Lygenztia *649 (Happy St. Patrick's Day and don't forget Bacchanalia...) Wednesday March 17, 2021

Worldwide stats provided by Worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 121,357,373. (Deaths: 2,684,023 and Recovered: 97,848,107)
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 March 17, 2021:
Health Canada reported 915,868 confirmed cases of COVID-19, to date. 31,517 cases are active, there have been 22,519 deaths and 861,832 people have recovered.

The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 320,448 total confirmed cases and 7,173 total deaths. 12,506 are active. Currently, there are 761 people are in hospital with 292 of those cases currently in ICU. 300,769 cases have been resolved. The Ontario government has previously said that when the number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU exceeds 300, it becomes nearly impossible for health-care workers to provide care not related to the disease.

The Region of Durham reported 12,513 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (301 active). Clarington rose to 935 cases, of which 21 are active. Hospitalized in Clarington currently: "2", total deceased: "15"

In international news,
Chaos in Germany and Italy after suspension of Oxford vaccine. Decision has led to vaccination centres closing doors and appointments being cancelled.There has been chaos and confusion in Germany and Italy after their decisions to suspend use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid vaccine, with vaccination centres closing their doors and appointments being abruptly cancelled. The countries are two of the biggest on a growing list of European nations that have in recent days ordered a pause in the distribution of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The move came after seven reported cases in Germany of blood clots including deep vein thrombosis in people who had recently received the jab, three of which were fatal. In Italy eight people have died and four more have suffered “serious adverse events”, according to Nicola Magrini, head of the Italian medicines agency Aifa.

In national news,
Dr. Tam concerned COVID-19 variant case count “tip of the iceberg”. Canada’s COVID-19 case counts are on the rise, but so are vaccinations. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said there are over 3,600 cases of variants across the country. She says that number is just the “tip of the iceberg”, adding that she is concerned the actual number of variant cases is much higher than is known. Dr. Tam also confirmed that out of over four million vaccines distributed nation-wide, three million have been given to Canadians. The other million are in storage for future appointments. The country is also one step closer to a home-made shot after Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne pointed to Canada’s Medicago kicking off its phase three trials for a COVID vaccine.

In Ontario,
It was one year ago today that Ontario invoked a state of emergency.

Ontario Premier Ford says we can’t let our guard down against COVID-19. Ontario Premier Doug Ford says we can’t let our guard down for one second against COVID-19. It comes as Ontario’s COVID-19 science advisory table says the province has entered a third wave of the virus being fueled by variants of concern. The table says the variants now make up over half of the new virus cases across the province. Ford says he’s always respectful of what the science table says and he takes his advice from Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. He added that the province will be very, very cautious moving forward. Meanwhile, Ford says Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine booking portal signed up over 71,000 people during its first two days. As for some users reporting issues, Ford says they knew there would be bumps on the road but they have identified the issues and fixed them even faster.

Man in his 30s dies after significant COVID-19 outbreak at student residence in Peterborough. A man in his 30’s has died from COVID-19 after a large outbreak was declared at a privately operated student residence in Peterborough last month, marking the area’s youngest virus-related fatality. Peterborough Public Health (PPH) says the fatality is the first connected to an outbreak at Severn Court, an off-campus student housing site primarily for Fleming College students. The man was diagnosed with a COVID-19 variant of concern and hospitalized outside the region last week before he died yesterday, according to PPH. “As the youngest person to die locally from COVID-19, it reminds us how serious this pandemic is, that youth are not immune from its worst outcomes, and that we all have a role to play in ending it to prevent future tragedies,” Medical Officer of Health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra said in a press release issued Tuesday. There have been 59 cases associated with the outbreak at Severn Court and all the cases have screened positive for a variant of concern. Only five active cases remain as most of the cases linked to the outbreak have been resolved.

In small town news,
Now Five Cases Of “Variants Of Concern” In Kawartha Lakes. The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDU)is now reporting five cases of Variants of Concern (VOC) in the City of Kawartha Lakes. The first VOC was detected in the City of Kawartha Lakes on February 18. The most recent variant case was reported on March 13. There are now 28 cases of VOCs in Northumberland. “The emergence of VOCs in Ontario is indeed a serious concern, not only locally, but right cross the province.” Acting Medical Officer Of Health HKPRDU, Dr Ian Gemmill told Kawartha 411 News. “Although some areas in Ontario currently are more affected than others, the threat of VOCs is general in Ontario, and are a reason to redouble COVID-19 preventive measures everywhere. We never know when a VOC will be present in a given community.” Gemmill says while information about these variants is still emerging, evidence has indicated that they are more easily spread between people. Projections also suggest the variant first identified in the U.K. will soon be the dominant strain of coronavirus in Ontario.

Musing,
Anyone else tired of watching the news and seeing people getting a needle stuck into their arm, over and over and over again? I'm not afraid of needles, but I don't need to see it ad infinitum.

Is Ontario in a third wave or not? Biostatistician Ryan Imgrund told CP24 Tuesday night. “But absolutely, we are in the third wave. Do not get this wrong.” Meanwhile, York Region’s medical officer of health Dr. Kurji is skeptical about third wave of COVID-19 and says he’s not convinced the province is in a third wave.

“May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow. And may trouble avoid you wherever you go." (IRISH BLESSING)

Did you know....that the last 10,000 years of the history of mankind only represents 3% of the span of human habitation on the planet? (A skeleton was discovered by archaeologists that is 300,000 years old, so do the math.)

Have you ever...drank green beer?

WTF is ...............Colcannon and champ?

On this day in history, Saint Patrick dies.
On March 17, 461 A.D., Saint Patrick, Christian missionary, bishop and apostle of Ireland, dies at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland. Much of what is known about Patrick’s legendary life comes from the Confessio, a book he wrote during his last years. Born in Great Britain, probably in Scotland, to a well-to-do Christian family of Roman citizenship, Patrick was captured and enslaved at age 16 by Irish marauders. For the next six years, he worked as a herder in Ireland, turning to a deepening religious faith for comfort. Following the counsel of a voice he heard in a dream one night, he escaped and found passage on a ship to Britain, where he was eventually reunited with his family.

Today is - NATIONAL CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE DAY - ST. PATRICK’S DAY - NATIONAL SBDC DAY


The Bank of Canada unclaimed balances portal can be found here.
COVID-19 vaccination approximate dates here.
Lakeridge Health Mental Health Clinic 905-440-7534 or toll free at 1-833-392-7363 (Monday-Friday 9am-4pm)

Lygenztia *648 (St. Patrick's Day Eve, or Bacchanalia?......) Tuesday March 16, 2021

Worldwide stats provided by Worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 120,864,186. (Deaths: 2,674,354 and Recovered: 97,486,024)
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 March 16, 2021:
Health Canada reported 913,047 confirmed cases of COVID-19, to date. 31,630 cases are active, there have been 22,495 deaths and 858,922 people have recovered.

The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 319,374 total confirmed cases and 7,162 total deaths. 12,528 are active. Currently, there are 699 people are in hospital with 298 of those cases currently in ICU. 299,684 cases have been resolved. The Ontario government has previously said that when the number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU exceeds 300, it becomes nearly impossible for health-care workers to provide care not related to the disease.

