Twelve-year-old Fredericton resident Ben Martin has high hopes for the summer ahead. 245 feet high, in fact.
“My summer plans are to go to Canada’s Wonderland in Toronto,” he says excitedly.
“My plan is to go on the very, very highest ride because I want to face my fear of heights.”
The Yukon Striker coaster and its 90-degree drop await him in Ontario and, unlike the past two years, his dreams aren’t limited by COVID-19 restrictions in either province.
“It’s probably gonna be a good summer,” says Martin.
Many New Brunswickers are plotting their warm weather moves, with this being the first start of summer since COVID-19 arrived on the scene that there are no provincial restrictions.
Some tell Global News they’re just happy to have the option to socialize without counting their contacts — like Tracy O’Neill, who’s looking forward to spending some time at her trailer in Penobsquis.
“In the past we couldn’t have anybody up at the trailer,” she says, “but this year it’s all open so we can actually have company over.”
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The province’s top doctor tells Global News Tuesday that Public Health is monitoring the two newest Omicron subvariants of COVID-19, but that officials aren’t expecting another wave of infection to hit until autumn.
“We do expect people to be outdoors more,” said Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell, “but if people are indoors, obviously the risks are higher and that’s why we normally see an increase in the fall.”
Some experts, though, say that messaging is overly optimistic — especially with the BA.4 and BA.5 proving to be even more transmissible than BA.2, which fuelled that springtime spike.
“With this BA.5, there’s a big concern of a summer surge,” says Newfoundland-based epidemiologist Susanne Gulliver.
Gulliver says you’re still better off wearing a mask, even if your summer plans keep you outdoors.
Events like Canada Day fireworks and open-air concerts are seeing people packed in tight quarters.
“Outside was only a safe situation when you could adequately social distance because, as we know, COVID is airborne,” says Gulliver.
“If you are in close proximity to someone it really doesn’t matter if you’re outside.”
She admits that the idea of covering your face on a hot day is unappealing, but said it could save you from getting sick or getting someone else sick.
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