For those that need by the hour Covid 19 updates, here's your Covid bad news Dashboard.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

For those that need by the hour Covid 19 updates, here's your Covid bad news Dashboard.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

This is interesting. I have no idea what my blood type is. Warning- swearing

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

DonSSDD wrote:
I just read that article, my wife showed it to me. He nailed it, good time not to be in Florida, it will become Italy I bet.

Yes, a shock to the (my) system how some people perceive this virus.

This part of the article is truly shocking: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/24/viral-on-air-plea-captures-an-essential-truth-about-trump/

MC · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

If the Republicans' actual idea is to sacrifice older people to keep the economy running, then Trump could inadvertently kill off most of his voting base. (Sorry, I hope that statement wasn't too political. if so, mods please wipe it out)

Interesting articles - thanks guys.

DonSSDD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Spain just passed China for deaths from the virus. I think they reported their first death in March so it happened fast there.

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

It appears countries that have a traditional culture of strong social interaction are taking the biggest hit.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

I just heard Prince Charles has it.

gparis7 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Germany has a very low rate of deaths relative to cases. So does South Korea. Clearly they are doing something right. The infectious disease specialist for the WHO - who happens to be from Newfoundland - was interviewed on MSNBC last night. He said he spent two weeks in China in the middle of their response, and I believe he also said he went to South Korea and Japan. When asked what accounts for the success in beating back COVID-19 in those countries he cited cultural and social factors as key contributors; in other words, citizens got behind the response and supported it.

Unfortunately the US seems to be on a similar trend line as Spain and Italy, and I must confess I don't understand the federal response strategy in that country. I do however understand what the State of New York is doing and it seems to be on the right track even accounting for the resources they do not have.

So far Canada seems to be doing a good job, as do the provinces including my own. In N&L the case count rose today from 35 to 67. It was 21 two days ago. Obviously this gets worse before it gets better, but in my city it seems the social measures are working if you look at the drastic reduction in vehicular traffic, the reduced attendance at Costco & grocery stores, etc. over the past week to 10 days.

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I still think the grocery stores will be an infection hot spot.

They have to come up with a better way than just to let everyone in, expecting them to distance themselves.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Yes, and I have to visit them several times a week. My big beef is as a small vendor we are expected to stock the shelves ourselves. I think this is a bad idea in this climate. Myself, the dairy, bread, pop and potato chip guys have to do this. Some of these guys are coming from out of province. The orders should be dropped at receiving and store staff should look after putting the product on the shelves.

One chuckle I did have today was watching the cashier who now have plexiglass between them and the customers. It's making it difficult for some customers to hear them. "FOUR NINETY NINE!" I heard one cashier shout!

cdnpont wrote:
I still think the grocery stores will be an infection hot spot.
They have to come up with a better way than just to let everyone in, expecting them to distance themselves.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Here in Toronto the MOH has designated number of shoppers by floor space. You line up to shop, six feet apart and then the door monitor allows people in as those leave. Most have a counter and do this vigorously. I will say that I have been impressed by Galen Weston's communications and response at least here in Ontario. Vulnerable citizens are permitted to shop first each day for one hour. I've been thinking about waving my medic alert bracelet to get in early but my kids prefer that I stay home and they go out.

A little tip we found is in Toronto there are so many little neighborhood stores and fruit markets and little supermarkets around and usually people like us have known these merchants for decades. They do not seem to have a stocking problem so we get a lot of things there. Yes you pay more but isn't this a time when they need our support. Same with our local restaurants and taverns, we've had take outs a few times, not like we make a habit of restaurant food but again neighbours who need our help.

Regardless, the unsung heros are those people keeping us fed and stocking the shelves, cashing us out. Thanks to them all.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

We have a local grocery store owner (we only have one full store in town plus a couple of convenience stores) who is an amazing community man. His name is Pat and he runs Bigway. Pat donates to everything, involved in everything, just a really loved guy. We support him quite a bit but I admit we still do some Superstore and Costco if we are in Winnipeg. However, we are home for 2 weeks. Pat delivers groceries twice day in town to people who want him to, 5 days a week and likely even more. FREE delivery, all you do is pay for the groceries. I told my wife the same thing Ray, so what if we pay more, Pat NEEDS us right now and you better believe we need him too, although we have friends, neighbours, our children and church members who have all offered to shop for us and deliver it. Pat has delivered here and you better believe we will be buying more from him, not only now but once this crisis is over too. I only hope everyone remembers how he has gone the extra mile during this time.

