While the Prime Minister delivers dramatic statements indicating Canadians likely won’t be gathering for Thanksgiving, but we “still have a shot at Christmas”, the country’s Chief Medical Health Officer offers up some practical advice.

Dr. Theresa Tam is urging Canadians to get back to the basics and stick with the program: washing your hands frequently, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, avoid touching your face, and maintaining physical distancing of 2 metres from others as well as using a non-medical mask or face covering.

Dr. Tam says Canada has a chance to prevent a large resurgence despite the markedly increased number of cases in B.C., Alberta, Quebec and Ontario. And she says part of that plan includes individual actions to prevent exposure. Based on the past week, Dr. Tam says each new generation of cases is growing at a rate of about 1.3 times in Canada. That means each of the more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases reported daily will pass the infection to 1.3 others; so, 1,000 cases generates 1,300 cases, which in turn generate 1,700 more cases and so on.

She is encouraging Canadians to limit their in person close contacts and to remember every person you encounter brings their whole network of contact history with them.