The Region of Durham reported 12,478 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (313 active). Clarington rose to 930 cases, of which 19 are active. Hospitalized in Clarington currently: "2", total deceased: "15"

In international news,
Germany, Italy, France suspend AstraZeneca shots amid safety fears, disrupting EU vaccinations. Germany, France and Italy said on Monday they would suspend AstraZeneca COVID-19 shots after several countries reported possible serious side-effects, but the World Health Organization (WHO) said there was no proven link and people should not panic. Still, the decision by the European Union’s three biggest countries to put inoculations with the AstraZeneca shot on hold threw the already struggling vaccination campaign in the 27-nation EU into disarray. Denmark and Norway stopped giving the shot last week after reporting isolated cases of bleeding, blood clots and a low platelet count. Iceland and Bulgaria followed suit and Ireland and the Netherlands announced suspensions on Sunday. Spain will stop using the vaccine for at least 15 days, Cadena Ser radio reported, citing unnamed sources. The top WHO scientist reiterated on Monday that there have been no documented deaths linked to COVID-19 vaccines. (Meanwhile in Canada, it's fine. The vaccine is fine, everything is fine. Nothing to see here, move along, folks.)

In national news,
Ottawa wants nothing to do with ‘vaccination badges’ — but your local pub might. Here’s a prediction on a hot new consumer trend for 2021: vaccination badges. Up until now, government — not the private sector — has been setting most of the terms for how Canadians go about their pandemic lives. The whole idea of vaccination passports may reverse this reality, as businesses build recovery plans over the next few months on the basis of “safe” and “unsafe” citizens.

An op-ed from the Toronto Sun. AGAR: Canadians are letting lockdowns happen. Why is Toronto the most locked down city in North America? Why is Canada more locked down than many other jurisdictions across the globe and, in particular, the United States? To compare ourselves with our southern neighbour, could it come down to our collectively differing attitudes toward balancing safety with freedom? For many, perhaps most people in the United States, freedom is paramount. But with that comes a greater degree of acceptance of personal responsibility. “Don’t tell me I have to close my business for a year,” is the attitude. “I will live my life, you live yours and what comes, comes.” That’s the American way. The higher number of Covid cases and deaths in the United States is something many Americans accept as a consequence of living life; of seeing life as being more than merely staying alive. They tend to gravitate more toward the idea that you need to know the risks for yourself and make responsible choices. If those choices don’t work out, that is on you. Feedback to my radio show indicates a lot of Canadians have the attitude that most people are not as smart as they are so they support politicians who treat people like idiots. Politicians in Canada can get away with a greater degree of ordering people around, even ordering them into unemployment and bankruptcy, because most Canadians will put up with it. Sure, we have our anti-maskers and our rogue restaurant owners – the occasional kerfuffle at the airport – but politicians know they are unlikely to suffer in the next election. Small business owners are outvoted by fearful people and the public sector. Too many Canadians are busy hating on anyone who travels as opposed to asking whether the policies make sense. Totalitarianism relies on a division of us and them................

In Ontario,
Despite 'glitches,' Ontario's vaccine portal books 92,000 appointments. Ontario’s new online vaccine appointment portal for those 80 and older experienced some “glitches” on its first day but still managed to book than 92,000 first and second doses by 3 p.m., health officials say. Premier Doug Ford promised to look into concerns raised by members of the public. “I was just praying all night this thing wasn’t going to crash,” Ford said Monday. Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams said any problems with the portal are being addressed. “So far it’s been working okay — there are some glitches as always,” Williams said. “It’s not important who’s first to get booked. It’s more important to get booked.” If people are struggling with the online booking system, they can call the 1-888-999-6488 number, Ford said. Currently, people who turn 80 or older in 2021 can book a shot.

Ontario labour ministry investigating Brampton Amazon site ordered to shut down over outbreak. An Amazon warehouse that was ordered to shut down last week due to a major COVID-19 outbreak is also being investigated for potential labour violations, the Ontario government said Monday. A spokesman for the Ministry of Labour said the investigation was already underway when the local public health unit ordered thousands of workers at the Brampton, Ont., facility on Friday to isolate for two weeks, “We continue to work closely with Peel Public Health and others to provide support, advice and enforcement as needed to ensure the health and safety of Ontario's workers,” Harry Godfrey said in a statement. Godfrey noted that penalties for labour violations could be as high as $1.5 million or imprisonment. He said the government would not hesitate to hold employers accountable if they fail to keep their employees safe. Peel Region's top doctor said the outbreak at the Amazon facility, which employs approximately 5,000 workers, began in October and has since been linked to more than 600 cases.

In small town news,
Worker Impact Survey Launched In Kawartha Lakes To Help Identify Local Labour Market Challenges. The Workforce Development Board (WDB) has launched a Worker Impact Survey in Peterborough, Northumberland, Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton and has joined with five other local workforce planning boards in Eastern Ontario who are conducting the survey in their respective regions. The survey, open from March 15th to April 30th, allows individuals to share information about their employment challenges. This survey will help to support local recommendations for training and skills development initiatives. With the support of the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Worker Impact Survey results will be shared with community stakeholders to provide a better understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on the workforce and to increase awareness of the local labour supply, employment barriers for job seekers and those not participating in the labour force, and reasons for labour force under-utilization.

Musing,
Germany, France, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Italy....just a few of the European countries going back into lock-down because of the third wave. Buckle up....

"I'm your huckleberry." (Doc Holliday viz. Tombstone)

Did you know....Artichokes should never be cooked in aluminum pots. They tend to turn the pots a gray color. (Also, did you know...throw your aluminum pots and pans in the garbage; they are linked to dementia and Alzheimers)

Have you ever...read a job ad and thought to yourself 'who actually does that job?'

WTF is ...............cattywampus, or am I out of line for asking?

On this day in history, Judge Roy Bean dies.
Roy Bean, the self-proclaimed “law west of the Pecos,” dies in Langtry, Texas. A saloonkeeper and adventurer, Bean’s claim to fame rested on the often humorous and sometimes-bizarre rulings he meted out as a justice of the peace in western Texas during the late 19th century. By then, Bean was in his 50s and had already lived a life full of rough adventures. Born in Kentucky some time during the 1820s, Bean began getting into trouble at an early age. He left home in 1847 with his brother Sam and lived a rogue’s life in Mexico until he shot a man in a barroom fight and had to flee. He next turned up in San Diego. Again he shot a man during a quarrel and was forced to leave town quickly. He fell into the same old habits in Los Angeles, eventually killing a Mexican officer in a duel over a woman. Angry friends of the officer hanged Bean in revenge, but luckily, the rope stretched and Bean managed to stay alive until the woman he had fought for arrived to cut him down. Bearing rope scars on his neck that remained throughout his life, Bean left California to take up a less risky life in New Mexico and Texas. For about 16 years, Bean lived a prosperous and relatively legitimate life as a San Antonio businessman. In 1882, he moved to southwest Texas, where he built his famous saloon, the Jersey Lilly, and founded the hamlet of Langtry. Saloon and town alike were named for the famous English actress, Lillie Langtry. Bean had never met Langtry, but he had developed an abiding affection for the beautiful actress after seeing a drawing of her in an illustrated magazine. For the rest of his life, he avidly followed Langtry’s career in theatre magazines.