On a side note, I thought our mayor did a great job with his message on our local Facebook page today.

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Scott Crick, Mayor of Morris, MB
6 hrs
Hi Folks,

A bit of a tough post to write today, as it appears the social distancing messaging just isn't grabbing hold with people.

Bigway is one of the essential services we need in our community, especially if the government decides to introduce further restrictions. Based on feedback from a number of citizens, people are not practicing proper social distancing while at the store.

Folks, this is easy.
- Leave six feet between you and other people in the store
- If you need someone to move before you can purchase an item, wait for them to move. Be patient.
- If you are waiting in line, give space to the person in front of you. If everyone practices this, then everyone has enough room.
- Avoid the busy hours between 4 and 6 PM daily. Try and shop earlier or later.
- If you are concerned about not having appropriate social distance in the store, please use their FREE, TWICE DAILY delivery option
- Go to the store alone. If you are caring for someone and cannot go to the store alone, please use their FREE, TWICE DAILY delivery option
- I know we all miss visiting with each other. But please don't do it in the store. Call each other when you get home.
- Oh, and if you are not feeling well, stay home! Please use their FREE, TWICE DAILY delivery option.

Pat is doing what he can within the store to encourage social distancing, but it will not work if people refuse to follow the guidelines.

Simple rules - I call them the five G's:
- Go by yourself
- Get in
- Give space
- Get what you need
- Go home

C'mon folks, we can do better than this. We need Pat and his staff to remain healthy and safe during this trying time, as well as our friends and neighbours.

And please follow these same guidelines when visiting any other business in Town. This is important.

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

This is why we got up so early (5:30 AM) to go grocery shopping on Monday. The stores are at their cleanest at 7:00 AM when they open. In and out, no jacking around. We are planning on not having to set foot in a grocery store for another 3 weeks.

Another thing, as we live in a province that is prone to power outages lasting 2-4 days, I think Islanders (some) are better stocked this time of year. I know I am.

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

Canadian Poncho wrote:
My big beef is as a small vendor we are expected to stock the shelves ourselves. I think this is a bad idea in this climate. Myself, the dairy, bread, pop and potato chip guys have to do this. Some of these guys are coming from out of province. The orders should be dropped at receiving and store staff should look after putting the product on the shelves.
One chuckle I did have today was watching the cashier who now have plexiglass between them and the customers. It's making it difficult for some customers to hear them. "FOUR NINETY NINE!" I heard one cashier shout!
Yes, I agree with leaving the store staff only to stock. More control over the situation.

When I was at the grocery store on Monday, the (2) cashiers on duty had different policies. One would pack your groceries without asking (business as usual), and the other one would ask the purchaser pack their own groceries. They should have a clear-cut store policy to address this.

I haven't seen the Plexi shields in place yet.

gtodrive · Guru

It's easy to be an "armchair health advisor" on this whole Covid-19 pandemic, when you are being spoon fed information by the media. My son, who is 30 and lives in Dearborn, MI, went to the med station on March 18 after having a cough, body aches, and a fever for 2 days. I told him before he went to get tested for the Covid. They said he was too young and sent him home with some Tamiflu. After finishing the Tamiflu and 5 days later, with no improvement, he went to the ER at Beaumont Hospital. They said he had a fever and pneumonia in his left lung and wanted to keep him over night because they didn't like his breathing. A day later he tested positive for the Covid! He is now in a hospital that has 1/3 of Michigan's Covid patients and are almost at capacity. I am thankful that they kept him and he has a bed there, however, TESTING SHOULD BE DONE ON ALL PEOPLE WITH SYMPTOMS REGARDLESS OF AGE! This virus does not discriminate and neither should we! Having no underlying conditions and with youth on his side, I am hopeful and prayerful that he will recover, but I believe it will be a longer road for him because of delayed testing. Testing is the only way to get the statistical numbers correct for this virus.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Prayers being sent for your son as we speak.

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

All this certainly must look different when you're actually living it Robert. Hoping your son gets well soon.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Our dealership doors are locked as of today, no customers allowed in. Couple of workers there still but business is done via telephone now as much as possible. I'm officially unemployed, but actually have been for a week I guess anyway...

Yukon man · Addicted!

I'm wishing everyone to be healthy, I'm sure the more we stay away from other peaple as much as we can will help. I'm sorry to hear the bad news from down south. I'm a family man as well and worry about my kids more than anything.. ther is only 4 cases of it up here, but its definitely coming in time. It's nice to hear that they have really stepped up on money for people like us, ei for some and sounds like they will be helping all kinds of peaple in situations where there's no money coming in. Hopfully they speed the process up.. sending my love from the yukon!!!

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

It only takes one case in the community it looks like, so be careful.

People likely think my wife and I are going overboard but I don't care. She has not stepped outside in a week. I've gone for a couple of short strolls, late night, NO contact with anyone or even in the close proximity to anything other than the sidewalk.

I just had the local parts store deliver my sandpaper and primer for my current "restoration". I could have asked them to put it outside and driven over to pick it up but they said they could deliver so I did. The only issue there is that assumes they are all healthy over at the store.

I'm not paranoid but I do NOT want to be accused of not doing my part.

MC · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

gtodrive wrote:
It's easy to be an "armchair health advisor" on this whole Covid-19 pandemic, when you are being spoon fed information by the media. My son, who is 30 and lives in Dearborn, MI, went to the med station on March 18 after having a cough, body aches, and a fever for 2 days. I told him before he went to get tested for the Covid. They said he was too young and sent him home with some Tamiflu. After finishing the Tamiflu and 5 days later, with no improvement, he went to the ER at Beaumont Hospital. They said he had a fever and pneumonia in his left lung and wanted to keep him over night because they didn't like his breathing. A day later he tested positive for the Covid! He is now in a hospital that has 1/3 of Michigan's Covid patients and are almost at capacity. I am thankful that they kept him and he has a bed there, however, TESTING SHOULD BE DONE ON ALL PEOPLE WITH SYMPTOMS REGARDLESS OF AGE! This virus does not discriminate and neither should we! Having no underlying conditions and with youth on his side, I am hopeful and prayerful that he will recover, but I believe it will be a longer road for him because of delayed testing. Testing is the only way to get the statistical numbers correct for this virus.

Very sorry to hear of your son's case. I wish him the very best outcome. Take Care of yourself as well. All the best to you and your family.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

One of the best videos I've seen on how Covid-19 affects your lungs

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Interesting story in our town. I've posted about a great guy Pat, who owns the biggest grocery store in our little town. His store is right on the highway. The highway through town comes straight from the US border, 25 miles south. It's the second busiest highway in MB, Trans Canada of course is busier.

The highway goes straight to Winnipeg, 35 miles north. As you can imagine, all the snowbirds who drove down are coming home on this road. They realize Winnipeg stores will be busy, and have some empty shelves. They are trying to crowd into Pat's store and buy him out. They are supposed to go straight home as they were requested to do at Customs, no stops, 14 day isolation. Not cool. When we got off the plane a week ago, we came straight home and made arrangements for groceries to be brought here.

Fortunately, being a small town, Pat recognizes most of the customers. He leaves his employees to run the store and apparently he has started to refuse entry to the driving snowbirds (he questions the customers he doesn't recognize) who are disobeying the Customs officers. It's sad it has to come to that but the next thing, one of them will infect our town, it only takes one.

I know you may not all agree with me, you may think it's overboard, and it's ok if you think I'm an idiot for applauding Pat for doing this.

jmont64 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

No, I'm with you all the way. We stopped just south of the border and bought a few days groceries and now our son has upped our supply. After watching the doctor that Todd posted even reinforces it more.

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

Canadian Poncho wrote:
One of the best videos I've seen on how Covid-19 affects your lungs

Not only the lungs, be it has been reported, the heart also.