Pure Country Sudbury

Time 2021-01-05 08:03:00

Web Name: Pure Country Sudbury

WebSite: http://www.kicx917.com

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By ticking this box, I agree to receive the chosen newsletter, including promotional programming. marketing, and other survey emails. I understand I can withdraw my consent to receive the aforementioned items at any time. The free iHeartRadio app is available on Web, iOS, Android, Alexa, automobiles and more. We began this podcast series by exploring the behavioural and perceptual effects this pandemic has had on us and what will be the lasting impact. We learned that changes will actually come slowly, but the changes will be long lasting – perhaps even generational.We’ve learned that the future of work is no longer about working from home. It’s now about living at work.We’ve learned that our behaviour drives outcomes. Physical distancing, wearing masks, sneezing into our elbows are behviours that determine whether we’re fighting the curve, flattening the curve or crushing the curve.We’ve also learned that our expectations of government and corporations are framed by their behaviour. How have our leaders responded to your needs? How have corporations and brands addressed my concerns about your safety and your well-being?How has COVID-19 changed the language of business and brands? How has it moved the messaging?Graeme Newell is President of 602 Communications and an expert in DECISION SCIENCE. He joins us from his studio in Portland, Oregon. He says things haven't really changed. In fact, we've simply reverted to a more primitive, instinctive means of communication. We know there will be a second wave of COVID-19. And it’s likely to hit us before the end of this calendar year. We also know that some countries, like Canada, have managed to crush the curve. Still, there are regions of the world where the curve continues to rise – particularly in Brazil, India and the United States.So, the daily news can be exhausting at best and grim when we consider the worst case scenarios.But there is some reason for optimism. Four months into the pandemic and more than 6 months after this strain of the coronavirus was first detected in China, the World Health Organization says there are currently 147 COVID-19 vaccines in development.At least 17 are now into the human trial phase.One of them is being developed in Australia. Professor Nikolai Petrovsky is the Chairman of the company called VAXINE Pty.  He says their results to date are more than promising. Some good news, if not great news, on the research front. There are 147 COVID-19 vaccines in development and 17 of them are into the human trials.Professor Nikolai Petrovsky is the chairman of VAXINE – an Australian based company that is undertaking an international effort to develop a COVID 19 vaccine.  He and his team started human trials on July 1st, 2020 The past few episodes of the NEXT NORMAL have focused on the SECOND WAVE of the COVID pandemic – likely to hit us in the next 4 of 5 months.While there’s still a lot we don’t know about this strain of the coronavirus, we have learned a lot since it was detected in December of last year.Much of that knowledge has come from an historic and piercing international scientific focus on COVID-19. There are hundreds of efforts underway to develop a vaccine and we know that some are well on their way towards human trials.But there has also been a great deal of research being done on pharmaceutical treatments that don’t immunize us but could help mitigate and minimize the symptoms and effects of COVID-19.A Halifax-based firm is doing just that. Appili Therapeutics is an infectious disease company that tests drugs currently in use to fight other diseases to see if they have any effect on COVID-19.It sounds like they’ve found one.Dr. Armand Balboni is the CEO of Appili Therapeutics. He says they are moving into phase two of trials to evaluate the drug called favipiravir as a preventative treatment against the coronavirus. And they are targeting a very specific – at risk demographic. Economies are in various stages of reopening across the country. But we do so with one eye on the SECOND WAVE which is expected to hit in the late autumn and last into the winter of 2021.Are we ready for it. We’ve been asking that question of late from a number of perspectives. In this episode, we look at some of the science lessons and medical lessons we’ve learned during the course of the pandemic so far.We talk to Dr. Mitch Shulman, and emergency medicine specialist in Montreal and the medical correspondent for iHeart Radio Canada, and our iHeart Radio Canada Science correspondent Professor Dan Riskin to get some clarity on whether we're seeing the start of the second wave already. We often talk about the heroes of the pandemic and that brings our front line healthcare workers to mind almost immediately. What does the Next Normal look like for them as we approach the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19?What the learnings they have had as they've faced down the COVID crisis?Tim Guest is President of the Canadian Nurses Association. Mark Henick is a Mental Health advocate and host of the podcast So Called Normal.There are some voices and expert thinkers among us who believe the "second wave" of the coronavirus pandemic may not be as severe as we had originally expected. But they do say it's coming and with it we will begin to see the true fallout of the "first wave" - the businesses that have gone bankrupt, the real job loss once government programs run out. And all of that will add up to an echo pandemic of mental illness.Are we prepared? Can we prepare? They’ve been dubbed the “COVID Cohort”. They are the high school grads, the class of 2020, who had fully intended to attend the college or university of their choice in September. But the pandemic upset those plans as it has done in almost aspect of our lives and livelihoods.Post-secondary institutions across the country and around the world are moving from on-campus to online learning. It’s a move that makes sense from a public health perspective but it’s not what students signed up for; so many are reconsidering whether they’ll attend, many saying they’ll opt for a gap year – preferring to have the full campus experience rather than a virtual gathering.Anna-Marie Musson from Musson Law says, the COVID Cohort is creating a whole new set of unexpected challenges and pressures for couples and families trying to navigate Family Law in this country. We have constantly talked about how we must re-invent, re-think, re-calibrate our economy, our personal and professional lives and our long-standing institutions as we respond to the COVID pandemic.Healthcare and education have been front a centre for most families across the country. But the justice system may have faced the greatest challenges, forced to comply with the public health requirements while ensuring the courts continued to function.John McMahon is a Superior Court Justice in Ontario and he has been tasked to lead the province’s criminal court through the challenges and changes facing the system… I was meeting with a friend over coffee at a local Starbucks the day the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. It’s been more than 100 days since that happened.Needless to say, all of our jobs, our families, our homes have been disrupted when the pandemic forced a global economic shutdown.So, how have we coped so far? How have our values been re-shaped and re-focused?John Wright is a veteran pollster and a principal at DART Insights and Communications. He’s been taking the Canadian pulse during this pandemic. He joins us from his home office in Toronto. We spent the first three months of the pandemic saying we need to trust the science and scientists. But we've also seen a good deal of frustration around mixed messages -  Lancet withdrawing the hydroxychloriquine research, and the WHO taking its "learning as we go" approach to this novel coronavirus.Two things have happened. We have a better understanding of how the science community functions. On the other hand, it lays bare the fallibility of science and gives the critics/conspiracy theorists more ammunition. Transparency is good but it shows errors on full display. So, how or will this change the way the science community conducts itself in the post Covid era? Is this pandemic its Apollo 13 moment?Dan Riskin is CTV’s Senior Science Correspondent and a professor of Biology at the University of Toronto Economies are re-opening across Canada and around the world as we emerge from the first wave of the COVID pandemic. Some regions are opening more slowly than others, primarily because of the number of active coronavirus cases still being reported. While this has proven to be a balance between public health and the need to reignite business on main street and Bay Street, the real success is going to depend on individual behaviours.How will consumers respond? How will you feel about going into a restaurant or a retailer?Marketing strategist Tony Chapman at Tony Chapman Reactions and host of the podcast CHATTER THAN MATTERS says marketers will have to consumer confidence and consumer comfort if they’re going to succeed in the post COVID era. Has COVID 19 contributed to the rage and rallying we’ve seen in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of police in Minneapolis? Has COVID-19 accelerated the end to what’s been called The American Century?David Schultz is a professor of political science and constitutional law at Hamline University in Minnesota. It’s his view that the pandemic has made it clear that America’s global influence is in decline while other nations are in their ascendancy. Navigating the long term care system in Canada has never been easy. In fact, at best it could be qualified as frustrating, infuriating and exhausting. That has only been amplified by the onset of the COVID pandemic. It has also highlighted the urgency needed to address the appalling state of long term care homes and the sheer neglect and abuse suffered by some residents.How do we rebuild the system?Jeff Lozon is a former Deputy Minister of Health and Long Term Care in Ontario, the former President and CEO of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto and the retired President and CEO at Revera Living one of Canada's largest seniors accommodation and services companies The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare a number of areas our lack of preparedness – both on an individual and institutional level. And nowhere has it been more obvious than when we consider the state of Long Term Care facilities in Canada.Coronavirus Outbreaks overwhelmed the system to the point where Ontario and Quebec asked the federal government to deploy the military to help with the staffing shortages. And based on that response and experience, we now know that many of these homes are in appalling conditions. Residents are being ignored to the point of abuse and the homes are best described as filthy.And the families of residents have been on the front line of this tragedy. How will we navigate this broken system as we learn to cope with life during the pandemic?Karen Cumming is a journalist and co-author, (with her sister Patricia Milne), of the book The Indispensable Survival Guide to Ontario’s Long-Term Care System and Matt Del Vecchio Founder and President of LIANAS – providing families with guidance and support for seniors who have to transition to Long Term Care.Lisa Taylor - President of Challenge Factory and author of the Talent Revolution. She and her team are on the forefront of helping Canadians prepare for the Future of Work…In part two of our conversation, Lisa says our initial reaction to the pandemic was a crisis response and we reacted without a full understanding of expectations of both the technology and outcomes. As an example, she points to the challenges we faced trying to educate our kids in a virtual space. The pandemic has disrupted every part of our lives. None more so than your work life. Many of you have lost your jobs. Many others have had their hours reduced and almost everyone  who is still working has been working remotely from makeshift home offices.Is this a glimpse of the future of work? Is the home office really going to be default posture for you and your colleagues?This is the first of two parts of my conversation withLisa Taylor - President of Challenge Factory and author of the Talent Revolution. She and her team are on the forefront of helping Canadians prepare for the Future of Work. The pandemic has disrupted every part of our lives. None more so than your work life. Many of you have lost your jobs. Many others have had their hours reduced and almost everyone  who is still working has been working remotely from makeshift home offices.Is this a glimpse of the future of work? Is the home office really going to be default posture for you and your colleagues?This is the first of two parts of my conversation withLisa Taylor - President of Challenge Factory and author of the Talent Revolution. She and her team are on the forefront of helping Canadians prepare for the Future of Work. COVID-19 has tested our resilience – the resilience of our economy, of our businesses, of our families health and well-being, and the resilience of our leaders.And the greatest tests are still to come, particularly as we wade through the process of re-opening economies across Canada and around the world. One of the major challenges will be balancing public health concerns with economic well being.And that will pose a number of ethical conundrums. In many cases, our leaders will have to assess the value of a human life.Kerry Bowman is a bio ethicist and professor at the UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO. He says we can't have ethics that apply during "normal" times and a different set of ethics in the face of an emergency. Don't Fence Me In was written by Cole Porter and Robert Fletcher and Roy Rogers sang in the 1944 movie – Hollywood Canteen. The idea of wide open spaces has always been a metaphor for freedom and healthy living…But here we are in the midst of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and we are rethinking the safety and security of our open spaces. Even when we stroll in the park, we’re told we need to keep our distance.It’s forced us to rethink how we use outdoor public space, how we re-organize our urban infrastructure. It won’t just change the way we use our parks and parking lots – it will have a direct effect on the way urban transportation – both public and private – as we learn to live in the COVID era.John Surico is a freelance journalist based in the UK. He writes about urban spaces and public transit for CITYLAB and the New York Times. He joins us from his office in London. Whether it’s re-opening our economy, getting the kids back to class, or keeping your regular dentist appointment – the recovery and success will depend on your comfort and your confidence that we will be able to do all of this safely as we face the challenges of COVID-19.Sarah Thorne, President and CEO of Decision • Partners is a behavioural researcher. She says we are all in a state of adaptive management. As much as we may think things have changed quickly, Thorne says our collective experience during this pandemic has been one of “slowing things down”. It’s causing us to think of what we’re doing, why we’re doing it and re-evaluating our values.As it stands now, her research suggests most Canadians are becoming active risk assessors and will make decisions now based on their own comfort and confidence that they and their families will be safe. The effort to restart and regenerate economies across the country is proving to be more art than science. It’s But it’s a choreography that leans towards improv over planning. We’ve never faced this before.So governements, public health authorities and business are having to process this as we go. And there’s only one opportunity to do it right.How do we do that?Well, the Toronto Region Board of Trade has laid out a series of measures to help local economies re-open safely.The report is called RE-IMAGINING RECOVERY….and we’ve assembled our Round Table to explore the ideas.We are joined by Richard Joy Executive Director Urban Land Institute Toronto, Scott Beck President and CEO Tourism Toronto and Jan De Silva President and CEO Toronto Region Board of Trade The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the areas of neglect and concern that have been hiding in plain view. That includes the matter of FOOD SECURITY. The coronavirus pandemic has only increased the pressure on an already pressured food bank network across Canada. FOOD SECURITY at the dinner table is one thing.But what about the SECURITY of the FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN? How do we ensure the food we grow gets out of the ground from the farm, onto the truck, to your local grocer and to your front door in this age of COVID?Keith Currie is the Vice President the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. He spoke to us from his office in Collingwood, Ontario In this second of two parts of the NEXT NORMAL, we continue our conversation with Professor Nikolai Petrovksy – the director of endocrinology at flinders medical centre with a conjoint position as professor of medicine at flinders university in Adelaide, Australia.He and his team of international researchers are on the forefront of the effort to develop a vaccine against the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.Petrovsky says he is "excited" by the vaccine test results from a colony of monkeys. It's a major step forward in the development in the fight against COVID-19 and he says it could mean human trials will begin before mid-summer.Petrovsky’s team is an international coalition of public and private sector contributors and none of them is pursuing this vaccine for profit.It may prove to be the NEXT NORMAL in vaccine research and development. Petrovsky says “I think (governments and public health authorities) are going to be amazed that this model actually does work….and I hope then that governments and global corporations realize this is the model of the future. It’s not massive pharma companies that take years to deliver and consume billions of dollars in doing so. If you can have a small, highly mobile, very fast team doing this hundreds of thousands or a few million dollars and deliver and even better product faster, why are you investing billions in these big corporations that really are dinosaurs when it comes to dealing with a pandemic.”He expects there will be more than one successful vaccine in relatively short order. But the challenge will be effectively distributing doses around the world in a short period of time. Professor Nikolai Petrovsky leads a team of researchers that is bound and determined to develop a vaccine to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.While that task is immediate and urgent, and his team isn’t the only one looking for the secret sauce to solving the pandemic, the structure of their consortium may well be the greater benefit if in fact they are successful. Petrovsky’s team is an international coalition of public and private sector contributors and none of them is pursuing this vaccine for profit.That sets them apart from the research efforts being led by the US, UK and German governments. In this first of two parts of the NEXT NORMAL, you get a glimpse of the competitive proprietary approach to vaccine research and how that could affect some of the most vulnerable countries in the world.Professor Petrovsky joined me from his office in Adelaide Australia at Flinders University. Julie Marshal is with the World Food Project. She tells The NEXT NORMAL, as many as 300,000 people could die per day - over the next 3 months if WFP doesn't get the funding urgently need to reach people with humanitarian assistance.821 million people go to bed hungry every night all over the world, chronically hungry, and as the new Global Report on Food Crisis shows, there are a further 135 million people facing crisis levels of hunger or worse. That means 135 million people on earth are marching towards the brink of starvation.But now the World Food Programme analysis shows that, due to the Coronavirus, an additional 130 million people could be pushed to the brink of starvation by the end of 2020.  