The Metre as a Metric: Canada’s COVID-19 Conversion Kerfuffle

Abstract

As a Canadian mathematics educator, I have a vested interest in Canadian mathematics education matters. After all, to me, Canadian mathematics education matters. Knowing this little factoid, imagine my horror when it recently dawned on me that, no matter where I looked during this COVID-19 pandemic, all I saw was flippant treatment towards the metric system. As I detail in this article, COVID-19 social distancing signage, here in Canada, presents indifference towards the metric system. For shame, Canada. For shame. For the record, despite what nearly all the signs around us say at the moment, 2 m is not 6 ft. And, while I am at it, also for the record, 6 ft is not 2 m. Whether it is small business, big business or even the different levels of Canadian government (i.e., municipal, provincial or federal), it does not matter, the metric system is being poorly presented here at home during this global pandemic. The only good news, I am numb to it all now, which has helped me move on and start looking for other Canadian mathematics education matters. Stay tuned.