So much has changed since I last wrote.
Covid-19 broke out in January in China, which led to a worldwide coronavirus pandemic. There have been 3,540,250 cases, 247,050 deaths and 1,147,597 recoveries. There are currently 2,145,603 patients infected, with 98% being mild and 2% serious or critical. The US leads in all categories with 1,174,857 cases (Spain is in second place at 247,122) and 68,109 deaths. These numbers are definitely skewed, though, as I'm certain not all countries are reporting correctly (China). As well, not everyone is testing the same. Alberta tests more than other provinces, so the number of cases we have is obviously higher. If all provinces tested more, they'd have more patients. At least those people would be quarantined at home or in hospital and not out continuing to spread the virus.
Here's what's become history:
- On March 23rd, the Prime Minister issued a Stay At Home order. This resulted in all schools and most businesses closing immediately. Grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations have deemed essential.
- This has devastated our economy - both provincially and federally, not to mention the number of businesses and people who are struggling and many may have to file for bankruptcy. Both the federal and provincial governments have stepped up with a variety of assistance for different areas, people and businesses, but it's not enough. Monies are given to corporations (Bombardier) who stepped up first but who aren't necessarily in the most need.
- USA oil bottomed out, falling 321% to -$40.32/barrel. Canadian oil dropped to -$1.43.
- The Canadian dollar sits at $0.71 USD.
- Gas is 54.9 cents per litre. (As of April 26th). Today it's 77.4 cents.
- Schools have been closed since mid March and teachers are teaching online. Parents who aren't already laid off have had to take leaves of absence to care for their children as daycares are also closed.
- Doctor's appointments are by telephone or video chat.
- There are lines/tape inside the stores on the floor to keep people 6 feet apart.
- Bars and restaurants are open only for take out, home delivery and pickup.
- Parks, beaches, hiking trails and walk-in places are not accessible to the public.
- All major and minor league sports competitions have been cancelled as well as kids' sports.
- All festivals, entertainment events have been banned/cancelled.
- Weddings, family celebrations and birthdays have been cancelled. Funerals are limited to 15 people.
- People are doing drive-by parades to celebrate birthdays.
- Young kids can't understand why they can only see grandparents and other extended family and friends on a screen or through a window, if someone visits in person, or on facetime.
- Hugs and kisses are not exchanged.
- Places of worship are either closed or online.
- We have to stay away from each other at least 6 feet.
- There is a shortage of PPE (disposable masks, gloves, visors) in hospitals.
- There are not enough ventilators.
- People are wearing masks. Some places even require that you wear them to enter!
- People are sewing their own cloth masks for their use, for sale or to donate to medical facilities.
- Flour, yeast, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, bleach, 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.
- Store checkouts, pharmacies and fast food drive thru windows have added plexiglass between the employee and the customer.
- You can't find isopropyl alcohol.
- Australia, USA, Canada and Europe have closed their borders.
- Western Australia has been divided into 9 territories and an instant $1500 fine issued for crossing the border without a valid reason. Exceptions include transport workers, essential services, etc.
- No one is travelling for leisure. The airports are empty except essential workers travelling.
- No one gets to see other family; only phone calls and online visiting to see how they are doing.
- Golf courses are closed.
- Talk show hosts are filming from their homes.
- Anxiety and mental illnesses are heightened.
On April 30th, Premier Jason Kenney announced plans for Alberta's Relaunch Strategy to get our economy and citizens back up and running. It's a three stage plan that begins tomorrow, May 4th.
Although everyone wants to not have to stay at home, stay away from family and friends, and get back to living a 'normal' life, we have not seen the end of the coronavirus. It is very likely that the virus will ramp up again in September, right when influenza season hits. While the Spanish Flu claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in the first wave, the second wave, in the fall of 2018, was even more devastating as the virus ramped up. Combined with a seasonal influenza, the loss of life was astronomical. The same scenario is expected with the coronavirus. That means we'll have stay at home orders, people off work, businesses closed, a struggling healthcare system, and many deaths. We're not out of the woods yet.
This is all I can stomach for now.