That’s a total of 265 million people.   In this episode you will meet Dr. Sharon Burey. She is a Consultant Behavioural Pediatrician and the President of the Pediatricians Alliance of Ontario and she joins us from her office in Windsor, Ontario.Dr. Burey is particularly concerned about the lack of COVID-19 studies that include children in the research. She is also worried about current data that suggests there has been a steep falloff in regular vaccines for young kids. In this episode you will meet Ujwal Arkalgud – a cultural anthropologist. He’s the co-founder and CEO of Motivbase. He and his team are studying how we are and will live in a world with covid-19.He says as much as we may think changes are happening quickly, history says we are slow to embrace change even in the face of the most challenging times.AND I’M ALWAYS INTERESTED IN HEARING FROM YOU. CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA@DAVETRAFFORD ON TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM AND @THEDAVETRAFFORD ON FACEBOOK.THE NEXT NORMAL IS PRODUCED FOR iHEART RADIO CANADA BY iCONTACT PRODUCTIONS.We are winding down the COVID-19 Daily Podcast as of tomorrow, Friday, May 8th. But, we are going away. We’re going to shift direction.These past seven weeks have been spent focused on the Outbreak of the coronavirus that brought us the COVID-19 pandemic and brought the world to its knees.Now, as we begin to stand back up again, the over arching question has been “what’s next”?What’s next for business, for jobs, for education, for families and our health and well being?How will be live in this age of the COVID pandemic?So, beginning Monday, May 11 we begin THE NEXT NORMAL. It will be 2 full months since the pandemic was declared and nearly four months since we saw our first case of the coronavirus in Canada on January 27th.We will run three episodes a week – We’ll post them first thing in the morning on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.And we’ll take a 100 thousand foot view of what’s on the horizon, what we should expect and how we will prepare for the next wave of this pandemic.You need go nowhere. If you subscribe to the OUTBREAK Daily podcast, you’ll find THE NEXT NORMAL in the same podcast feed.We’ve had nearly 170 thousand downloads since this show started 7 weeks ago, so we know there’s an appetite and demand for this on demand audio.Thanks for listening, and thanks for the support…In this final episode of the COVID-19 Daily Podcast we will talk to Bob Pickard at Signal Communications about the evolving narrative around leadership in this age and stage of COVID.And we’ll also be joined by Jon Erlichman, host of The Open on BNN Bloomberg about today’s job loss announcement. Nearly 2 million Canadians lost their jobs in April.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.We are winding down the COVID-19 Daily Podcast as of tomorrow, Friday, May 8th. But, we are going away. We’re going to shift direction.These past seven weeks have been spent focused on the Outbreak of the coronavirus that brought us the COVID-19 pandemic and brought the world to its knees.Now, as we begin to stand back up again, the over arching question has been “what’s next”?What’s next for business, for jobs, for education, for families and our health and well being?How will be live in this age of the COVID pandemic?So, beginning Monday, May 11 we begin THE NEXT NORMAL. It will be 2 full months since the pandemic was declared and nearly four months since we saw our first case of the coronavirus in Canada on January 27th.We will run three episodes a week – We’ll post them first thing in the morning on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.And we’ll take a 100 thousand foot view of what’s on the horizon, what we should expect and how we will prepare for the next wave of this pandemic.You need go nowhere. If you subscribe to the OUTBREAK Daily podcast, you’ll find THE NEXT NORMAL in the same podcast feed.We’ve had nearly 170 thousand downloads since this show started 7 weeks ago, so we know there’s an appetite and demand for this on demand audio.Thanks for listening, and thanks for the support…Now…onto other news of the day..As economies begin to reopen at various paces around the world and leading economist expects to see a sharp recovery bounce in the last quarter of 2020. But will that be enough to lift us out of the crisis we’re in right now?Nouriel Roubini is an NYU professor and a former White House economist in the Clinton administration. He predicted the 2009 financial crisis three years before it happened.His outlook isn’t all that promising.He told BNN Bloomberg’s Amanda Lang he expects a Greater Global Depression before the end of this decade.But if we’ve got this kind of warning and timeline, is there anything governments and world banks should be doing now to prevent or mitigate a Depression?On the Canadian economy, Roubini notes the country's position as fundamentally resilient and diversified, but not immune to the drop in oil prices. In Washington, Associate Press is reporting the White House has shelved CDC guidelines for re-opening the US economy. It was a 17 page report intended to help faith leaders, business owners, educators and state and local officials as they begin to reopen.A member of the U.S. Navy who serves as one of President Donald Trump's personal valets has tested positive for coronavirus. The White House says the president has been tested for the virus.In Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that an agreement has been reached with all provinces and territories to top up the wages of some essential front-line workersThroughout this pandemic, we have heard inspired and inspiring stories about individuals and organizations pivoting to help those in need during the lockdown. We’ll hear from a man in Toronto who stepped up to help front line health care workers. Matthew Lombardi started a not for profit organization called Grocery Hero. He’s coming up later in the podcast.Privacy Commissioners across the country are warning government that choose to use smartphone data to trace the movements of Canadians during the COVID-19 crisis should handle personal information with care.It wasn’t quite the high tech phone tracing, but the location of one person involved in the tele-conference hearing before the US Supreme Court became clear during the call. Everything was proceeding just fine, until there was the unexpected sound of a toilet flushing.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Some dire projections from the former head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US. Tom Frieden testified before a congressional committee in Washington on Tuesday and suggested the coronavirus death toll will exceed 100 thousand in the United States before the end of this month.In yesterday’s episode we told you that American researchers had discovered 14 mutations in the novel coronavirus suggesting the strain that hit Europe was different from the strain reported earlier in the outbreak.Today the World Health Organization is urging countries to look for the earliest case of COVID-19 after it was reported that France had its first case a number of weeks before it officially confirmed its first case in January.US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is now saying the US does not have certainty about the origin of the coronavirus – despite insisiting during a weekend interview with ABC that the Trump administration have “enormous evidence” the virus came from a lab in Wuhan China.Some positive news from British Columbia today, where staff and residents at the Lynn Valley long term care home is finally virus free. There have been no new cases for 28 straight days. 20 residents died, 79 residents and staff tested positive during the outbreak at the home.Ontario has extended all COVID-19 emergency orders past Victoria Day, but Premier Doug Ford also announced plans to allow more retail operations to open for business in the coming days.And Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer says there are signs that the pandemic is slowing down in this country with the doubling time for cases now up to about 20 days. Last week, it was 16 daysShe also noted the significance of this being Mental Health Week in Canada.Kick starting the economy is one thing. But who will take a leadership role? Mark Cuban expects to see a corporate culture shift to what he calls compassionate capitalism. Tony Chapman, at Tony Chapman Reactions and host of the podcast Chatter that Matters joins us to discuss what’s next for business – big and small.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.SKY NEWS is reporting: Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory in the US detected 14 mutations in the COVID-19 virus. Their research paper suggests the mutated strain of coronavirus that has become dominant across the world was first identified in Europe and is different to those which spread early on in the pandemic.A Vancouver biotech firm says it has discovered COVID-19 antibodies. Researchers at AbCellera Biologics has identified a set of 24 human antibodies that showed high promise of being therapeutic.Similar progress is being reported in two separate studies in Israel and the Netherlands.We’ll talk more about the latest models and research efforts. CTV’s Senior Science Correspondent Dan Riskin will join us…coming up in the podcast.US President Donald Trump is downplaying COVID-19 modelling projections that suggest the death toll south of the border could be higher than 130 thousand by early August.As of Tuesday, the UK has overtaken Italy - recording highest coronavirus death toll anywhere in Europe.Intelligence shared among the FIVE EYES, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand says it is “highly unlikely” that the corona virus was accidentally released. It is highly likely it was naturally occurring and that the human infection was from natural human and animal interaction.As we told you in yesterday’s episode, President Trump and his Secretary of State insist they have conclusive evidence that the virus was released from a state-run lab in Wuhan.As the rhetoric over who is to blame for the coronavirus pandemic, REUTERS is reporting that an internal Chinese report warns that a rising wave of hostility in the wake of the outbreak that could tip relations with the United States into confrontation. The report, concludes that global anti-China sentiment is at its highest point since the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.As economies begin to re-open in countries around the world, the international focus is turning to vaccine and treatment research.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took part in a virtual meeting of international political and industry leaders on Monday morning to discuss the plan to coordinate those research efforts.As a footnote, the United States did not take part in the conference call.$23 million of that federal funding is going to the University of Saskatchewan. Their researchers were the first in Canada to map this coronavirus. Paul Hodgson is the Assoc Business Development Director, VIDO-InterVac in Regina. He told CTV News they are moving fairly quickly with the development of a vaccine.Hodgson says there are dozens of companies and research teams working on their own vaccines.He says this initial funding will support their work on the first 2 of the 3 development stages he described.If all goes well, Hodgson is optimistic they will be working on the final development stage by the end of the calendar year.Coming up in the podcast, we’ll feature a conversation with Professor Nikolai Petrovsky – He’s the director of endocrinology at flinders medical centre in Adelaide, Australia.The second focus this week will be the ongoing blame game with Washington and Beijing locked in heightened rhetoric over how the coronavirus became a world-wide pandemic.Some observers say the standoff has the makings of a China-US Cold War.US President Donald Trump continues to insist, contrary to the advice of his intelligence services, that the coronavirus was either created in or released from a virology lab in Wuhan. He made the point during a Sunday night virtual town hall on FOX News.US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was even more definitive during an appearance on ABC’s This Week.The Chinese state-backed Wuhan Institute of Virology has dismissed the allegations, and other US officials have downplayed their likelihood.Most experts believe the virus originated in a market selling wildlife in Wuhan and jumped from animals to people.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.We are going to feature an extended conversation with iHeart Radion Canada’s Medical Correspondent Dr. Mitch Shulman. We’ll get his take on WHAT’S NEXT as we begin to reopen our economies across the country. That’s coming up later in the podcast.The slow and steady plans to reopen the economy above all are intended to ensure we don’t get another spike in COVID-19 cases but that doesn’t mean we won’t get a second wave in the coming months as the pandemic runs its course. So, there are a  number of tracking and tracing measures being considered, including the collection of cell phone data as an early warning system. CTV’s John Venavalley-Rao explains.STAT News has laid out three potential futures for COVID-19. One being small recurring outbreaks; the second being a monster wave; and the third may be a persistent crisis. The scenarios reflect modelling done by epidemiologists at the University of Minnesota. And every scenario suggests COVID-19 will be a fact of life right through 2020There are calls for a national long term plan to prepare for the mental health echo pandemic that will hit us in the coming months. Margaret Eaton at the Canadian Mental Health Association says it could take up two years for someone who’s experienced a tragedy to resume a normal life.Most of us are finding various and creative ways to cope with the isolation and stress of the pandemic. CTV’s Melanie Nagy says one family is producing online content just to put a smile on your face..IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Provinces across the country are preparing to re-open their economies in the coming days and weeks. As we noted in yesterday’s episode, that will have at varying paces depending on the circumstances in each province.That comes with questions of whether we’re moving too quickly or too slowly.Managing the next phase of our pandemic response will test more than our patience. It will be the toughest test yet for our political and public health leadership. We’ll dive in on that subject with a couple of political insiders Melissa Lantsman – a war room organizer for the Progressive Conservatives in the last Ontario election, and Scott Reid – a former adviser to Prime Minister Paul Martin.In the meantime…Montreal researchers are crunching the numbers and by their count, they say the number of COVID-19 cases in Canada is close to half a million. That would be 14 times higher than the numbers being officially reported.The World Health Organization says there was more than enough time for the world to prepare for the coronavirus. The WHO declared it an international emergency on January 30th when there were only 82 confirmed cases, all in China and no deaths.The US's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised emergency use of the Ebola drug remdesivir for treating the coronavirus.Canadian Blood Services has started collecting COVID-19 convalescent plasma donation, as part of a research project to test whether it could assist in the recovery of infected patients.In theory, these antibodies can then be used as a treatment to help patients in the earlier stages of COVID-19 by attacking the virus in their system. IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.He wasn’t saying when he’d be ready to allow businesses to open up but he told businesses to be ready. Today, Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford announced measures that will allow limited non-essential businesses to get back to work as of May 4th.Ontario’s measures are just that – measured compared to other provinces in the country where they’ve begun the process of re-opening their economies sooner and at a quicker pace.Nova Scotia has announced it will be easing some public health restrictions around COVID-19 as of Friday, including reopening of parks and trails, and allowing fishing and gardening.New Brunswick is not only allowing businesses to open, the province is allowing household bubbles to socialize. They’re calling it the double bubble.Premier Blaine Higgs told CTV’s Power Play it means extended families can get together but must still observe public health practices like hand washing and physical distancing.Blaine says its not business as usual in New Brunswick but they are easing restriction without easing up on the rules of masking and physical distancing.The double bubble may be some good news but its bad news for your double double. Tim Hortons saw sales fall more than 40 per cent in the last two weeks of March as customers adjusted their daily routines and opted to stay home amid the COVID-19 pandemic.16,389 people signed up for the B.C. workers' benefit in the first 45 minutes The B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers is a one-time $1,000 payment available to residents whose work has been impacted during the COVID-19 crisis.More signs that we are learning something new about the novel coronavirus almost on a daily basis: A doctor in Toronto notices uptick in 'COVID toes cases' in childrenPride Toronto announced today that the annual parade will take place virtually this year, as will the organization's Pride Month celebrations in June. US Intelligence agencies have determined that the novel coronavirus was not manmade or genetically modified. That hasn’t stopped US President Donald Trump insists he’s seen evidence that suggests the virus came from a lab in China.Tony Chapman, from Tony Chapman Reactions and host of the podcast Chatter That Matters says jump starting the economy may be complicated and may take time but he says there is reason to be optimistic.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.We are now into the WHAT’S NEXT phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. What’s next for your job, what’s next for the economy and what’s next for our kids. We’ll talk more about how you may want to talk to the kids about WHAT’S NEXT…that’s coming up later in the podcast.He may not be ready to open his province for business but Premier Doug Ford says businesses in Ontario need to get ready to answer the call when he hangs the OPEN FOR BUSINESS sign at Queen’s Park.Earlier this week, the House of Commons held its first virtual sitting in order to allow all 338 MPs to engage in Question Period and debateToday, Toronto City Council convened virtually with some limited success.For those of you who’ve never attended a Toronto City Council meeting – that is fairly orderly..Supply chain issues are becoming more problematic across Canada. COVID-19 infections are now disrupting parts of Canada's food sector, including the meat processing industry. That’s led to concerns over meat shortages. On the other hand, we have a surplus of potatoes – so much so that we’re being asked to do our part for the economy and eat more French fries. Canadian farmers have been forced to freeze nearly 200 million pounds of potatoes.Americans are divided evenly when asked whether they approve or disapprove of the way President Donald Trump is handling the coronavirus situation in the U.S. The latest numbers from Gallup suggest 50% approve and 48% disapprove.Hundreds of angry protesters, some heavily armed, gathered at Michigan’s State Capitol in Lansing on Thursday demonstrating against Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s request to extend the state of emergency to combat the coronavirus pandemic.Billionaire Mark Cuban has agreed to be part of a White House Committee that will guide the reopening of America’s economy.In an interview with CNN’s Poppy Harlow, Cuban says the legacy of the pandemic lockdown will be a more compassionate capitalism.Amid all the discussion about re-opening economies, California’s governor has ordered the closure of all beaches and state parks. The order comes after people packed the seashore last weekend in total disregard for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s social distancing order.We talk to Dr. Dina Kulik, Pediatrician & Founder of Kidcrew about how you should talk to the kids about COVID-19.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.A major pharma firm made headlines in the US and around the world today. Gilead Sciences released data from a US government study that suggests the drug REMDESIVIR showed encouraging results in the treatment of of COVID-19. The trial suggests the drug reduces recovery time for COVID patients.That news also drove stock market gains today. We’ll talk to Jon Erlichman from BNN Bloomberg coming up later in the podcast.Manitoba was the latest province to lay out plans to re-open its economy. Premier Brian Pallister announced a multi-phase plan that will begin May 4.As we told you yesterday, the Prime Minister and the premiers have agreed on a basic set of guidelines for re-opening the economy across the country.But as provinces begin to ease the lockdown restrictions, Doug Ford told people in neighbouring provinces to stay away from Ontario. The Premier acknowleged the numbers are showing a “positive trend,”  but he is still waiting before assigning any dates to reopen the economy.Ford also announced that Ontario will be expanding its temporary “pandemic pay” to a number of other front-line workers, including paramedics.China is accusing Australia of “petty tricks” following calls for a coronavirus inquiry.Meanwhile, Beijing is criticizing US President Donald Trump's suggestion of virus reparations.US Vice President comes under fire for not wearing a mask during a visit to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.Best estimates suggest almost 40% of retailers in Britain will not recover from the COVID-19 lockdown.May 8th marks the 75 anniversary of VE Day, Victory in Europe in World War II. There will be no street parties, but a national singalong is being organized in the UK.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.New COVID-19 modelling shows curve flattening  in Canada but the model suggest there could be up to 3,883 deaths by May 5.Meanwhile the prime minister and premiers release guidelines to reopening economy across the country.Yesterday, Quebec announced daycares and primary schools will be back in business in a few weeks. And it’s a move that has divided medical opinion across the country.  It’s also cause for a difference of political opinion. Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford says he won’t send kids back to school until public health officials tell him it makes sense to do so.Today, Ford said he would be releasing “clear, sector-specific labour guidelines” later this week for how businesses will be able to operate once the economy eventually reopens.He made the comments on the same day Ontario recorded its single day high in COVID-19 deaths at 59.B.C.'s provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said April 22 that she wants to see "at least a couple of days" without any new COVID-19 cases before officials start easing restrictions.Alberta has not yet released plans to reopen its economy. Premier Jason Kenney said in a news conference that a committee will meet this week to discuss a relaunch strategy.The first phase of Saskatchewan's five-phase reopening will begin May 4. Premier Scott Moe says the dates of the later phases will be determined through monitoring COVID-19 cases in the prior phases.Premier Brian Pallister said Manitoba will be releasing information on how it plans to reopen non-essential businesses in the province this week.Newfoundland Premier Dwight Ball said that it is not yet time for the province to reopen the economy, despite the province reporting no new case numbers or single-digit increases for the last nine days.New Brunswick loosened some of its physical distancing measures last Friday after its seventh straight day with no new cases of COVID-19.Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, said last week that there are no immediate plans to lift any COVID-19 restrictions but the province is currently working on a plan about the gradual lifting of restrictions to be discussed with the premier this week.Officials in Prince Edward Island have announced it is planning to ease some public health measures imposed amid the COVID-19 pandemic starting May 1.Yukon's chief medical officer Dr. Brendan Hanley said April 24 that the process of developing a reopening plan for the territory is underway but won't be available for several weeks.All five of the Northwest Territories' coronavirus cases are now in recovery, but health officials say COVID-19 restrictions in the territory are expected to continue for at least another month.Nunavut has not announced any plans to reopen its economy. As of April 27, there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the territory.The Canadian Medical Association has called for greater government transparency about the available supply of protective equipment in light of a new survey that suggests most respondents have seen no improvements in the last month.A recent survey of nearly 2,500 doctors across Canada found 42 per cent had seen no change in the supply of gear such as masks and face shields in the last month, while 29 per cent felt the supply is now worse.Canadians divided over making COVID-19 vaccine mandatoryA poll conducted by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies found that while 60 per cent of respondents believe people should be required to get the vaccine once it is ready, the other 40 per cent think it should be voluntary.Canadian officials are turning their attention to digital contact tracing to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Officials in Newfoundland and Labrador are the latest in Canada to suggest the use of voluntary contact tracing apps that would use cellphone data to monitor people’s movements and warn them of any contact with COVID-19 positive patients.And it was an historic day in Ottawa. The House of Commons held its first virtual sitting via a ZOOM call with all 338 MPs. And it went as most of your Zoom meetings might be going…I’m thinking the Speaker of the HOUSE would love to have 338 mute buttons in the Commons.The Prime Minister of New Zealand got an unexpected call yesterday. Queen Elizabeth was on the phone for Jacina Ardern. Her Majesty said she was just calling to catch up and see how everyone in New Zealand was getting on amidst COVID-19”With all the focus on getting our economy back to business, there are plenty of questions of what business will look like. BNN Bloomberg is reporting that COVID-19 could cause a financial crisis 10 times worse than what we saw in 2008.How many businesses will be able to get back to business? Particularly small and medium sized enterprises.Last Thursday, the federal government announced plans to help those smaller operations pay their rent.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Sam Roberts kicked off Canada’s virtual benefit concert on Sunday evening. The 90 minute show – STRONGER TOGETHER – was broadcast by all major Canadian broadcasters on multiple platforms. The event was intended to help raise money for Food Banks Canada – which needs no less than $150 million to cover it’s immediate needs over a three month period.The response by Canadians was swift…and overwhelming. So many of you logged on to donate that the Food Banks Canada website crashed…The organization posted a message of gratitude on social media during the show and asked Canadians to donate after the concert was completed and so they could get the site back online. They’re back in business, so if done so already, you make your donation at foodbankscanada.caThis is the week most of the provinces will lay out plans to re-open their economies. And those plans will vary from region to region.Saskatchewan and New Brunswick unveiled plans to ease restrictions last week. Today, we heard from Quebec and Ontario.Quebec Premier Francois Legault announced that primary schools will resume classes next week.Tomorrow, Legault says he will be outlining which business will be re-opening and over what period of time.In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford presented what he called a Road Map to re-opening. Ford insisted that the transition would be slow in the name of safety saying Ontario’s 3 stage plan outlines how the province will re-open not when it will re-open.Ontario’s Finance Minister Rod Phillips says each of the three stages could take 2-4 weeks.The First stage would allow select workplaces to open, some outdoor spaces like parks to re-open. It would allow for some small gatherings – like funerals.And Health Minister Christine Elliott says stage one of the plan includes rescheduling some of the elective surgeries that were cancelled when the pandemic was declared.That backlog in cases is significant when you consider the number of cases that were put on hold right across the country. And as CTV Avis Favro reports, just because a surgery is considered elective doesn’t mean it isn’t serious.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says thousands of businesses have already applied for the wage subsidy. The first payments to cover of 75 per cent of the first $58,700 of an employee’s salary will arrive to businesses by May 7, if they’ve signed up for direct deposit.New York has been one of, if not THE hardest hit region in the United States. Today, Gov. Andrew Cuomo says certain parts of the state where the outbreak of the coronavirus is under control may be able to reopen on May 15.New Zealand began its phased exit from the lockdown measures on Monday.And after six weeks of being locked up at home, kids in Spain are allowed to play outside.UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was back at work today, after recovering from his bout of COVID-19. Johnson briefed the media from 10 DowningBut the COVID-19 White House briefing was canceled midday on Monday. It had been scheduled for 5pm. The cancellation comes after President Donald Trump took criticism follow last Thursday’s briefing. The president suggested that injecting or ingesting disinfectant could cure COVID-19 in minutes.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.If you want more information about the stories we covered today….check out the show notes for this episode…I’ve included links for you to dig deeper.>>>>> That’ll do it for this episode of the COVID-19 Daily Podcast for Monday, April 27, 2020DAY 48 OF THE PANDEMICBe sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts…And I’ll be back tomorrow.We’ll leave you with the finale from STRONGER TOGETHER – it was a star studded cover version of Bill Wither’s classic LEAN ON ME –Thanks for joining us..I’m DT.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Sam Roberts kicked off Canada’s virtual benefit concert on Sunday evening. The 90 minute show – STRONGER TOGETHER – was broadcast by all major Canadian broadcasters on multiple platforms. The event was intended to help raise money for Food Banks Canada – which needs no less than $150 million to cover it’s immediate needs over a three month period.The response by Canadians was swift…and overwhelming. So many of you logged on to donate that the Food Banks Canada website crashed…The organization posted a message of gratitude on social media during the show and asked Canadians to donate after the concert was completed and so they could get the site back online. They’re back in business, so if done so already, you make your donation at foodbankscanada.caThis is the week most of the provinces will lay out plans to re-open their economies. And those plans will vary from region to region.Saskatchewan and New Brunswick unveiled plans to ease restrictions last week. Today, we heard from Quebec and Ontario.Quebec Premier Francois Legault announced that primary schools will resume classes next week.Tomorrow, Legault says he will be outlining which business will be re-opening and over what period of time.In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford presented what he called a Road Map to re-opening. Ford insisted that the transition would be slow in the name of safety saying Ontario’s 3 stage plan outlines how the province will re-open not when it will re-open.Ontario’s Finance Minister Rod Phillips says each of the three stages could take 2-4 weeks.The First stage would allow select workplaces to open, some outdoor spaces like parks to re-open. It would allow for some small gatherings – like funerals.And Health Minister Christine Elliott says stage one of the plan includes rescheduling some of the elective surgeries that were cancelled when the pandemic was declared.That backlog in cases is significant when you consider the number of cases that were put on hold right across the country. And as CTV Avis Favro reports, just because a surgery is considered elective doesn’t mean it isn’t serious.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says thousands of businesses have already applied for the wage subsidy. The first payments to cover of 75 per cent of the first $58,700 of an employee’s salary will arrive to businesses by May 7, if they’ve signed up for direct deposit.New York has been one of, if not THE hardest hit region in the United States. Today, Gov. Andrew Cuomo says certain parts of the state where the outbreak of the coronavirus is under control may be able to reopen on May 15.New Zealand began its phased exit from the lockdown measures on Monday.And after six weeks of being locked up at home, kids in Spain are allowed to play outside.UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was back at work today, after recovering from his bout of COVID-19. Johnson briefed the media from 10 DowningBut the COVID-19 White House briefing was canceled midday on Monday. It had been scheduled for 5pm. The cancellation comes after President Donald Trump took criticism follow last Thursday’s briefing. The president suggested that injecting or ingesting disinfectant could cure COVID-19 in minutes.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.If you want more information about the stories we covered today….check out the show notes for this episode…I’ve included links for you to dig deeper.>>>>> That’ll do it for this episode of the COVID-19 Daily Podcast for Monday, April 27, 2020DAY 48 OF THE PANDEMICBe sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts…And I’ll be back tomorrow.We’ll leave you with the finale from STRONGER TOGETHER – it was a star studded cover version of Bill Wither’s classic LEAN ON ME –Thanks for joining us..I’m DT.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Getting back to business in the face of this pandemic…certainly won’t be business as usual. We’re all learning to work together while working in isolation. But how will that isolation culture affect our willingness to gather in large crowds in the coming months? We’ll talk to CTV’s  Richard Crouse, host of Pop Life and a new YouTube show – called In Isolation…That’s coming up in the podcast.Food security has been the focus of discussion this weekend in Canada. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced non-essential businesses to close, forcing historic layoffs and job losses across the country. More than a million jobs were lost in March and that has meant added stress on food banks in every region of Canada.That is the focus for the cast of Canadian celebrities who volunteered their time and talents for STAND TOGETHER – a virtual, multi-platform presentation of performances produced by all of Canada’s major broadcasters, including Bell Media.The intent is to raise $150 million for community food banks. Christ Hatch is the President and CEO at FOOD BANKS CANADA and I talked to him when he and his team launched the fundraising campaign.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.We are devoting this episode of the podcast to the one of the most pressing issues during this pandemic…and that’s Food Security.Food Banks were already stressed prior to COVID-19. But now, with more than a million Canadians losing their jobs last month the food banks are experiencing a surge in users.This weekend, Canada’s major broadcasters will be presenting Stronger Together: Tous Ensemble at 630 Eastern Time Sunday evening. It will feature performers, artists, activists and athletes in a multi-platform presentation…all in an effort to help Food Banks Canada raise $150 million for its immediate needs.So, we’ve convened three national leaders in Food Security to dig deeper on the issue.We welcome Nick Saul, President and CEO of Community Food Centres Canada, Lori Nikkel is the CEO at Second Harvest, and Neil Hetherington is the CEO at Canada’s largest food bank, the Daily Bread Food Bank in Toronto.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.This weekend, Canada’s major broadcasters will be presenting Stronger Together: Tous Ensemble at 630 Eastern Time Sunday evening. It will feature performers, artists, activists and athletes in a multi-platform presentation…all in an effort to help Food Banks Canada raise $150 million for its immediate needs.Chris Hatch is the President and CEO at Food Banks Canada.For all of the anxiety that comes with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been matched by innovative and creative solutions to pressing problems. That includes staffing shortages for healthcare facilities. The Ontario Medical Association has partnered with a BookJane.com to help address some of those pressures. We’ll have more on that coming up in the podcast.And we’ll hear how the Construction industry is preparing to get back to work while ensuring workers stay healthy and safe.Small business in Canada can count on rent relief from Ottawa. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced measures that will lower rents by 75% for three months.The prime minister also says the federal government will be working with the provinces as they prepare to re-open their economies. But in an effort to manage expectations, Trudeau made it clear this would not be like flipping a switch.Yesterday, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe presented his five phase plan to get that province back to business. Today, New Brunswick revised it Emergency Order easing restrictions on a number of business and activities. Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says he will unveil his plans next week.Two US states, Georgia and Oklahoma began reopening their economies today – despite warnings from public health officials. This is the same day the COVID-19 death toll surpassed 50 thousand in the US.Las Vegas casinos will NOT be opening any time soon, despite the calls by that city’s mayor to let people get back to work. Neither the gaming industry, casino executives nor Nevada’s governor are prepared to get back to business in the near future.The company that makes Lysol disinfectant has found it necessary to issue a public statement warning people should, under no circumstance, inject or ingest Lysol. US President Donald Trump suggested injecting disinfectant could kill the coronavirus. He also claimed that UV light may be curative. Trump offered the musings during his daily White House briefing on COVID-19.With few exceptions, construction sites have been shut down across the country. Some projects have been deemed as essential and, in those cases, public health protocols have been put in place.But what will these sites look like once we begin to re-open the economy and the construction sector? Richard Lyall is the President of RESCON, the Residential Construction Council of Ontario. He says there are plenty of lessons to learn from this pandemic.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.The COVID-19 death toll in Canada surpassed 2 thousand as of Thursday morning. For context, the 1000th death in Canada was reported 8 days earlier.Saskatchewan is the first Canadian province to lay out a transition plan that will allow pandemic restrictions to be eased. Premier Scott Moe presented a five phased plan at his Thursday briefing. We’ll hear more from the Premier coming up in the podcast.Today’s federal briefing focused on vaccine and immunity research. Prime Minister Trudeau announce a $1.1 billion commitment to coronavirus research, testing and modelling.95 hundred workers are absent from Quebec’s healthcare system. Premier Francois Legault says many have been infected with the coronavirus. Others are staying away over concern for their own health.It was an emotional Doug Ford who responded to reporter questions about the number of COVID-19 fatalities at long-term care homes. Ontario’s premier was asked if he and his government failed province’s long-term care residents. Ford revealed the coronavirus has hit close to home – his mother in-law has tested positive.Japanese officials are investigating an outbreak of the coronavirus among crew members of a cruise ship in Nagasaki, which has puzzled authorities because the southern port city has a relatively low number of infections and the vessel has been docked for almost three months.Could nicotine protect people from contracting the coronavirus? There is some research to suggest that may be the case. Researchers in Paris examined 343 coronavirus patients along with 139 people infected with the illness with milder symptoms. They found that only 5% of these patients were smokers. The research echoed similar findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine.It’s official.The 2020 Calgary Stampede has been cancelled in response to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. It’s the first time the Stampede has been canceled since it began as an annual event in 1923.No Stampede, but there may yet be NHL hockey. Commissioned Gary Bettman says the league has been busy “modelling” different scenarios for a potential summer restart to the 2019-20 season.Frank Seravelli is a senior hockey reporter at TSN. He says games could be played in Toronto or Edmonton.To Saskatchewan now, where Premier Scott Moe unveiled his province’s 5-phased plan to ease lockdown protocols.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced measures to support university students who have lost summer or post-graduation jobs. The PM unveiled a $9 billion package in support.Ontario Premier Doug Ford had to clarify comments he made Wednesday morning on CFRA radio in Ottawa. The premier suggested to Bill Carroll the province would be loosening lockdown restrictions by the Victoria Day weekend in May. Later, Ford said, "There’s never going to be one date that we just open up the economy. We’re going to open it up with a trickle, and just let it flow from there." He stressed, those decisions would only be made with the considered advice of provincial public health officials.Today, Premier Ford and Quebec Premier Francois Legault have both requested military support to help cope with staffing shortages at provincial long term care homes. 125 personnel have already been sent to Quebec. Legault is requesting another 1000 members.While US states and the Trump administration muse about re-opening economies across the country, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is warning the US could be hit by a second wave of COVID-19 that is worse than the outbreak we’re seeing now.A new study suggests Coronavirus patients treated with malaria drug hydroxychloroquine are more likely to die. President Donald Trump has been promoting the drug as an effective treatment for COVID-19.Today, the New York Times is reporting, Dr. Rick Bright, one of the top US vaccine experts, says he was forced out of his job because he questioned the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment.Six weeks into the coronavirus pandemic and it’s become increasingly clear that our work life, our school days and our recreation time will return slowly. And that has posed financial challenges for postsecondary students who were counting on post-grad jobs or summer employment to help them pay for their education.Today, Prime Minister Trudeau laid out a $9 billion plan to support university and college students.Among the support initiatives announced by Ottawa is a $350 million package to help charities. But MACLEANS magazine asks whether that’s enough. The Emergency Coalition of Canadian Charities had called for $10 billion in stabilization funding.As CTV’s Jill Macyshon reports, charities and the services they provide have become a foundational element of the Canadian economy.The lockdown of our economy is having obvious effects on our job numbers, productivity, and it’s placing particular pressures on suppliers.The hospitality sector may be among the hardest hit by this pandemic. More than half of the restaurants and bars are closed because of the lockdown orders. And Restaurants Canada says nearly 1 in 5 restaurants will go out of business as of May 5th.The downstream effect of that is breweries, distilleries and wineries are feeling pressured. Restaurants, bars and hotels would account for a significant amount of their overall sales.We have a world class and robust wine industry in this country. Andre Proulx is a Wine Writer and Toronto Life Columnist as well as a producer at Newstalk 1010 radio in Toronto.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.As we wrap up the sixth full week of the pandemic, the most pressing and often asked question is WHEN will we begin to return to something that resembles a routine that involves activities outside of our own homes?And even when we are able to open businesses and activities, what will they look like? We’ll get into those questions coming up later in the podcast.With that in mind.The WHO warns any rush to ease virus rules could cause resurgence The World Health Organization said Tuesday that rushing to ease coronavirus restrictions will likely lead to a resurgence of the illness, a warning that comes as governments start rolling out plans to get their economies up and running again.Canada’s top public health official says we have avoided an “explosive outbreak” in this country but Dr. Theresa Tam says this news doesn’t clear the way for a loosening of restrictions.One World Health Organization referred to this coronavirus as the “Wayne Gretzky of viruses” before it turned from epidemic to pandemic. Now the Managing Director of the IMF is quoting the Great One when describing the plan to help the economy recover. Kristalina Geogieva says some member states will have to take exceptional measures. To quote Gretzky: “Skate where the puck is going, not where it’s been.”Italy’s PM will unveil plans to gradually lift pandemic lockdown restrictions by the end of the week. Italy’s economy has been shut down since March 9th.Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged people to stay disciplined as some shops reopen for the first time since coronavirus curbs were imposed in late March.US President Donald Trump says he will sign an executive order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States. Trump says he need to do it to protect American jobs.Prime Minister Trudeau announced Canada’s plan to provide a $350 million Emergency Community Support Fund to help charities and non-profitsOil prices hit an 18 year low on Tuesday as the COVID-19 crisis persists. Oil was trading for less than $20 a barrel.Air Canada suspends all remaining U.S. flights effective April 26. Air Canada says travel to the U.S. will resume on May 22, pending any further government restrictions.Major Canadian broadcasters are coming together for star-studded, multi-platform benefit in support of frontline workers fighting COVID-19 across Canada. Bell Media, CBC/Radio-Canada, Corus Entertainment, Groupe V Media, and Rogers Sports & Media have partnered for "Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble," which will air on English and French services on Sunday evening – radio, television and all the various digital platforms..The event is intende to raise $150 million dollars for Food Banks Canada. It comes one week after we saw the One World – Together at home concert raised $50 million to fight COVID-19.It was an historic event presented by the World Health Organization and Global Citizen. It was a unique live offering…which raises the question of whether this is a sign of things to come in our immediate future. Will we see larges stadium events, big concerts and sporting events?We put that question to Tony Chapman, of Tony Chapman Reactions and host of the podcast Chattert that Matters…and he’s also a board member at Global Citizen.While music might be the healing message and distraction as we cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, live music is of course suffering. I was recently a board member at Orchestra Toronto, Canada’s largest community orchestra and they, like many others, have been forced to cancel their performances.Michael Newnham is the Music Director at Orchestra Toronto…IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.COVID-19 cases continue to rise at various rates across the country. And the current circumstance at Long Term Health facilities has put pressure on medical and front line healthcare staffing. The Ontario Medical Association has partnered with a platform that helps healthcare centres get the staff support they need. We’ll talk more about it coming up in the podcast.Canada’s federal parties have agreed on plans to allow Parliament to hold a mix of in-person and virtual House sittings at least until May 25. The agreement allows parliamentary business to continue while MPs can respect physical distancing measures.The latest modelling numbers from the province of Ontario suggest community spread appears to have peaked in the province. Health officials are projecting fewer than 20,000 total cases over the course of the pandemic. Projections presented just two weeks ago suggested 80 thousand Ontarians would be infected by the end of April. The worst case scenario suggested the province would have as many as 300 thousand cases within a 12-18 month period.Dan Riskin is CTV’s Senior Science Correspondent. He says these results suggest the physical distancing and isolation measures have had an effect on outcomes. He makes it clear, the health officials didn’t “get it wrong”, they presented projections based on the trends and behaviour they observed a month ago.In the meantime, Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government is working on a framework to guide the “gradual, measured and safe” reopening of the economyThe head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 25% of infected people might not have symptoms. That may suggest COVID-19 is considerably less lethal than originally feared. While that's clearly good news, it also means it's impossible to know who around you may be contagious. It complicates decisions about returning to work, school and normal life.Muslims around the world will observe the holy month of Ramadan under lockdown and tight restrictions due to the coronavirus outbreak that has paralysed entire countries.The WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION tells BBC News countries with high air pollution levels could face increased risks of COVID-19. A US study suggests Covid-19 death rates rise by about 15% in areas with even a small increase in fine-particle pollution levels in the years before the pandemic.The top male tennis player in the world says he would oppose compulsory COVID-19 vaccinations. A Reuters report says Novak Djokovic “wouldn’t want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel.”World cruise that set sail pre-pandemic docks in Spain 15 weeks laterBrazil’s President Balsonaro has come under criticism for joining protestors demanding COVID-19 lockdowns be lifted.CNN is reporting, US President Trump and Russian President Putin have spoken four times in the past two weeks. President Trump’s Twitter account suggests the leaders were engage in the OPEC plus discussion. But a few days after their latest call, the US Navy says a Russian jet flew to within 25 fee of a US surveillance plane at high speed in international airspace over the Mediterranean Sea.“BookJane” offers health care facilities and staffing agencies the ability to use its platform to help relieve staffing shortages and labor inefficiencies in hard-hit markets.“The COVID-19 pandemic is creating staffing challenges for care facilities across North America,” stated Curtis Khan, CEO and founder of BookJane. “We want to ensure that facilities have the staff they need to deliver consistent health care during this crisis. To do that, BookJane is offering all health care facilities free access to its platform to better manage and leverage their staff, create shared resource pools, and maintain clear communications with everyone in their organization.”IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.While Canadian political and public health leaders appear to be singing from the same hymnal, the relations between Washington and the state capitals has been less productive. We’ll talk about that coming up in the podcast.US President makes unsubstantiated claims that China deliberately allowed the novel coronavirus to spread The New York Times is reporting that top Trump advisers are pushing the president to take a hardline on China as a re-election strategy.New wave of infections threatens to collapse Japan hospitalsMore than 260 million Orthodox Christians observe Easter amid lockdownDenmark reopens some of its business causing a stampede for haircuts. Meanwhile, here at home, CTV’s Jill Machyshon says the latest round of panic buying in Canada is on hair colour products!NEWSWEEK reports: While Americans Hoarded Toilet Paper, Hand Sanitizer and Masks, Russians Withdrew $13.6B in Cash from ATMsWhile Canadian political and public health leaders appear to be singing from the same hymnal, the relations between Washington and the state capitals has been less productive.David Schultz is a professor of political science and constitutional law at Hamline University in Minnesota.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.The focus for governments across Canada is how best to safely transition from the current pandemic restrictions to something that resembles something closer to daily routines that take us out doors and into the office.We’ll talk about how the federal government and provincial premiers are managing that square dance…coming up in the podcast.We told you earlier this week that Associated Press was reporting that Chinese government officials failed to warn the world about the coronavirus for 6 critical days in January.In the meantime, the COVID-19 curve is at various stages in provinces across Canada. The most encouraging situation is in British Columbia where public health officials say they’re close to flattening the curve and Rick Westhead says that means British Columbians are looking forward to a good walk spoiled.How are the provinces and the federal government getting along during this pandemic? We put the question to our roundtable that includes John Wright, Partner at Dart Insights and Communications, and Keith Leslie, Politcal Commentator at CH Television and Newstalk1010 radio.