Keep calm and carry on

for the most part, canadians appear to be reacting in the usual way ... and stocking up.

When public voices begin urging calm, it’s generally an indication that there’s a hint of panic in the air. That does not appear to be the case in Canada concerning the coronavirus, at least not among the broad population of ordinary Canadians.

Astonishment, yes. Bewilderment, sure. And impatience, particularly given the befuddled responses across so many lines of authority. For the most part, Canadians appear to be reacting in the usual way: lots of eye- rolling, head- shaking and shared observations about a transparent lack of leadership among those accorded the responsibility of leading. Then we get on with it, keeping calm, as the overworked adage goes, and carrying on: taking care of the kids, making arrangements to do our jobs, cancelling plans and making new ones. And stocking up.

When the virus is eventually defeated, the compulsion to stock up may be among the images that persist. It’s sensible enough that people would feel the need to ensure there’s food for the table should they be

“self-quarantined,” the brisk new term that seems to have appeared to replace the more humdrum old “staying at home.” Yet the compulsion to prepare as for Armageddon is something new, and has taken on some bizarre aspects.

Grocery stores have seen blitzes of shoppers piling canned goods into overburdened carts, while denuding shelves of toilet paper and bottled water. No one wants to find themselves caught short in the midst of their usual washroom activities, but Canada’s largest toilet paper manufacturers have assured the nation that there’s no danger of running short, and pledged to resist the temptation to cash in on demand by hiking prices.

Canadians confined to their homes — the prime minister and his wife among them — might not be able to venture forth for new supplies, but non- quarantined friends or relatives could surely be found to help out with an emergency delivery.

The demand for bottled water is even more of a head-scratcher. Are so many urban Canadians unaware that potable water is readily available by turning on the tap? Have we become so accustomed to our little plastic bottles of “natural spring” H2O that we’ve forgotten that people can survive on the regular stuff ? It all comes from the same place, you know.

If there is reason to be concerned about the response to the virus, it should focus on those politicians who have so clearly fumbled the ball since the moment it came into play. China’s response was initially hailed, but that was clearly premature. After doing its best to keep the outbreak quiet, Beijing’s leadership turned to its usual imperious measures. With the number of new cases finally slowing, Chinese President Xi Jinping is now engaged in a high- profile tour aimed at commending his regime’s performance and counteracting whispers that his position might be in danger, while spokespeople labour to deflect blame and denounce references to “the Wuhan virus.”

Other countries have demonstrated widely varying degrees of effectiveness. Italy, which has never been known for its political discipline or strong government, may be suffering for that fact with empty streets and closed borders. In Iran, where leading figures proudly dismissed worries that the virus might take hold, satellite images now suggest that burial pits are being dug to hold hundreds of victims, while people are warned that hoarding health supplies could bring the death penalty.

Canada’s leaders have resisted such hubris, in favour of cautious assertions that health officials had learned a great deal from the SARS epidemic and were better prepared as a consequence. For all those assurances, however, it is evident that effective co- ordination is lacking.

Responses have ranged widely among regions and levels of government. Ottawa has been notably reluctant to take a lead, deferring to provincial premiers and local authorities. Quebec Premier François Legault announced the province was “on emergency footing” Thursday with a range of preventive measures, but not initially including school closures. That left it to individual schools and campuses to decide whether to close, while Montreal’s mayor declared the closure of arenas, pools, libraries, botanical gardens and the planetarium, but not the transit system.

Ontario, meanwhile, ordered all publicly funded schools closed for two weeks after the annual March break, which begins today. Alberta allowed schools to remain open, but banned large gatherings, such as sports events and conferences, but not churches or shopping centres.

Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu acknowledged that some provinces are short of required medical supplies. Ontario has acknowledged that millions of face masks that were stockpiled after the SARS outbreak have passed their expiry date. We may indeed have learned lessons from past viruses, but followup leaves much to be desired.

While officials struggle, Canadians can best respond by keeping their heads and going about their lives, while avoiding overreactions that might only make efforts to contain the virus more difficult. There’s a lot to be said for common sense.