Published in El Pais, 4 October 2020.
Today my province of Ontario, Canada had the worst day in new cases since the pandemic even began. This has led to a slight roll back in restrictions to target private parties limiting the group gathering limit to 10 inside and 25 people outside. What turned people’s heads however was the punitive damages to breaking this rule: $10,000 fine for the host and $750 fine for each guest attending. Critics are agreeing that the gatherings should be restricted but the fines are too outrageous. The government for its part was quick to point out that nothing else seems to be working and that they have no choice but to crack down on these culprits.
Prior to this, all laws seemed to be focused on education on why it was important to follow these rules for the benefit of yourself and others. By-law officers were encouraged to give warnings to rule breakers and only fines to blatant offences. Masks have been mandatory for some time, but the onus has been on the stores to enforce this rule and anti maskers received no penalty for keeping their face uncovered. Signs posted everywhere about these COVID laws have been mentioning the benefits of and how they stop the spread, making no mention of penalties. In short, we have been facing strict restrictions since March, but up until now there was not much the government did to any individuals who decided to flaunt them.
Hence, we find ourselves in the situation we do now, even those who promoted the stay at home orders are tired and no longer wish to follow social distancing, pointing to the lack of consequences as the reason for doing so. It may seem harsh, but these people are risking the health of everyone, not just themselves. These same people who get sick then go out and go grocery shopping, infecting the workers who risk their health to keep their job. Some may have to be hospitalized, risking the healthcare workers who are treating them. Fines may be a lot of money, but if they were so concerned about the fines, they would not risk hosting these parties in the first place.
The time for education is over, everyone knows what we need to do now. Those who chose to ignore public health advice should face the full consequences of doing so.
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