So I don’t forget...
Today is Thursday, April 30th, 2020.
- March 16th, 2020 we went into self isolation
- March 23, the PM urged Canadians to do their part by staying home and called on Canadian institutions to offer their expertise to fight the virus
- The world wide confirmed cases of Covid 19 have passed 3 million with over 200, 000 deaths determined to have been caused by the coronavirus
- Canada has reported 48, 500 confirmed cases and 2,707 deaths due to the virus to date
- The US has more confirmed cases than any other country with over 1 million confirmed cases and 56,843 deaths to date
- There has been a shortage of available testing in many countries and the numbers above are expected to be actually much higher
- The CDN dollar is worth $.71 US.
- CERB created to assist people who have lost jobs. $2000 a month being given to everyone that applies. Small businesses are having rent relief aid of 75% per month.
- Gas costs 83.9 cents per liter at most gas stations in the city of Vancouver today and is even cheaper in many communities on the outskirts. Some towns in BC have seen prices as low as 60 cents over the past couple of weeks.
- Schools have been closed since mid March and kids are learning remotely on-line. This will likely continue for the rest of the school year.
- There are lines / tapes inside the stores to keep people 6 feet apart.
- Bars and restaurants only for home delivery & pick-up.
- Parks, lakes, campgrounds, golf courses, recreation centres and walk-in places are not accessible to the public.
- All sports competitions have been cancelled. Even professional sports.
- All festivals and entertainment events have been banned or cancelled
(Music Concerts, Festivals, The PNE, Calgary Stampede, Live Theaters, Movie Theaters, and all smaller Festivals and Fairs)
(Music Concerts, Festivals, The PNE, Calgary Stampede, Live Theaters, Movie Theaters, and all smaller Festivals and Fairs)
- Weddings, family celebrations, birthdays and funerals have been cancelled. Gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people.
- People are doing drive-by parades to celebrate birthdays.
- We have to stay away from each other more than a 2 meters (6feet)
- Shortage of masks and gloves (PPE - personal protective equipment) in hospitals.
- Our Prime Minister has been doing daily press conferences from Rideau Cottege. On April 8th he said masks help prevent you from “speaking moistly” to others. He instantly regretted saying it and the phrase went viral immediately.
- People are using their home 3D printers to help make PPE like face shields and clips (to save health care workers ears and hold back mask straps), and even ventilator pieces that are in short supply.
- People are wearing masks, some places even REQUIRE that you wear them to enter! People are making their own masks for sale or donation to medical facilities.
- Toilet paper, yeast, flour, hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes and anything Lysol or Clorox is in short supply and limited per person.... IF you can even find them!
- Stores are closing early to disinfect everything. (24 hour stores are even closing by 9pm)
- Store check outs, pharmacies and even fast food drive thru windows have added plexiglass between employee and customer. Have to reach around or under to pay!
- Canada has closed the borders to all non-essential travel.
- no visiting inside or outside elder care facilities
- most childcare centres closed but some open for essential care workers children
- On April 19, Canada was devastated by the largest mass shooting in our history. 22 lives lost. A virtual vigil was held April 24 for the victims, as Canada mourned.
