Lygenztia *539 (C'mon in, plenty of room, eh.....) Friday July 31, 2020

Worldwide stats provided by worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 17,505,005. (Deaths: 677,454 and Recovered: 10,960,318) 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 6:00 a.m. ET on Friday July 31, 2020:
From Global News, Canada reported 115,758 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 38,075 total confirmed cases and 2,772 total deaths. Currently, there are 84 people are in hospital with 27 of those in ICU. 34,906 cases have been resolved.

Quebec continues to have the highest reported cases in the country with 59,131.

The Region of Durham reported 1,803 confirmed cases (up 3) of COVID-19. The site also reports 1 current outbreak (Hospitals, LTCF's and Retirement Homes) at Reachview Village LTCF with 35 outbreaks having been "concluded." Currently, Clarington still sits at 102 total cases. (95 are resolved and 7 people have passed away. Hospitalized currently: "Zero")

In international news,
China-backed hackers 'targeted COVID-19 vaccine firm Moderna'. Chinese government-linked hackers targeted biotech company Moderna Inc, a U.S.-based coronavirus vaccine research developer, this year in a bid to steal data, according to a U.S. security official tracking Chinese hacking. China on Friday rejected the accusation that hackers linked to it had targeted Moderna. Last week, the U.S. Justice Department made public an indictment of two Chinese nationals accused of spying on the United States, including three unnamed U.S.-based targets involved in medical research to fight the novel coronavirus. The indictment said the Chinese hackers “conducted reconnaissance” against the computer network of a Massachusetts biotech firm known to be working on a coronavirus vaccine in January. Moderna, which is based in Massachusetts and announced its COVID-19 vaccine candidate in January, confirmed to Reuters that the company had been in contact with the FBI and was made aware of the suspected “information reconnaissance activities” by the hacking group mentioned in last week’s indictment. Reconnaissance activities can include a range of actions, including probing public websites for vulnerabilities to scouting out important accounts after entering a network, cybersecurity experts say. Keep going to your Dollar Store to save a few pennies, folks. Because, before too long all there will be are Dollar Stores. Welcome to it.....

Second wave? UK tightens lockdown in northern England. Britain imposed tougher lockdowns across swathes of northern England after a rise in the rate of coronavirus transmissions, raising concerns that a second wave could sow yet more turmoil. Britain reported its highest number of infections in more than a month on Thursday, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke of a second wave in Europe and put people on alert about more quarantine restrictions. More than 4 million people were ordered not to mix with other households in Greater Manchester, the biggest city in northern England, parts of West Yorkshire and East Lancashire, though they can still go to the pub and to work. “The problem with this virus is that it thrives on the social contact which makes life worth living,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky. “I totally understand the human impact of this but unfortunately that is how the virus passes on.” “We can see that second wave in Europe,” Hancock said.

There is no 'zero risk' in easing travel restrictions, WHO says. There is no “zero risk” strategy for countries easing international travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and essential travel for emergencies should remain the priority, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. In a long-awaited update to its guidance on travel, the United Nations global health agency said cross-border trips for emergencies, humanitarian work, the transfer of essential personnel and repatriation would constitute essential travel. “There is no ‘zero risk’ when considering the potential importation or exportation of cases in the context of international travel,” it said in the updated guidance posted on its website on Thursday. A surge of new infections in many parts of the world has prompted some countries to reintroduce some travel restrictions, including testing and quarantining incoming passengers.

In national news,
Economy grew 4.5 per cent in May after severe lockdowns: Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada says the economy grew by 4.5 per cent in May as businesses began to reopen after severe lockdowns of March and April. The average economist estimate was for a 3.5 per cent increase in gross domestic product for May, according to financial data firm Refinitiv. The national data agency says rebounds in May were seen across multiple industries with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, including retail trade that registered a 16.4 per cent bump to mark its largest monthly increase since comparable readings began in 1961. (To be fair, provincial leaders should shoulder the credit on this one. "Stages", re-openings etc. were dictated by the provinces in consultation with their public health authorities. The provinces have demonstrated they can manage COVID-19 precautions and their economies of scale, quite nicely. Donald, you listening?)

Canada cracking down on Americans entering country to get to Alaska. Canada has announced new restrictions against Americans entering the country in an attempt to crack down on the so-called "Alaska loophole." The Canada-U.S. land border has been closed to non-essential traffic since March 21, but Americans have still been allowed through if they are driving through Canada to get to Alaska for an essential purpose such as working or returning home. This has led to cases where Americans have seemingly told border officers that they will be driving on to Alaska, but then vacationed in Canada instead. Now, I don't know how many of you have ever driven/flown into the U.S.A. but I will tell you this. Just try messing around with their border agents and see what happens. I guarantee, you will not like the outcome. Not so much in Canada, eh?

'Pandemic pods': How some parents plan on educating their kids in September. While Canadian families wait to hear plans on returning to school in all provinces across the country, some parents are looking into the idea of 'pandemic pods' instead of having their children go back to the classroom. Toronto-based educational strategist Dwayne Matthews told CTV's Your Morning that some parents are creating their own private classrooms run by one of the parents, a tutor or a school teacher with a small number of elementary-aged children, establishing their own schooling bubble. Matthews said Thursday that a pandemic pod "could look like a lot of different things" but creating one requires some planning.

In Ontario,
Majority of students in Ontario to be back in school full-time in September.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, along with Education Minister Stephen Lecce, announced Thursday afternoon that students in publicly funded elementary schools will be back in class five days a week as of September 8th. Students will be with one cohort for the full day and enhanced health and safety protocols will be put in place. High school students in 24 school boards in Ontario will be part of an adapted model, with class cohorts of approximately 15 students. The students in those boards will attend class on alternate days or alternate schedules with the mix coming out to be 50 percent in class and 50 percent online learning at home. There are 24 schools boards on the designated list, which include Toronto, Toronto Catholic, Peel, Dufferin-Peel Catholic, York, York Catholic, Durham, Durham Catholic, Halton, Halton Catholic, Waterloo, Waterloo Catholic, Thames Valley, London District Catholic, Ottawa-Carleton, Ottawa Catholic, Hamilton-Wentworth, Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic, Niagara, Niagara Catholic, Greater Essex Country, Windsor-Essex Catholic, Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est and Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario.

From Vice News, Quarantined Migrant Workers Are Being Fed 'Crappy' Food. A kid’s-sized portion of charred chicken next to steamed vegetables. A droopy piece of pepperoni pizza. Limp lettuce and peppers next to plain rice. The meals provided to hundreds of migrant farm workers in quarantine are insufficient and culturally inappropriate, an advocacy group says. In the Windsor-Essex region of Ontario, considered one of the worst pandemic hotspots in Canada, migrant workers have had to quarantine in at least two local hotels following a spate of outbreaks on their employers’ farms. Because quarantining workers can’t have visitors or shop for groceries, they depend on supplied meals. To balance this out, coincidentally I had a beer last night with a staff member at a local agriculture operation that utilizes migrant workers. Part of her duties are to go shopping for groceries for the workers and she gets the items that are on the list she is provided with by the workers. So, let's not paint all the farmers as "evil", as I suspect the vast majority are fair, honourable and concerned about their workers. Because, without them.....no crops and no money.

In local news,
As the local economy gradually reopens, the Clarington Board of Trade continues to support businesses during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Clarington has begun to cautiously reopen with safety restrictions in place, since the province approved a Stage 3 restart for Durham as of July 24. Local businesses — from dine-in restaurants to the medical and wellness industry — are working toward reopening and offering full services when they are confident they can serve members of the community safely, explained CBOT manager of business development Bonnie Wrightman. The board of trade is working to encourage the community to buy local by producing and sharing several "Shop Clarington with Confidence" videos demonstrating the measures businesses are putting in place to ensure safe visits. Soon the CBOT will also be releasing a "Clarington is Open for Business" video which will carry a message from the business community welcoming back the public and encouraging them to safely enjoy what Clarington has to offer.

