The South Bayview Bulldog

Iceberg season is at its peak as seen by this remarkable photo taken at Ferryland, Newfoundland New

Travel to see the annual parade of icebergs down the east coast of Newfoundland is restricted this year because of COVID-19. But this photo posted by Ben Officer CD@benofficer gives us a view of one breathtaking berg as it passes a home at Ferryland, Newfoundland in 2017. It’s said that most of the icebergs seen off Newfoundland and Labrador come from the glaciers of western Greenland, while the rest come from glaciers in Canada’s Arctic. Their sheer size is stunning and of course 90 percent of it is below the water. Woe betide careless sailors like the captain of the Titanic.

As reported by the CBC, COVID-19 costs have highlighted the expensive municipal way of life across Canada. Torontonians in particular may ponder the cost of enormous transit schemes underway everywhere. Economists observe that property taxes alone were never intended — and will never be able — to support such infrastructure.

Stores on Bayview Ave., Mt. Pleasant Rd. and all across Midtown will join in the Tuesday reopening of retail businesses. Most of them have been under provincial order to stay closed because of COVID-19. The first phase of an economic reopening allows retailers, some sports centres, vehicle dealerships and other businesses to resume. But the provincial government stresses those businesses still have to comply with public health guidelines such as physical distancing as they welcome customers.

Stuck at home with the kids? Meryl Streep, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Cate Blanchett may be able to help. Reuters

The Ministry of Health reports 304 new cases of COVID-19 for the 24-hour period ending at midnight. That compares to 340 reported Sunday and once again seems to show a decline in the overall spread of the virus. This period also saw 9,155 tests completed, somewhat lower than recent totals. Sunday’s data brings the number of lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 to 22,957, which includes 1,904 deaths and 17,638 recoveries. Ministry of Health

Snowbird lowered from fire truck to ambulance/Castanet News

Capt Jenn Casey

The RCAF says one member of the Snowbirds aerobatic team has died and another member is gravely injured after one of the planes crashed in a residential area of Kamloops Sunday. Capt. Jenn Casey, a public affairs officer with the Canadian Forces, died in the incident, the Department of National Defence said Sunday night. Capt. Richard MacDougall, the pilot of the aircraft, was being treated for his injuries that the Snowbirds said are not life-threatening. The crash sent neighbours pouring onto the street where they said debris was scattered and a house was on fire. Many reports tell of two persons ejecting from the aircraft moments after take off. A tweet at about 7.30 p.m. ET said:

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that one member of the CF Snowbirds team has died and one has sustained serious injuries. We can confirm that we have contacted all primary family members of those involved. More information will be communicated in the near future.

Health Canada has approved clinical trials for a possible COVID-19 vaccine by researchers in Halifax at the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology at Dalhousie University. Similar human testing is already underway in the US.

Bayview extension at Rosedale Valley Rd.

The City, as part of its ActiveTO initiative is closing roads to permit walking, jogging, cycling and related COVID-19 pastimes. The Bayview Ave Extention is a target this weekend. Bayview is closed between Rosedale Valley Road and Mill St. It is also said that access from the Bayview Ave exit to River Street is closed as seen in this official language.

Victoria Day Weekend closures (beginning Saturday May 16, 2020 at 6 a.m. and ending Monday May 18, 2020 at 11 p.m.

• Bayview Avenue from Mill Street to Rosedale Valley Road, as well as the portion of River Street from north of Gerrard Street East to Bayview Avenue (Full closure)

Anyone with photos of their activities on this car-free section of Bayview invited to send their pictures. Here is the CBC story

Walking the closed-to-cars section of Bayview Ave today was awesome. Space to move! pic.twitter.com/cBRHgFL2pd

— Matt Elliott (@GraphicMatt) May 16, 2020

I'm happy to see our #ActiveTO plan up and running to give our residents the space to get outside and be active while at the same time respecting physical distancing measures. pic.twitter.com/ZlRsp87Cot

— John Tory (@JohnTory) May 17, 2020

The Ministry of Health Sunday reported 340 new cases of COVID-19 across Ontaro. The number fits with recent figures in the mid-300s which are interpreted as a sign of a decline in the spread of the infection in Ontario. Ministry site

The first person to show up at a home near Hanna Rd. and Eglinton Ave. Sunday morning can claim a pretty good-looking bicycle. FB

Free bicycle to someone

The Ministry of Health reports 391 new cases of the COVID-19 Saturday. The number is higher than those reported in recent days and may be seen as evidence of the inevitable back and forward battle against the infection. How the spread of COVID-19 may be affected by the re-opening of businesses remains an open question. MInistry site