The South Bayview Bulldog

The Ministry of Health has announced a further 151 cases of COVID-19 infection in the province Saturday. It brings the number of active cases to 1,118. Recent daily reports have placed the number of new COVID cases at 100, 170 and 135.

Giggles are few and far between these days but a video posted to Leaside Community does bring a smile. It shows cats unable to keep to themselves. How surprising.  Below, the photo at the left shows what is said to be someone carrying off a family’s groceries that were delivered to the door. The evident owner of the food posts a very gracious response at the Leslieville Facebook page. He wishes the woman well and hopes the food helped her. At the right below, life goes on (and Spring flowers bloom) on Millwood Rd. At right, a self-imposed social distance lineup at the Summerhill LCBO

Groceries carried off/Leslieville Facebook

Spring on Millwood Rd/Sue Byford — Bulldog

LCBO social distance queue/Yonge and Roxborough

The worldwide COVID-19 epidemic has struck with a savage intensity in next-door New York State where there have now been some 621 virus-related deaths statewide and an estimated half of all cases in the US are located. In New York City, virus deaths have exceeded 2019 homicides. Many are finding the reasons for this in the easy-going social customs and politics of the country. You decide. But there is no doubt things are bad. CBS New York

The Ministry of Health has posted a new total of 967 active virus cases in Ontario, an apparent increase on Friday of 135. Thursday’s count was 170. The province did not release detailed case information for each new patient on Friday as it has done until now. It said information was pending completion of investigation by public health units.

Billions of dollars in subsidies of many different kinds are being offered by the federal government. Details are vague, however. One stunning offer is a 75 percent wage subsidy for small and medium-sized businesses. Above is a live link at noon Friday.

Some people are leaning around the glass making bad jokes/Loblaws

The chief executive of Loblaws, Galen G. Weston, has written to cardholders of the firm expressing concern that some shoppers continue to treat buying groceries as a social outing rather than a social distancing exercise. “Some people are coming in groups or bringing family, treating shopping as a social outing. Others are making uncomfortable jokes about being COVID-19 positive while leaning around protective screens. On the surface, these kinds of actions can seem harmless, but they are quite concerning for other customers and colleagues. Although incidents like this are still rare, frustrations are growing. So, please do everything you can to be respectful of the protocols we have put in place – for everyone’s safety.” Here is the full letter.

Hi Everyone,

There continues to be lots going on out there in our stores. I hope you are all managing ok with your own personal situations. On our end, teams have made incredible adjustments – as just about everything has changed in our stores in the last two weeks. I’m pleased to report that across much of the country we are mostly operating in a stable ‘new normal’. My most heartfelt thanks for your patience, understanding and support.

Having said that, I am writing to you today because I am troubled by growing reports of people ignoring social distancing requests while shopping. Some people are coming in groups or bringing family, treating shopping as a social outing. Others are making uncomfortable jokes about being COVID-19 positive while leaning around protective screens. On the surface, these kinds of actions can seem harmless, but they are quite concerning for other customers and colleagues. Although incidents like this are still rare, frustrations are growing. So, please do everything you can to be respectful of the protocols we have put in place – for everyone’s safety.

On another note, there are many of you who are trying our PC Express e-commerce service. I know that because it is now running at three times the normal levels. Two weeks ago, we’d have an order ready in an hour. Now, it can take four days or more. We are taking steps to improve, reducing the available assortment on the website to help us to pick your order more quickly, and opening new time slots for pick-up. Over the next few weeks we will look for ways to increase our capacity even more.

In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to help improve your experience. For example, plan ahead and place your order a few days before you need your groceries. If your local PC Express is busy, select another one nearby. Finally, keep in mind that this service is invaluable for those who are sick, isolated, or vulnerable. So, if you are healthy and mobile, do your best to get to the store.

One last tip: If you are finding your visits a bit too crowded in your local store, try shopping at a different time of day. We notice that in many stores evening hours are the best. You can check your store’s listing on Google Maps to get a sense of the quieter times on any given day.

That’s all for now. Stay kind.

Galen Weston

The Bank of Canada slashed interest rates for the third time in a matter of weeks and announced what appears to be a large scale asset purchase program to help shield the nation’s economy from coronavirus fallout. BNN

Other news

• After years of hoarding housing supply, Toronto Airbnb hosts are panicking
• Business as usual in Chinatown despite state of emergency

O’Connor Drive southbound at Sunrise Ave.

A man of 57 has been struck and critically injured at O’Connor Drive and Sunrise Ave. Wednesday as he crossed against the light, say police. The accident occurred before dawn and saw the victim crossing O’Connor from east to west when he was struck by a southbound car. The driver remained at the scene. Police are asking residents, businesses and drivers who may have security or dash-camera footage of the area or incident to contact investigators at (416) 808-1900.

City Council with 47 members

SCOC 2019

The Supreme Court of Canda will hear the City of Toronto’s appeal against the Ontario Government’s decision to cut the number of City wards from 47 to 25 two years ago. The decision will make legislative history either way. If the SCC should accept the arguments that Councillors’ constitutional rights were violated by the reduction, it seems likely to open the door to huge challenges in the power of provinces to control the fate of municipalities. That’s a power enshrined in the constitution since Confederation.

Narrowly upheld by Court of Appeal

Challenges to the 2018 legislation, named the Better Local Government Act, have so far seen an early victory for Councillors when Superior Court Justice Edward Belobaba found the law unconstitutional. He also said it violated the rights of politicians in the middle of a campaign and ran afoul of the rights of voters by stopping them from casting a ballot that could provide effective representation. But later the Ontario Court of Appeal overturned Belobaba’s ruling with a narrow 3-2 decision saying the sudden legislation did not interfere with either candidates’ or voters’ ability to express themselves freely. Free speech is not the same as effective free speech, the majority found.

The Ontario Ministry of Health has announced the confirmation of 170 new cases of COVID-19 infection in the province Thursday. That brings the number of active cases to 837. It appears that 22 of the new cases are in Toronto, many among seniors. Three patients are in their 60s, one in her 80e and two in their 90s. The other Toronto cases are among people in their 20s, 30s and 40s. It is the highest number of cases reported since the infection appeared here on January 25. Stringent distancing and closure rules were not implemented until about ten days ago. Several weeks appear to gave have been lost in the process. Ministry of Health

Deserted financial district

Mayor de Blasio has issued a dire warning to New Yorkers. He’s predicting a surge in coronavirus cases. Meanwhile, sound trucks roll down streets blaring a plea for people to observe social distancing.