Bars are the new centres of disease and contagion

Since countries and regions have been opening up their economies, the new vector for COVID-19 has shifted to bars and house parties.
There have been new surges in cases almost everywhere as countries try to return to some semblance of normality. But these are not yet normal times, and these well-meaning attempts to allow people to return to their old lives (and for businesses to try and make an honest buck) have only resulted in rapid back-pedalling as new cases spike. Some regions have had to return to strict lockdowns reminiscent of the worst days of April or May; others remain staunchly in denial; a few are managing to control the new outbreaks. And remember, this is not the dreaded "second wave" of the virus: this is just a rejuvenation of the first.
In city after city - Montreal, Ottawa, London, Seoul, Tokyo, New Orleans, Sydney, Johannesburg - a pandemic that was starting to look like it was more or less under control has received new life (and the associated deaths) from the loosened restrictions in drinking establishments, possibly the very definition of "non-essential" businesses (unless you own one). This renewed pandemic, unlike the original flourish, is affecting mainly younger people, which at least means that the death rate is likely to be a bit lower, but as disease-spreaders youngsters are as good as, if not better than, us old geezers.
And it makes some sense that bars would be the new epicentre of contagion, when you think about it. As André Picard summarizes it: "Take a large group of people who have been cooped up for a few months - principally young people who already feel invulnerable amd randy - and cram them into a tight space, often with no windows and poor ventilation. Then crank up the music so they have to speak loudly and moistly, and pour them drinks so they don't wear masks. Shake, stir and sit back and watch them increasingly lose their inhibitions in this COVID-19 heaven." And, he might had added, for house parties, multiply by two.
So, you won't find me in a bar any time soon, even were it allowed in my neck of the woods, which it isn't. I did briefly sit on a patio (which IS currently allowed in Toronto), but I didn't feel particularly comfortable even there, outdoors. Indeed, I do wonder whether I'll ever feel comfortable, ever again.
A couple of bars on King Street, Toronto, have already been taken to task for their unrestrained and egregious flouting of the provincial pandemic rules. If the rules are relaxed still further, then bars and bar people will flout the rules even further, you can rely on that. Because the kind of people who like to hang out in bars are not among our most cautious and law-abiding citizens, that much seems clear. It does seem that, after a couple of beers (or more), people are just not capable ofbsocial distancing, this has been amply demonstrated, over and over again. It also seems that many people are just not capable of going out for "a beer or two", but they have to get stupid, falling-over drunk.
So why, given this context, Ontario is even considering opening up indoor bars next week (at least outside of the Golden Horsehoe and Essex County), I have no idea. In particular, a question that is being asked by many people is why is the province considering opening up bars and restaurants before it has a plan for opening up school and daycares, which is a perfectly reasonable question, and a pertinent check on the province's priorities. I really hope Doug Ford has more of an idea ofy reasonal what he is doing than I think he has.