Sports, Sports, Sports,
Jays lost another one last night. Their upcoming games against the Phillies have been postponed, due to COVID-19 concerns. Montoyo said the Blue Jays will ask the Nationals if they can continue to work out at Nationals Park until next steps are finalized by Major League Baseball. Toronto has an off-day Monday and a three-game series at Atlanta is scheduled to begin Tuesday. Earlier in the day, the Phillies announced that all activity at Citizens Bank Park has been cancelled until further notice. It's hard to see MLB making it to 60 games, but here's hoping.

Musing,
Enjoy the Long Weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just because you're funny, doesn't mean you're "nice". (Right, Ellen?)

You think things are bad, now? Just wait until November when Trump refuses to leave the White House. Civil War? Probably not, but it will be ugly like we have never seen in our lifetime.

Need work? Every Correctional Institution in Ontario is currently looking for Food Service Helpers and many are also looking for Cleaners.

"The risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision." (MAIMONIDES)

On this day in history, in 2007 Operation Banner, the presence of the British Army in Northern Ireland, and longest-running British Army operation ever, comes to an end.

Preparations for the Final Solution begin
On July 31, 1941, Hermann Göring, writing under instructions from Hitler, ordered Reinhard Heydrich, SS general and Heinrich Himmler’s number-two man, “to submit to me as soon as possible a general plan of the administrative material and financial measures necessary for carrying out the desired final solution of the Jewish question.” Goering recounted briefly the outline for that “final solution” that had been drawn up on January 24, 1939: “emigration and evacuation in the best possible way.” This program of what would become mass, systematic extermination was to encompass “all the territories of Europe under German occupation.”

Today is – NATIONAL GET GNARLY DAY – NATIONAL AVOCADO DAY – NATIONAL MUTT DAY – NATIONAL TALK IN AN ELEVATOR DAY – NATIONAL SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR APPRECIATION DAY – NATIONAL RASPBERRY CAKE DAY
Bank of Canada unclaimed balances portal
supportontariomade.ca
Here is how to clean your non-medical mask.
Clarington Tourism Businesses and Attractions Directory can be found here.
CERB abuse reporting https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/bscs/l3adz/internet/initial.do?target=login&lang=en&program=qa">can be done here.
To book a COVID-19 test in Durham Region, click here.
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.

Lygenztia *538 (Nobody likes me..........................) Thursday July 29, 2020

Worldwide stats provided by worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 17,242,728. (Deaths: 671,262 and Recovered: 10,783,072) 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 6:00 a.m. ET on Thursday July 30, 2020:
From Global News, Canada reported 115,428 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 38,986 total confirmed cases and 2,769 total deaths. Currently, there are 91 people are in hospital with 28 of those in ICU. 34,741 cases have been resolved.

Quebec continues to have the highest reported cases in the country with 59,073.

The Region of Durham reported 1,800 confirmed cases (up 3) of COVID-19. The site also reports 1 current outbreak (Hospitals, LTCF's and Retirement Homes) at Reachview Village LTCF with 35 outbreaks having been "concluded." Currently, Clarington still sits at 102 total cases. (95 are resolved and 7 people have passed away. Hospitalized currently: "Zero")

In international news,
From Vice News, Trump told reporters nobody likes him, then stormed out of his press conference. He hyped a debunked coronavirus drug, again, and then promoted a doctor who says masks aren't necessary and fibroid tumors are caused by demon sperm. President Donald Trump was already having a bad day on Tuesday, but his unhinged press conference at the White House, in which he once again defended hydroxychloroquine as a remedy for coronavirus and complained that “nobody likes me,” just made it worse. On Monday, Trump retweeted a video saying that a long-debunked drug was effective in treating coronavirus, even though his own FDA cautioned against its usage earlier this month. The video was removed from various social media networks for spreading disinformation—but Trump doubled down on its claims in his Tuesday-evening press conference. “The recommendations of many other people, including doctors, many doctors think it is extremely successful, the hydroxychloroquine coupled with the zinc and perhaps the Zithromycin,” Trump said. “But many doctors think it’s extremely good, and some people don’t.” “I think it’s become very political,” he added. (Studies have shown the drug has no benefit to treat those hospitalized with COVID-19.) Attention then turned, as it often does, to Trump’s relationship with Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, two of the top public health experts he’s leaned on during the pandemic. On Monday, Trump retweeted multiple messages that were critical of Fauci, including an interview on Steve Bannon’s podcast between Bannon and a doctor who said Fauci “misled the American public on many issues” and criticized Fauci’s “dismissal of hydroxychloroquine.”Trump was questioned about the retweets on Tuesday and replied, “I have a very good relationship with Dr. Fauci. He’s got a very good approval rating, and I like that. It’s good. Because remember, he’s working for this administration. He’s working with us, John. We could have gotten other people. We could have gotten somebody else. It didn’t have to be Dr. Fauci."

Hong Kong 'on brink of large-scale' coronavirus outbreak. Carrie Lam's warning comes as Hong Kong implements its toughest measures yet to stem spread of COVID-19. Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam has warned the city is on the brink of a "large-scale" coronavirus outbreak that could overwhelm hospitals, urging people to stay indoors as much as possible as strict new measures to curb the disease's spread have taken effect. From Wednesday, all residents in the densely packed city of 7.5 million must wear masks when they leave their homes while restaurants can only serve take-out meals. No more than two people from different households can gather in public with fines of up to 5,000 Hong Kong dollars ($625) for those who breach the new rules, which mark the toughest introduced in the city since its outbreak began.

From BuzzFeed, People Who Attended The Massive Chainsmokers "Drive-In" Concert Swear It Was Safe And Worthwhile. Still, people online are both appalled and ridiculing attendees who "risked corona.......for the........Chainsmokers." A massive "drive-in" Chainsmokers concert in the Hamptons over the weekend has sparked a state investigation and drawn a ton of backlash online. But a handful of concertgoers told BuzzFeed News that they felt "very safe" and that they did not feel at risk for contracting or unknowingly spreading the coronavirus by attending. The concert in Water Mill sold ticket packages starting at $850. VIP access went for as much as $25,000 and included an RV. The event's website declared that all proceeds will go toward local and national charities. An estimated 2,000 people attended the concert on Saturday. And while many Chainsmokers fans boasted on social media about their unique and exclusive concert experience, a video originally taken by someone onstage with the band, and was later shared to Twitter, has people concerned about the potential health risks an event of this scale could pose. Specifically, people are concerned that a crowd gathered in what appeared to be a pit section were not properly socially distanced.

The world at a glance...

-Vietnam says every city, province now at risk of virus infection.
-Russian President Vladimir Putin says coronavirus 'may worsen.'
-Russian vaccine could soon be approved for local use, sources say.
-Bosnian minister dies after testing positive for coronavirus.
-Spike of cases in Hong Kong introduces risk of large-scale outbreak.
-Doubts emerge about U.S. dollar's place as a reserve currency as pandemic batters economy.
-U.S. Democrats, Republicans to resume discussions around coronavirus aid bill.
-Confirmed COVID-19 deaths in America approaching 150,000.
-U.S. officials say Russian intelligence officers are spreading COVID-19 disinformation.
-Pilgrims begin gathering in Mecca for a physically distanced hajj.
-European Commission acquires enough remdesivir for 30,000 patients.

