In Ontario, casino gamblers are allowed to double their blackjack bet on any two cards totaling nine, ten or eleven. This is called a ‘double down.’ Since most Ontario gamblers do not understand just when this bet is to their advantage, they still lose lots. Premier Doug Ford is doubling down against the pandemic by betting that the peak of hospitalization and pressure on intensive care has been passed for the Omicron variation.
His government is more than eager to see the end of the pandemic and hopes to bask in the glow of approval for a good guess during the June election. He is betting that the medical personnel who believe the worst is over are correct and the naysayers are wrong. And it is the one time when a majority of the population would certainly agree with him.
After all, if the Pope could promise that it is over there would be line-ups at all the Catholic churches tomorrow. And Doug Ford only wants their vote.
But Ford started with a Children’s Crusade. He has sent the children back to school on promises. He spent money on air filters and better masks for teachers. He is also planning on not telling Ontario parents just how many children and teachers fall ill.
If all goes well, his government is opening up dine-in restaurants to half their capacity at the end of January. Gyms and cinemas will also be re-opening at that time, also to a 50 per cent capacity.
There will be some further numbers restrictions lifted by the end of January but the next major re-openings are not expected until February 21. If there are no further setbacks, Ontario is hoping to be open all venues to vaccinated patrons by March 14.
The government is gambling that all restrictions can be lifted for when the writ for the provincial election comes down towards the end of April.
It would be foolish to hope Ford and his conservatives are wrong but I still would not vote for them.
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Copyright 2022 © Peter Lowry
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