise ships for land-dwellers. They’re Petri dishes for infection. According to Reader’s Digest, places like the West Edmonton Mall employ , (people and average over 310, 06 visitors per day. While they’ve closed certain attractions like their waterpark and bowling alley, their (stores still appear to be open.
Reports have indicated that the coronavirus can live on surfaces for days. Even if the daily visits are cut in half from virus concern, that’s still a small city’s worth of people congregating together.
It raises the question: what good is the border closure going to do if Canada isn’t properly handling the situation in their own country?
Will Soon Accelerate in Canadaaccording to Johns Hopkins University, Canada currently has cases of coronavirus infection. While that number pales in comparison to hea dliners like China and Italy, they all, of course, started with similarly small numbers.
On March 6th, the US passed the threshold of Total infections. Just ten days. later, they’ve ballooned to 4, cases. Canada should take a good look at their neighbors to the south and recognize that they need to take more drastic measures.
Will Mexico Close Its Borders Next?
The United States is, sadly, the hardest-hit country in North America. According to Johns Hopkins, COVID – cases in Mexico currently sit at a mere . Could they soon commit to a border closure against the US?
If it were technically necessary to consider mechanisms of restriction or stronger surveillance we would have to take into account not that Mexico would bring the virus to the United States, rather that the United States could bring it here.
The situation will likely only get worse. Canada should learn from other countries’ mistakes and act swiftly.It could be worth it for the irony alone. Donald Trump steamrolled his way into the U.S. presidency by yelling for the construction of a border wall against Mexico. Maybe they’ll finally agree to close off borders to protect themselves from (Americans.)
The US is woefully underprepared for an outbreak of this magnitude.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of CCN.com.
Now Watch: CCN TV
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings