Worldwide stats provided by worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 13,267,250. (Deaths: 576,316 and Recovered: 7,733,004) 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 6:28 a.m. ET on Tuesday July 14, 2020:
From Global News, Canada reported 107,843 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
As of 10:00 a.m. (when Ontario updates its daily stats) the official Province of Ontario website is reporting 36,950 total confirmed cases and 2,723 total deaths. Currently, there are 137 people are in hospital with 30 of those in ICU. 32,785 cases have been resolved. Ontario health officials are reporting that the vast majority of the province’s new cases of COVID-19 involve people under the age of 60. Officials confirmed an additional 111 new infections on Tuesday, and reported that 96 of those cases were people younger than 60 years older. The province also reported that the new number of cases did not include anyone over the age of 80. Fifteen of the new cases were people between the ages of 60 and 79.
Quebec continues to have the highest reported cases in the country with 56,621. (100 new)
The Region of Durham reported 1,753 (3 new) confirmed cases of COVID-19. The site also reports 1 current outbreaks at Hospitals, LTCF's and Retirement Homes with 34 outbreaks having been "concluded." Currently, Clarington sits at 102 total cases. (91 are resolved, 4 people are currently in isolation and 7 people have passed away. Hospitalized currently: "Zero")
In international news,
If you want to see a quick snapshot of what life is like in the U.S.A. right now, do this. Go to Fox News, check out the headlines. Then, go to CNN and check out the headlines. The lead stories, the context of reporting are so vastly disparate, it's hard to believe they are both reporting on the same country.
Meanwhile, Coronavirus cases soar by more than 1 million over 5 days in the U.S.A.
In Belgium, authorities are using a traffic light system to regulate travel. Travel agencies and airlines are dealing with a lot of insecurity as destinations can get a different colour in Belgium’s traffic light system every day, but what happens when your trip is cancelled? Tour operator TUI announced that it cancelled its trips to so-called “red zones,” which allowed travellers to get a refund. For orange zones, however, refunds are not possible. The measures and recommendations for people going to and returning from orange zones have relaxed so many times since the traffic light system has been announced, according to TUI spokesperson Piet Demeyere, that changes are no longer necessary. “Quarantine upon return is no longer even recommended since this morning,” he told The Brussels Times. “We do not really see the big difference with green anymore, to be honest, so we are not going to make any changes to our policy for orange zones either,” Demeyere said. “For returning from orange zones, it is now recommended to consult your doctor if you show symptoms. That is what you should be doing anyway if you show symptoms, no matter which colour the area you return from has.”
In national news,
As things begin to settle down in Canada, this is who's hiring. A look at the Canadian job market. Statistics Canada reported July 10 that more than 950,000 jobs were added in the country in June. While only a small fraction of the three million or so positions that were lost as lockdowns were imposed in March and April, the number represents a record increase as those measures are lifted. "There's a lot of places that are still hiring amidst all the doom and gloom that we've been experiencing over the past few months," says Carolyn Levy, president of the technologies division of staffing. Breaking down the numbers by industry yields clues into where the first wave of rebound hiring is taking place. More than 20 per cent of the added jobs were classified as wholesale and retail trade – with 16 per cent in accommodation and food services, 12 per cent in health care and social assistance, and eight per cent apiece in construction and manufacturing. Here is the most recent Daily Labour Force report released by Stats Canada.
Some Canadians think the pandemic benefit programs need to be scaled back now. A new Leger poll shows 78 per cent of respondents are worried about the deficit growing. Last week the federal government estimated a $343-billion deficit. On Monday, the Liberals said the federal wage subsidy program for businesses will be extended to the end of the year. Forty-one per cent think the payments all need to be scaled back, but 44 per cent believe the payments should continue. The other 15 per cent are unsure.
Talks to extend Canada-U.S. border closure 'ongoing,' Trudeau says after call with Trump. With just one week to go until the current Canada-U.S. border closure agreement expires, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says border discussions with the U.S. are "ongoing," adding that he expects to have more to say later in the week. This comes as Trudeau spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday morning, though the border was not among the range of topics the prime minister said the two world leaders discussed — despite the looming July 21 deadline. "Every month we have been able to extend the border closures to all but essential goods and services and those discussions are ongoing with the United States right now as we are a week from the next deadline for closures," Trudeau said.