In ancient Rome, today's date marked the beginning of Bacchanalia, a wild and mystical two-day festival that celebrated the god Bacchus (known as Dionysus to the Greeks).

Today is - NATIONAL CURL CRUSH DAY – NATIONAL PANDA DAY – WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY – NATIONAL EVERYTHING YOU DO IS RIGHT DAY – NATIONAL FREEDOM OF INFORMATION DAY – NATIONAL ARTICHOKE HEARTS DAY


The Bank of Canada unclaimed balances portal can be found here.
COVID-19 vaccination approximate dates here.
Lakeridge Health Mental Health Clinic 905-440-7534 or toll free at 1-833-392-7363 (Monday-Friday 9am-4pm)

Lygenztia *647 (It's official, the third wave.....) Monday March 15, 2021

Worldwide stats provided by Worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 120,744,462. (Deaths: 2,671,148 and Recovered: 97,392,291)
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 p.m. ET on Monday March 15, 2021:
Health Canada reported 909,157 confirmed cases of COVID-19, to date. 22,463 cases are active, there have been 22,463 deaths and 855,020 people have recovered.

The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 318,106 total confirmed cases and 7,153 total deaths. 7,153 are active. Currently, there are 699 people are in hospital with 298 of those cases currently in ICU. 298,570 cases have been resolved. The Ontario government has previously said that when the number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU exceeds 300, it becomes nearly impossible for health-care workers to provide care not related to the disease.

The Region of Durham reported 12,478 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (313 active). Clarington rose to 930 cases, of which 19 are active. Hospitalized in Clarington currently: "2", total deceased: "15"

In international news,
(South of the Border...and here) 'Eventually, but not for today,' Trudeau says of reopening Canada-U.S. border. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau waved away suggestions Monday that Canada is prepared to explore reopening its shared border with the United States any time soon. Canadians are looking forward to the day regular cross-border travel "eventually" resumes, Trudeau told a news conference in Montreal -- his first public appearance outside Ottawa in recent memory. But while that day will inevitably arrive, it's not imminent as long as COVID-19 continues to pose a serious risk to public health, he suggested. "We're all eager to be able to travel again," Trudeau said. "But I think we're all going to wait patiently until such time as the health situation allows us to loosen border restrictions internationally. That'll be eventually, but not for today."

In national news,
NACI to say AstraZeneca vaccine OK for those over age 65: source. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is expected to change its stance on the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to now recommend its use for Canadians over the age of 65, a senior government source tells CTV News. The source added that there will be a news conference Tuesday morning to confirm the details of the change. (Earlier this month, NACI recommended that people over the age 65 should not receive the shot, due to “the insufficiency of evidence of efficacy in this age group at this time.”)

In Ontario,
Ontario now in third wave of COVID-19, province's hospital association says. Ontario has entered a third wave of COVID-19, the province's hospital association says. In a tweet published on Monday, the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) said that variants of concern are steeply rising and the number of patients in intensive care is trending upwards. "We're now in wave three," the OHA said, adding that "strong adherence to public health measures is urgently needed to prevent overwhelming hospitals." The province confirmed 1,268 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday. Meanwhile, Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto's medical officer of health, said Monday that she believes it's still too early to say if the province is in a third wave. "Certainly, this is not the direction that we want to see the numbers go in," de Villa said. "But, as I mentioned, I think we have we actually have a great deal of control here. We know what actually makes a difference." "This pandemic is not over. It will be, we are nearing the finish line but we aren't there yet."

Ontario pharmacies say they will soon run out of AstraZeneca vaccine. Some pharmacies in Ontario say they are already starting to run short on doses of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine less than a week after the province launched a pilot project to roll out the shots. Loblaw said pharmacists at Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaw pharmacies in Toronto, Kingston and Windsor-Essex have vaccinated more than 28,000 Ontarians so far as part of the pilot, but some locations have already run out of supply. “While some stores have run out, others expect to be through the limited supply in the coming days,” the company said in a statement Monday. “We continue to see a high demand at these participating pharmacies, demonstrating the important role that pharmacists play in delivering convenient and accessible healthcare to Ontarians.”

In small town news,
North Hastings Family Pharmacy Works Throughout the Night To Keep Insulin, Vaccines From Expiring. Due to last night’s power outages, it was a long night for North hastings Family Pharmacy. Nancy Van Bakel-Wiechenthal says the pharmacy had to run their generator all night to help keep their medical supplies from going bad. Insulin, shingles vaccines and flu shots must be kept below freezing at all times, as dictated by HPE Public Health. After last night’s massive power outages, the owners got a call from their security team that the power was out. Bakel-Wiechenthal says they do not live too far away from the pharmacy and were able to be there in 15 minutes. Both Nancy and Norval Weichenthal had to sleep at the pharmacy all night in order to keep their medical supplies from expiring. However after a long night of taking care of the generator, the pharmacy never once had the temperature rise above the limit. Power came on for them around 6 AM.

Musing,
The third wave is here, odd things is...nobody seems to care anymore.

"You're not a wave; you're a part of the ocean." (Mitch Albom)

Did you know....scientists know more about the surface of the Moon and Mars than they do about our oceans?

Have you ever...been body surfing?

WTF is ...............Pears Helene?

On this day in history, 44 B.C. The Ides of March.
Julius Caesar, dictator of Rome, is stabbed to death in the Roman Senate house by 60 conspirators led by Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus on March 15. The day later become known as the Ides of March. Caesar, born into the Julii, an ancient but not particularly distinguished Roman aristocratic family, began his political career in 78 B.C. as a prosecutor for the anti-patrician Popular Party. He won influence in the party for his reformist ideas and oratorical skills, and aided Roman imperial efforts by raising a private army to combat the king of Pontus in 74 B.C. He was an ally of Pompey, the recognized head of the Popular Party, and essentially took over this position after Pompey left Rome in 67 B.C. to become commander of Roman forces in the east.

Today is - NATIONAL NAPPING DAY - EVERYTHING YOU THINK IS WRONG DAY - NATIONAL KANSAS DAY - NATIONAL PEARS HELENE DAY - NATIONAL SHOE THE WORLD DAY


The Bank of Canada unclaimed balances portal can be found here.
COVID-19 vaccination approximate dates here.
Lakeridge Health Mental Health Clinic 905-440-7534 or toll free at 1-833-392-7363 (Monday-Friday 9am-4pm)

Lygenztia *646 ("even harsher".........) Friday March 12, 2021

Worldwide stats provided by Worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 119,205,673. (Deaths: 2,643,610 and Recovered: 94,797,065)
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 March 12, 2021:
Health Canada reported 899,757 confirmed cases of COVID-19, to date. 30,672 cases are active, there have been 22,371 deaths and 846,714 people have recovered.

The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 313,520 total confirmed cases and 7,109 total deaths. 11,283 are active. Currently, there are 646 people are in hospital with 280 of those cases currently in ICU. 295,128 cases have been resolved. The Ontario government has previously said that when the number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU exceeds 300, it becomes nearly impossible for health-care workers to provide care not related to the disease.

