raynault, who heads the department of public health and preventive medicine at the centre hospitalier de l’université de montréal, called for a gradual reopening plan.
“in public health, it’s justified to put limits on people’s liberties when needed, but you need to put as few as possible. and once you can remove some, you need to do it,” raynault said.
“if you want people to continue adhering to the measures, it’s better to accompany them through a reopening than risk having them reopen on their own terms.”
dr. nima machouf, an epidemiologist who teaches at the université de montréal’s school of public health, added that the government’s plan needs to make sense and come with transparent explanations for each decision.
it should also include a reminder of where and how the virus continues to spread, including in poorly ventilated areas.
“if the plan isn’t logical, we could lose people,” machouf said. “and if we deconfine without explaining how people can avoid at-risk situations, we might miss our targets altogether.”
regardless of what is announced on tuesday, lavoie said a key component will be reminding quebecers that public health measures are still being enforced.
lavoie noted how crowded montreal’s parks were over the weekend, and especially how little distancing or mask-wearing there was among large groups.