Road narrowing at two intersections in North Rosedale is part of the City’s long-term plan to make things safer for pedestrians. Here we see the corner of Roxborough Drive at Glen Rd. outside Rosedale United Church and the nearby corner of Glen and Whitney Ave. The so-called Spaghetti Sidewalks were first seen locally in Leaside at Randolph and Kenrae Rds.
Hanna Road resident Carmen Jones, RN, rides her bike to work at the University Health Network each day. It seems her considerable experience (not to mention courage) was never more needed than it is now. Ms. Jones recently tweeted this shot of herself wearing a sign that says “Just a nurse biking to work.” She says it makes drivers 100 percent more careful. And so it should. The Bulldog’s hat is off to Nurse Jones.
It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but as an example of first-world complaining, there is this. FB
The Ministry of Health has announced an additional 211 cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the number of active cases in the province to 1326. It is the biggest single-day increase in the number of confirmed cases since testing began. Recent totals have ranged between 100 and 170 a day. There have been 21 deaths. Virus-fighting team members see some hope in the declining number of so-called pending cases (people with uncompleted tests). It stood Sunday at 7,203 compared to a previous high of more than 10,000.
City News reporter Maleeha Sheikh seems to have a pleasant private life and good for her. She’s been self-isolating and no doubt everyone will sympathize with Maleeha and her family. But there are also countless able-bodied people enduring boring days at home in something close to solitary confinement. Many are having to find new resolve as days of isolation and social distancing turn into weeks.
A war fought on many fronts
Meanwhile, the problematic side effects of battling the COVID-19 seem endless. It is a war being fought on multiple fronts. The business implications range across retail establishments forced out of business to the possible failure of real estate transactions.
Fire has heavily damaged Kingsway Persian Rugs at 4160 Dundas St. West early Sunday. Video from the scene shows that the three-alarm fire has ripped through the roof of the business. Flames reached high enough to threaten a high voltage hydro line above the building making extra caution necessary for the firefighters. Two TTC buses provided shelter for those living above the shop. Video by Mike Carew
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
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.
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
