When Premier François Legault announced last month a 28-day partial lockdown to quell a rising tide of infections, he counselled Quebecers to get used to a "fragile balance" while they wait for a vaccine. Legault was describing what has been the dominant approach in many Western countries to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic: the lurch from lockdown to freedom and back to lockdown again when cases rise. Montreal's public health director questioned whether it was sustainable to continue oscillating between poles of relative freedom and relative confinement. 28 days — and beyondQuebec is currently halfway through a 28-day partial lockdown. 1:42In at least one measurement, the current partial lockdown is yielding the desired results.

Source: CBC News October 16, 2020 07:52 UTC