In his 1947 novel, The Plague, Albert Camus writes of an epidemic, probably bubonic plague, that decimates the inhabits of the French Algerian town, Oran. One of the curious observations he makes is that the “[p]lague had killed all colors”. As the city lay in quarantine, the weather grew hot. A dry wind swept unimpeded over the plateau. Although the residents had a view of the sea from the town, they weren’t allowed to leave and go down to the beach. Instead, they remained in their confines while a layer of dust settled over everything. Perhaps it was the dry dust that sucked all the colour from the countryside.
In deference to Camus’ account, I have desaturated a handful of images shot in these early days of Covid-19. “Early days,” of course, is from a local perspective. Toronto is a relative latecomer to this global pandemic. We are beginning to experience now what many other regions in the world underwent weeks ago. Perhaps my photos should still be in colour, or at least in sepia, to reflect the fact that commerce still tries to hobble along as if nothing is wrong, and people, largely in a state of denial, still walk freely in the streets. They acknowledge the news—it’s real—but Covid-19 remains remote as if it properly belongs somewhere else. Real, but not here.
A health food store treats the pandemic as a business opportunity. Boost your immune system so you’ll have a fighting chance when the virus strikes. Starbucks removes all its tables and removable seating to encourage social distancing, but continues to serve its customers. Nevertheless public health advisories about large gatherings continue to change their maximum numbers. First, we hear a thousand. Large concert and sport venues shut their doors. Then we hear two-hundred and fifty. Suddenly, smaller concert venues and churches are posting signs on their doors advising that they are closed until the pandemic runs its course. I find it an ironic reversal that places of worship exercise common sense while commerce defers to a fervent belief that all will be well. Now, gatherings are restricted to fifty. Soon it will be five.
In truth, there is only one indicator that has been unequivocal in its view of matters. Look to the markets. Notwithstanding Donald Trump’s claims, it is the markets that have taken the Covid-19 pandemic seriously right from the beginning. Early on Monday morning, I pass the sign at the site of the old Toronto Stock Exchange. It is obscured by the shadows of scaffolding as if pleading to be propped up.
Related Reading: Remember When Covid-19 Came To Town?