As of 6:35 a.m. ET on Thursday April 16, 2020, Canada had 28,379 confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19. An increase of 1,316 confirmed cases from April 15, 2020.
Ontario reported 8,447 cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. An increase of 494 cases from April 15, 2020. Of note, Quebec has 14,860 cases.
The Region of Durham reported 456 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday. An increase of 14 cases. (A significant drop from yesterday) So far, 152 have recovered and 33 have passed away. Of the active cases, 29 are currently in hospital. The rest are isolating at home.
The majority of the people in Durham who have died from COVID-19 were residents at long-term care facilities and retirement homes. The numbers, though, do not appear to be accurate. The Toronto Star published a story yesterday which showed the province is "under-reporting" COVID-19 deaths.
I put very little stock in the numbers, other than to use them as a reference point. Different jurisdictions in Canada have different COVID-19 testing and reporting protocol; they do not appear to be unified and the numbers are often questioned within the actual jurisdiction that is reporting the stats.
In the national news, it seems people are drinking more alcohol these days. Shocking. Who would have thought? Worse yet who was the idiot that paid for a study that every Canadian could have independently confirmed?
One study suggests social distancing may be a thing until 2022. Personally, I put very little faith in these "studies" as the information changes daily, if not hourly.
In yet another national study, the curve appears to be flattening in Canada. I am not a scientist, but I do not understand that study/estimation. Everyday, I track national, provincial and municipal numbers and they do not reflect any "flattening", only an increase.
Yesterday, we passed a terrible milestone. Canada has now surpassed the 1000 death mark. So far, the hospitals are not over-run. It has been reported that hospitals are way under capacity, as they are prepared for a surge in cases, which thankfully, has not happened yet.
In Ontario, the Ford government announced they are ramping up protection for seniors in Long Term Care Facilities. In a sad twist, our Premier's mother-in-law resides at Eatonville LTCF, which has been hit by a COVID-19 outbreak. The deaths there have now surpassed those of Pinecrest LTCF in Bobcaygeon.
Other than that, the provincial front was relatively quiet yesterday, all things considered.
In the local news, Oshawa residents started a petition calling on province to declare community gardens an essential service. A wise move, all things considered. Community gardens will help ease the pressure if, God forbid, we face food shortages. I urge you to sign and the link is here.
I mentioned yesterday, the in-fighting is beginning to ripple in terms of what activities are prohibited, and which are not. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters publishes a list of closure of public land and facilities on their website. It's the most comprehensive list that I can find. They also have an excellent email alert system to keep you up to date on outdoors issues, if that type of thing interests you.
I have began to shut some people out on my cell phone, which only means I don't always reply. I get it, people. It's bad. But there are some people that are glued to the news and are continually trying to out-horrify or out-glum the rest of us. I've got no time for the gloom seekers. The odd bad story, ok, I get it. But send greetings and good vibes more often than the "OH MY GOD, WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE" messages, please.
Look, I understand.....it ain't all sunny spring meadows, laughing children and puppy dogs right now. But, we have to resist the urge to get so caught up in everything that we stop looking after ourselves, mentally. Be aware of what is going on in the world, but don't let the news control you, or your mood. Here is an excellent article on cabin fever and dealing with quarantine.
In terms of good news and little things, I was motivated to go back to my daily Spanish lesson yesterday. Once things went COVID-19 crazy, they kind of went by the way-side. But, I am now fully committed to my daily lesson. Mi casa es mi escuela. Today, my Duolingo app actually gave me the best advice i've had all day. (see photo below)
If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, there is a breathing technique that is being touted as a remedy, of sorts. No idea if it actually works, but hey, it can't hurt. Here is the link.
Please remember, try to stay positive, follow the rules, help where you can and be kind.
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