From National Geographic; THE FIRST U.S. DOG TO TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 DIES.
The German shepherd, Buddy, died on July 11, after battling the coronavirus and lymphoma. In an exclusive interview with National Geographic, his owners recount the two and a half months between their dog’s first wheeze and his death as one of confusion, frustration, and heartbreak. Their story, along with Buddy’s veterinary records, provides the most comprehensive look yet at an infected pet—and sheds light on how little we know about animals and the virus.

In national news,
Medical experts led by SickKids release new back-to-school recommendations. Mandatory masking should depend on age, experts say. SickKids has released new proposed guidelines for reopening schools in Ontario come September, including recommendations like staggered lunch times, no large assemblies, and mandatory masks for older students. The document, which was released Wednesday in collaboration with doctors from across the province, builds on COVID-19 recommendations the organization first released last month. It suggests various health and safety protocols for schools that take a student's age and developmental considerations into account. The group says it is recommending the use of masks for high school students, with consideration for middle school students, whenever physical distancing can't be maintained. Around 61 per cent of the authors agreed masks shouldn't be required for elementary school kids. "[Mask wearing] probably will diminish the infectivity of some individuals with COVID, however there are also a number of potential harms," said Dr. Jeffrey Pernica of McMaster Children's Hospital, saying that masks could distract and interfere with learning, especially for those with articulation problems, neurological issues, or kids who are learning a second language. I really wish that somebody (group) would take the lead on this file. Nothing is more important than getting the kids back in school, safely. The unions want one thing, SickKids recommends another thing, the Ontario government has not rolled out a cohesive, easy to understand plan, yet. (Or, if they have, I haven't seen it.) School is just a few short weeks away. B.C. just announced kids are going back 5 days a week for Kindergarten to Grade 8 and High School will be 2-3 days per week.)

In Ontario,
Toronto and Peel moving into Stage 3 Friday. Good news for Toronto and Peel Region as they’ll be moving into Stage 3 of the province’s reopening plan Friday. “While more restaurants, theatres and businesses can hang up their ‘Open for Business’ sign, we’re asking everyone to follow public health advice and act responsibly,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We have made tremendous progress that allows us to return to something a little closer to our normal lives this summer, but we are not out of the woods yet. This virus is still among us and we have to be extra cautious to avoid sparking a surge or an outbreak. I strongly urge everyone to continue following public health protocols.” Windsor-Essex will remain in Stage 2 and they are now the only place in the province still in Stage 2.

Province unveils their team to lead the probe into COVID-19 outbreaks at LTC homes. Premier Doug Ford still hasn’t said whether the recommendations coming out of an independent review of long-term care (LTC) facilities will be binding. Commissioners are examining the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the province’s LTC homes. They’re tasked to investigating why nursing homes were so hard-hit by the coronavirus, especially in the early days of the pandemic. The commission is also looking into whether or not the province did enough to contain the spread of COVID-19 in these kinds of facilities. As of Wednesday, the province reports that 1,844 LTC home residents and eight staff members have died due to the virus.

Here’s what it will be like when you visit Canada’s Wonderland when they eventually reopen. Canada’s Wonderland still doesn’t know when they’ll be reopening the park, but they have new rules and measures in place and ready to go when they get the green light. You will have to schedule your visit before you go through the park’s website or mobile app. Someone in your group will be required to have the park’s app installed on their phone and have the location services turned on. Masks will be mandatory for guests two years and older in all areas unless otherwise designated. You won’t have to wear your mask when you’re on a water ride. Health screenings and temperature checks will be required. There will be reminders for you to wash your hands every 20 minutes and hand sanitization stations have been added throughout the park.

In local news,
A 2nd outbreak declared at ReachView Uxbridge. 1 staff member tests positive for COVID-19. It was a short-lived break for the staff and residents of ReachView Village Long Term Care Home in Uxbridge. The facility, which endured one of the region’s longest COVID-19 outbreaks from April 15 to July 9, with 87 positive cases and 17 deaths, returned to outbreak status on July 24 after a staff member tested positive for the coronavirus. “We are all hoping that this is an isolated case and that ReachView will be COVID-free again very, very soon,” said Uxbridge Mayor Dave Barton of the new outbreak.

Sports, Sports, Sports,
The Jays dropped their "home opener" last night in Washington. Because they currently have no home field, they used Washington's diamond. Washington even made the piped in crowd noise favour the Jays. Nate Pearson looked super solid in his major league starter debut. The kid can throw over 100mph and has a filthy change up. (Pearson's change up, is faster than Ryu's fast ball.) The Jays take on the National's today at 4:05 p.m. with Ryu taking the mound. (carried on Sportsnet)

Two more sleeps until the NHL start-up. Undecided if I care at this point...guess i'll will see when once the Pens hit the ice.

Musing,
The heatwave has broken. A quick reminder; however, for those that were complaining in about 6-8 short weeks (or so) you will be wishing it was back. Just sayin....

Is it just me, or were the Keilburger brothers smarmy, smug and condescending in their testimony? They were laughing at Canada, the whole time. Justin testifies today. So what? His third ethics violation (Ok, this one is alleged, the other two were proven.) He will be found guilty again and you know what will happen? Nothing.

"Nobody, as long as he moves about among the chaotic currents of life, is without trouble." (CARL JUNG)

On this day in history, on July 30, 1999, The Blair Witch Project, a low-budget, independent horror film that will become a massive cult hit, is released in U.S. theaters. Shot with shaky, handheld cameras, the documentary-style movie told the story of three student filmmakers who disappeared into the woods and were never heard from again, although their footage was later discovered. With the help of a Web-based viral marketing strategy–a relatively new concept at the time–The Blair Witch Project generated huge buzz over the question of whether or not it was based on a true story. In fact, the story was entirely fake. Fake or not, it didn’t matter at the box office: The Blair Witch Project grossed some $250 million worldwide and was featured on the covers of Newsweek and Time magazines.

In 1975, Jimmy Hoffa went missing. Never to be seen or heard from again.

In 1966, The Troggs take their signature hit, “Wild Thing,” to #1.
If there is one song that has been played more times by more bands in more garages than any ever written, it is probably “Louie Louie,” The Kingsmen’s classic 1966 hit. But if any other song warrants a place in the conversation, it would be “Wild Thing,” the three-chord masterpiece that became a #1 hit for The Troggs on July 30, 1966 and instantly took its rightful place in the rock-and-roll canon.

Today is – NATIONAL CHEESECAKE DAY – NATIONAL CHILI DOG DAY – NATIONAL INTERN DAY – NATIONAL WHISTLEBLOWER DAY – NATIONAL FATHER-IN-LAW-DAY
Bank of Canada unclaimed balances portal
supportontariomade.ca
Here is how to clean your non-medical mask.
Clarington Tourism Businesses and Attractions Directory can be found here.
CERB abuse reporting https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/bscs/l3adz/internet/initial.do?target=login&lang=en&program=qa">can be done here.
To book a COVID-19 test in Durham Region, click here.
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.

Lygenztia *537 (That's not a fine, THIS is a fine.....) Wednesday July 29, 2020

Worldwide stats provided by worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 16,920,857. (Deaths: 664,141 and Recovered: 10,485,316) 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 6:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday July 29, 2020:
From Global News, Canada reported 114,952 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 38,910 total confirmed cases and 2,768 total deaths. Currently, there are 96 people are in hospital with 31 of those in ICU. 34,567 cases have been resolved.

Quebec continues to have the highest reported cases in the country with 58,897.