The Region of Durham reported 12,293 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (285 active). Clarington rose to 919 cases, of which 25 are active. Hospitalized in Clarington currently: "3", total deceased: "15"

In international news,
Brazil’s Covid Crisis Is a Warning to the Whole World, Scientists Say. Brazil is seeing a record number of deaths, and the spread of a more contagious coronavirus variant that may cause reinfection. Covid-19 has already left a trail of death and despair in Brazil, one of the worst in the world. Now, a year into the pandemic, the country is setting another wrenching record. No other nation that experienced such a major outbreak is still grappling with record-setting death tolls and a health care system on the brink of collapse. Many other hard-hit nations are, instead, taking tentative steps toward a semblance of normalcy. But Brazil is battling a more contagious variant that has trampled one major city and is spreading to others, even as Brazilians toss away precautionary measures that could keep them safe. On Tuesday, Brazil recorded more than 1,700 Covid-19 deaths, the highest single-day toll of the pandemic. “The acceleration of the epidemic in various states is leading to the collapse of their public and private hospital systems, which may soon become the case in every region of Brazil,” the national association of health secretaries said in a statement. “Sadly, the anemic rollout of vaccines and the slow pace at which they’re becoming available still does not suggest that this scenario will be reversed in the short term.”

In national news,
Doctor cautioned to stop encouraging people to breach pandemic public health orders. Newfoundland medical regulator issued advisory to Dr. Peter Morry after social media posts. A family doctor has been cautioned by Newfoundland and Labrador's medical regulator to stop encouraging people to disobey Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald's health orders during the pandemic. Since last year, Dr. Peter Morry, who works in the town of Bay Bulls, N.L., has been posting COVID-19-related misinformation on his Facebook account. Several of the links on his account carry warnings that they contain false or partly false information. Morry has defended himself by stressing that he is simply trying to foster debate about COVID-related issues. On Facebook last August, Morry made a series of posts that are false or misleading.
They included:
"The world is starting to wake up. They know that the corona statistics are exaggerated and that there is a cure.… It is time we had Newfoundland stood up and stop wearing our masks and said enough is enough."
"We as a society are being battered by the deep state. They are taking away our freedoms. We are losing our free speech. We are losing the right to control what happens with our own bodies by overbearing governments and people who were too dumb to know that they're being manipulated."
"The mandatory wearing of the mask ordinance coming up is a huge loss of freedom. The next loss of freedom will be the mandatory forcing of you to take a vaccine. Step-by-step we will lose our freedoms and we have none at all."
"Evidence worldwide shows that COVID-19 is not much worse than influenza."
Morry did not agree to a recorded interview with CBC News, but did have four telephone conversations with a reporter.

In Ontario,
Ontario will need even harsher third lockdown soon due to COVID-19 variants, top epidemiologist says. The scientific director of Ontario’s COVID-19 Science Table says the province will need to enact a third lockdown even harsher than what was enacted in the past in order to avoid a crippling surge in coronavirus cases brought on by the spread of the B.1.1.7 variant. Dr. Peter Jüni told CTV News Channel that Ontario is currently experiencing “two pandemics” at the same time, with older “wild” variants of the virus well under control and receding, while the variants of concern, chiefly the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom, continue an exponential climb. “We keep having the old variants under control, cases are plummeting, that’s all good but the problem is we don’t have the new one under control and therefore we start talking about a pandemic within a pandemic,” Jüni said. Jüni and his colleagues on the Science Table spent much of the last four weeks warning that the variants of concern would spoil efforts to curb COVID-19 infection that spanned most of January and February. “We need once more, firmer restrictions – firmer than before actually,” Jüni said. “If we lock down once more it will be the last time we will have to do that.” Their current calculations show that the so-called “wild” or “early” variants of coronavirus are receding, with a reproduction number of 0.9, meaning every 10 infected persons will go on to infect 9 others. But among the variant of concern cases, now representing 40 per cent of all infections in the province, they had a reproduction number of 1.24, signalling exponential forward growth. All of Ontario was under a state of emergency and stay-at-home order for more than one month starting Jan. 13, after which most of the province was allowed to reopen. The last regions of the province – Toronto, Peel and North Bay – just exited the stay-at-home order on Monday. Jüni said he had seen a recent English study that said B.1.1.7 caused at least a 30 per cent higher risk of death in infected patients and said he agreed with its conclusions.

New provincial data says COVID-19 cases on the rise, postponed surgeries a concern. Ontario’s latest COVID-19 projections show vaccinations in long-term care are paying off. However, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams says progress otherwise has stalled. Modelling data shows declines in community cases and test positivity levelling off as cases increase in most Public Health Units as more people start moving across Ontario. Projections indicate Ontario could see up to 6,000 cases reported daily by April assuming medium spread occurs. In the best-case scenario, that figure drops to less than 2,000 a day. Dr. Williams says controlling the continued spread of variants is directly related to avoiding a possible third wave this summer. As of this week, 25 long-term care homes have outbreaks involving residents, almost half of which are in York, Toronto and Peel. The province’s latest data also marks a grim milestone as the total number of LTC resident deaths in the second wave reaches 1,900, exceeding the 1,848 resident deaths in Wave 1. Williams says people postponing doctor’s appointments and missing critical screening for things like cancer is on the rise, which means there will be a surge in need for other medical care and surgeries for a long period of time. He says a cumulative total of over 227,000 surgical cases were backlogged province-wide by the end of last month.

In small town news,
Bancroft Rockhound Gemboree Cancelled for a Second Year. For the second year in a row, the Bancroft Rockhound Gemboree has been cancelled. Mayor Paul Jenkins says while the decision was difficult, it was done in the interest of public safety. With new COVID variants, along with the long time it takes to plan the Gemboree, the Town could not risk public safety. He says that it is the responsible decision, and would still be the right one if the pandemic was over before the Gemboree started. He says it is better to give everyone early notice that the event would not take place. In addition, Jenkins says that safety could not be guaranteed because of the international nature of the event. Some vendors had already expressed concerns with travel and the status of the US-Canada Border. However, Jenkins says this just means planning for next year can proceed, and hopes for a reenergized event when it is safe to do so.

Musing,
Well, it's been a year. And, what a year it was. I wonder what will the future hold for Canada? I don't have a crystal ball, but I fear for the future viability of small business and for our rights and freedoms. (Amazon and big box is taking over folks and it's happening right under our noses.)

"Harsh reality is always better than false hope." (JULIAN FELLOWES)

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” (WINSTON CHURCHILL)

Did you know....Cobalt, Ontario is seeing a resurgence in mining activity due to cobalt being a component in electric car batteries?

Have you ever...bought Girl Guide cookies at the grocery store?

WTF is ...............27-CO-58.993?

On this day in history, Mohandas Gandhi begins 241-mile civil disobedience march.
On March 12, 1930, Indian independence leader Mohandas Gandhi begins a defiant march to the sea in protest of the British monopoly on salt, his boldest act of civil disobedience yet against British rule in India. Britain’s Salt Acts prohibited Indians from collecting or selling salt, a staple in the Indian diet. Citizens were forced to buy the vital mineral from the British, who, in addition to exercising a monopoly over the manufacture and sale of salt, also exerted a heavy salt tax. Although India’s poor suffered most under the tax, Indians required salt. Defying the Salt Acts, Gandhi reasoned, would be an ingeniously simple way for many Indians to break a British law nonviolently. He declared resistance to British salt policies to be the unifying theme for his new campaign of satyagraha, or mass civil disobedience.

