Worldwide stats provided by worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 5,518,661. (94,720 new+) (Deaths: 346,739 and Recovered: 2,311,255) 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 6:01 a.m. ET on Monday May 25, 2020:
From Global News, Canada reported 84,686 confirmed cases of COVID-19. (1,078 new+)
The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 25,500 total confirmed cases (460 new+) and 2,073 total deaths. Currently, there are 878 people are in hospital with 148 in ICU. 19,477 cases have been resolved. ++UPDATE++ as of 10:30 a.m. Ontario sees the COVID-19 case count rise above 400 for fifth day in a row.
Quebec continues to have the highest reported cases in the country with 47,411. (573 new-)
The Region of Durham reported 1,358 confirmed cases (16 new-) of COVID-19. The site also reports 10 (none new) current outbreaks at Hospitals, LTCF's and Retirement Homes with 18 outbreaks having been "concluded." Currently, there are 81 (1 new+) cases in Clarington. In Durham Region the community spread rate of the cases currently sits at 20%, with 60% being contracted in institutional settings.
In international news,
From the "You mean you could rent a car 102 years ago?" file, rental car giant Hertz has filed for bankruptcy protection, with piles of debt totaling about $18.7-billion. The 102-year-old company says its lenders won’t grant another extension on it’s debt payments. It's a sad story, but one thing struck me......how does a 102 year old company have "piles of debt?" Forbes magazine reported they were 19 billion dollars in debt? 19 billion, wow.
After more than seven weeks of being closed, the restaurants on the Malecon in Puerto Vallarta will reopen their doors after reaching an agreement with the municipal government. Despite the reopening, the boardwalk will continue to be closed to the public until the Federal or State Government announces the new provisions.
Here is what air travel looks like, right now. An interesting and spooky read. Four airports in Canada remain open for international travel, including Toronto Pearson, Montreal-Trudeau, Calgary International and Vancouver International. The Canadian government has advised against all non-essential travel and has instituted the Quarantine Act requiring all travelers to isolate for 14 days if they come back from abroad.
From the Washington Post, China tells U.S. to stop taking them ‘to the brink of a new Cold War’. Well, i'm sorry but I think that ship has sailed.
Soaring infections dampen Eid festivities in Southeast Asia. Millions of Muslims in Indonesia are marking a muted and gloomy holiday of Eid al-Fitr, the end of the fasting month of Ramadan -- a usually joyous three-day celebration that has been significantly toned down as coronavirus cases soar.
From the "CERB ain't the only scam out there" file, Washington State has been hit hard by unemployment fraud. The state of Washington admitted yesterday that it has lost hundreds of millions of dollars to bogus unemployment claims. This is the latest and biggest example of an increasing number of pandemic-related fraud cases. NPR's Martin Kaste reports the crisis has created ideal conditions for scammers.
In national news,
Farmers, growers and producers need to tap into current agricultural support programs to help with the fallout from COVID-19 before any more money can flow from the Liberal government, federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau says. Bibeau said there are billions of dollars available via the risk-management programs that have long existed to help the industry during times of crisis, and if farmers don't apply for those funds, it hurts her ability to make the case for more aid around the cabinet table.
The Liberals have tabled a proposal that would see expanded Parliamentary meetings to discuss the government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis as well as a handful sittings over the summer. The proposal is laid out in a motion that will be debated in the House of Commons today. The motion proposes to add an additional day to the weekly meetings of the special COVID-19 committee, which have been acting as a sort of stand-in for the Commons.
With 62% of Canada’s coronavirus deaths, Quebec remains the hardest hit province. Quebec remains the hardest hit province, with Montreal the epicentre of the provincial outbreak. The province reported 75 new deaths, for a total of 3,940 deaths since the pandemic began....more than 60% of the national death toll. Sad, very sad.
Ontario happenings,
Anyone in Ontario can now get a COVID-19 test says Doug Ford. If you want to get tested for COVID-19, you won’t be turned away. In a speech on Sunday, Premier Doug Ford said it doesn’t matter if you’re experiencing symptoms or not. “Bring your family along with you,” he added. “The only way we can get those numbers where they need to be, is for everyone who feels they need it… to get a test.”
Facing racist social media attacks, Manitoulin Island leaders plead for tolerance. The issue appears to have started when some Island residents took exception to a non-essential travel ban imposed by M'Chigeeng First Nation. As part of that travel ban the M'Chigeeng First Nation set up check points and blocked a provincial highway. The actions taken along the highway have been highly divisive for many on the Island, and it has sparked social media comments the committee have agreed are racist. Northeast Manitoulin and the Islands Mayor Al MacNevin has called on the province to get involved in hopes of ending the traffic disruption. I think, hard feelings and resentment are going to exist in this community far and away past the "end" of the COVID-19 situation and resumption of normal life.
The fall-out continues from the Trinity Park fiasco in Toronto over the weekend. Apparently the crowds were defecating in public and on the lawns of nearby homes. Mayor John Tory admonished the gatherers over Twitter. “They are putting their own health at risk and by risking the spread of the virus to others, they could contribute to the kind of setback we are trying hard to avoid,” said Tory. “I know from talking to them tonight these are smart people who simply have to do better going forward.” A stern rebuke, indeed. At one point the mayor attended the park and spoke to the revelers, he could often be seen not obeying social distancing and not wearing his mask over his face. He later apologized.
Approximately 40% of the COVID-19 cases in Ontario are in Toronto. From the City of Toronto Public Health website: "As of 4 p.m. on May 23, 10,035 cases of COVID-19 in Toronto have been reported to Toronto Public Health." But, as Mayor John Tory said "I know from talking to them tonight these are smart people who simply have to do better going forward." I'll be curious to see if Torontonian's put that theory to the test.
Locally,
I'm not sure if it's a sign of the times (unemployment) or people just want cheap goods from china, but the line up at the Dollarama is always stretching whenever I pass by. If you are there out of economic necessity, then so be it. But if you are there just to save a buck on cheap china made crap you should read some news, or have a look around you at what is going on.
Durham Regional Police tweeted Sunday morning that a bear was seen near Bridle Road and Gulf Stream Avenue in north Oshawa, then again near Lyndebrook Golf Course in Whitby. Facebook posts from Oshawa residents also reported a bear near Ritson Road and Winchester Road and near Wilson Road and Coldstream Drive.
Recognizing the stress and isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lakeridge Health has launched a mental health clinic to help people cope.
Anyone struggling with mental health as a result of the pandemic can call 905-440-7534 or toll-free 1-833-392-7363. The clinic is staffed Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Callers can receive counselling on responding to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental health and substance use.
Today, there is a heat warning for the GTA. They’re calling for daytime temperatures near 30 degrees Monday afternoon with temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday expected to climb slightly higher. The humidity is also set to make it feel like it’s in the mid to upper 30s.
Musing,
What are we going to call the pre-COVID-19 times? We need a moniker, a handle..something we all can use. Some suggestions:
"Back in the day"
"In the good old days"
"When times were normal"
Lakeridge Health Mental Health Clinic 905-440-7534 or toll free at 1-833-392-7363 (Monday-Friday 9am-4pm)
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.
World Health Organization updates/information can be found here.
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