All cinemas, theatres, museums, bars and libraries are to close beginning at midnight Wednesday and for the following 28 days for the areas, including Montreal, that have been placed under the government’s red alert status.
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Arts community fuming over Quebec's decision to shut it down
All cinemas, theatres, museums, bars and libraries are to close beginning at midnight Wednesday and for the following 28 days for the areas, including Montreal, that have been placed under the government’s red alert status.
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4 comments:
I think even though the measures taken in Quebec were drastic and upsetting they were very necessary. I believe that in times like this excessive caution is better than none at all. Doing anything around people has risks some more than others. As the article states, going to the grocery store has a very different level of risk than sitting with people for multiple hours in a space together. It obviously is upsetting that the shutdown is very abrupt and it seems as if the COVID situation wasn't handled very well as a whole. I think that ultimately though, a complete shutdown will be able to reopen faster and on a larger scale. I hope that the government can provide support and assistance for the people and venues impacted by this shutdown as it could be devastating.
I really didn’t know what I was going to read when I selected this article. I wasn’t sure if it was about the Coronavirus or something else but when I saw it was about COVID-19, I was kind of upset. I am sick of artists thinking that they are immune in the role of mitigating community spread. Just because you are socially distant and with proper ventilation and wearing masks, does not mean you should do it. I understand that they are upset because places like shops and schools are open. Though, I’m not familiar with what Quebec’s schools are doing…going to school in person is a lot more important than going to see art. From every grade school teacher I’ve recently talked with or seen post on Facebook, teaching young kids remotely is the hardest thing ever. Also, I agree with Legault that shops are safer than art institutions where people are sitting down. Some studies have shown that the longer you are exposed to other people the more likely you will contract the virus from a carrier or infected asymptomatic person. I sympathize with the arts community a little in Quebec but also I don’t and I see why the government in Quebec made the decision that they did.
Although it is extremely unfortunate, dire circumstances call for dire solutions. I do think it is weird that shopping malls are open, but I also completely understand that the government does not want hundreds of people sitting in the same room together for hours. Overall, these calls are for our safety, and even though it is very frustrating to have a return to normal life be delayed, there is not much to be done about it. Yes, the solutions are drastic, but when there is a public health crisis one must react as such. I think the people mentioned in the article are taking the closures too personally, when they really should be considering the bigger picture. Exactly as the article says, reopening schools backfired harshly, so what makes entertainment venues and artistic locations feel as though they won’t cause the same problem, and then really be the responsibility for more outbreaks?
Frustration makes sense here, but I think we all might need to take a step back and remember the circumstances we are living in. I honestly think it is reasonable to shut down theater and museums but leave other businesses untouched. I know theater is mine and many people’s entire life, but the sad fact is, it is not necessary to the functioning of society. Schools, stores, and supermarkets are necessary for survival, the arts, unfortunately, are not. (That actually could be contested, but for the sake of argument, art is not food, water, or shelter.)
I think we all are struggling to cope with the theaters being closed, but during a pandemic all bets are off. We all have to be able to adapt and overcome.
I don’t mean to discredit these artists’ anger. It is completely understandable to be angry that your livelihood is shut down. They are completely entitled to how they feel. But I do think the government made the right, more cautious decision.
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