Today is - NATIONAL GIRL SCOUT DAY - NATIONAL PLANT A FLOWER DAY - NATIONAL BAKED SCALLOPS DAY - NATIONAL WORKING MOMS DAY


The Bank of Canada unclaimed balances portal can be found here.
COVID-19 vaccination approximate dates here.
Lakeridge Health Mental Health Clinic 905-440-7534 or toll free at 1-833-392-7363 (Monday-Friday 9am-4pm)

Lygenztia *645 (Spring, has sprung....) Thursday March 11, 2021

Worldwide stats provided by Worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 118,723,992. (Deaths: 2,633,965 and Recovered: 94,312,350)
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 March 11, 2021:
Health Canada reported 896,739 confirmed cases of COVID-19, to date. 30,442 cases are active, there have been 22,335 deaths and 843,692 people have recovered.

The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 312,428 total confirmed cases and 7,099 total deaths. 11,331 are active. Currently, there are 678 people are in hospital with 281 of those cases currently in ICU. 294,108 cases have been resolved. The Ontario government has previously said that when the number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU exceeds 300, it becomes nearly impossible for health-care workers to provide care not related to the disease.

The Region of Durham reported 12,257 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (287 active). Clarington rose to 916 cases, of which 29 are active. Hospitalized in Clarington currently: "3", total deceased: "15"

In international news,
NORTH AMERICA SEES DROP IN COVID-19 CASES, BRAZIL SURGE WORRYING, SAYS PAHO. New COVID-19 cases continue to decline in North America, but in Latin America infections are still rising, particularly in Brazil where a resurgence has caused record daily deaths, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warned on Wednesday. “We are concerned about the situation in Brazil. It provides a sober reminder of the threat of resurgence: areas hit hard by the virus in the past are still vulnerable to infection today,” PAHO Director Carissa Etienne said in a briefing. She said cases are on the rise in nearly every Brazilian state, with Amazonas state especially hard hit. A new variant first discovered late last year has led to a surge in new infections there that have overwhelmed the health care system, which continues to experience widespread shortages of medical supplies, including oxygen, she said. Brazil needs “very strict” public health measures to curb the surge that is overwhelming hospital ICU wards, PAHO’s incident manager Sylvain Aldighieri said. Brazil reported a record 1,972 deaths from COVID-19 in 24 hours on Thursday. Brazil has the second-highest total number of deaths behind the United States. The United States and Canada continue to see a drop in new cases of COVID-19, PAHO said. Cuba, the Bahamas, Saint Lucia and Guadeloupe are facing a rise in infections, and in South America Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile are reporting an increase in new cases, while Peru and Bolivia are finally seeing declines, PAHO said, Vaccines have begun to arrive in Latin America, with 28.7 million doses allocated to the region for the next three months, through the COVAX facility led by the GAVI alliance and the World Health Organization to provide equitable access to shots. Honduras will receive its first 48,000 doses via the COVAX mechanism in the next few days, Etienne said, followed by El Salvador that is due to get 32,600 doses and Guatemala 81,6000 doses, all of the AstraZeneca (AZN.L)vaccine.

Tens of thousands of Hindu devotees take holy plunge in Ganges. Tens of thousands of Hindu devotees plunged into India’s Ganges river on Thursday as the country kicked off one of the world’s largest religious festivals, even as officials reported the biggest spike in coronavirus cases for three months. Hindu ascetics known as Naga sadhus, many naked apart from a coating of ash and carrying swords or tridents, led the bathers at the Kumbh Mela, or pitcher festival, in the northern town of Haridwar. All participants at this year’s event, that runs until the end of April, are required to present a negative coronavirus test result before being allowed into the festival grounds, authorities said. But there was little evidence of social distancing in place on Thursday as bathers jostled at the riverbank. Devout Hindus believe bathing in the waters of the Ganges absolves people of sins, and during the Kumbh Mela brings salvation from the cycle of life and death. More than 22,000 people had bathed in the holy river by 0800 local time (0230 GMT), police overseeing the festival told Reuters partner ANI, a number that was expected to rise significantly throughout the day. Authorities said that more than 100 million people attended the festival in 2019, the last time it was held, a figure that most expect will be lower this year.

In national news,
Canada to mark national day of observance to commemorate those who died of COVID-19. Canada will mark the one-year anniversary Thursday of the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic. Earlier this week Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is to deliver a statement in the House of Commons this morning, designated March 11 a national day of observance to commemorate those who have died. The government has asked Canadians to think about those whose lives were claimed by the novel coronavirus, as well as the health-care and other essential workers who have been on the front lines.

In Ontario,
Ontario announces COVID-19 vaccine pharmacy pilot program. Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the light at the end of the tunnel keeps getting brighter. It comes as provincial officials say they are expanding on the delivery channels to administer COVID-19 vaccines to include pharmacies and primary care settings. As of Friday, over 325 pharmacies in three public health unit regions, Toronto, Windsor-Essex and Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington will be offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to eligible Ontarians aged 60-64, by appointment only, as part of the vaccine delivery pilot program. Ford says the vaccine roll out will be expanded to more pharmacies in other regions of the province as supply increases. All vaccinations available through pharmacies will require an appointment to be made in advance. Meanwhile, in Toronto, Hamilton, Guelph, Peterborough, Simcoe-Muskoka and Peel, primary care physicians will begin providing shots to the same age group on Saturday but they will contact patients to set up appointments. Premier Ford also announced that by the end of Wednesday, the province will reach the one million mark for doses administered as Ontario continues to lead the country in vaccinations completed.

Toronto lays out details for booking vaccinations starting March 12 as city passes 100,000 cases. The City of Toronto laid out new details Wednesday explaining how people can book an appointment to get vaccinated against COVID-19 when an interim booking system for the city’s mass vaccination clinics goes online Friday. While a provincewide booking portal is set to go live on March 15, the city is rolling out access to a version of the portal three days earlier on March 12 so that it can begin vaccinations on March 17. The portal was designed based on input garnered from a mass vaccination pilot project run by the city for two days in January. Starting Friday, Toronto residents born in 1941 or earlier will be able to book a vaccination appointment at one of three mass vaccination sites in the city: The Metro Toronto Convention Center, Scarborough Town Centre and the Toronto Congress Centre. Eligible residents will be able to access the booking system by going to the city’s website (toronto.ca/COVID-19) and clicking on a registration button that will be featured prominently.

In small town news,
From Bancroft, St. Paul’s United Church to Ring Bell In Support of Frontline Workers. If you hear bells ringing in downtown Bancroft next week, It’s because of St. Paul’s United Church. Reverend Lynn Watson says they are going to be ringing the bell 375 times, once for each day we have been in a pandemic. The ringing will begin on March 17th and start at 6 PM. The event will be hosted on Facebook as well. Reverend Watson says that while there was concern about the bell a few months ago, those issues have since been fixed. Watson stressed that showing support for the community was more important. The bell-ringing is also a fundraiser for the church and the programs they offer, with each ding open to a sponsor. Each bell toll will go for $9.99, and the money will go towards their outreach programs, general expenses, and their grocery gift card program. Reverend Watson says that they have already run out of their cards for March.

Musing,
Is it just me, or is the vaccine roll out in Ontario going less than smoothly? Some pharmacies are warning clients that they may not be vaccinated for "months."

“Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” (HOWARD THURMAN)

Talk of record warm temperatures, today. NICE!!