The Region of Durham reported 1,797 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The site also reports 1 current outbreak (Hospitals, LTCF's and Retirement Homes) at Reachview Village LTCF with 35 outbreaks having been "concluded." Currently, Clarington still sits at 102 total cases. (95 are resolved and 7 people have passed away. Hospitalized currently: "Zero")

In international news,
Spain slams UK, Germany for advising tourists to stay away. MADRID/LONDON/BERLIN (Reuters) - Spain reacted angrily on Tuesday to recommendations from Britain and Germany that their citizens avoid its islands and beaches because of an increase in coronavirus cases during what should be the height of the tourism season. With advisories piling up on top of a quarantine order from Britain for returning travellers, Spain, which depends on summer visits by sun-seeking northern Europeans, is facing a major blow to any hopes of reviving its economy. Tourism accounts for just over 12% of Spain’s GDP and nearly 13% of jobs. The country lost one million jobs between April and June, its biggest ever quarterly decline, and fears steeper losses as the summer season crashes. “It’s very unfair because it’s not based on any sanitary criteria,” Francina Armengol, the head of the key tourist Balearic region, told Cadena Ser radio of the travel advisories. Britain’s decision had no logical explanation, Armengol said, adding that the archipelago’s contagion rate was lower than that of the United Kingdom. The northern Spanish Aragon region said the no-travel advisories were “discriminatory”. Their comments chimed with those of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who on Monday said it was a mistake for Britain to have considered Spain’s overall coronavirus rate rather than having a granular, regional approach.

Catalan youngsters face hefty fines for 'botellon' drinking parties. Catalonia on Tuesday banned informal outdoor parties popular with youngsters, saying anyone taking part would be fined up to 15,000 euros ($17,598.00), in the latest step to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. The measure was announced a day after Catalan leader Quim Torra said those participating in the tradition of the “botellon,” whereby young people gather at night on the street or in parks to share drinks and party, were being irresponsible. Anyone ignoring the ban would be fined between 3,000 and 15,000 euros, Budo said, with municipalities in charge of monitoring and enforcement.

Kenya extends curfew for a month as COVID-19 cases jump. NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta extended a nightly curfew on Monday for 30 days to curb the spread of COVID-19 and banned alcohol sales in restaurants but stopped short of locking down the country again despite a surge in cases. The curfew had been due to be lifted on Aug. 6 or 7. Kenya has so far reported 17,975 cases of infection with the new coronavirus and 285 deaths from the related disease COVID-19. The health ministry said on Sunday it had reported 960 more cases, the biggest daily jump since the first case was confirmed in March.

Say what? Donald Trump Jr. in Twitter jail for sharing 'demon sperm' doctor's hydroxychloroquine video. The video contained disinformation from a Republican donor-backed group, and one doctor with bewildering views. After declaring a video in which a group of lab coat-wearing doctors spread extreme coronavirus disinformation a “must watch,” Donald Trump Jr. was suspended from Twitter for 12 hours. Among those front and centre in the clip is a Houston doctor who believes that demons have sex with humans as they dream, causing all manner of ailments. Ummmm....ok then.

In national news,
Health Canada authorizes first drug to treat patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms. They gave remdesivir (brand name Veklury) the green light, but there are conditions tied to the approval. It can only be used in people who are 12 and older with a body weight of at least 40 kg. Remdesivir is administred intravenously and can only be used in healthcare facilities where patients can be closely monitored. The manufacturer of the drug, Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc., will also have to submit to Health Canada the following:
1) post-market safety monitoring reports, as well as reports on all serious adverse drug reactions, annual pregnancy safety reports and any foreign regulatory actions related to the safety of remdesivir;
2) any further data on the safety and efficacy of the drug, including final data from ongoing clinical trials and additional safety data on patients with liver and kidney disease; and
3) further quality data confirming that the manufacturing processes and controls will consistently produce product of suitable quality for the intended use.
The drug has been granted emergency or conditional authorization in other countries including the U.S. Europe, Japan, Singapore and Australia.

Alberta is seeing an increase in cases, again. Alberta adds 80 COVID-19 cases, continuing care home reports 3 new deaths. Alberta reported 80 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday afternoon but active infections saw a small decrease. Active cases fell by 33 to 1,397 while hospitalizations remained at 88, with 16 people in ICUs. The province added one more COVID-19 death since Monday's update, but Edmonton's Good Samaritan Southgate Care Centre says three more people have died at the facility, increasing its death toll to 15. Active cases also increased at the continuing care home by three to 64.

Health Minister Patty Hajdu's multiple flights home during COVID-19 pandemic cost $73,000. The minister was the only person on board a seven-seater Cessna Citation C550 at a cost $1,400 per hour when she travelled four times over six weekends. It cost taxpayers just over $73,000 for Health Minister Patty Hajdu to travel from Ottawa to Thunder Bay, even as she advised against non-essential travel during the pandemic lockdown. “Transport Canada’s estimate of the total cost for the flights on which Minister Hajdu was on is $73,220,” spokesperson Simon Rivet said, according to Blacklock’s Reporter. The minister was the only person on board a seven-seater Cessna Citation C550 at a cost $1,400 per hour when she travelled four times over six weekends, including travel ban periods like Easter Weekend and the Victoria Day long weekend. At the time, her office said she had pressing constituency business in Thunder Bay though all public gatherings were banned. Remember we were told to "stay home"? The "rules"....apply only in certain circumstances and income brackets, apparently.

U.S military personnel stationed in St. John's accused of not isolating, as confusion swirls around exemption rules. The manager of a St. John's hotel says American military members have been leaving the hotel and telling staff they were given the OK to do so by the Canada Border Services Agency. Delta Hotel general manager Heather McKinnon said American service members have been leaving the premises, which is causing concerns about COVID-19 in the community as confusion grows over whether federal or provincial rules and exemptions should apply. People took to social media Monday night to say they had spotted the American members, who they said were not self-isolating. St. John's police said they had received a report about the Americans on Monday night; however, officers weren't able to locate them.

In Ontario,
Yesterday, Ontario recorded a decline in new COVID-19 cases for the fourth straight day. Health officials reported 111 new infections on Tuesday, bringing the provincial total to 38,910. Following a spike of 195 new cases being reported last Friday, Ontario saw 138 patients confirmed on Saturday, 137 on Sunday and 119 on Monday.

Pandemic porch pies! Trendy Toronto pizza joint is actually in this man's backyard. What started out as a way to make some money during the COVID-19 pandemic has quickly turned into a pizza making business for one Toronto family. Luke Pollard -- who regularly makes pizza for his friends and family -- told CTV's Your Morning that the enterprise started in March, when the novel coronavirus put a stop to his construction business, resulting in both he and his wife Brianna being out of work. Towards the end of March, Pollard said his wife asked him how big his pizzas were. An hour later, she told him that custom-made boxes were coming the next day and that they were going to sell pizzas from their backyard the following weekend, to make some extra cash.

'Not right now': Ford says province has no set criteria for rolling regions back to Stage 2. Ontario Premier Doug Ford sidestepped a question about rolling regions back to Stage 2 of the province’s reopening plan on Tuesday, responding “not right now” when asked if there was a set of specific criteria in place that would see Stage 3 cities further restricted amid an increase of COVID-19 cases. The premier made the comments when speaking with reporters following an announcement in Durham, Ont. “Right now we have to look at every single region,” Ford said. “We really rely on the advice from the healthcare table and they’re doing a good job so far.”
“I don’t think anything spiked too badly.” Health officials reported an additional 111 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday morning. The new infections come after a spike of 195 new cases were reported last Friday. Since then, the province has seen a steady decline in novel coronavirus patients, with 138 cases confirmed on Saturday, 137 on Sunday and 119 on Monday. Of the new 111 COVID-19 cases, 25 were reported in Ottawa, a region that moved to Stage 3 two weeks ago. At least one of four deaths were reported in the city. Twenty-two more cases were reported in Windsor-Essex, a region that has been experiencing outbreaks among migrant workers. The province is expected to announce whether the remaining three regions in Stage 2—Toronto, Peel and Windsor-Essex—can move to Stage 3 on Wednesday.