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.The big question for most of us is WHEN will we see the pandemic restrictions eased? When will you be back to work? When will the kids be back to school? When will we be able to get together for beverages after work?As we told you in yesterday’s episode, US President Donald Trump laid out his plan and guidelines to re-open the economy south of the border. He even mused about easing restrictions at the Canada-US border. Today, it was announced that Washington and Ottawa have agreed the border will remain closed to non-essential travel for at least another 30 days.Here at home, cities, provinces and the federal government admit, they’re working on modelling and plans on how and when best to begin easing restrictions…But the universal comment by public health authorities and political leaders is TESTING will be the key that unlocks our businesses, communities and schools.Dan Riskin is CTV’s Senior Science Correspondent – joins us…Transitioning away from the pandemic restrictions will have to balance the health issues with the need to jump start the economy. The real worry though is that battery under the hood may be dead or close to dead, when we consider that more than a million Canadians lost jobs in March and that number may be worse in April.Tony Chapman, of Tony Chapman Reactions and host of the podcast Chatter That Matters, says these are historic numbers…that only rival the unemployment we saw during the Great Depression of the 20th century.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Would it hurt to try a little kindness? School kids in Toronto strike up a theme for care-mongeringAnd how are Canadian leaders fairing during this COVID crisis? We’ll get a pulse on their latest approval ratings.That’s coming up later in the podcast.Washington is now suggesting the coronavirus didn’t originate in a Wuhan food market but was released from the Institute of Virology in China. So far it’s only an unsubstantiated accusation but US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says it’s time for the Chinese government to “come clean” on what it knows. Beijing is dismissing the accusation.US President Donald Trump has said he would support easing travel restrictions along the Canada – US border.But Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford says Prime Minister Trudeau must keep the borders closed until COVID-19 is fully contained.President Trump has issued new guidelines for states to beging re-opening their economies. But the president has made it clear, the decisions will be left up to the governors.Meanwhile, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has a plan to ease pandemic restrictions in his province – following leads of Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea>>>> Since the pandemic was declared on March 11th, premiers and the prime minister have been front and centre in the daily COVID-19 briefings. And the crisis has put their leadership under the microscope….So, how have Canadians responded and how has this changed politics across the country…John Wright is a partner at Dart Insights and Communications.Toronto school kids have struck up a chord for care-mongering in Canada with the help of Melanie Doane and Jann Arden.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Call it prayer, meditation or mindfulness – it may be the best tool you have to cope with the stresses of the pandemic. We’ll focus on your questions about your health and well-being coming up in the podcast.US President Donald Trump has ordered his administration to halt payments to the World Health Organization – accusing the UN agency of mismanaging and covering up the spread of the virus after it emerged in ChinaAssociated Press is reporting China didn't warn public of likely pandemic for 6 key days in January.But Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says now is not the time to point fingers and assign blame for the severity of the outbreak. During his Wednesday briefing, the PM said now is the time to worry about what is in front of us and what we can do to stop the spread of COVID-19AP also reporting today, China is facing a new coronavirus flare-up along its remote northern border with Russia, far from the epicentre of Wuhan, where it has all but declared victory in the battle against the pandemicNew Zealand PM takes a 20% pay cut as virus hits economyDenmark is the first European country to reopen schools for younger children. It did so Wednesday after a month-long closure to combat the novel coronavirus.Yesterday, we told you that Canada’s GDP would drop by 6.2% because of the economic lockdown. That’s a relatively glowing result when you consider UK economy could shrink by 35% in Covid-19 falloutMeanwhile, Global airline revenues are forecast to drop by more than half – $314bn US– in 2020, as the industry said its “outlook grows darker by the day”.A survey commissioned by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), sugests 25 per cent of Canadians between the ages of 35 and 54 say they have increased the amount of alcohol they drink while at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. 21 per cent of Canadians between 18 and 34 years of age also say this is the case.CNN Anchor Chris Cuomo remains in quarantine. Cuomo told Dr. Sanjay Gupta, he is recovering from COVID-19 but says he can’t seem to shake the fever.Cuomo tested positive for COVID-19 on April 6th.Time to return to your frequently asked questions…and this time we focus on your health and well-being…and the role that meditation, prayer or mindfulness can play in helping you cope with the stress of COVID-19IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and outgoing Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer are both defending recent family travel during the Easter weekend amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Scheer flew his family on a flight from Regina to Ottawa on Good Friday. And Trudeau was in the hot seat after his wife and posted a photo on Instagram of the family's Easter celebrations at the prime minister's official country residence at Harrington Lake in Quebec.Canada-U.S. border likely to remain closed for weeks, PM says in imposing tougher quarantine rulesAustria and Italy reopen some shops as lockdown easedPolitical feuding continues in the US where President Donald Trump insists he and he alone – not state governors -  will decided when the US economy re-opens.The New York Times is reporting a research trial of coronavirus patients in Brazil ended after patients taking a higher dose of chloroquine, one of the drugs President Trump has promoted, developed irregular heart rates.STATnews.com is reporting Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline collaborate to speed up coronavirus vaccine developmentComing up…The home school year is being extended in Ontario and that’s underlined the continued pressures on internet infrastructure in this country.But first….with all the focus on COVID-19 research – do we risk seeing other lethal diseases spreading around the world?Dan Riskin is the Senior Science Correspondent for CTV News.The home school year may well last right through until the end of June. Ontario announced today the kids won’t be back to class in the foreseeable future.While the effort to educate our kids online is posing challenges for families across the country. But do we have the digital capacity to do the job right?Sue Gillespie is the President and CEO at Pathways to Education – a national not-for-profit group that supports students who are the risk of dropping out. This pandemic not only amplifies that number it highlights the lack of access many families have to high speed internet. Sue calls it the “digital divide”.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.As the cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, some state governors in the US are talking about reopening their economies and easing physical distancing protocols.President Donald Trump took to twitter to say the decision to re-open the economy is up to him alone – no the governors.Meanwhile, Spain has reopened part of its ecnomy on Monday. Slowing death tolls in some of the worst-hit parts of the country boosted hopes the curve may be starting to flatten and lockdown restrictions could soon be eased.Here at home, Ontario plans to extend state of emergency by 28 days. The provincial legislature will sit Tuesday to approve the extension and discuss if or when the school year will restart.In Quebec, Premier Francois Legault says all 2,600 seniors' residences in in the province  will be inspected. The announcement follows news over the weekend that a privately run residence in Montreal was the subject of separate public health and police investigations. 31 patients at Maison Herron had died in recent weeks - five of them from COVID-19.Thousands of healthcare workers have been laid off in the US. As hospitals and emergency rooms deal with a surge of patients affected by the coronavirus, clinics and other health care centers are losing money because of a decline in elective surgeries, procedures, preventive care and non COVID-19 ailments.A new website that tracks self-reported symptoms allows you to find out whether people in your community have tested positive for COVID-19. COVID Near You is an initiative created by epidemiologists and software developers from Harvard University, which maps out where cases of COVID-19 could be, based on data from users of the website.And Coming Up…A nation-wide service has been established that helps first responders avoid crowds and have their groceries delivered to their front door.BUT FIRST…Ontario’s telehealth program now provides online mental health support.The Big White WallBWW harnesses the protective and therapeutic effects of connectedness and healthy social networks in its unique community where people share with, and support each other.GroceryHero is a free delivery matching service to help our frontline medical professionals focus on fighting COVID-19. Food delivery services are oversubscribed. And frontline medical professionals do not want to go inside grocery stores and expose the public. Instead, volunteers are matched with a medical professional in their neighbourhood by postal code to help with delivery.Before we go, we reported on the passing of John Prine last week. Prine was considered one of America top songwriters and story tellers. He and Bruce Springsteen were each labelled as the Next Dylans. Bruce sang back up on this Prine track called Take a Look at My Heart.Some of you were inquiring about Prine after he died of corona virus complications and I would refer you to a piece posted Monday morning on the Rolling Stone web site. He’s remembered as “a big-hearted genius who championed new artists and made the most of the small things in life.” I’ve include a link to the story in the show notes for this episode.>>>>> IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.It is Easter Sunday and Christians around the world celebrated like never before. Churches across the country have been closed for weeks now observing the need for social and physical distancing.But the masses went on. Priests and pastors presiding over services with no congregation in the pews. Instead they relied on virtual participation and many streamed their liturgies through their social media and YouTube channels.World leaders offered their own Easter messages from a distance. Prime Minister Trudeau offered his on his Twitter account.President Trump framed a hopeful message from the White HouseAnd UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson marked the day at home. The PM was released from hospital after several days in hospital including a three day stint in the ICU fighting a bout of COVID-19.And for the second time in a week, Queen Elizabeth addressed the world facing COVID-19.We are going to continue featuring some of your most Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19…and as usual, we’ve got a cast of experts to call upon to give you answers.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.It was a month ago today…March 11, 2020, when the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.As of this afternoon, The United States has passed Italy to become the country with the most coronavirus deaths. More than 19,700 people in the U.S. have died due to COVID-19 according to data from the Johns Hopkins University dashboard.Canada’s parliament met for an emergency session in Ottawa today to pass legislation enabling the government’s financial relief initiatives. The Prime Minister told the House “We are all called to serve.” In this fight to curb the COVID outbreak.The deaths of 31 elderly residents at a private long-term care home in Montreal’s West Island amid the COVID-19 pandemic is now the subject of investigations by police and public health officials.Quebec Premier Francois Legault says schools and daycares could reopen before May 4th.Reports out of the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson continues to make 'very good progress'. He remains in hospital but is out of intensive care.Phone data reveals who is staying home during COVID-19. Environics Analytics released a report that maps the location data of Canadians across the country. It suggests that those who aren’t staying home may be lower-income Canadians who can’t work from hoSome concerns about medical supplies being imported to Canada from Asia. The Toronto Star reported last night that Ontario received 100 thousand swabs…that were contaminated.Ontario Premier Doug Ford says it’s frustrating and it also underlines the need for us to have a made-in-canada strategy for critical medical supplies.As of today, we are measuring the duration of this pandemic in months. The World Health Organization declared the corona virus outbreak a pandemic on March 11th. And as COVID-19 begins to affect more lives here in Canada, we are seeing an increase in questions about the science, the medicine and how it’s affecting your livelihood.So, we have collected questions and the experts to offer you answers and guidance.In this episode, we’re joined by Dan Riskin, CTV’s Senior Science Correspondent and Howard Levitt, employment and labour lawyer at Levitte LLP.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used his daily COVID-19 address to highlight the Canada Emergency Business Account program. Parliament will sit Saturday to pass the legislation to enable the relief packages the government has created.'Stay home': Alberta Health advises against camping on the long weekendOntario Education Minister Stephen Lecce says he hasn't heard yet whether the remainder of Ontario's 2019-2020 school year should be cancelledBoris Johnson recovering from COVID-19 as Britons told to stay indoorsPerhaps a sign that the COVID outbreak could be slowing  in New York after the number of patients in ICUs dropped for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic beganThe Archbishop of Toronto, Thomas Cardinal Collins says closing churches is a matter of good faith, good reason and good science. Cardinal Collins will be our guest coming up in the Podcast.First to Ottawa, where the Prime Minister stressed the need to celebrate this holiday weekend at home. Skype the family, FaceTime the kids, set up a Zoom gathering with friends. But whatever you do – stay home.Justin Trudeau says this is the WORST and FIRST phase of the pandemic.As we told you in yesterday’s podcast, Parliament will hold an emergency session this weekend.For his part, Trudeau says his daily update will come from the House of Commons tomorrow. He will not hold a briefing Sunday or Monday.His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins is the Archbishop of Toronto. He joined us for a wide-ranging discussion of how the pandemic is affecting faith communities across Canada and particularly the Catholic Church.The Cardinal also responded to pastors in the United States who insist on hold services with large congregations. Collins calls it an “ignorance of faith”.Yes, that is the big question…How are we managing without barbers? How long will it be before government’s crack to public pressure and make the barber shop an essential service?Some of you are starting to look like the Beatles. I’m looking more like Beetlejuice!IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used his daily COVID-19 address to highlight the Canada Emergency Business Account program. Parliament will sit Saturday to pass the legislation to enable the relief packages the government has created.'Stay home': Alberta Health advises against camping on the long weekendOntario Education Minister Stephen Lecce says he hasn't heard yet whether the remainder of Ontario's 2019-2020 school year should be cancelledBoris Johnson recovering from COVID-19 as Britons told to stay indoorsPerhaps a sign that the COVID outbreak could be slowing  in New York after the number of patients in ICUs dropped for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic beganThe Archbishop of Toronto, Thomas Cardinal Collins says closing churches is a matter of good faith, good reason and good science. Cardinal Collins will be our guest coming up in the Podcast.First to Ottawa, where the Prime Minister stressed the need to celebrate this holiday weekend at home. Skype the family, FaceTime the kids, set up a Zoom gathering with friends. But whatever you do – stay home.Justin Trudeau says this is the WORST and FIRST phase of the pandemic.As we told you in yesterday’s podcast, Parliament will hold an emergency session this weekend.For his part, Trudeau says his daily update will come from the House of Commons tomorrow. He will not hold a briefing Sunday or Monday.His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins is the Archbishop of Toronto. He joined us for a wide-ranging discussion of how the pandemic is affecting faith communities across Canada and particularly the Catholic Church.The Cardinal also responded to pastors in the United States who insist on hold services with large congregations. Collins calls it an “ignorance of faith”.Yes, that is the big question…How are we managing without barbers? How long will it be before government’s crack to public pressure and make the barber shop an essential service?Some of you are starting to look like the Beatles. I’m looking more like Beetlejuice!IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Canada’s modelling projections suggest the corona virus could kill 22,000 in this country – even with the strongest physical distancing protocols in place.More than a million Canadians lost their jobs in the last month. The unemployment rate hit 7.8 per cent in March. That’s an increase of 2.2 percentage points since February.More than 400 thousand of those lost jobs were in Ontario.CTV News is reporting that the House of Commons will be recalled for an emergency sitting on Saturday to pass an expansion to the wage subsidy programBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved out of intensive care as condition improvesA National Academy of Sciences committee says it doesn't appear coronavirus will go away once the weather warms up.The numbers were staggering. Stats Canada reported more than a million lost jobs in the month of March.And while there are efforts underway to bridge workers and businesses through the financial crisis, the question is whether it’s enough to repair the damage being done to the economy.Perrin Beatty is the President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. He told BNN Bloomberg, these numbers are more than staggering.Beatty does note, the wage subsidy plans announced by Ottawa are helping.The House of Commons is expected to sit this weekend to pass legislation to expand the wage subsidies.