GAS PRICES PLUMMET AS SELF-ISOLATION NEW NORM

GRAVENHURST — With self-isolation and innumerable businesses, organizations and groups cancelling out or closing for who knows how long — and March Break plans out the window — climate change advocates and those who still have to drive are heaving a sigh of relief as gas prices tumble.

In Gravenhurst fuel prices have dropped more than 24 cents since COVID-19 first struck.

Over the weekend the price plummeted 83.9 cents.

That’s down from $1.07, which was already not bad and had been that way for most of 2020.

And while the pumps at the Canadian Tire are normally busy, with almost daily top-ups from fuel tankers, business seemed a little brisker in recent days.

That may have something to do with the panic-buying mood that has struck some, like those who were busily filling shopping carts and creating long lineups at checkout counters.

This despite repeated business assurances — and stern government reminders even today — that the supply chain is secure.

And that social media pressure going out to say “save some for others” — most notably toilet paper.

But now that new border controls are coming down from Ottawa on the U.S. border, some are wondering how that supply chain is going to continue.

Stay-cation suggestions are also under threat, as the federal government gears up for a possibly long year ahead.

If a winter hibernation turns into spring and summer global cocooning, 80-cent gas may be a distant memory.