In local news,
The Premier was in town, yesterday. Premier Doug Ford spent yesterday in Durham visiting three local companies that stepped up to help out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ford began in Pickering, where he toured Yorkville Sound, a company that normally makes audio amplifiers and speakers. In response to the pandemic, they shifted to producing ventilators. In the afternoon, Ford went to visit Canada Rubber Group Inc. in Bowmanville, a company that retooled to produce face shields for front-line workers. He wrapped up by popping into All or Nothing Brewhouse and Distillery, an Oshawa brewery that switched to making hand sanitizer in the early days of the pandemic.

Sports, Sports, Sports,
Jays won last night (5-1) and the bullpen looked solid. The red night sky in Washington was stunning. Roark was solid in the starter spot. Nate Pearson takes the mound tonight for his rookie debut with the Jays at 6:05 p.m. The game will be carried by Sportsnet.

In pre-season action, the Leafs beat the Habs (4-2), as Muzzin absolutely crushed Belzile in a "rock 'em, sock 'em" worthy hit. See it here. The camera work during the game was "odd" and a few times, I almost felt dizzy with some of the angles during the action. Maybe a measure to avoid camera pans of empty seats?

Musing,
It's raining today. Not one of those roll through, brief thunder storms, its actually "raining." I literally cannot remember the last day it rained here. Hope it lets up later..it's National Chicken Wing Day and it would be rude to not find a patio and eat a pound, or two.

Watching sports is a nice escape from the reality of what we are currently living. That said, the pre-game COVID-19 productions are pretty heavy and at this point, we all get it. COVID-19 sucks and things are not normal right now. Please, stop reminding us.

Which reminds me, whatever happened to Mike (his highness) Babcock? My spider sense tells me he is lying low to avoid any controversy from his past coaching days. Mike had some "different" ways....

We planted early and have started to harvest some of our vegetables. It is so satisfying to grow and eat your own vegetables. They just taste "better".

From National Geographic, WHAT’S THE SAFEST WAY TO MOVE ABOUT NOW? It’s not ideal to travel during a pandemic. But, if you’ve really got to go somewhere now, there are ways to decrease your risks while taking a trip.
1) The best seat on a plane? A window seat as far from the restroom as possible (the harder part is keeping six feet from others in airport lines).
2) Hotel tips? Confirm your hotel’s cleaning protocols in advance, avoid packed elevators, crowded reception areas, and give high-touch surfaces a wipedown when you arrive.
3) At restaurants, avoid peak times, eat on a patio six feet from other diners, don’t linger, and tip well (the last bit is kindness advice, not health advice).
And remember, that you should quarantine for two weeks on each side of a trip to limit exposing others to pathogens.

"The measure of a man is what he does with power." (PLATO)

"To infinity and beyond!" On this day in history, NASA is created.
The U.S. Congress passes legislation establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a civilian agency responsible for coordinating America’s activities in space, on July 29, 1958. NASA has since sponsored space expeditions, both human and mechanical, that have yielded vital information about the solar system and universe. It has also launched numerous earth-orbiting satellites that have been instrumental in everything from weather forecasting to navigation to global communications.

In 1981, Prince Charles married Lady Diana.
Nearly one billion television viewers in 74 countries tune in to witness the marriage of Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, to Lady Diana Spencer, a young English schoolteacher. Married in a grand ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral in the presence of 2,650 guests, the couple’s romance was for the moment the envy of the world. Their first child, Prince William, was born in 1982, and their second, Prince Harry, in 1984. My goodness she was such a graceful woman in spite of the circumstances of the marriage. May she RIP.

Today is – NATIONAL LIPSTICK DAY – NATIONAL CHICKEN WING DAY – NATIONAL LASAGNA DAY
Bank of Canada unclaimed balances portal
supportontariomade.ca
Here is how to clean your non-medical mask.
Clarington Tourism Businesses and Attractions Directory can be found here.
CERB abuse reporting https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/bscs/l3adz/internet/initial.do?target=login&lang=en&program=qa">can be done here.
To book a COVID-19 test in Durham Region, click here.
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.

Lygenztia *536 (Yahoo's, yahoo's everywhere!!!!............) Tuesday July 28, 2020

Worldwide stats provided by worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 16,670,538. (Deaths: 657,222 and Recovered: 10,261,544) 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 6:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday July 28, 2020:
From Global News, Canada reported 114,554 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 38,799 total confirmed cases and 2,764 total deaths. Currently, there are 82 people are in hospital with 30 of those in ICU. 34,461 cases have been resolved.

Quebec continues to have the highest reported cases in the country with 58,728.

The Region of Durham reported 1,796 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The site also reports 1 current outbreak (Hospitals, LTCF's and Retirement Homes) with 34 outbreaks having been "concluded." Currently, Clarington still sits at 102 total cases. (95 are resolved and 7 people have passed away. Hospitalized currently: "Zero")

In international news,
Facebook, Google/YouTube, Twitter Censor Viral Video of Doctors’ Capitol Hill Coronavirus Press Conference. Breitbart is causing quite a stir in the media industry. Facebook has removed a video posted by Breitbart News earlier today, which was the top-performing Facebook post in the world Monday afternoon, of a press conference in D.C. held by the group America’s Frontline Doctors and organized and sponsored by the Tea Party Patriots. The press conference featured Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) and frontline doctors sharing their views and opinions on coronavirus and the medical response to the pandemic. (You can watch the press conference by clicking here.) YouTube (which is owned by Google) and Twitter subsequently removed footage of the press conference as well. The video accumulated over 17 million views during the eight hours it was hosted on Facebook, with over 185,000 concurrent viewers. The event, hosted by the organization America’s Frontline Doctors, a group founded by Dr. Simone Gold, a board-certified physician and attorney, and made up of medical doctors, came together to address what the group calls a “massive disinformation campaign” about the coronavirus. Norman also spoke at the event. “If Americans continue to let so-called experts and media personalities make their decisions, the great American experiment of a Constitutional Republic with Representative Democracy, will cease,” reads the event’s information page.

From Germany, Mandatory airport tests for at-risk German returnees. Germany's health minister has announced plans to make tests mandatory for people returning from at-risk areas. (The initial plan was to provide the tests free, but on a voluntary basis.)

From Taiwan, China destroyed coronavirus 'crime scene' in Wuhan: Hong Kong expert. Microbiologist who investigated Wuhan outbreak accuses China of covering up early evidence.University of Hong Kong microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung (袁國勇) has accused Beijing of covering up the scale of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan by destroying physical evidence in early January. In a BBC special titled "Panorama: China's Coronavirus Cover-Up," which aired Monday (July 27), Yuen and several other health experts from around the world shared their knowledge of the deadly outbreak. As one of the leading doctors to investigate coronavirus cases in Wuhan in the early days of the outbreak, Yuen said he believes Chinese officials intentionally delayed responding to clinical findings in order to downplay the seriousness of the situation. He said he had informed the authorities about human-to-human transmission on Jan. 12 after receiving patients in Shenzhen, about 700 miles from Wuhan, but that his warning was not relayed until Jan. 20. Yuen pointed out that the Huanan seafood market, where the coronavirus was believed to have originated, had already been cleaned by the time he and other Chinese experts, including renowned pulmonologist Zhong Nanshan (鍾南山), visited Wuhan on Jan. 17. He compared the aggressive clean-up to a "crime scene" being "disturbed" and said he and his colleagues were unable to identify any animal host of the virus because there was "nothing to see."