Canadian trials have just begun for a prospective COVID-19 vaccine but its Quebec-based manufacturer is already downplaying its potential impact.
Dr. Bruce Clark, president and CEO of the biopharmaceutical company Medicago, cautions observers against holding unrealistic expectations that his product - or any of the numerous vaccines in development globally - will bring the pandemic to a screeching halt. “Whatever vaccine we get in this first round - unless it's a miracle - it's not going to be perfect,” says Clark, whose company began trials for its proposed vaccine Monday in Quebec City. “It's going to have to undergo development, it's going to take probably years to come up with an understanding of the right vaccine, the right approach. It's not the panacea. “To assume that we can have, in 18 months, the solution to a pandemic that comes around once in a generation, is naive.” So much is still unknown about COVID-19, notes Clark, including how it may manifest during the flu season later this year.
Quebec makes masks mandatory in indoor public spaces, effective July 18. Dr. Karl Weiss, a microbiologist and the head of infectious diseases at Montreal's Jewish General Hospital, said wearing a mask is a temporary measure that has to become as much of a habit as stopping for a red light. "It's not a debate. It's something that everyone has to use," said Weiss. "It has to be apolitical. "The day we have an effective vaccine, the mask will disappear."
In Ontario,
A union representing Ontario health-care workers says it will announce “political action” this morning in response to the province potentially extending its emergency powers. The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions, a division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, will be making the announcement at Hamilton General Hospital. A spokeswoman for the union confirms that 98 per cent of its membership voted in favour of some form of political action over the weekend. The Progressive Conservative government introduced a bill last week that would allow it to keep some emergency measures in place in the months ahead. Health-care workers, including nurses, say the orders suspend their collective bargaining agreement with the province. Union president Michael Hurley says while that was acceptable in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's now a detriment to health-care workers. Hurley says a suspended agreement means hospital staff may have their shifts changed, be moved from site to site, or have vacation requests denied.
In local news,
Durham Region will not move into Stage 3 on Friday. 24 Regions will, though. We will get there soon enough. I don't think the Durham Region numbers warrant us remaining in Stage 2, but our proximity to Toronto is definitely a strike against us. (Stage 3 means indoor dining in restaurants, gyms, and cinemas can open.)
The Region of Durham says donation bins, operated and collected in partnership with Diabetes Canada and Salvation Army, have now reopened for donations at their waste management facilities. Donation bins were temporarily removed due to COVID-19. As restrictions slowly begin to be lifted, some organizations are reopening donation bins to the public. Only clothing, textiles and small household unbreakable items should be placed in the bins. Click here for more details.
Sports, Sports, Sports,
In 10 short days, the Jays vs. the Rays! (You see what I did there?)
Musing,
Hypocrisy is insecurity, which is disguised with hubris.
Every time I visit a patio, I end up feeling for the plight of the servers. My God, some people are stupid. If you don't like the rules, or being on a patio; then stay home. Stop complaining to the servers, who are only trying to explain the rules, which they did not make.
"Everyone right now is longing for something different, something better. In the midst of all of the grief and rage and pain, there's a hopefulness. There is a longing for who we can be together." (Alicia Garza)
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." (SENECA)
On this day in history in 1968, Atlanta Braves slugger Henry “Hank” Aaron hits the 500th home run of his career in a 4-2 win over the San Francisco Giants. Henry Aaron was born February 5, 1934, in Mobile, Alabama. The third of eight children, Aaron was a star football player, third baseman and outfielder in high school, and signed with the Negro League’s Mobile Black Bears while still a teenager. He joined the Indianapolis Clowns in 1952 at age 18 and helped them win the Negro League World Series. The next year, his contract was sold to the Milwaukee Braves of the National League. On April 13, 1954, Aaron became the last former Negro League player to make his debut in the major leagues.
Today is – NATIONAL NUDE DAY – NATIONAL MAC AND CHEESE DAY – NATIONAL TAPE MEASURE DAY – NATIONAL GRAND MARNIER 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.
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