Governments seem firm in their view that activities like retail shopping, getting a haircut or restaurant dining must be locked down in order to send a message to the public to stay home.

But the public appears to be replacing these low-risk activities with higher-risk activities with others in their homes.

This seems to be supported by the Ontario govt's messaging related to school closures. Govt reports that classroom education was not leading to COVID spread. When classes stopped for Christmas, students were at higher risk due to holiday visits with family/friends.

Now, students can't return to classes as COVID numbers are much higher post-holidays.

I believe it is reasonable to suggest that safely opening more low-risk activities like retail shopping, personal services & restaurant dining may lead to a reduction in COVID spread if they replace higher risk personal activities.

Certainly, the current round of lockdowns does not seem to be working as officials had hoped. Unlike the spring, Canadians are not staying home alone despite what governments are telling them to do. Shouldn't we be trying another approach?