In national news,
Out-of-province plates? Take the bus if feeling harassed, B.C. premier advises. British Columbia Premier John Horgan says drivers who have out-of-province licence plates on their vehicles should consider taking public transit or riding a bicycle if they're feeling harassed by people. Horgan also suggested on Monday that drivers change to B.C. plates to avoid trouble from residents who are concerned about the spread of COVID-19. "I would suggest, perhaps, public transit," he said at a news conference. "I would suggest that they get their plates changed. I would suggest they ride a bike." (Not exactly oozing with empathy, is he?) Horgan said he can't tell people how to respond when seeing a different licence plates but judging people by where their vehicle is registered does not often tell a complete story of their circumstances. "We don't know why they would continue to have plates that are not consistent with B.C. and we should act accordingly," he said.

Closed border eh? 1,000 to 5,000 Americans cross into Ontario. Every day. "Essential" Ashleigh Tuite, an epidemiologist at the University of Toronto, estimates that the number of people crossing into Ontario from the United States is currently between 1,000 and 5,000 per day. The border is currently closed to non-essential travellers but there are some exceptions for travel that's deemed essential.

Want to live in Barbados? Barbados offers work visa program to encourage Canadians to work from home, from Barbados. Island nation launches one-year working visa giving foreigners right to live, work in Barbados during pandemic. The government of a Caribbean island has a tantalizing suggestion for quarantine-weary Canadians: Working from home is a lot more palatable when you're doing it remotely from a tropical paradise. The Island nation of Barbados has launched something it's calling a Barbados Welcome Stamp, a one-year working visa that gives foreigners the right to live and work in Barbados while they ride out the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting now, applicants can send in their personal information at a portal website. The application will be processed within 72 hours, at which point they may be approved to come live and work in Barbados. There's a non-refundable fee of $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for families, but once that's paid, a successful applicant is all set.

In Ontario,
Ford blasts 'yahoos' who held huge party in Brampton. Ontario’s premier has slammed more than 200 "reckless and careless" people who attended a massive party in Brampton, Ont., saying the full extent of the law needs to be thrown at these "yahoos." Peel Regional Police say they were called to a home in the area of Countryside Drive and Goreway Road on Saturday night for a report that a house party was taking place inside, with parked cars all over the yard and the surrounding area. Officials said the homeowner or party organizer hired security to park cars and also erected barriers above the home's backyard fence so people could not see inside.

Photos of crammed Toronto beach spark more overcrowding concerns. (Yahoos?) Video and photos have emerged on social media of a popular Toronto island beach packed with party-goers this past weekend despite calls from health officials urging people to keep physical distance even when outdoors. The photos and video posted onto Twitter show what appears to be hundreds of people on Hanlan's Point Beach not wearing masks and not keeping physical distance. “We had quite a discussion about [this issue] at our sort of emergency command table,” Mayor John Tory told reporters at a news conference on Monday. “We are on top of it. We are going to use the marine unit and other resources at our disposal to better address some of these crowd scenes on the beaches.”

In local news,
Hockey soon to exit the penalty box in Clarington. Sports questions answered for those ready to play despite the pandemic. So, when can hockey start? (or not) From George Acorn, “In Stage 2 there was the ability to offer up recreation facilities for training and skill development… We met with our minor ice users yesterday (July 13), our local MPP (member of provincial parliament), the mayor, myself and some skill development businesses that provide services in Clarington. We advised that our staff was putting together a game plan for ice to be in place, probably in South Courtice Arena in mid-August. The hockey organizations would encourage their players (that as of yesterday morning were not allowed on the ice in any organized fashion other than for skilled development) to take the ice with that program. However… with announcement of Stage 3 there has been restrictions lifted when it comes to arenas… There’s a lot of moving parts to that announcement and the regulations. Our staff are working through what is actually in the regulations and what we can do. We’re obviously going to have to put together a subsequent plan moving forward. At this point it’s probably something that could be allowable in Stage 3 (the shinny hockey drop-in) but at this time I couldn’t guarantee when that’s going to happen."

Sports, Sports, Sports,
Jays beat Washington last night. Blue Jays’ Nate Pearson is set to make his big-league debut Wednesday vs. Nationals. Grichuk (CF) and Giles (closer) are both on the DL. Sportsnet is carrying tonight's match up.

In NHL pre-season action, the Leafs take on the Habs in Montreal at 8:00 tonight. (SN1 is carrying the game) The NHL announced zero positive COVID-19 tests in final week of Phase 3 camp. "Regular" season games begin on saturday at 12:00.

Musing,
How come whenever the media interviews Patrick Brown (Mayor of Brampton) he always looks like he just woke up?

The media is increasingly becoming controlled by YouTube and Facebook. This is not good for democracy, or an open society. It's all part of the grand scheme to open the company store for the world.

Remember all the meat processing plant closures from outbreaks? Thank goodness that trend has discontinued; for now.

"Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: it snatches away each day as it comes, and denies us the present by promising the future." (SENECA)

On this day in history in 1868, 14th Amendment adopted in the U.S.A.
Following its ratification by the necessary three-quarters of U.S. states, the 14th Amendment, granting citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States—including formerly enslaved people—is officially adopted into the U.S. Constitution. Secretary of State William Seward issues a proclamation certifying the amendment.

On July 28, 1978, National Lampoon’s Animal House, a movie spoof about 1960s college fraternities starring John Belushi, opens in U.S. theaters. Produced with an estimated budget of $3 million, Animal House became a huge, multi-million-dollar box-office hit, spawned a slew of cinematic imitations and became part of pop-culture history with such memorable lines as “Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son.”

Want to learn more about Buffalo Soldiers on this National Buffalo Soldiers Day? Click here.

Today is – NATIONAL MILK CHOCOLATE DAY – BUFFALO SOLDIERS DAY – NATIONAL WATERPARK DAY
Bank of Canada unclaimed balances portal
supportontariomade.ca
Here is how to clean your non-medical mask.
Clarington Tourism Businesses and Attractions Directory can be found here.
CERB abuse reporting https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/bscs/l3adz/internet/initial.do?target=login&lang=en&program=qa">can be done here.
To book a COVID-19 test in Durham Region, click here.
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.

Lygenztia *535 (Is a vaccine really closer, and do you want it?.................) Monday July 27, 2020

Worldwide stats provided by worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 16,550,954. (Deaths: 654,916 and Recovered: 10,145,773) 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 4:00 p.m. ET on Monday July 27, 2020:
From Global News, Canada reported 114,159 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 38,799 total confirmed cases and 2,764 total deaths. Currently, there are 82 people are in hospital with 30 of those in ICU. 34,461 cases have been resolved.

Quebec continues to have the highest reported cases in the country with 58,728.

The Region of Durham reported 1,796 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The site also reports 1 current outbreak (Hospitals, LTCF's and Retirement Homes) with 34 outbreaks having been "concluded." Currently, Clarington still sits at 102 total cases. (95 are resolved and 7 people have passed away. Hospitalized currently: "Zero")

Here is an interesting stat, on a PER CAPITA basis:
Bowmanville South "Cases per 100,000 = 113.0"
Bowmanville Central "Cases per 100,000 = 100.5"
Bowmanville North "Cases per 100,000 = 46.8"
The chart can be found here.

So, is the population density lower in "North Bowmanville"? I don't know but with all the houses that have went up...I have to wonder...plus the stat is on a PER CAPITA basis, so technicaly should that matter?