National Worship of Tools Day eh? Mind out of the gutter, folks.

Did you know....Bugs Bunny is an Honorary Member of the US Marines? (He holds the rank of Master Sergeant.)

Have you ever...sang the Johnny Appleseed song?
Oh, the earth is good to me.
And so I thank the earth,
For giving me the things I need:
The sun and the rain and the apple seed;
The earth is good to me.

WTF is ...............Malus domestica?

On this day in history, March 11, 2011, the largest earthquake ever recorded in Japan causes massive devastation, and the ensuing tsunami decimates the Tōhoku region of northeastern Honshu. On top of the already-horrific destruction and loss of life, the natural disaster also gives rise to a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. The Fukushima disaster is considered the second-worst nuclear disaster in history, forcing the relocation of over 100,000 people.

Today is - NATIONAL JOHNNY APPLESEED DAY - NATIONAL OATMEAL NUT WAFFLES DAY - NATIONAL PROMPOSAL DAY - NATIONAL WORSHIP OF TOOLS DAY - NATIONAL FUNERAL DIRECTOR AND MORTICIAN RECOGNITION DAY - WORLD KIDNEY DAY - NATIONAL 311 DAY


The Bank of Canada unclaimed balances portal can be found here.
COVID-19 vaccination approximate dates here.
Lakeridge Health Mental Health Clinic 905-440-7534 or toll free at 1-833-392-7363 (Monday-Friday 9am-4pm)

Lygenztia *644 (Vaccine will be "coming around the mountain when she comes"........) Tuesday March 9, 2021

Worldwide stats provided by Worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 117,811,883. (Deaths: 2,613,641 and Recovered: 93,495,552)
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 March 9, 2021:
Health Canada reported 890,698 confirmed cases of COVID-19, to date. 30,332 cases are active, there have been 22,276 deaths and 838,090 people have recovered.

The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 309,927 total confirmed cases and 7,077 total deaths. 11,016 are active. Currently, there are 626 people are in hospital with 282 of those cases currently in ICU. 291,834 cases have been resolved. The Ontario government has previously said that when the number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU exceeds 300, it becomes nearly impossible for health-care workers to provide care not related to the disease.

The Region of Durham reported 12,189 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (322 active). Clarington rose to 906 cases, of which 28 are active. Hospitalized in Clarington currently: "2", total deceased: "15"

In international news,
Vaccinated Americans allowed to taste freedom. At last, there's some good news. Exactly one horrific, demoralizing and family-splitting year since darkness descended on America, top public health officials arrived at a (virtual) White House coronavirus strategy briefing on Monday armed with tangible hope. In announcing new US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on how fully vaccinated citizens can begin to pick up their lives, they struck a momentous turning point in a pandemic that has killed more than 525,000 Americans. "It's science based. It's sensible. You can hug your grandkids again. If you've been waiting to get a haircut, see the dentist, you can do that," former CDC Director Tom Frieden said on CNN's "The Situation Room." As is the way in the worst public health disaster in 100 years, good news is heavily caveated. Those in the long lines for the vaccine must not let up. Travel, even for those who've been vaccinated, is advised against -- though some prominent medical experts said the CDC is being overly cautious. And the threat of pernicious Covid-19 variants may be about to inflict another surge of death and sickness, again testing the patience of a weary nation.

In national news,
Canada set to receive more than 910,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines this week. Canada is set to receive 910,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses this week as pharmaceutical companies ramp up deliveries to make good on their contractual obligations by the end of the month. The Public Health Agency of Canada says the country will receive nearly 445,000 shots from Pfizer-BioNTech for the second week running as the companies settle into a rhythm following a lengthy lull in January and much of February. The remaining 465,000 shots are expected from Moderna, as the pharmaceutical firm steps up its delivery schedule from once every three weeks to once every two.

COVID-19 vaccines and pre-existing medical conditions: Should certain people not get a shot? With the approval of the one-shot vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, Canadians now have four COVID-19 vaccine options that have been tested by researchers and carefully scrutinized by regulators. The vaccines are considered safe, but even pharmaceuticals approved for widespread use are sometimes not appropriate for people with certain allergies or other medical conditions. However, experts consulted by CTVNews.ca say there are very few situations where not taking the vaccine would be the better option. With vaccines – as with other pharmaceuticals – there is always a chance of a minor adverse reaction, such as minor pain or swelling at the injection site. But there is also a small risk of a more severe anaphylactic reaction to an ingredient, such as to polyethylene glycol (PEG), which is present in the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. “If you had a known allergic reaction to something like that then I think it's reasonable to consult with someone before you go ahead and get vaccinated. But most people with milder allergies, I wouldn't be concerned at all,” Dr. Matthew Muller, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control at St. Michael’s Hospital, and Ontario lead for the CANVAS COVID-19 vaccine project, told CTVNews.ca

In Ontario,
Ontario reports 1,631 new COVID-19 cases, but official says data issues put count likely closer to 1,300. More retailers to open, with restrictions, for first time in months in Toronto, Peel. Ontario is reporting 1,631 new COVID-19 cases on the same day stay-at-home orders lift in three regions, including Toronto and Peel — which have consistently seen the province's highest number of infections throughout the pandemic. Monday's cases mark the highest number of new infections in over a month, though Ontario's Ministry of Health says today's case count is higher than expected due to a "data catch-up process." Asked how much Monday's figure was inflated by the data delay, Public Health Ontario said it couldn't provide a specific number "due to the way the data are pulled for the reports." Dr. Barbara Yaffe, the province's associate chief medical officer of health, said Monday's case count is probably closer to 1,300. Of the new cases, 568 were reported in Toronto, 322 were reported in Peel Region and 119 were reported in York Region. Provincewide, the Ontario government is reporting that some 626 people are in hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 282 are in intensive care, and 184 require a ventilator to breathe.

You will not need to show proof of pre-existing illness for COVID-19 shot: Health Minister. If you have a pre-existing illness and are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine in Phase Two, you will not be required to show proof. That’s according to Health Minister Christine Elliott. She says she believes most people will come to the clinics when they are permitted and not take advantage of the honour system. Elliott says local public health units will screen people as they arrive at the clinics and may be able to check with a person’s family physician, but that will not be mandatory.

In small town news,
No More Lockdowns will be holding a protest in Bancroft this Saturday at the Old Train Station. Organizer Wilma Brethour says they are protesting the lockdowns because they are damaging to the town and the community as a whole. Brethour cited reasons such as closures of small businesses, the separation of families, the increased need for mental health access and many other reasons to be opposed to the lockdowns. Brethour says that it is not an anti-mask protest, rather one against the curbing of freedoms. She hopes that people will respect others’ rights to social distance or not, and that the protest comes down to the rights of individuals to make choices. She says the rights to make these choices are part of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Musing,
I was clicking around yesterday on the net and a pop-up from Air Canada (you know, our national air carrier) appeared on my screen. The ad was for Air Canada vacations to Florida? So, border closed, avoid travel, rotating lock-downs, yadda-yadda and all that other COVID scary stuff. Yet, our national carrier is like "Heeeyyy, jump on Air Canada and get away to some southern sun."

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart." (CONFUCIUS)

Did you know....the first oil boom in North America was in Petrolia, Ontario?

Have you ever...played Barbie's?

