Feature: Torontonians keep calm in new normal during COVID-19
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E-mail Xinhua, March 28, 2020
by Huixia Sun
TORONTO, March 27 (Xinhua) -- While Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau juggles national affairs with house chores in his self-isolation, ordinary Torontonians are also doing their part to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country's largest city.
Trudeau was the first leader of a G7 country to be housebound after his wife Sophie tested positive for the virus on March 12 in the wake of her trip from London, sending a clear message to Canadians that the virus was at the door.
Now the new normal -- staying home and avoiding gatherings -- has set in following the closure of schools, libraries and museums in a world where touch can be dangerous.
Despite a partial shutdown in the metropolis, many residents are still cool-headed. Sue, a secretary working from home, said, "We're not going to compromise on our culinary wellbeing... My family is cooking more often these days. We have more hearty homemade food."
There was a long line in front of grocery store ValueMart, with shoppers standing at least two meters away from one another. A young store manager was watching vigilantly, allowing only one shopper in after one got out. She opened the once-automatic door with her hands.
Inside the store, a large glass barrier has been mounted to each checkout counter to separate a cashier from a shopper, with a small opening underneath where a card-reading machine fits. "The maximum of 20 people are allowed inside at any time to guarantee the safety of our customers," said a cashier.
"Your safety is our priority," reads a notice at the entrance.
Sue said she was "impressed by how the stores have adapted to the new normal."
Many other supermarkets, including Longo's and Loblaw, have also installed glass shields to protect both cashiers and customers.
There is a black STOP sign with white letters attached to a yellow hydrant near the entrance of ValueMart, which reads "Do not enter if you should be in self-isolation."
In construction material and appliance store Home Depot on 101 Wicksteed Avenue, only one of its three entrances remains open. Store traffic is much less than a week ago as only emergency home repairs and maintenance are permitted in the province now.
Electronics store Best Buy has barred customers from entering the store. Instead the store clerks pick up items for customers at the desk blocking the entrance. The store also offers hand sanitizers for customers.
At an outlet of LCBO, the provincial government-run liquor chain store, the 2-meter distance was marked on the floor by bright yellow and black striped tapes. Four shoppers stood around the tape on Friday to keep distance from each other in their lineup for checkout.
When a salesclerk at LCBO was asked if she was afraid, she firmly said no with a big smile.
A cashier in the liquor store said that the daily sales revenue tripled in the first few days after the state of emergence was declared on March 17 in Ontario province, where Toronto is the provincial capital.
"LCBO reminds customers to please drink responsibly in the time of the coronavirus," the cashier said jokingly.
KEEP CALM & STOIC ON
Not all stores have a sales windfall like the LCBO outlet. On the same street, the owner of Wild Wing, a sports restaurant featuring spicy chicken wings, was worried about shrinking revenue.
"On a normal weekday, I have about 1,000 dollars in turnover. But yesterday it was about 200 dollars," he said on Friday, adding that it was not enough to pay the cook, let alone the utilities or the rent.
He updated a sign near the entrance by writing down "Add beer now" for the takeout menu. The provincial government just allowed beer to be an item for delivery, he explained.
Nightclubs, cinemas, furniture stores, bookstores and clothes stores, along with many other non-essential businesses, were the second batch to be closed on March 25, in compliance with expanded mandatory closures.
Despite the same reason for their closures -- the government order, many stores put out customized closure notices.
"We are sorry to have missed you... We wish you good health and hope to see you again once we get through this unprecedented time... Stay well, stay safe and stay rested," read the notice of mattress retailer Sleep Country.
With most stores closed in a shopping center in midtown Toronto, a cheerful and fast-paced Latin song was still playing in the corridor.
TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY
Costco in the East York neighborhood of Toronto said one of its employees had been diagnosed with COVID-19. The last day the sales person had worked was March 16, according to an announcement by the supermarket.
"We need to have empathy for the people who work so hard in these stores," said Lorna Yates, a shopper in midtown Toronto.
With more precautions in place to protect retail workers, who are on the frontline of the battle against the virus, their infections may be on the decline.
Meanwhile, the Canadian government is helping Canadians and businesses weather the virus fallout by rolling out a massive aid package.
"We're talking about $107 billion for workers, families and businesses that are going through tough times because of COVID-19," said Trudeau.
As of Friday afternoon, Canada reported 4,633 confirmed and presumptive infections, with 53 deaths.
Bank of Canada on Friday made a third cut to the benchmark interest rate in two weeks, lowering it to 0.25 percent to mitigate the economic damage of COVID-19. Borrowing costs for businesses and consumers are set to be lower.
Medical offices, grocery stores, pharmacies, liquor stores, banks and takeout restaurants remain open, with some operating online. Buses are still running on time. People are jogging or walking their dogs, while socially distancing from their fellow Torontonians.
A new colorful sign at the Wild Wing restaurant says, "When all this is over, let's have a Corona (beer) together." Enditem
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