Photos published at Ann Brown’s Leaside Chit Chat Facebook account show neighbours on Leacrest Rd. in South Leaside sending hearty social-distance birthday wishes to their friend Ernie.
Metrolinx has released a new video Friday updating the status of the LRT stations being built at Avenue Rd., Yonge St., Mt. Pleasant Rd. and Bayview Ave.
About 100 people protested outside Queen’s Park Saturday in scatterbrained frustration against the world of COVID-19 emergency rules. Members of the small crowd claimed COVID-19 is a hoax. One sign demanded, “No more poisen” (sic). Premier Ford, seen in the video below, called the protesters “yahoos” although they appear more like uninformed, frustrated folks. Many wore masks to protect themselves against the alleged hoax.
More pay for healthcare workers
The Ontario government will increase the wages of most healthcare workers in Ontario for the next four months, Premier Ford said Saturday. Ford said the money will help maintain staffing levels in busy long-term care homes and hospitals due to COVID-19. He called it a “pandemic pay premium.” Premier Doug Ford says nurses, personal support workers, cleaners, correctional service officers and many other classifications of provincial workers will earn $4 more per hour for the next 16 weeks, along with a $250 lump sum each month for most full-time staff. It expected that the bonus will put as much as $3,500 in the pocket of those specified.
The Ministry of Health reported 476 new COVID-19 infections Saturday, a large reduction from the numbers reported Thursday and Friday (640 and 634). Authorities say they would like to see that number drop to 200 or fewer a day before bringing an end to Ontario’s state of emergency. Website
Those five fox cubs born recently under the Beaches Boardwalk have become too popular for their own good, say many people posting at the Leslieville Facebook account.
The shocking number of elderly people in care who are dying from COVID-19 is revealed by statistics showing that fully 75 percent of deaths in Ontario occur in retirement and care homes. Total deaths in the province number 800. The Mon Sheong Home for the Aged at 36 D’Arcy St in the Grange has seen 25 deaths with another 25 residents ill with the virus. Staff at the Mon Sheong home has been decimated with 60 employees out of 80 at home with the virus or because of necessary isolation.
A scheme to link governments, tenants and landlords in an agreement to lower rents has been put forward by the prime minister.
Donald Trump may not catch COVID-19 but he’s taking a serious beating in the media Friday for remarks made in a briefing about “inserting disinfectants” into the body to stop the virus. Trump suggested scientists should investigate inserting cleaning agents into the body as a way to combat COVID-19. CBC
The RCMP in Nova Scotia has struggled with a dead-air response to just what happened last Friday during that all-day shooting rampage by Gabriel Wortman. Friday they finally offered a timeline for events as reported by CTV. The CBC National report below tells of how Wortman was captured more or less by chance. Next, an ITV report on how Greece got a leg up on COVID-19 because so many doctors there knew that the country’s broken hospitals could not possibly cope with an epidemic. How odd.
Below that, a wild compilation by the Toronto Sun on how whacky Internet influencers have been hit by the pandemic. Finally, video of that crazy 21-year-old, now in custody, burning rubber at Yonge and Dundas. Once again Dundas Square is revealed as a mecca for teeny people and slightly older lunatics.
The Ministry of Health reports a daily count of 640 new COVID-19 cases Friday, marginally higher than Thursday’s report of 634 new cases. Statisticians say the slow increase in new cases is compatible with a slowing of the local epidemic because deaths from the virus continue to fall. Ontario reported 50 new deaths Friday against 55 Thursday. The Ministry says that recovered patients now outnumber active cases by a large number, another sign of progress. Ontario website
Shannon Chaplin has issued an invitation on behalf of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital for local residents to contribute to a new Gratitude Rock Garden at the hospital. In a post to the Leaside Cares Facebook account, she says: “If you want to help, grab a rock in your own backyard, use water-proof paint or permanent markers and decorate with kind messages or uplifting, colourful designs. You can “plant” your gratitude rocks in our garden right outside of Holland Bloorview, keep an eye out for the Gratitude Garden sign on where to place them.”
The Weather Network notes that Toronto has yet to record a temperature of 15°C during April and that means it’s entering uncharted climatic territory. Curiously, March featured three days above 15°C in Toronto. The WN says time is quickly winding down to end this chilly streak and the long-range forecast doesn’t give any confidence of attaining 15°C anytime soon.
