Daytime raccoon (Procyon lotor) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) activity

Josh Padolsky writes:

Over a two-week period in late March/early April 2020 I saw unusually high daytime activity of raccoon and red fox around Toronto. The observation sites were both in park spaces as well as more densely urbanized spaces.

Both animals are nocturnal, and I was particularly surprised to see the red foxes as they are fairly reclusive. All observations took place on sunny or partially sunny days between 12:00pm and 4:00pm.

I have two theories that may explain this atypical behavior. Firstly, increased usage of natural spaces in Toronto may have created greater disturbance of animal habitats during typical resting periods. Alternatively, reduced overall human activity during the COVID-19 lock down may have encouraged adventurous animal behavior.

Are the theories I have described sound? Or may there be other factors at play?

What is also difficult to predict is what will happen after the pandemic lockdowns are lifted. Will the raccoon and red fox exploitation of the changes in human behavior result in increased conflict and mortality rates of these animals?

Any help or insights would be greatly appreciated.