WTF is ...............Lilli? (Hint-you would not want your kids playing with this toy.)

On this day in history, The Barbie doll makes its debut.
On March 9, 1959, the first Barbie doll goes on display at the American Toy Fair in New York City. Eleven inches tall, with a waterfall of blond hair, Barbie was the first mass-produced toy doll in the United States with adult features. The woman behind Barbie was Ruth Handler, who co-founded Mattel, Inc. with her husband in 1945. After seeing her young daughter ignore her baby dolls to play make-believe with paper dolls of adult women, Handler realized there was an important niche in the market for a toy that allowed little girls to imagine the future.

Today is - NATIONAL BARBIE DAY - NATIONAL CRAB MEAT DAY - NATIONAL GET OVER IT DAY - NATIONAL MEATBALL DAY


The Bank of Canada unclaimed balances portal can be found here.
COVID-19 vaccination approximate dates here.
Lakeridge Health Mental Health Clinic 905-440-7534 or toll free at 1-833-392-7363 (Monday-Friday 9am-4pm)

Lygentzia *643 (Revelation 13:16 - 17...........) Monday March 8, 2021

Worldwide stats provided by Worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 117,498,137. (Deaths: 2,606,615 and Recovered: 93,009,351)
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 Monday March 8, 2021:
Health Canada reported 886,574 confirmed cases of COVID-19, to date. 30,268 cases are active, there have been 22,239 deaths and 834,067 people have recovered.

The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 308,296 total confirmed cases and 7,067 total deaths. 10,389 are active. Currently, there are 606 people are in hospital with 273 of those cases currently in ICU. 290,840 cases have been resolved. The Ontario government has previously said that when the number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU exceeds 300, it becomes nearly impossible for health-care workers to provide care not related to the disease.

The Region of Durham reported 12,118 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (273 active). Clarington rose to 904 cases, of which 26 are active. Hospitalized in Clarington currently: "2", total deceased: "15"

In international news,
Russia, China and India’s new weapon for world supremacy? Vaccines. In Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates vaccines are flowing shortly into arms. The tiny island nation of the Seychelles, with simply 100,000 residents, has given greater than half its inhabitants its first dose, and in Serbia they’re handing out almost 25,000 doses per day. None of these nations have important vaccine manufacturing or a serious pharmaceutical trade, however what they do have is an everyday provide of Chinese language and Russian-made vaccines, in some instances supplementing the vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca. Of the highest 10 nations on the earth on a doses per capita foundation, six of them are utilizing vaccines from Russia, China or India. Canada is 42nd on the earth on a doses per capita foundation based on Bloomberg Information Service’s vaccine tracker. Information studies and knowledge from authorities web sites present 16 of the nations forward of Canada are utilizing pictures from a type of three nations. Whereas Western nations, together with Canada, scramble to get doses for his or her residents, the governments in Beijing, Moscow and New Delhi are transport vaccine overseas to make new pals, whilst their very own nationwide vaccination efforts lag behind the remainder of the world. This week, China’s ambassador to Canada, Cong Peiwu, stated his nation at all times deliberate to assist the world. “China acknowledged within the early levels that after vaccines have been developed and deployed they’ll change into a world public good, so we’re simply honouring our dedication to assist individuals, particularly in growing nations,” he stated. “We all know the virus is aware of no borders.”

In national news,
Hajdu talks vaccine certificates as Tam looks to 'optimism' of inoculation rollout. Tam optimistic about pandemic's future but says some health measures will linger. As the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic approaches, Canada's health minister says requiring a vaccine passport to travel internationally is a "very live" issue as more Canadians receive shots and countries consider loosening border restrictions. "It's being discussed around the world. I'm a member of the G7 health ministers, we meet every couple weeks. This has been on our agenda," Patty Hajdu said Sunday on Rosemary Barton Live. She said Transport Minister Omar Alghabra is also discussing the concept with international partners. Some jurisdictions are looking to use proof of immunization against COVID-19 as a way to allow travel within and between countries. Last month, the World Health Organization ruled that national authorities should not require such certificates for travel because it's still unclear how well vaccines minimize transmission of the virus, a point Hajdu herself acknowledged.

In Ontario,
Most retailers reopen in Toronto, Peel today as stay-at-home order ends. A stay-at-home order in Toronto, Peel Region and North Bay will lift today as the province loosens pandemic restrictions imposed nearly two months ago. The three regions were the last ones still under the order, and are transitioning back to the government's colour-coded pandemic response framework. Toronto and Peel will enter the “grey lockdown” category, something local public health officials asked for in both regions. Even those strict measures, however, will allow more retailers to open, with restrictions, but leaves gyms, personal care services and indoor restaurant dining closed. North Bay, meanwhile, will be placed in the “red zone,” the second most restrictive level of pandemic measures. Health Minister Christine Elliott says the government is taking a “safe and cautious approach” to ending the provincewide shutdown, which started in January.

Ontario records highest number of new COVID-19 cases in more than three weeks. Ontario is reporting the highest number of new COVID-19 cases in more than three weeks. Health officials reported 1,299 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, which is a sharp increase from the 990 cases reported on Saturday. It's the highest number of new infections in a single day since Feb. 13, when 1,300 new cases were logged. Ontario also reported an increase in the number of COVID-19-related fatalities in the previous 24-hour period, with 15 deaths added. With 46,586 tests completed in the previous 24-hour period, Ontario’s positivity rate also increased to 3.1 per cent. Health officials also deemed 1,105 more cases of the disease to be resolved, bringing Ontario's number of recovered patients up to 290,840

In small town news,
City Of Kawartha Lakes Moves Into the Less Restrictive Yellow Zone In Coronavirus Response Framework. The Ontario Government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is transitioning a number of Health Unit districts into different levels of measures meant to control the spread of Coronavirus. Toronto, Peel and North Bay Parry Sound District public health regions out of the shutdown and into the revised and strengthened COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open (the “Framework”), with the Stay-at-Home order no longer in effect. In addition, seven other public health regions are being moved to new levels in the Framework. Based on a general improvement in trends of key indicators, North Bay Parry Sound District will be returning to the Framework at the Red-Control level. Toronto Public Health and Peel Public Health are also making progress, but as their case rates still remain high, they will return to the Framework at the Grey-Lockdown level.

Musing,
Overheard a great musing over the weekend; to wit, "If a friend says or does things that makes you feel bad about yourself, what's the point of having them as a friend?" I intend to turn that musing into practice.

"Winning doesn't always mean being first." (UNKNOWN)

Did you know....NASA has a patent on an omni-directional wheel, which is based on the description of the wheel from the Bible?

Have you ever...been to a Ghost Town?

WTF is ...............Salt & Straw Ice Cream?

On this day in history, 1917, February Revolution begins, leading to the end of czarist rule in Russia. In Russia, the February Revolution (known as such because of Russia’s use of the Julian calendar) begins when riots and strikes over the scarcity of food erupt in Petrograd. One week later, centuries of czarist rule in Russia ended with the abdication of Nicholas II, and Russia took a dramatic step closer toward communist revolution.

Kissing a total of 4,444 women in the space of 8 hours, John McPherson of Newcastle set the Guinness World record in 1985, even though his goal was to kiss 5,000. And on this stellar date in 1975, the cartoon known as Partridge Family 2200 A.D. (a kind of Jetsons knock-off) last aired on CBS.

