The coronavirus can’t be contained. Are you ready?

The chance to contain COVID-19 has passed. What will Canada do when it hits our cities, schools and hospitals?

Canadians have repeatedly been told by government officials that the risk to the public remains low in this country. But that’s a bit misleading, says Michael Gardam, an infectious disease specialist and chief of staff at Toronto’s Humber River Hospital. Or, at least in light of COVID-19’s spread, short-sighted. “Let’s say you’re on the beach and you can see a tidal wave coming in the distance. It’s not here yet,” says Gardam. “At this very moment, the risk on the beach is low. But we know that’s soon going to change.”

Gardam’s message to the public would be more nuanced: the risk is low, but given recent outbreaks in Iran and Italy—which have caused the virus to spread across parts of Europe and the Middle East—it’s unlikely Canada will stay in this position for much longer.