In international news,
Experimental coronavirus vaccine put to final test in thousands of U.S. volunteers. The world's biggest COVID-19 vaccine study got underway Monday with the first of 30,000 planned volunteers helping to test shots created by the U.S. government -- one of several candidates in the final stretch of the global vaccine race. There's still no guarantee that the experimental vaccine, developed by the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc., will really protect. The needed proof: Volunteers won't know if they're getting the real shot or a dummy version. After two doses, scientists will closely track which group experiences more infections as they go about their daily routines, especially in areas where the virus still is spreading unchecked.

In national news,
This is crazy.......new models show how many COVID-19 cases could come into Ontario if border reopens. As the United States continues to grapple with controlling the spread of COVID-19, new modelling shows how many infected people may arrive at the Canada-U.S. border in Ontario each day. Ashleigh Tuite, an epidemiologist at the University of Toronto, analyzed data that shows how many infected people could cross the border into Ontario daily, depending on the varying number of travellers and the current rate of infection per capita in the United States. Tuite estimates that the number of people crossing into Ontario from the United States is currently between 1,000 and 5,000 per day. The border is currently closed to non-essential travellers but there are some exceptions for travel that's deemed essential. On Sunday, the United States recorded nearly 65,000 new COVID-19 cases. According to Tuite's modelling, if 1,000 people crossed the border yesterday that means statistically between one and two people who entered Ontario would be infected with COVID-19. If the border was open and 25,000 people crossed into Ontario, that number would rise to anywhere between 30 and 44 cases per day based on the current rate of infection in the United States. "It's a simple mathematical model," Tuite said. "Based on what we know right now in terms of the epidemiology, probabilistically we can try and quantify the number of people that we'd expect to see with COVID-19." Tuite said the models shouldn’t be considered completely accurate, but they may help provide an estimate of what the province could expect if border conditions are eased.

And, on that note, because we are nice...Canada provides exception for U.S. students planning to study north of border. The federal government appears to have relaxed restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border that would have made it impossible for first-year university students from the United States to enter the country. An update to the government's guidance for international students, quietly posted Friday, now says students coming from the U.S. may no longer need a study permit that was issued on or before March 18 - the day the border restrictions were first announced. That requirement had the parents of many U.S. freshmen complaining that it would have been impossible for their children to get into the country to begin their studies. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada now says border officers will accept a “port of entry letter of introduction” that shows the student was approved for a study permit, in lieu of a permit approved before March 18.

In Ontario,
Today, Ontario sees another dip in number of new COVID-19 cases. Ontario has recorded another dip in the number of new COVID-19 cases. Provincial health officials logged 119 new infections of the novel coronavirus on Monday, marking the third day in a row that Ontario’s daily case count has been below 150. Following a spike of 195 new cases being reported on Friday, Ontario saw 138 more patients confirmed on Saturday and 137 on Sunday. Over the past 10 days, the province has seen the daily case count range between 103 and 203. The total case count in Ontario is now 38,799. Of the new patients confirmed on Monday, 64 per cent are under the age of 40. When asked for any possible reason beside this steady statistic, Ontario’s Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Barbara Yaffe said on Monday afternoon that it is largely due to private gatherings.

Working from home in Ontario will be recommended for the 'foreseeable future'. As most of Ontario enters the final stage of the government's reopening plan, many employees are wondering how long they will continue to work from home. Thousands of people across the province moved out of the office in March when COVID-19 cases began climbing, but more than four months later people are still working in their makeshift offices. As part of Stage 3 guidelines, which most of Ontario has now entered, people are still "strongly encouraged" to work remotely when possible. Health Minister Christine Elliott said earlier this month that Ontario will remain in Stage 3 until there is a vaccine or treatment for COVID-19. So does that mean people should work from home until then? The Ministry of Finance, which has played a big part in creating the province’s reopening plan, told CTV News Toronto that Ontario will remain in Stage 3 for the "foreseeable future" and "believes the advice won't change" on working from home. "The advice to work from home or remotely as much as possible still stands," the ministry said.




In local news,
Well, we entered Stage 3 last Friday. The sky didn't fall. Other than that, not much. Kids can be kids again — but carefully — after all municipal playgrounds in Clarington reopened on Friday, July 24. “Kids are welcomed to go back to them,” Clarington's Acting Director of Operations Stephen Brake said in a virtual question and answer session on Tuesday, July 14. Clarington is not sanitizing the playground equipment. Families are asked to bring their own hand sanitizer, and to make sure children use it before and after touching the equipment. Currently, there is no limit on how many children can play on the equipment at one time. If the playground is busy, families are asked to wait until there are fewer children present or encourage kids to take turns.

Sports, Sports, Sports,
Watched the Jays opener and then listened in yesterday (Sunday) on the radio. I love listening to baseball, rather than watching it. Best enjoy it while it lasts, because if they make it to 60 games I will be amazed. MLB has been bitten already.....the (Florida) Marlins have postponed their opener against Baltimore as 14 cases are reported to have popped up among the team.

NHL players, staff arrive in Edmonton, Toronto ahead of league's summer restart....but for how long? Face wash an opponent in a scrum and "poof", the spread can happen. In the heat of the moment, many of the "rules" will be forgotten, or muscle memory will kick in.

Musing,
Insecurity makes for an expert, as confidence makes for someone that seeks knowledge. (me)

I live for the words "Try something new, especially if it scares you." (Except when it comes to zip-lining!)

On this day in history, in 1921 Frederick Banting and Charles Best isolate insulin at the University of Toronto. (We could sure use them now.)

"The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions." (CONFUCIUS)

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, or the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Today is – NATIONAL CREME BRULEE DAY, NATIONAL NEW JERSEY DAY, NATIONAL SCOTCH DAY, NATIONAL LOVE IS KIND DAY
Bank of Canada unclaimed balances portal
supportontariomade.ca
Here is how to clean your non-medical mask.
Clarington Tourism Businesses and Attractions Directory can be found here.
CERB abuse reporting https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/bscs/l3adz/internet/initial.do?target=login&lang=en&program=qa">can be done here.
To book a COVID-19 test in Durham Region, click here.
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.

Lygenztia *534 (OK, BLUE JAYS..LETS - PLAY - BAAALLL.......) Friday July 24, 2020

Worldwide stats provided by worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 15,684,191. (Deaths: 637,221 and Recovered: 9,568,752) 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 6:00 a.m. ET on Friday July 24, 2020:
From Global News, Canada reported 112,638 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 38,210 (up 103) total confirmed cases and 2,755 total deaths. Currently, there are 154 people are in hospital with 35 of those in ICU. 33,963 cases have been resolved.

Quebec continues to have the highest reported cases in the country with 58,080. (up 142, again? Same as yesterday?) Quebec is odd, it is not unusual for the exact same increase in cases reported on consecutive days. Odd....hmmmm. Is somebody tinkering with the numbers, maybe??

The Region of Durham reported 1,791 (up 3) confirmed cases of COVID-19. The site also reports 1 current outbreak (Hospitals, LTCF's and Retirement Homes) with 34 outbreaks having been "concluded." Currently, Clarington still sits at 102 total cases. (94 are resolved, 1 person is currently in isolation and 7 people have passed away. Hospitalized currently: "Zero")

In international news,
Yes, the U.S., Mexico and Brazil are still effed.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has cancelled the bulk of the Republican National Convention scheduled for Florida next month, as the state reported a record single-day death toll. The announcement also comes as U.S. coronavirus cases topped four million, with more than 2,600 new cases every hour on average, the highest rate in the world, according to a Reuters tally. Trump cited a "flare-up" of the coronavirus in announcing the cancellation of the plans in Florida.

In national news,
From the "Sorta COVID-19" file.....what will come of the WE scandal, the corruption and the lies? Other than a strong rebuke from the Ethics Commissioner; nuttin....and a majority for Justin. Because, Canadians are just that stupid.

