As of 6:15 a.m. ET on Saturday April 18, 2020:
Canada had 31,297 confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19. An increase of 1,191 confirmed cases from April 17, 2020. This represents a national decrease in confirmed cases by 536.
Ontario reported 9525 cases of COVID-19 on Saturday. An increase of 564 cases from April 17, 2020, which is up slightly. Of note, Quebec currently has 16,978, up 1,121 cases from the day before. Quebec spread is the most rapid in the country, with a current death count of 688.
The Region of Durham reported 531 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Saturday. An increase of 35, which puts the count slightly down from 40 cases reported on Friday. So far, 176 have recovered and 40 have passed away. Of the active cases, 26 are currently in hospital. The rest of the cases are isolating.
Mexico is reporting cases in the thousands. They have also had to post National Guard troops to protect health care workers and facilities. It's not clear to me, but it appears there is some kind of backlash towards health care workers, for some reason. In Jalisco a full 40% of COVID-19 cases have had to be hospitalized. Jalisco, a state within Mexico, would be the Canadian equivalent to a province.
New York seems to be getting things under control, finally. That's not to say they are through it, but it appears under control. I know I said I wouldn't write on the U.S. but...yesterday the President tweeted "LIBERATE MICHIGAN", "LIBERATE MINNESOTA", "LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great 2nd Amendment" as he felt the governor's had imposed rules that were too strict. This is a situation to watch, as American's are quickly losing patience and people are protesting against the government in some states. Like I said, if a societal breakdown happens, it will begin there.
In national news, it seems the good people of Canada are being plagued by freaky dreams as of late. I'm not surprised, but there are scientific reasons for this, apparently. I suspect record sales at cannabis stores may be playing a factor, as well.
Ottawa saw the deadliest single day death toll yet yesterday, with 7 more dead from COVID-19.
Some very good news from yesterday, New Brunswick reported no new cases.
In Ontario,
Sadly, Ontario reported the most COVID-19 deaths in a single day, so far. 55
That's 55 grandpas, grammas, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. Real people, not just a statistic.
Locally,
Well, not much. Too cold to garden and work in the yard. Can't go anywhere, for the most part. But, that hasn't stopped some people as in Durham Region more than 1,000 people call DRPS to report violations of the provincial emergency order. It appears, we are becoming "tattletales", I leave it to you whether you feel that's insidious, or not.
The calls continue for the shuttered GM plant to be converted to a PPE production facility. The issue most recently raised by Member of Provincial Parliament, Jennifer French. I wold like to see it, but I am skeptical it will happen as I think it would have happened by now given the PPE shortages across Canada.
Fiddleheads will soon be ready on the creek beds of Ontario. A free, tasty treat that you can gather for yourself. They taste a lot like spinach and are generally used in the same way. If you plan to go look for and pick fiddleheads, you need to get out as soon as they start to sprout from the ground, when they are short and yes, look like a fiddlehead. Once they grow and get too long and sprout up, they are no longer good to eat. So, get there early. I've included a picture (below) that shows what fiddleheads that are ready to be picked look like.
Last night, we ordered take out from one of our favourite restaurants, so I went to pick it up. I wish now I hadn't, as it really upset me. There was a large gathering in the parking lot, some kind of birthday parade. (no social distancing) I saw two large driveway gatherings, again no social distancing. Then, the restaurant we ordered from had a long line up, as did the other restaurants in the mall. It was disturbing, it felt like a chapter right out of the book "1984" by George Orwell. I highly recommend you read it. I came home in a rotten mood and I said to my wife "why bother", people aren't following the rules anyway and I don't want to live like this with all these lines ups. I got over it eventually, but it ruined my Friday night.
If this keeps up into the (late) summer, things are going to get ugly. Very ugly.
Today, we plan to go to our cabin and check on the place. Now, before you go off and scream "social distancing" at me, we drive straight there and back, we do not stop in any stores up north and we do not visit any of our northern friends. Believe me, the cabin is textbook social distancing. The trip up there always makes me happy.
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. (Personally, I suck at every single one of these things, but maybe if I repeat it often enough, it will rub off on me.)
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