Worldwide stats provided by worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 5,323,700. (54,543 new+) (Deaths: 340,324 and Recovered: 2,171,857) I emphasize reported because there is a wide variance in testing and manner of reporting from country to country and place to place.
As of 6:31 a.m. ET on Saturday May 23, 2020:
From Global News, Canada reported 82,469 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 24,628 total confirmed cases and 2,021 total deaths. Currently, there are 961 people are in hospital with 153 in ICU. 18,767 cases have been resolved. Unfortunately, today Ontario reported more than 400 new cases for the third straight day.
Quebec continues to have the highest reported cases in the country with 46,141.
The Region of Durham reported 1,324 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The site also reports 13 (none new) current outbreaks at Hospitals, LTCF's and Retirement Homes with 15 outbreaks having been "concluded." Currently, there are 79 (none new) cases in Clarington.
In international news,
A surging coronavirus is ravaging parts of Latin America, setting records for cases and deaths Friday in some countries in the world's most unequal region even as the pandemic's march slows in much of Europe, Asia and the United States. Latin America's two largest nations - Mexico and Brazil - reported record numbers of infections and deaths almost daily this week, fueling criticism of their presidents, who have slow-walked shutdowns in an attempt to limit economic damage. Brazil reported more than 330,000 confirmed cases as of Friday.
I did some checking; per Worldometers the current population of Brazil is estimated at 212,402,716. That puts their infection rate of 0.16% of the population. Interestingly, about the same percentage as Ontario and Quebec.
‘Stay home now you hypokrits': U.S. church flouting COVID-19 restrictions burned to the ground. The First Pentecostal received a violation of a Mississippi city's stay-at-home order after 40 people had gathered for a bible study. So, what did locals do? They burned the church to the ground. Mississippi investigators found the words “Bet you stay home now you hypokrits” spray-painted on the parking lot of a Holly Springs church that burned down early Wednesday morning, a month after the church had legally challenged the city’s stay-at-home orders. Investigators believe the fire at First Pentecostal Church to be suspected arson.
I guess these people didn't listen to their President? Because President Trump declared churches ‘essential,’ and called on them to reopen. Yes, he did. Here is the story from AP.
In national news,
Yes, i'm banging the CERB drum again. Read past, if you're tired of it. To date, over 14-million Canadians have applied for CERB. Statistics Canada puts our population (2016) at 37.59 million. In 2010, Statistics Canada estimated children accounted for 10.2 million. I could not find any figures that were more recent. In 2016, Statistics Canada estimated the senior population was 5.8 million. So, for (very) round numbers, eliminate 16 million from the 37.59. That leaves approximately 21 million people of working age. Let us also consider of that 21 million not everyone "works", some manage households (a worthy occupation in itself), some are disabled and a small percentage are just lazy, useless drags on society. (YES, I fully understand the population has grown/changed since 2016, but I feel these numbers are fairly representative>)
So, you are telling me that out of (approximately) 21 million working age people that only 7 million of them are working right now? Oh c'mon now. Fraud (working under the table while collecting CERB) and people not wanting to go back to work are wide-spread. But, next election they will likely vote Liberal. Right?
The GTA and Montreal emerge as Canada’s COVID-19 hotpots. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......no comment.
Personally, I believe that it is time to re-open our economy with the exception of large gatherings, of course. People need to be able to make their own choices, based on risk, need and information. (Kind of like; driving, smoking, drinking, exercising, going out in the rain, ignoring a warning label, etc.) Some communities have no cases at all, with the risk being almost non-existent. While other communities (like the GTA) are recording new cases every day. We need to get moving, before we get stuck in this quick-sand. We must adjust to living with COVID-19, just like we have with every other virus to come along throughout history.
We are slowly re-opening and it appears the authorities are not really knowing/understanding where Canadians are contracting COVID-19. Ontario and Quebec have seen their rate of new cases plateau in recent weeks, still in the hundreds each day, and we have little information on the source of infection or what effect reopening will have. "It's scary. There's a large sense of unknown there," said Dr. Michael Gardam, an infectious disease specialist and chief of staff at Humber River Hospital in Toronto, who is a veteran of SARS and H1N1. So, what does that mean? To me, it means they have no idea where/why people are still contracting COVID-19 and if that is the case....how can you possibly mitigate the risk in a scientific way? It's all a guessing game right now and that is not to assign blame, it's just the way it is.
To me, something that needs to be done is mass education for the public on the proper use of gloves and masks. Perhaps a TV channel dedicated to training, etc. with no propaganda, or news? As I watch people with gloves and masks, I must smirk at times. On a precursory note, I have been trained in how to wear various N95, PPE and gloves. I watch people handle their masks after handling products, slide it up or down with contaminated hands etc. which renders its use, worthless. The same for gloves...wearing gloves into the grocery store, then coming out and putting your credit card in your wallet/purse whilst still wearing the gloves, then driving your car with those same gloves. Ya, um no. Wearing gloves is meant to protect you from a contaminated surface, then be disposed of BEFORE contacting another unrelated surface. Think of it this way, would a surgeon take a break from surgery, leave his gloves on to drink a coffee and then return to the OR wearing those same gloves?
In Ontario,
From the "I'm from Missoura" file, a U of T researcher believes they’ve found a cure for COVID-19. This story ain't exactly busting up the AP and Reuters news feeds, so I am a tad skeptical. Here's to hoping....
Toronto Mayor John Tory is warning Toronto will have to close subway lines, fire hundreds of cops and shutter libraries without help from Ottawa. Toronto is facing a best-case scenario shortfall of $1.5 billion in lost revenue this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The city would have to raise property taxes by an estimated 47 per cent in order to make up that shortfall.
Premier Doug Ford is telling people to go to a COVID-19 testing centre if they think they have symptoms.
From the "Oh, this won't hurt a bit" file, Dentists are back open in Ontario for urgent procedures, only.
In local news,
An absolutely beautiful day today.
From the "Well, that's just friggin great" file, Durham’s Health Department starts monitoring for West Nile Virus in mosquitos. (Recall my blog a few days ago questioning whether COVID-19 can be transmitted by mosquitoes?) Now, as mosquito season gets into full swing, the region is asking you to take some precautions and remember a few simple tips to reduce your risk of catching the potentially deadly virus. West Nile Virus (WNV) is a serious disease that is passed from birds to mosquitos, then to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito. 19 people across the province caught the virus last year.
There will be a drive-through food drive and fundraiser in Bowmanville on Saturday. (today) The Bowmanville Salvation Army is holding it in support of local Clarington food banks. They say you can drop off donations at their church, located just south of the hospital at 75 Liberty Street, anytime between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
From the "Just in time!" file, Oshawa could be getting a new pot shop this summer. Yes, just what Oshawa needs....but, maybe consider closing a few knife shops, while they are at it?
Live coronavirus map of Canada: Tracking every case of COVID-19 in the country.
Wait times in grocery (and other) stores can be found here.
Hunting/fishing related closures in Ontario can be found here.
Town of Clarington COVID-19 updates can be found here.
Province of Ontario COVID-19 updates can be found here.
Government of Canada COVID-19 updates can be found here.
1hr/espanol
hike/gardening
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