As many Torontonians already know, stage 3 of Ontario’s reopening framework began on Friday, July 16th. When comparing the new laid-back restrictions of this plan to the restrictions that have been in place for the past six months or so, it certainly seems like a nice breath of fresh air is coming.
With larger outdoor and indoor gatherings finally getting the go-ahead, and the highly anticipated reintroduction of indoor dining actually becoming a reality again, many people have opinions and comments surrounding the state of this third stage. The following is a compilation and summary of some reactions gathered from Instagram and Twitter surrounding this big news.
See also: New Stage 3 Regulations For Gyms: What You Need To Know
Reactions From Social Media
With key public health indicators continuing to improve and the provincewide vaccination rate surpassing targets, Ontario will move into Step Three of the Roadmap to Reopen on July 16 at 12:01 a.m.
— Ontario Ministry of Health (@ONThealth) July 9, 2021
Learn more: https://t.co/URxX1bloX3 pic.twitter.com/P5EnL7TGUX
On this Twitter post from the Ontario Government, user Saleha Khan commented, “I feel ready for this now that I am fully vaccinated”. However, this same post sees a comment by user Nicole Lalonde saying, “Bars with dance floors can open to 25% capacity up to 250 ppl but indoor weddings indoors still at 25? Make this make sense?”. Another commenter expressed their concern by tweeting that the provincial government isn’t following the federal guidelines that state, “masks are recommended but optional for vaccinated people”.
Posts all over Instagram are seeing lots of positive comments that are happy for larger outdoor groups and much-needed gym time. However, there are those who agree with one comment that says, “ YOU KNOW we are getting shut down in September because of this.”
So, the overall reactions surrounding the third stage of Ontario’s reopening seem to be polarized. While some social media users are just grateful for larger gatherings and open gyms, others are expressing their concern surrounding the logic of the government’s parameters, as well as the prediction of another lockdown being caused by this reopening.
Warnings of a 4th Wave
By now you’ve probably heard of the warnings from top doctors about the anticipated fourth wave of COVID-19 that’s supposed to happen this fall in Ontario. One of the major claims about this fourth wave is that it is supposedly going to affect non-vaccinated individuals disproportionately to that of vaccinated ones. Below are some reactions and comments responding to several posts reiterating this claim on Instagram and Twitter.
Reactions From Social Media
A fourth wave of COVID-19 now surging across the United Kingdom doesn’t have to become a reality in Canada as long as people keep getting vaccinated as quickly as possible, some infectious disease experts say https://t.co/F7tvdwsdcO
— CityNews Toronto (@CityNews) July 8, 2021
This CityNews Toronto article sees commenter Louise write, “This entire article is full of falsities. ‘Cases’ are just numbers…We are tuning out the media because of headlines that mean nothing. Report facts that help people”. Twitter user Rob also commented, “And? They are accepting living with it, instead of fearing it. Same as the US, BC, Alberta is doing”.
Overall, it seems that the majority of commenters on these particular social media posts don’t appear too convinced about the legitimacy of this warning. Most of these commenters mentioned above expressed their belief that this is a scare tactic or even a planned conspiracy theory. Another popular reaction from users is that the media in particular have been either playing up this claim or not presenting all the proper facts, essentially claiming that it’s propaganda.
So, these were the popular types of comments found online in regard to the third stage of reopening and the warnings of a fourth wave in Ontario. This is not to state anything factual, but to simply compile common reactions in an unbiased way and present them. You’re definitely encouraged to take a look for yourself to see what people are saying. However, it can’t be stressed enough to always make sure you’re engaging respectfully.
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