In Ontario,
Queens Park is shut down. No big deal, not much happening anyway. Anybody heard any news on schools????

In local news,
Durham Region News put together this timeline and it's worth saving:

Feb. 29
Two Ajax residents became the first confirmed cases of coronavirus in Durham. The case was linked to recent travel to Iran, and residents were warned to take normal precautions against illness, but health officials deemed the overall risk as low.

March 12
Durham Health Department fields record calls from concerned citizens inquiring about the virus. Positive cases remain at two.

March 13
The province of Ontario announces a mandatory extended March Break for schools across Ontario in an effort to curb any travel-related coronavirus cases following the popular travel window.

March 16
An outbreak is declared at Oshawa’s Hillsdale Terraces long-term care home with four residents testing positive for the virus. The outbreak is declared resolved on May 9. In total, the outbreak resulted in 56 positive cases, and 14 deaths.

March 17
The province of Ontario declared a State of Emergency, with all indoor recreation programs, public libraries, theatres, cinemas and daycares ordered to close and a prohibition put in place on gatherings of more than 50. Restaurants and bars were permitted to remain open for takeout only.

March 19
Front-line worker Keith Saunders, an employee at the Real Canadian Superstore on Gibb Street in Oshawa, tests positive and is hospitalized for Covid-19. On March 25 he dies from the disease.

March 23
Durham Region confirms its first death from COVID-19 after a 92-year-old female resident of Oshawa’s Hillsdale Terraces long term care home dies from the virus.

March 24
The provincial state of emergency was extended to include the mandated closure of all non-essential businesses.

March 28
Gathering limits set by the provincial government were reduced to a restriction of no more than 5 people.

March 30
Mandated closures are extended to included all outdoor amenities including parks and playgrounds.

March 31
An outbreak is declared at Orchard Villa Long-term Care Home in Pickering. The outbreak, which became the worst in the region, was declared resolved on June 11 after the facility saw a total of 308 positive cases and 71 deaths. In addition, the affiliated Orchard Villa Retirement Home was declared in outbreak status on April 13, and saw 39 positive cases and 7 deaths before it was declared resolved on June 11.

April 1
Lakeridge Health Oshawa declares a COVID-19 outbreak. The hospital would enter outbreak status twice throughout April and May, with a total of 12 positive cases and seven deaths from the virus.

April 12
Orchard Villa records its deadliest day in the ongoing outbreak with 21 deaths in a single day.

April 15
Uxbridge’s Reachview Village Long-term Care Home enters outbreak status. Resolved on July 9, the outbreak saw a total of 87 positive cases and 17 deaths.

April 21
Durham Region’s medical officer of health issues an order under the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act required Orchard Villa to immediately address the risk of COVID-19 to residents and staff. Lakeridge Health is called in to assist and takes over leadership of the outbreak the following day.

April 23
Lakeridge health Ajax-Pickering declares its first COVID-19 outbreak. The facility entered outbreak status twice throughout the period of April to June, with 23 confirmed cases and two deaths from the virus.

April 28
Two medical teams from the Canadian Armed Forces arrive at Orchard Villa to support Lakeridge Health in containing the outbreak. Between 20 and 25 members of the military are on site each day.

May 1
Uxbridge Cottage Hospital enters outbreak status after patients test positive for covid-19. Declared resolved on May 17, the outbreak saw four positive cases and one death.

May 16
The province enters stage one of its phased reopening, with private parks, campgrounds, golf courses and more allowed to open with restrictions. In addition, businesses with street-facing entrances are permitted to resume services with social distancing restrictions in place.

May 19
Parents are informed that the remainder of the school year is cancelled in Ontario.

May 25
The family of a woman who died in the Orchard Villa outbreak files a class-action lawsuit against the company operating the facility. The suit claims negligence, breach of contract and wrongful death and is filed on behalf of all residents and family members of residents at the long-term care home.

May 26
The Canadian Armed Forces releases a scathing report detailing allegations of appalling conditions at Orchard Villa and four other long-term care homes.

May 27
The provincial government announces it is taking over management of Orchard Villa and four other retirement homes in Ontario. Inspection teams are sent to the homes and remain on site for two weeks conducting interviews.

June 11
The deadly outbreak at Orchard Villa Long-term Care Home in Pickering is officially declared over.

June 12
The Ford government declares child-care centres across the province eligible to re-open with new COVID-19 restrictions in place.

June 19
The province allows Durham Region to proceed to stage 2 of the phased reopening, with patios and hair salons among the new businesses allowed to resume services.

July 8
The province of Ontario asks school boards to prepare for three possible scenarios for September: a return to a normal school schedule with enhanced safety protocols; a hybrid of in-class and distance learning that sees students attend school on alternating days or weeks with no more than 15 students per classroom; and full-time distance learning.

July 10
Masks become mandatory in all indoor spaces in Durham Region.

Clarington is asking you to keep our beaches safe and clean this summer. As more and more people begin using public beaches across Clarington, the municipality is asking you to do your part in keeping things safe and clean. In response to concerns raised by local families, a few additional rules have been created and the municipality is posting signs along the beach. The signs will let people know about parking restrictions, beach etiquette and more. You’re reminded that parking is currently restricted around the beach areas, in order to ensure local roads are passable and easily accessible for emergency services. More signs will be set up to reinforce and outline beach rules. Remember, there are no dogs, alcohol, smoking, campfires, cooking or barbecues allowed on Clarington beaches. You’re also not allowed to camp on the beach. Don’t litter while at the beach and use the public portable washrooms if you need to. Municipal enforcement officers will be patrolling beach areas to ensure that everyone is being respectful and following the rules.

Oh, and I love the following remark from our Mayor. Why? Because it ain't our residents creating this problem.......because this problem has never happened before.

“We want to encourage our residents to enjoy our waterfront and beach area,” said Mayor Adrian Foster. “But we have a collective responsibility to keep the area safe and clean for everyone. These are simple rules that will assist in maintaining this pristine and beautiful space.”

Sports, Sports, Sports,
Jays his the field tonight in Tampa. GO JAYS! The Jays still don't have a home nest, however. Shapiro must be pulling out his own hair. No, wait......(it's been done, already)

Musing,
Been a busy week, T.G.I.F. (Stop laughing, Goober)

On July 24, 1911 the Macchu Picchu ruins were discovered by an American archeologist. American archeologist Hiram Bingham gets his first look at the ruins of Machu Picchu, an ancient Inca settlement in Peru that is now one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Tucked away in the rocky countryside northwest of Cuzco, Machu Picchu is believed to have been a summer retreat for Inca leaders, whose civilization was virtually wiped out by Spanish invaders in the 16th century. For hundreds of years afterwards, its existence was a secret known only to the peasants living in the region. That all changed in the summer of 1911, when Bingham arrived with a small team of explorers to search for the famous “lost” cities of the Incas.

"Be wary of authorities who befriend a person for their own purposes. They appear loving when it is beneficial to them, but do not stand by the other person in his time of distress." (Rabban Gamliel, Avot 2:3).

Today is – NATIONAL AMELIA EARHART DAY - NATIONAL COUSINS DAY - NATIONAL TEQUILA DAY - NATIONAL THERMAL ENGINEER DAY
Bank of Canada unclaimed balances portal
supportontariomade.ca
Here is how to clean your non-medical mask.
Clarington Tourism Businesses and Attractions Directory can be found here.
CERB abuse reporting https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/bscs/l3adz/internet/initial.do?target=login&lang=en&program=qa">can be done here.
To book a COVID-19 test in Durham Region, click here.
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.