1) In their daily briefings, Premier @francoislegault and Dr. @ArrudaHoracio have taken note of the best practices of other countries in fighting the #COVID19 pandemic. That’s a smart move and in this thread, I’d like to shed light on some best practices in British Columbia.

2) Early in the #pandemic, B.C. was hit hard, reporting a faster rising number of #COVID cases than in Ontario and Quebec. B.C. is also next door to Kirkland, Washington, the first epicenter of #COVID in the U.S., where a nursing home outbreak was linked to two dozen deaths.

3) On March 7, B.C. declared what was then Canada’s worst #COVID outbreak, at the Lynn Valley Care Centre. That outbreak resulted in the country’s first #coronavirus death. Yet tonight, the consensus among experts is that B.C. is flattening its curve. How can we learn from B.C.?

4) B.C. might be plain luckier than Quebec. This province’s population is also older than B.C.’s (19.27% of Quebec’s population is aged at least 65 compared with 18.69% in B.C.) Obviously, other factors are at play. But I want to focus on some of B.C.'s best #COVID practices.

5) On March 7, B.C. sprung into action upon discovery of the Lynn Valley outbreak. “All residents of this facility have now been screened,” Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s health officer, said then. By comparison, Quebec would wait to do the same only after dozens of outbreaks here.

6) On Feb. 24, as the #pandemic ratcheted up in B.C., the government assumed managing the private 112-bed Summerland Seniors home because the “facility was unable to meet the legislated standards of care for residents.” B.C. didn’t wait for something horrific to happen to act.

7) There might be other, better reasons to account for B.C.’s relative success in flattening its curve. But the two examples I cited just now underscore swift and very prudent action — measures essential in reacting to a #pandemic.

8) Quebec has not yet flattened its #COVID curve, but perhaps it can still draw lessons from B.C.’s response. Maybe Quebec already has, since the government acted swiftly to Friday’s news about the tragedy at the Résidence #Herron.

9) Premier Legault has wisely studied Germany’s laudable response to the #pandemic. South Korea (which I’ve written about in a previous thread) might also have lessons to offer, especially on how Quebec can ease out of its #COVID lockdown.

10) Today, as we celebrate Easter and Passover, Montreal might be on the verge of flattening its curve. The number of new #COVID cases has been on the decline for four days in a row. All the self-isolation and social-distancing measures may be taking effect.

11) This is not to suggest there’s cause for celebration. All one has to do is look at the latest #COVID mortality figures to realize that we’re still in the grip of the pandemic. Montreal alone has so far reported at least 147 #COVID deaths.

12) At the same time, though, there’s no cause for despair. All the #COVID measures taken and all the numbers are showing progress in Montreal. End of thread. Stay safe and be kind.