Today is - INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY - NATIONAL OREGON DAY - NATIONAL PEANUT CLUSTER DAY - NATIONAL PROOFREADING DAY


The Bank of Canada unclaimed balances portal can be found here.
COVID-19 vaccination approximate dates here.
Lakeridge Health Mental Health Clinic 905-440-7534 or toll free at 1-833-392-7363 (Monday-Friday 9am-4pm)

Lygenztia *642 (When the economy walks, run......) Wednesday March 3, 2021

Worldwide stats provided by Worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 115,372,434. (Deaths: 2,562,222 and Recovered: 91,169,894)
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 March 3, 2021:
Health Canada reported 872,747 confirmed cases of COVID-19, to date. 30,252 cases are active, there have been 22,045 deaths and 820,450 people have recovered.

The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 302,805 total confirmed cases and 6,997 total deaths. 10,546 are active. Currently, there are 677 people are in hospital with 284 of those cases currently in ICU. 285,262 cases have been resolved. The Ontario government has previously said that when the number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU exceeds 300, it becomes nearly impossible for health-care workers to provide care not related to the disease.

The Region of Durham reported 11,910 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (234 active). Clarington rose to 890 (a one day jump of 9 cases!) cases, of which 26 are active. Hospitalized in Clarington currently: "2", total deceased: "15"

In international news,
With 14,989 fresh Covid-19 infections, India's active cases surge past 1.7 lakh. On Tuesday, India's active cases were around 1.68 lakh. But in the last 24 hours, India reported more infections than recoveries. A day after recording daily infections around 12,000, India on Wednesday registered a little spike in daily infection reporting 14,989 new cases in the last 24 hours. On Tuesday, the 24-hour infection tally was at 12,286. Recoveries reached 10,812044 with 13,123 recoveries reported in the past 24 hours. With an infection tally higher than the recovery, India's active caseload on Wednesday stood at 1,70,126. (Incidentally, India's government is allowing its hospitals to adminster the vaccine 24-7, true story. Compare that to Canada, where the lack of vaccine roll out is scandalous.)

In national news,
(One can only hope) More signals of a Roaring '20s rebound for Canadian economy when pandemic ends. Despite economic crash, savings surge as consumer confidence hits 3-year high. Gloomy headlines about the collapse of the Canadian economy, which faced its worst retreat since records began, may have obscured some startling new evidence for a strong rebound. As we reported on Tuesday, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic put Canada's economy into a tailspin, making 2020 the worst year on record, with gross domestic product declining by 5.4 per cent. But other data out this week, including some buried amidst those latest bleak GDP numbers, tells a different story. It shows that high levels of savings and government income support have bolstered the economic well-being of households — notably among the youngest groups and those with lower incomes. At the same time, one fresh measure of consumer confidence shows Canadians more willing to go out and spend than at any time since 2018. It all adds a little more evidence to the widely touted theory that, just like following the 1918 flu pandemic, the Canadian economy is heading for something like the Roaring Twenties — a period of economic, social and artistic innovation as people break out of cabin-fever mode.

In Ontario,
(Good news if you are under 65, but....) Ontario to follow NACI recommendation on AstraZeneca COVID vaccines. Ontario will hold off on giving AstraZeneca’s COVID vaccine to those 65 years and older. Health Minister Christine Elliot said on Tuesday the province will be acting on the National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s recommendation to only give that shot to those under the age of 65. Elliot also said the province is waiting on a recommendation from the NACI on expanding the minimum time needed between doses. The move would see the time between shots pushed by up to 16 weeks, drastically increasing the number of people who would be able to get their first inoculation.

Ontario's daily COVID-19 case count falls for fifth straight day. Ontario reported 966 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday along with 11 more deaths, extending a slow downward trend in new cases to five days, albeit on significantly lower testing volume. “Locally, there are 253 new cases in Toronto, 223 in Peel and 99 in York Region,” Health Minister Christine Elliott said on Twitter. Ontario reported 1,023 cases of COVID-19 on Monday, 1,062 on Sunday and 1,185 on Saturday, and a recent high 1.258 new cases on Friday.

In small town news,
Coronavirus Outbreak At Caressant Care McLaughlin Road In Lindsay Declared Over. Some good news for residents at Caressant Care on MacLaughlin Road in Lindsay. Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) and Caressant Care Nursing and Retirement Homes LTD, in consultation with the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Public Health Unit, have declared an end to the COVID-19 outbreak at the Caressant Care on McLaughlin this morning. No new infections have occurred over the past 14 days. “We are relieved this day has come,” says Veronica Nelson, RMH’s executive lead, who has been providing leadership to the home since February 6. “Everyone worked as a team to get this outbreak under control. This was truly a collaborative effort amongst Caressant Care staff, Hospital staff, agency staff and our essential caregivers. We can now focus on the important work of prevention, and bringing back activities and services our residents enjoy. We can also begin to welcome back our essential caregivers.” Caressant Care on McLaughlin (CCM) declared an outbreak on January 9, 2021, which quickly spread within the home.

Musing,
I wonder what the enrolment numbers in youth sports will look like when this is all over. Will enrolment soar? Or will they drop with the kids having already found alternate sources of exercise and activities? And, to that end, add a dose of modern day over-protective, helicopter parents to the mix. I guess we will see.

"Once you stop learning, you start dying." (EINSTEIN)

Did you know....racoon bites and injuries have spiked in the GTA since the pandeminc began?

Have you ever...seen a flash mob? (If you don't know what that is, go back to your early morning home delivery newspaper and Jeapordy)

WTF is ...............mulled wine? (Best I ever had was in St. Lucia)

On this day in history, 1875, First indoor game of ice hockey.
On March 3, 1875, indoor ice hockey makes its public debut in Montreal, Quebec. After weeks of training at the Victoria Skating Rink with his friends, Montreal resident James Creighton advertised in the March 3 edition of the Montreal Gazette that “A game of hockey will be played in the Victoria Skating Rink this evening between two nines chosen from among the members.” Prior to the move indoors, ice hockey was a casual outdoor game, with no set dimensions for the ice and no rules regarding the number of players per side. The Victoria Skating Rink was snug, so Creighton limited the teams to nine players each. Hockey, traditionally played on grass with a stick and a ball, has its roots in ancient Greece, Egypt and Persia. In this form, the game spread north to Europe and then west to the Americas, and is still popular in the Southern Hemisphere as well as in North America, where it is called field hockey. North America’s indigenous people were playing games with a stick and ball long before the French and English crossed the Atlantic. Cherokee, Ojibwe and Mohawk tribes all had different names for what the French branded “lacrosse,” as did the Iroquois native to Quebec. Meanwhile, ice skating was popularized by skating on sharpened animal shinbones in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries, and games played on ice included a Dutch version of golf and an on-ice version of hurling, an Irish stick-and-ball game.

On this day in 2005, Steve Fossett became the first person to fly a non-stop solo flight around the world, without refueling. Sadly, he would later go missing in 2007 during a solo flight in the Nevada desert.

Today is - NATIONAL ANTHEM DAY - NATIONAL COLD CUTS DAY - NATIONAL I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY DAY - NATIONAL MULLED WINE DAY - NATIONAL SOUP IT FORWARD DAY


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