>>>> These unemployment numbers are being compared to the rates we saw during the Great Depression…Jon Erlichman is the host of The Open at BNN Bloomberg. He says the REAL unemployment rate may well be well above the 7.8% announced today.>>>> Jon referred to the WAVE of COVID-19 and more waves to come in the pandemic. That’s based on the projections released by federal public health officials on Friday morning. The short-term federal projection on the spread of COVID-19 shows that between 500 and 700 Canadians could die from COVID-19 in the next weekDr. Stephen Lucas is the Health Canada Deputy Minister. He says the death toll over the course of the pandemic could range from 11 thousand to 44 thousand.And amid all the heavy news and difficult projections…LIFE goes on at home…for you and your familyI spoke to Nancy Marchese – founder of Breakthrough Autism – about the challenges parents and kids with autism are facing in light of the isolation and physical distancing orders during the pandemic.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING. This is DAY 29 – we begin WEEK 5 of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s what you need to know on Wednesday, April 8th, 2020Saskatchewan is the latest province to release its COVID-19 projections. Modelling done by the province’s health authority suggests nearly 31 hundred could die in the province during the course of the pandemic. And that would be a best-case-scenario. The worst case set the death toll above 83 hundred.In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford says there is no excuse for the province to be lagging behind in COVID testingNew modelling published at ScienceDaily.com and released by the Canadian Medical Association suggests periodic physical distancing may be the best way to curb the spread of the corona virus while providing “a chance to return to a more normal life.”Ottawa has made further adjustments to the federal wage subsidy plan and has unveiled plans to support summer jobs for students.Air Canada announced it will tap into federal wage subsidy program to rehire laid off workers. It’s not clear how many of the 16,500 laid off workers will be back on the job.And in this time of stress and isolation, we have another great story about “being what’s needed” when we are relying so heavily on others to help us get through the COVID crisis.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced measures today that expand the federal wage subsidy program to better address the bind business are finding themselves in during the COVID outbreak.Trudeau also said measures are in place to help businesses to hire high school and university students who need summer jobs.In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford had an “enough is enough” moment on Wednesday, telling the media he’s tired of seeing his Health Minister and Deputy Premier Christine Elliott twist in the wind because the province is lagging behind the rest of the country in its COVID testing program.The Premier says there are no more excuses now that the province has a proper supply of testing reagent.In the UK this afternoon, Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains in the ICU and it’s reported that he is responding to treatment for the corona virus.Rishi Sunak is Chancellor of the Exchequer. He told the media at 10 Downing, the PM is improving.Indeed, COVID is indiscriminate. On Tuesday night, we got word that the “Ingenious Songwriter” had died due to corona virus complications.John Prine fell ill last month. His wife reported that he had pneumonia in both lungs and was on a ventilator.Bruce Springsteen paid tribute to Prine today on his Sirius Radio show. He called Prine “A true national treasure and a songwriter for the ages. We send our love and prayers to his family.”So much of what we’ve witnessed in the past month has brought out the best in humanity. While scientists tackle the HOW and WHEN they can solve the COVID-19 pandemic, ordinary citizen ask WHAT?What can I do to help? There is no shortage of initiatives responding to the needs of others.And my friends SONSHINE and BROCCOLI are launching a challenge to all of us to acknowledge those who are stepping up and keeping us safe and making us better through all of this.It turns out Lisa Sonshine tagged me in the campaign!Well, song writing might be a nice distraction…We’ll give it a crack! And I would encourage you to do the same…The campaign is HASHTAG Out4Me. That’s Out the NUMBER 4 Me…IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Saskatchewan is the latest province to release its COVID-19 projections. Modelling done by the province’s health authority suggests nearly 31 hundred could die in the province during the course of the pandemic. And that would be a best-case-scenario. The worst case set the death toll above 83 hundred.In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford says there is no excuse for the province to be lagging behind in COVID testingNew modelling published at ScienceDaily.com and released by the Canadian Medical Association suggests periodic physical distancing may be the best way to curb the spread of the corona virus while providing “a chance to return to a more normal life.”Ottawa has made further adjustments to the federal wage subsidy plan and has unveiled plans to support summer jobs for students.Air Canada announced it will tap into federal wage subsidy program to rehire laid off workers. It’s not clear how many of the 16,500 laid off workers will be back on the job.And in this time of stress and isolation, we have another great story about “being what’s needed” when we are relying so heavily on others to help us get through the COVID crisis.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced measures today that expand the federal wage subsidy program to better address the bind business are finding themselves in during the COVID outbreak.Trudeau also said measures are in place to help businesses to hire high school and university students who need summer jobs.In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford had an “enough is enough” moment on Wednesday, telling the media he’s tired of seeing his Health Minister and Deputy Premier Christine Elliott twist in the wind because the province is lagging behind the rest of the country in its COVID testing program.The Premier says there are no more excuses now that the province has a proper supply of testing reagent.In the UK this afternoon, Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains in the ICU and it’s reported that he is responding to treatment for the corona virus.Rishi Sunak is Chancellor of the Exchequer. He told the media at 10 Downing, the PM is improving.Indeed, COVID is indiscriminate. On Tuesday night, we got word that the “Ingenious Songwriter” had died due to corona virus complications.John Prine fell ill last month. His wife reported that he had pneumonia in both lungs and was on a ventilator.Bruce Springsteen paid tribute to Prine today on his Sirius Radio show. He called Prine “A true national treasure and a songwriter for the ages. We send our love and prayers to his family.”So much of what we’ve witnessed in the past month has brought out the best in humanity. While scientists tackle the HOW and WHEN they can solve the COVID-19 pandemic, ordinary citizen ask WHAT?What can I do to help? There is no shortage of initiatives responding to the needs of others.And my friends SONSHINE and BROCCOLI are launching a challenge to all of us to acknowledge those who are stepping up and keeping us safe and making us better through all of this.It turns out Lisa Sonshine tagged me in the campaign!Well, song writing might be a nice distraction…We’ll give it a crack! And I would encourage you to do the same…The campaign is HASHTAG Out4Me. That’s Out the NUMBER 4 Me…IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING. This is DAY 28   - FOUR FULL WEEKS since the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 pandemic.Here’s what you need to know on Tuesday, April 7, 2020Last week it was Ontario. Today it was Quebec releasing its provincial projection model. The scenario suggests 1,263 to 8,860 Quebecers could die of COVID-19 by the end of April.COVID-19 deaths in Quebec are currently at 150 but number of intensive-care patients remains stableThe Ontario government is calling for “all hands on deck” and is asking anyone with a medical background to step forward in an effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.New York state recorded 731 new coronavirus deaths on Tuesday, marking its biggest single-day jump in fatalities since the COVID outbreak.Harvard researchers suggest Intermittent physical distancing may be necessary until 2022British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is reported in stable condition Tuesday afternoon. He was admitted to the intensive care unit on Monday after his COVID-19 symptoms worsened. Hospital officials say Johnson is breathing on his own without a ventilator.The condition of UK Prime Minister Johnson was top of mind for Justin Trudeau this morning.The supply chain and the need to provide Canadian healthcare workers with vital equipment and protective gear was front and centre during Prime Minister Trudeau’s Tuesday briefing. Trudeau says there is a full press under way to develop and made-in-Canada solution to deliver 30 thousand ventilators.Yesterday we told you that Ottawa and Washington had come to an agreement allowing 3M to deliver N95 masks to Canada from its US manufacturing facilities. But what does that mean in the weeks to come?Quebec’s health officials released the provincial COVID-19 projections on Tuesday afternoon. The modelling’s worst-case scenario suggests nearly 9 thousand Queckers could die by the end of this month. The best-case scenario puts the death toll at1,263. But even amid those dire warnings, Premier Legault was encouraged to hear that the number of ICU cases in Quebec is stable.Nonetheless, the premier warns Quebeckers not to ignore the physical distancing and isolation protocols.The province’s projections suggest the number of cases in Quebec would start to plateau around April 18.Coping with the stress of isolation, uncertainty of your financial situation, your job, your business…and, of course…your health is already pressuring mental health services in Canada.Mark Henick is a Mental Health advocate and host of the podcast SO CALLED NORMAL…he joined us from his home office in the Niagara region.The use of the word UNPRECENDENTED must be reaching unprecedented numbers to describe this unprecedented, historic moment we find ourselves in.The COVID pandemic has been compared to the 2009 Financial Crisis, to the 1918 Spanish Flu outbreak, and to both world wars in the last century.But Tony Chapman, host of the podcast Chatter that Matters, says this experience is closer to the Great Depression and he predicts this is going to change political and corporate culture for generations to come.Just a programming note, we are going to feature your FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS coming up in the FRIDAY episode of the Daily Podcast. We have taken your question about health, wealth, well-being and your finances and bounced them off of our stable of experts. That’s coming up in the Friday show.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been admitted to the ICU after his COVID-19 symptoms worsened.A statement from No. 10 Downing read: "The prime minister has been under the care of doctors at St Thomas' Hospital, in London, after being admitted with persistent symptoms of coronavirus. Over the course of [Monday] afternoon, the condition of the prime minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the intensive care unit at the hospital."Canada’s top medical authority says says non-medical masks can help stop the spread of COVID-19. Theresa Tam warns that a non-medical mask doesn't necessarily protect the person wearing it.More than 240 thousand Canadians have successfully applied for federal financial relief through the government’s online portal. The Prime Minister also says there will be more aid for those who don’t qualify for current relief programs.The chair of the New York City Council’s health committee said on Monday that officials are considering temporarily burying people who die from the coronavirus in local parks.Scientists in the UK raise alarm over 17 and a half million ‘unreliable’ COVID-19 home test kitsInformation about COVID-19 is evolving rapidly as researchers around the world learn more about the novel corona virus sweeping the globe. At her Monday briefing in Ottawa, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said there is growing evidence suggesting that non-medical masks may help curb the spread of COVID-19.The struggle to keep up with demand for surgical and medical masks continues. Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford says a shipment of masks bound for Canada were stopped at the US border over the weekend.For his part, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government is in discussion with the US Secretary of State regarding Washington’s decision to ban 3M from exporting made in America masks to Canada and Latin America.We are close to winding up the fourth week of this pandemic and for many of you that’s meant four weeks of working from home and four weeks of having the kids at home with you.It’s also meant new routines for work and play.Well the Greater Toronto YMCA has come up with programming that’s not only free, it’s available for families across the country and around the world. It includes daily fitness classes, music for toddlers, circle time and story time for the kids. Sherry Perez is the Manager of Program Development, Group Fitness at the YMCA of Greater Toronto..Sherry Perez is the Manager of Program Development, Group Fitness at the YMCA of Greater Toronto.Helping you cope with the kids is one thing…Helping the kids cope with the stress and fears of COVID-19 is something else again.But, as is often the case, we adults tend to underestimate our the ability of young kids to grasp the situation and understand what needs to be done.That’s certainly what CTV’s Daniele Hamamdjian found out this weekend.Yes, wash your hands, keep your distance cause you DO NOT want to get the CRAYONA Virus…or the MACARONI virus….That sounds scarier than the Corona Virus!>>>> As we told you WAY back in episode TWO of the COVID-19 Daily Podcast, musicians who were in isolation were taking to social media to share their house concerts.Neil Young started doing so from his home in Colorado. This is from his second online show.But his third weekly “Fireside Session” has been stalled because his wife – Darryl Hannah has been ill. It’s not clear whether she’s got COVID-19. Hannah has been responsible for the camera duties so has been unable to shoot the latest session.The good news is, Young says, she has recovered and they’ll let everyone know when the next show will go on.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.>>>>> DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Here at home, Canadians desperate for financial relief in the face of layoffs and business closures will be able to start accessing federal funds as of tomorrow…In this morning’s briefing, the prime minister said the government will be moving to help high school and university students who count on seasonal work and don’t qualify for any of these relief programs.Meantime, Trudeau says Ottawa is making progress in ensuring front line health care workers get the protective equipment they need.Trudeau expects to speak to US President Donald Trump in the coming days regarding Washington’s decision to ban 3M from exporting N95 masks to Canada.An historic day as we brace to face what is expected to be some of the toughest days we’ve seen since the World Health Organization declared the pandemic on March the 11th.Today, Queen Elizabeth II addressed the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, for only the third time as the British monarch and the fourth time since World War II.It’s worth noting, the Queen’s closing line –  recalls the war time Vera Lynn song. "We’ll meet again"We convened our weekly round table with Tony Chapman of Tony Chapman Reactions and host of the podcast Chatter than Matters, and Catherine Swift, former President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent business.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING. This episode features your COVID questions and we've lined up Dan Riskin, CTV's Senior Science Correpondent and Howard Levitt, employment and labour lawyer with Levitt LLPAn unvarnished view of what we should expect in the coming days and weeks in Ontario's fight against COVID-19.And Ontario’s fight is Canada’s fightHere’s what you need to know on Friday, April 3, 2020Some dire projections from Ontario this afternoon. As promised, Premier Doug Ford and provincial public health officials shared their COVID-19 modelling projections.Doctor Peter Donnelly is the CEO of Public Health Ontario. He told the Queen’s Park press gallery …and laid out the stark numbers the Premier’s referred to.You heard correctly. The best case scenario, if we all do everything we can to curb the spread of COVID-19, Dr. Donelly says there would be 3000-15000 COVID related deaths in the next 18-24 months.For some important perspective…The death rate for influenza in Canada is 500 to 1500 cases per year. 500-1500 for all of Canada. Based on the projections presented Friday afternoon, Ontario’s COVID death toll alone would  6 to 10 times greater than the national death toll from the flu.Dr. Donelly stresses in order to keep those numbers as low as possible, we must all take an aggressive stance…Flattening the curve won’t be good enough. We need to chop the top off the curve.Even at that, given this best-case scenario…the projections suggest 80 thousand Ontarians will be infected by COVID-19 by the end of April. And the Premier says that’s going to mean hundreds of fatalities in mere weeks.Again, for some perspective, the modelling suggests Ontario’s death toll would be more than 1600 by the end of the month. As of Friday afternoon on April the 3rd, Ontario is reporting 67 deathsIt means the wave will continue to mount, it’s far from cresting and will crash into our already stressed healthcare services. The projections suggesting that Ontario’s Intensive Care Unit beds will be at capacity within weeks and will still be stressed if the province is able to add 900 more beds before the end of April.Much has been made of the shortage of medical supplies and that became more complicated when US President Donald Trump invoked the Defense Production Act requiring companies to prioritize the production of masks and ventilators to fight the spread of COVID-19.Sugical mask manufacturer 3M says the White House has requested it cease exports of U.S.