Your daily COVID-19 update QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Our metrics have moved in the wrong direction.” — Mandy Cohen, North Carolina’s top health official, as a growing number of states, many in the South, are experiencing growing rates of COVID-19 and related hospitalizations.
The number of Canadians infected with COVID-19 has passed 97,500, while 8,000 people have died. Worldwide, 7.4 million people have been infected and 420,000 have died. The Toronto Transit Commission, the nation’s largest public transit system, will require face coverings be worn by all passengers starting July 2. “We know that as customers return to the TTC, physical distancing is no longer going to be possible on all vehicles at all times,” said TTC CEO Rick Leary. “This is one more thing we can do for ourselves and each other to limit the spread of COVID-19.” The TTC will also do a one-time distribution of one million non-medical masks to customers. This news comes after the publication of a British study that suggests combining widespread mask use, physical distancing and other restrictions is an “acceptable way of managing the pandemic and re-opening economic activity.” While waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test, Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott was photographed shopping in a liquor store. According to the minister’s office, her doctor told her she didn’t need to self-isolate as the colleague who’d been exposed to COVID-19 tested negative. Elliott’s own test was subsequently revealed to be negative. South Korea is worrying about a resurgence of COVID-19 as the nation relaxes its restrictions. In recent weeks, the government has reported around 40 to 50 new cases a day, many in the capital, Seoul. It’s a high enough tally to concern officials who are struggling to contact-trace everyone who may have been infected. An article in the New York Times about Canadians’ reported fascination with the length of Justin Trudeau’s COVID-19-uncut hair reminds us (cough, cough) of this thoughtful Maclean’s piece from May 7 by Marie-Danielle Smith, titled “Justin Trudeau is not the same. Let’s start with that hair,” which delves beyond his curly locks and into his psyche. In an essay on Literary Hub, Monika Zgustova, an author living in Spain, explains why the reopening of bookstores is such a cause for celebration: “To read is to question the apparently obvious, to question what is established, and to enter a bookstore is to let ourselves be surrounded by those who have so many things to tell us so that we may retain our human dignity. These re-openings offer us a great deal to celebrate at last.” —Patricia Treble
As of the latest update, this is the number of confirmed cases in Canada. We're updating this chart every day. 
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