Toodles.
Covid-19 broke out in January in China, which led to a worldwide coronavirus pandemic. There have been 3,540,250 cases, 247,050 deaths and 1,147,597 recoveries. There are currently 2,145,603 patients infected, with 98% being mild and 2% serious or critical. The US leads in all categories with 1,174,857 cases (Spain is in second place at 247,122) and 68,109 deaths. These numbers are definitely skewed, though, as I'm certain not all countries are reporting correctly (China). As well, not everyone is testing the same. Alberta tests more than other provinces, so the number of cases we have is obviously higher. If all provinces tested more, they'd have more patients. At least those people would be quarantined at home or in hospital and not out continuing to spread the virus.
Here's what's become history:
- On March 23rd, the Prime Minister issued a Stay At Home order. This resulted in all schools and most businesses closing immediately. Grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations have deemed essential.
- This has devastated our economy - both provincially and federally, not to mention the number of businesses and people who are struggling and many may have to file for bankruptcy. Both the federal and provincial governments have stepped up with a variety of assistance for different areas, people and businesses, but it's not enough. Monies are given to corporations (Bombardier) who stepped up first but who aren't necessarily in the most need.
- USA oil bottomed out, falling 321% to -$40.32/barrel. Canadian oil dropped to -$1.43.
- The Canadian dollar sits at $0.71 USD.
- Gas is 54.9 cents per litre. (As of April 26th). Today it's 77.4 cents.
- Schools have been closed since mid March and teachers are teaching online. Parents who aren't already laid off have had to take leaves of absence to care for their children as daycares are also closed.
- Doctor's appointments are by telephone or video chat.
- There are lines/tape inside the stores on the floor to keep people 6 feet apart.
- Bars and restaurants are open only for take out, home delivery and pickup.
- Parks, beaches, hiking trails and walk-in places are not accessible to the public.
- All major and minor league sports competitions have been cancelled as well as kids' sports.
- All festivals, entertainment events have been banned/cancelled.
- Weddings, family celebrations and birthdays have been cancelled. Funerals are limited to 15 people.
- People are doing drive-by parades to celebrate birthdays.
- Young kids can't understand why they can only see grandparents and other extended family and friends on a screen or through a window, if someone visits in person, or on facetime.
- Hugs and kisses are not exchanged.
- Places of worship are either closed or online.
- We have to stay away from each other at least 6 feet.
- There is a shortage of PPE (disposable masks, gloves, visors) in hospitals.
- There are not enough ventilators.
- People are wearing masks. Some places even require that you wear them to enter!
- People are sewing their own cloth masks for their use, for sale or to donate to medical facilities.
- Flour, yeast, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, bleach, 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.
- Store checkouts, pharmacies and fast food drive thru windows have added plexiglass between the employee and the customer.
- You can't find isopropyl alcohol.
- Australia, USA, Canada and Europe have closed their borders.
- Western Australia has been divided into 9 territories and an instant $1500 fine issued for crossing the border without a valid reason. Exceptions include transport workers, essential services, etc.
- No one is travelling for leisure. The airports are empty except essential workers travelling.
- No one gets to see other family; only phone calls and online visiting to see how they are doing.
- Golf courses are closed.
- Talk show hosts are filming from their homes.
- Anxiety and mental illnesses are heightened.
On April 30th, Premier Jason Kenney announced plans for Alberta's Relaunch Strategy to get our economy and citizens back up and running. It's a three stage plan that begins tomorrow, May 4th.
Although everyone wants to not have to stay at home, stay away from family and friends, and get back to living a 'normal' life, we have not seen the end of the coronavirus. It is very likely that the virus will ramp up again in September, right when influenza season hits. While the Spanish Flu claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in the first wave, the second wave, in the fall of 2018, was even more devastating as the virus ramped up. Combined with a seasonal influenza, the loss of life was astronomical. The same scenario is expected with the coronavirus. That means we'll have stay at home orders, people off work, businesses closed, a struggling healthcare system, and many deaths. We're not out of the woods yet.
This is all I can stomach for now.
Toodles.
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