-made N95 face masks to Canada.3M is pushing back on the order and so is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.Trudeau wouldn’t comment on whether the federal government is considering imposing retaliatory measures.For all the attention on data and modelling and projecting what may be coming…But there was data hiding in plain view four months ago that predicted the novel corona virus that has resulted in the COVID-19 pandemic.Katherine Ellison is an author and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist based in San Fransisco who says researchers combed through social media data in December saw the rise of the new corona virus in China.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.And Canadians are demanding to see the numbers that governments are seeing. How bad will this outbreak really be?Here’s what you need to know on Thursday, April 2, 2020PM Trudeau questioned on COVID-19 projections, implores people to stay home'You deserve to know': Ontario will release modelling data on 'extremely serious' COVID-19 threatCanada's COVID-19 cases surpass 10,000COVID-19: Cases jump to nearly 2,100 in Montreal, with 14 deathsNumber of COVID-19 deaths confirmed by local public health units is nearly double what Ontario is reportingNew rule prohibits walking within two metres of another person in Toronto parks. Offenders could face fines of up to $5000.And Canada’s major charities and non-profit organizations say the time has come for them to be represented at the federal Cabinet table to cope with the COVID-19 fallout.>>>> We are now into the fourth week of the COVID-19 pandemic and we are universally being told that the struggle to come is going to be tougher than anything we’ve seen so far.So, it’s not surprising that Canadians want to understand what to expect. How bad will this be? What are the projections for confirmed cases, for fatalities, for supply shortages?The Prime Minister addressed the issue in his daily briefing this morning, but he offered no specifics.Trudeau did say the matter of sharing the modelling projections would be the subject of discussion when the first minister’s meet this evening.But Ontario’s Premier, Doug Ford made a firm commitment this afternoon to share the numbers and projections he’s seeing with the public. But, he warns, we aren’t going to like what we see.And Canada’s major charities and non-profit organizations say the time has come for them to be represented at the federal Cabinet table to cope with the COVID-19 fallout.Our RoundTable discussion includes Mark Rodgers, President and CEO at Leadership Village, Bruce MacDonald, President and CEO of Imagine Canada and Dr. Samantha Nutt, founder of War Child USA and CanadaIF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.And all indications are that the toughest fight is still to come with Public Health officials telling us we should expect little relief from the isolation and physical distancing measures for months…not weeks.Here’s what you need to know on Wednesday, April 1st, 2020*Toronto’s top doctor Dr. Eileen de Villa says she wouldn’t expect public health measures will have to remain in place up to 12 more weeks.Despite some “glimmer’s of hope” in some jurisdictions, the numbers continue to rise sharply right across the country…There's been a 500% increase in 14 days…in Toronto alone.Toronto’s Mayor John Tory ordered city events and venues to be canceled and closed in the coming weeks. That includes Pride Week at the end of June. Tory says it only underlines the seriousness of the situation..The questions of how much and how long…were among the questions posed to Prime Minister Trudeau during his Wednesday morning briefing.*Christopher Nardi at the National Post cites a government document that “Current GoC [Government Operations Centre] modelling suggests as a best case scenario that current measures continue until at least July.”Meanwhile….Ontario’s Premier, Doug Ford says there are 'Dark days ahead': warning little separates the province from devastation we’ve seen in Italy and Spain.Researchers in Calgary also have a warning for you. Beware of the “conspiracy” theories you may see in your social media feeds. A report released by the University of Calgary School of Public Policy suggests Russia is waging a disinformation war and you are the target. Using various platforms, the campaign offers “evidence” the virus was created in America in order to halt the economic growth of China.It’s our intention and effort to make sure you’ve got a broad range of the best information available about COVID-19…and that’s why I make sure we provide links to the sources we’re using and to the voices we’re quoting.And it’s clear there’s an appetite for up to date, reliable and resourced information about COVID-19. To date, we’ve had more than 61 thousand downloads for our daily show and those numbers continue to increase. So thank you for listening. Thank you for the questions you’re sending along. I promise we will get to them and I will let each of you know when your questions will be addressed in the coming shows.We’re in this for the long haul…right along with you.If you like what you hear… I’d be grateful if you’d subscribe. I’d be thrilled if you shared it through your social media networks.One the media outlets that has been on the forefront of the COVID-19 story is STAT News out of Boston. And I had the opportunity to talk to STAT’s senior science writer Sharon Begley on my Weekend Morning Show on Newstalk 1010, back in early February.The headline on the story questioned: What happens if we don’t contain the novel Corona Virus? Nearly two months later, here we are. Sharon Begley joined us  from her home office in Boston and for all of our best intentions, as smart as we may all be…it’s clear that we didn’t pay close enough attention to this. If we’d responded sooner we may have been able to avoid some of the grief we’re going through now, never mind save some lives.Sharon Begley is a Senior Science Writer with STAT newsIF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Business is putting the common good ahead of the bottom line. Industries across Canada are stepping up to help fight the COVID-19 outbreak.Non-medical industries are retooling to manufacture made in Canada medical supplies.The help can’t come soon enough. Quebec’s premier says the province could run out of key medical supplies in 3 to 7 daysOntario Premier Doug Ford extends state of emergency for another two weeksFood industry 'decimated' as consumers abandon restaurants, report findsAir Canada to temporarily lay off 16,500 staffLines of urns in Wuhan prompt questions about the veracity of China's COVID-19 death tollMoscow orders partial lockdown as coronavirus cases in the capital pass 1,000 markUS President Donald Trump says US in good shape to meet 'peak'Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is spending $2 billion to procure more diagnostic testing, ventilators, and personal protective equipment for front-line workers in the COVID-19 fight, with some supplies set to be ready within days.Trudeau says a handful of companies are close to or have already signed contracts with the government to help boost the health sector’s stockpile of medical supplies.Every sector of the economy has been staggered by the COVID-19 outbreak but there are questions and concerns that restaurants may not recover. David Lefebvre is a VP at Restaurants Canada. He tells BNN Bloomberg it’s nothing short of carnage.Today marks the end of the first quarter for 2020. The TSX closed the day up 2 and a quarter per cent…but down more than 20% since the first of the year.>>>> This pandemic has shaken our health and wealth to their core…and in the coming months governments and business will be forced to recalibrate our approaches to everything from government service delivery to long standing corporate cultures.Tony Chapman at Tony Chapman Reactions is a marketing strategist and host of the podcast Chatter that Matters. He says we will have to act quickly to respond to the lessons learned from this crisis.An important part of the culture change will include a broader corporate focus on social purpose, i.e., placing the interests of corporate stakeholders, employees, and consumers on par with corporate shareholders. Faith Goodman is the CEO of Goodman Sustainability Group and says we’re already seeing several large Canada companies step up and put “community first”.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.We are told that what we do or fail to do today to help curb the spread of COVID-19 will be felt three weeks from today.Three months ago, Canada had 1 confirmed case.Three weeks ago, Canada reported 96 confirmed cases.Today, at the time of this recording, Canada has more than 72 hundred cases.Here’s what you need to know on Monday, March 30th, 2020PM Trudeau updates businesses aid eligibility, says military 'gearing up' for COVID-19 responseMost Quebec stores will be closed on Sundays as coronavirus cases mountOntario Premier Doug Ford extends state of emergency for another two weeksSaskatchewan reports First 2 deaths from COVID-19 and 20 new casesSeven residents of a long-term care home in Bobcaygeon, Ont. have died after a respiratory outbreak was declared at the facility on March 18. Three other residents and 24 staff members have tested positive for the virus.COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. reached 2,479 on Sunday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, surpassing the 2,445 American casualties recorded in the war in Afghanistan.A Second wave of virus feared in Wuhan,ChinaAn outbreak slowdown suggests restrictions in Seattle workingPrime Minister Justin Trudeau offered more details about the wage subsidy program he announced on Friday morning. The subsidy will apply to businesses that have lost 30% or more in revenues due to the pressures of the pandemic and it will apply to all businesses no matter how many workers they employ.But the PM also made it clear there would be no tolerance for companies attempting to “game” the system.Trudeau also says the Canadian Armed Forces are prepared to step up and support vulnerable communities; and assist provinces or municipalities with logistics or direct assistance if needed.In other news…Religious and faith communities along with other non-profit charitable organizations are facing severe cashflow pressures…so much so that they are laying off staff and risk curtailing the support they provide for the marginalized and at-risk members of communities across the country.Neil MacCarthy is the Director of Public Relations and Communications at the Archdiocese of Toronto. He says the situation is on the verge of dire.Dr. Samantha Nutt is the founder and president of War Child Canada. She has sent a letter to the federal government with more than 200 non-profit signatories calling on Ottawa to treat these charities like essential service.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Prime Minister Trudeau announced new funding to help seniors and children affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. United Way Canada will receive $9 million to distribute to local organizations to support, while Kids Help Phone will receive $7.5 million to bring on additional counsellors.Trudeau also says he will continue his self-isolation until he has no reason to believe he could have been exposed to COVID-19 for more than 14 days. Meanwhile, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau has been given a clean bill of health. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 12th.Washington’s top-infectious disease expert is warning he coronavirus outbreak could kill as many as 200,000 Americans. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, made the dire prediction of fatalities on CNN's "State of the Union," suggesting that millions in the U.S. could become infected. By midday Sunday, the U.S. had about 125,000 infections and 2,200 deaths, according to the running tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.As we wade through the effects and COVID-19 on our health and our economy, there is no shortage of questions as the pandemic begins to affect the lives and livelihoods of Canadians. So we want to devote this episode to some of those questions and we ask them of our cast of medical, science, legal and financial experts.We’re first joined by Dr. Mitch Shulman – an Emergency Medicine specialist in Montreal and Preet Banerjee – a wealth management consultant and founder of MoneyGaps.In this segment we’re joined by Dr. Marla Shapiro, CTV’s medical correspondent and Howard Levitt – an employment and labour lawyer..We will feature more of your FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS in coming episodes. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING. March 28 - Welcome to this SPECIAL edition of the COVID-19 Podcast for Bell Media and iHeart Radio.In this hour we will get into the big questions and issues that we confronted this week in the fight against COVID-19.While the number of cases continues to rise around the world and across Canada, the health crisis is quickly becoming a financial crisis and this week was all about the money.So we begin by talking about the bounces we saw on the markets in Canada and the US. Jon Erlichman is the host of The Open on BNN BLOOMBERG and he spoke to me from his home office in Toronto…and we started by addressing the relief package outlined and passed by Parliament on Wednesday morning.>>>>> We are now well into WEEK 3 of the COVID-19 pandemic. Canada’s government has launched its relief package for Canadians and businesses affected by the outbreak.But is it enough? Especially to help small and medium sized businesses…I asked Catherine Swift, former President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Indpendent Business and Tony Chapman for Tony Chapman Reactions and host of the podcast CHATTER THAT MATTERS.>>>> DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.More travel restrictions in Canada. Prime Minister Trudeau says Canadians with COVID-19 symptoms to be denied boarding on domestic flights and trainsOntario corporations, individuals could face 'staggering' fines for price gouging And Premier Doug Ford says his government is considering a ban on gatherings of more than 5 people.B.C Health officials say physical distancing restrictions are successfully beginning to slow the rate of spread of new COVID-19 cases in the province, perhaps by as much as half.China donates thousands of medical masks, personal protective equipment to CanadaA lab in the US has received marketing approval for a diagnostic test for the coronavirus that can deliver results to patients within minutes and be used in physicians offices and urgent care clinics, as well as hospitals.>>>> The Prime Minister held his daily briefing outside his official residence in Ottawa Saturday morning and announced more travel restrictions – these are focused on domestic travel..Canada's Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Howard Njoo says these restrictions are an extension of the physical distance orders…telling Canadians to stay in your "bubble."On Thursday, you may have heard Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford accusing a Toronto grocer of gouging customers.On Saturday, Ford said his government has taken steps to outlaw any and all price gouging – including stiff fines and potential jail time.We know that hospitals are bracing for the next wave of pressures in their intensive care units in the coming days and weeks. And that is why public health officials have been so adamant about flattening the curve – by that they mean – slowing the rate of increases in confirmed cases. Flattening the curve doesn’t mean an end to the virus, but theoretically, it means there would be fewer patients demanding precious critical health care resources.If the system is overwhelmed, healthcare and hospital officials will be facing daily ethical questions and life and death decisions.Kerry Bowman is a Clinical Ethicist at Mount Sinai Hospital and a professor at the University of Toronto. Professor Bowman joined us from his home office to talk about the challenges ahead.Just a programming note: We will devote tomorrow’s podcast episode to the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS we’ve been getting from you. And we’ve put them to our cast of medical, science, financial and legal experts.If you have a question or A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE OR A GOOD NEWS COMMUNITY STORY YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING. Ottawa is taking a major step forward to support businesses and workers affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. This might be the best news most Canadians have heard since the pandemic was declared on March 11th. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is prepared to subsidize salaries to help keep families and businesses afloat during the crisis. Also today..COVID-19 has now killed more people in Canada than SARS 44 people died of SARS in Canada in 2003. As of Friday afternoon, 53 have died after testing positive for COVID-19. 18 people have now died of COVID-19 in Quebec. The province has more than 2,000 confirmed cases. British PM Boris Johnson tests positive for COVID-19. He says he is showing minor symptoms. If you have a question or A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford. DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Ottawa is taking a major step forward to support businesses and workers affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. This might be the best news most Canadians have heard since the pandemic was declared on March 11th. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is prepared to subsidize salaries to help keep families and businesses afloat during the crisis.Also today..COVID-19 has now killed more people in Canada than SARS 44 people died of SARS in Canada in 2003. As of Friday afternoon, 53 have died after testing positive for COVID-19. 