The South Bayview Bulldog

Up close and personal with a bear in Barrie's south end this morning. #Barrie #barrieontario @BarriePolice pic.twitter.com/82kEK2W3Ve

— Barrie 360 (@Barrie360) May 29, 2020

Police and natural resources personnel have combined to capture a black bear that was roaming a Barrie neighbourhood. The animal was hit with a tranquillizer gun injection about 10 a.m.and subsequently placed in a mobile bear cage for delivery to a more remote location.  The bear was first seen in an industrial area near Victoria and John streets early Friday morning but it kept moving and a short time later police said that they had it contained in a residential neighbourhood near Brock and Bradford Sts and were awaiting the arrival of Ministry of Natural Resources staff. Twitter posts are arriving fast and furious.

Police in Barrie are looking for a big bear. Seen all over the the city this morning. pic.twitter.com/jGgReiRiwi

— Rob Cooper (@robcooperctv) May 29, 2020

Toronto City Council has voted 23 to 2 Thursday to approve a large expansion of bicycle lanes downtown evidently related to COVID-19. Some 40 kilometres of new separate lanes will be installed. The program is called ActiveTO. Much impetus has come on the argument that people can’t be active enough during the pandemic without new bike lanes. There is also hope in some quarters that after the virus threat bike lanes might lead to fewer cars on the road.

Network described

The cycling network will be expanded quickly through temporary installations by repurposing curb lanes along several key corridors. Bloor Street East, University Avenue/Queen’s Park Crescent and Dundas Street East would be among the first installations. The approved work also addresses other gaps in the network including locations in North York and Scarborough and includes acceleration of the Bloor West Bikeway Extension, as well as streetscape improvements and temporary bike lanes on Danforth Avenue.

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is at work on creating a full-face substitute to the scarce N95 masks used hitherto only by doctors. But a whole world of close-contact care professionals from dentists to hairdressers might like to have one of these. Quick trim, please.

The Ministry of Health has counted 383 new cases of COVID-19 infection overnight Thursday. This ends a two-day stretch in which the count was below 300. Ontario reported 292 new cases of the virus Wednesday and 287 Tuesday marking the lowest number of new cases seen in the province in nearly two months. Authorities read the overnight number as part of the long-term downward trend.

York Regional Police have posted this interesting video of calls from the public about a drunk driver. The video follows a police unit tailing the suspect pickup truck. We hear the driver apprehended and answer “Uhhh” when asked how much he has had to drink. An especially sad aspect is the discovery of the man’s young daughter in the truck.  She is frightened, of course, by the police stop. YRP release

The reasons may be varied, but landlords are shunning the new government rent subsidy scheme. Comments in this report and from readers suggest a fear of red tape or government snooping into their business. It’s said some landlords would prefer to be tough with tenants in the hope there is cash being hidden.

Ontario dentists and other health care providers will be allowed to reopen as soon as their respective supervisory colleges grant approval. The announcement came Tuesday and also lists chiropractors, optometrists and physiotherapists. Some have still remained open on an emergency basis. All regulated health professionals were ordered to cease all non-essential or elective work on March 19, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Toronto has published a map that shows in general terms the frequency of COVID-19 infections. As expected, it appears to show many fewer cases of the virus in the central areas like South Bayview. But the map, as can be seen in the City News report above, is not very precise. It does not show streets or names that would assist in knowing detail.

Ad hoc information so far

Ad hoc reporting has indicated the GTA is responsible for as much as 75 percent of virus cases in Ontario but there has been no official breakdown. The GTA has about six million people of the province-wide population total of 14.5 million. And, of course, they live closer together. It was indicated by Peel Region officials last week that the region was something of a hotbed of infection. The postal code breakdown is available province-wide. So far Queen’s Park has stalled on releasing it although there are suggestions from the Ministry of Health it may do so.

Paul Rivett

Joseph Edward Atkinson

Jordan Bitove

Media gadfly Ethan Cox says Wednesday that the new bosses of Torstar, owner of the centre-left and capital L Liberal Toronto Star, are contributors to the Conservative Party of Canada. They are Paul Rivett and Jason Bitove. Joseph Edward Atkinson, a Victorian reformer whose heirs have guided the Star for 120 years, might not approve. Richochet

The Ministry of Health has reported 292 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, five more cases than Tuesday but a welcome number nonetheless. It is the second day that new virus cases have numbered less than 300 and far off the 400 range seen through mid-May. Fingers crossed.

Closed until at least June 9

In a move that was not unexpected, the Ontario government has extended its COVID-19 emergency orders another two weeks. In a statement released Wednesday, the province said the orders will now be in place until June 9. The emergency orders include the closure of outdoor playgrounds, public swimming pools, bars and restaurants, as well as restrictions on social gatherings of more than five people. Premier Ford continues to encourage Ontarians to get tested for the virus. “If you think you have COVID-19 or may have been exposed to the virus, go to an assessment centre and get tested. Please stay safe.” Full release