18 people have now died of COVID-19 in Quebec. The province has more than 2,000 confirmed cases.British PM Boris Johnson tests positive for COVID-19. He says he is showing minor symptoms.If you have a question…or  A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING. This is DAY 16 of the COVID-19 pandemic.Let s start with some perspective, 9 months from today is BOXING DAY! How will our holiday family gatherings look 9 months from now? It may well have a lot to do with how we behave today. We know that our actions or inactions will be reflected in the COVID-19 cases and circumstances we face three from now. What are you doing to help plank the curve?Here s what you need to know on Thursday, March 26th, 2020 While US President Donald Trump muses about deploying the military near the Canada-US border, Prime Minister Trudeau says it is now mandatory for those crossing the border into Canada to go directly into a 14-day quarantine. Quebec grocery stores kick out returning snowbird not self-isolating despite mandatory COVID-19 quarantine Trudeau is cautioning Canadians to be wary of a text scam aimed at exploiting people who are looking to apply for the new emergency aid benefit. Ontario premier slams high-end Toronto grocery store for selling $30 Lysol wipes There are five new cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, including a case that may be linked to a party. This brings the total number of cases in the province to 73. Break-ins have quadrupled in Vancouver as stores shut for COVID-19 There are more than 75 thousand confirmed cases in the US and the death toll has reached more than 1000. A record 3.3 million people filed claims for unemployment in the US last week as the Covid-19 pandemic shut down large parts of America s economy The Prime Minister is prepared to fine, even jail, Canadians coming home from abroad who fail to go into isolation for 14 days.Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada s Officer of Health, held her daily briefing today suggesting as tough as it s been over the past couple of weeks, we should prepare for things to get tougher.With that in mind the Prime Minister says the G20 leaders have been engaged in a global discussion to coordinate efforts to cope with the COVID-19 outbreak.The PM also detailed some of the initiatives passed by Parliament this week to help Canadians who are affected by the pandemic. That includes relief for workers who ve been laid off or have to stay home. But so far, it doesn t address the debt and interest payments Canadians are carrying on their credit cards. We re into week three of this global pandemic and frustrations are increasing. It was evident today when Ontario s Premier Doug Ford was asked about retailers that are price gouging consumers. Ford called out a high end grocery store PUSATERIS for charging $30 for Lysol wipes. In a statement, Pusateris called the issue a mistake and promised to issue full refunds to customers who purchased the product at the higher price point. Our stores are facing immense pressure on all levels of operation, CEO Frank Luchetta said in a statement. As a result of this mounting pressure, critical elements were overlooked including the incorrect pricing of this product. This was our mistake, our error, our oversight and we apologize to everyone impacted. IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE OR A GOOD NEWS COMMUNITY STORY YOU WANT TO SHARE send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.Let’s start with some perspective, 9 months from today is BOXING DAY! How will our holiday family gatherings look 9 months from now? It may well have a lot to do with how we behave today. We know that our actions or inactions will be reflected in the COVID-19 cases and circumstances we face – three from now. What are you doing to help plank the curve?Here’s what you need to know on Thursday, March 26th, 2020While US President Donald Trump muses about deploying the military near the Canada-US border, Prime Minister Trudeau says it is now mandatory for those crossing the border into Canada to go directly into a 14-day quarantine.Quebec grocery stores kick out returning snowbird not self-isolating despite mandatory COVID-19 quarantineTrudeau is cautioning Canadians to be wary of a “text scam” aimed at exploiting people who are looking to apply for the new emergency aid benefit.Ontario premier slams high-end Toronto grocery store for selling $30 Lysol wipesThere are five new cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, including a case that may be linked to a party. This brings the total number of cases in the province to 73.Break-ins have quadrupled in Vancouver as stores shut for COVID-19There are more than 75 thousand confirmed cases in the US and the death toll has reached more than 1000.A record 3.3 million people filed claims for unemployment in the US last week as the Covid-19 pandemic shut down large parts of America’s economyThe Prime Minister is prepared to fine, even jail, Canadians coming home from abroad who fail to go into isolation for 14 days.Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s Officer of Health, held her daily briefing today – suggesting as tough as it’s been over the past couple of weeks, we should prepare for things to get tougher.With that in mind…the Prime Minister says the G20 leaders have been engaged in a global discussion to coordinate efforts to cope with the COVID-19 outbreak.The PM also detailed some of the initiatives passed by Parliament this week to help Canadians who are affected by the pandemic. That includes relief for workers who’ve been laid off or have to stay home. But so far, it doesn’t address the debt and interest payments Canadians are carrying on their credit cards.We’re into week three of this global pandemic and frustrations are increasing. It was evident today when Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford was asked about retailers that are price gouging consumers. Ford called out a high end grocery store – PUSATERIS – for charging $30 for Lysol wipes. In a statement, Pusateris called the issue a “mistake” and promised to issue full refunds to customers who purchased the product at the higher price point. “Our stores are facing immense pressure on all levels of operation,” CEO Frank Luchetta said in a statement. “As a result of this mounting pressure, critical elements were overlooked including the incorrect pricing of this product.“This was our mistake, our error, our oversight and we apologize to everyone impacted.”IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE OR A GOOD NEWS COMMUNITY STORY YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING. And, we begin WEEK 3 .This is DAY 15 of the COVID-19 pandemic.And today is all about following the money. Ottawa, Ontario, Bay Street and Wall Street make financial and market news, while the numbers of COVID-19 cases continue to soar around the world. Here s what you need to know on Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 The Trudeau government has moved to streamline employment insurance benefits for Canadians who are now unemployed, or off work because of COVID-19 Ontario is introducing a $17-billion package to support the health sector, people and businesses through the COVID-19 outbreak. Bay Street and Wall Street end the day with gains for the second day in a row. It s the first back-to-back rally on the TSX since the COVID-19 crisis began. Spain reported 738 new deaths in one day on Wednesday. Spain is now second only to Italy in worldwide deaths from COVID-19, after it surpassed China, where the outbreak began. Frontline healthcare workers in the UK are threatening to quit over fears of inadequate protective equipment71-year-old Prince Charles has tested positive for COVID-19. He is showing mild symptoms and is self-isolating at a royal estate in Scotland, his Clarence House office said. His wife Camilla, 72, has tested negative.India mounted the largest attempted lockdown yet in the coronavirus crisis Tuesday night, ordering 1.3 billion people to stay at home for three weeks to prevent a public health disaster The IOC decision to postpone the Summer Olympics will cost American broadcast networks more than $1billion in lost ad revenue this year. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered some details on the $82 billion relief package passed by the House of Commons early this morning and by the Senate midday today. The Prime Minister says Ottawa is streamlining some of the EI benefits for Canadians affected by the pandemic.Getting the money into the hands of Canadians is critical now that we re seeing thousands of layoffs announced each day. BNN Bloomberg is estimating nearly 1 million Canadians have applied for Employment Insurance since the pandemic was declared two weeks ago.Other countries have presented similar relief packages but Denmark and Germany have committed to providing wage subsidies up to 70% to avoid layoffs. Trudeau says that it on the agenda for Ottawa.Meanwhile, Trudeau is relying on all Canadians who are abroad to self-isolate when they return home.To be clear, self-isolation is required but the Prime Minister isn t making it mandatory. Getting cash in to the system in an efficient and timely fashion may well be the difference between survival and failure for business and families across the country. John Manley is the former Liberal Deputy Minister. He told BNN Bloomberg the federal package is a good first step and says we can be proud of how parliament worked. But is this enough to avoid mass layoffs as we saw at the Leon s Furniture chain today?Manley 17 Manley also expects the $82 billion to be the first step in the federal government commitment to offset the financial effects of the COVID-19 crisis. Manley 18 So .how did the markets respond to the stimulus and relief packages in Ottawa and Washington? Jon Erlichman Ontario s Finance minister Rod Phillips had intended to present his annual budget at Queen s Park this month but the COVID-19 pandemic made that impossible. So he presented an economic statement in the legislature Wednesday afternoon. It s a $17billion package aimed at supporting healthcare and business. Keith Leslie is a veteran political commentator at Newstalk1010 radio in Toronto and Co-hosts On the Ledge with John Wright and me. It s the Ontario politics podcast. Keith joins us now from his home office in Toronto. Keith So, here we are at the end of DAY 15 of this COVID-19 Pandemic. We are entering week three and, by all accounts the next three weeks are going to be the toughest we have seen as this strain of the corona virus continues to spread around the world and across Canada. Just a reminder, three weeks ago today Canada had 34 confirmed cases of COVID-19. As we record this podcast, we have more than 32 hundred cases country wide. What you do today will make a difference in how that curve continues in the next three weeks. IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE OR A GOOD NEWS COMMUNITY STORY YOU WANT TO SHARE send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford. DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING. And today is all about following the money. Ottawa, Ontario, Bay Street and Wall Street make financial and market news, while the numbers of COVID-19 cases continue to soar around the world.Here’s what you need to know on Wednesday, March 25th, 2020The Trudeau government has moved to streamline employment insurance benefits for Canadians who are now unemployed, or off work because of COVID-19Ontario is introducing a $17-billion package to support the health sector, people and businesses through the COVID-19 outbreak.Bay Street and Wall Street end the day with gains for the second day in a row. It’s the first back-to-back rally on the TSX since the COVID-19 crisis began.Spain reported 738 new deaths in one day on Wednesday. Spain is now second only to Italy in worldwide deaths from COVID-19, after it surpassed China, where the outbreak began.Frontline healthcare workers in the UK are threatening to quit over fears of inadequate protective equipment71-year-old Prince Charles has tested positive for COVID-19. He is showing mild symptoms and is self-isolating at a royal estate in Scotland, his Clarence House office said. His wife Camilla, 72, has tested negative.India mounted the largest attempted lockdown yet in the coronavirus crisis Tuesday night, ordering 1.3 billion people to stay at home for three weeks to prevent a public health disasterThe IOC decision to postpone the Summer Olympics will cost American broadcast networks more than $1billion in lost ad revenue this year.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered some details on the $82 billion relief package passed by the House of Commons early this morning…and by the Senate midday today. The Prime Minister says Ottawa is streamlining some of the EI benefits for Canadians affected by the pandemic.Getting the money into the hands of Canadians is critical now that we’re seeing thousands of layoffs announced each day. BNN Bloomberg is estimating nearly 1 million Canadians have applied for Employment Insurance since the pandemic was declared two weeks ago.Other countries have presented similar relief packages but Denmark and Germany have committed to providing wage subsidies up to 70% to avoid layoffs. Trudeau says that it on the agenda for Ottawa.Meanwhile, Trudeau is relying on all Canadians who are abroad to self-isolate when they return home.To be clear, self-isolation is required but the Prime Minister isn’t making it mandatory.>>>>> Getting cash in to the system in an efficient and timely fashion may well be the difference between survival and failure for business and families across the country.John Manley is the former Liberal Deputy Minister. He told BNN Bloomberg the federal package is a good first step and says we can be proud of how parliament worked.But is this enough to avoid mass layoffs as we saw at the Leon’s Furniture chain today?Manley 17Manley also expects the $82 billion to be the first step in the federal government commitment to offset the financial effects of the COVID-19 crisis.Manley 18>>>>> So….how did the markets respond to the stimulus and relief packages in Ottawa and Washington?Ontario’s Finance minister Rod Phillips had intended to present his annual budget at Queen’s Park this month but the COVID-19 pandemic made that impossible. So he presented an economic statement in the legislature Wednesday afternoon. It’s a $17billion package aimed at supporting healthcare and business.Keith Leslie is a veteran political commentator at Newstalk1010 radio in Toronto…and Co-hosts – On the Ledge – with John Wright and me. It’s the Ontario politics podcast.Keith joins us now from his home office in Toronto.So, here we are at the end of DAY 15 of this COVID-19 Pandemic. We are entering week three and, by all accounts the next three weeks are going to be the toughest we have seen as this strain of the corona virus continues to spread around the world and across Canada.Just a reminder, three weeks ago today Canada had 34 confirmed cases of COVID-19. As we record this podcast, we have more than 32 hundred cases country wide. What you do today will make a difference in how that curve continues in the next three weeks.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE OR A GOOD NEWS COMMUNITY STORY YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.We begin with some perspective on the speed of this outbreak. Three weeks ago today, we were all getting used to SPRING AHEAD time change, the Toronto Raptors were hoping to snap a two game losing streak, and it was the first time Ottawa had warned Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to Iran, China, northern Italy and parts of South Korea following a spike in cases in the previous days. There were 27 cases on March 2nd. As of this recording, Canada has more than 25 hundred cases.We are being told that our behaviour today will affect the number of cases and circumstances we find ourselves in three weeks from now.What are you doing today to change the trajectory of COVID-19?Here’s what you need to know on Tuesday, March 24th , 2020For all the talk about a non-partisan approach to Canada’s to passing legislation designed to support Canadian workers and businesses affected by COVID-19, today’s parliamentary session had to be suspended when the Opposition parties objected to sweeping powers being granted to the cabinet and the finance minister until Dec. 2021.Meanwhile, the US Senate remains stalled as it tries to pass a COVID-19 relief package.WALL STREET and Bay Street both in the green today…The DOW up just over 11%. The TSX improved by nearly 12%. That news comes amid calls for US President Donald Trump to order the markets to be closed. NEWSWEEK reporting that Kyle Bass Chief Investment Officer of Hedge Fund Hayman Capital Management says the markets should be closed “until the number of infections in the United States declines for, let's say, two weeks consecutively.”That closure could last some time considering the World Health Organization says the US could become the new centre of the global coronavirus pandemic. The WHO says case numbers were rising quickly there even as Donald Trump talked of reopening the country for business.We told you it was coming yesterday, and this morning it was official: the Tokyo Summer Olympics are being postponed until 2021.>>>> We fully expected to be able to tell you that the House of Commons had passed legislation designed to implement the $82 billion relief package the Prime Minister unveiled a week or so ago. But the Opposition has pushed back on Justin Trudeau’s legislation which would grant the federal government sweeping powers to spend money, borrow, and change taxes without parliamentary approval through to Dec. 31, 2021.As of this recording, the negotiations continue and as CTV’s Evan Solomon reports, this has been complicated further by one MP whose procedural objection to the bill will delay passage further.For the latest on that story, you can go to ctvnews.ca>>>>>> With all the focus on what government should be doing, there is a growing sense that industry and corporations are going to have to step up and bare some of the load to bridge our economy in the short term.Tony Chapman of Tony Chapman Reactions is a marketing strategist and host of the podcast Chatter that Matters. He says there are all kinds of ways large companies and suppliers can help small and medium sized businesses get through the COVID-19 crisis.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.VANCOUVER CITY COUNCIL SAYS “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH” after local residents ignore calls for physical distancing.TORONTO DECLARES A STATE OF EMERGENCYBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson Puts U.K. on Three-Week Lockdown as Virus SpreadsIOC MEMBER DICK POUND SAYS THE TOKYO SUMMER OLYMPICS WILL BE POSTPONED.Pound told Reuters that a one-year postponement looked like the best solution.AND THE US SENATE FAILS TO ADVANCE EMERGENCY LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT AMERICANS AFFECTED BY COVID-19.>>>> Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made it clear, it’s time to smarten up.Trudeau made the comments at his Monday morning media briefing outside his official residence in Ottawa. The unvarnished message comes after weekend news stories were filled with images of hundreds of Canadians ignoring the calls for physical distancing.Parliament will convene Tuesday morning to pass emergency legislation designed to support Canadians affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Trudeau says there will be special measures for Canada’s agricultural sectorThere is also a push to develop treatments and a vaccine here in Canada.Trudeau says the federal government is prepared to invest $192 million in that effortThe first ministers will convene virtually this evening and Trudeau says they will discuss and assess whether Ottawa should invoke the federal Emergencies Act.In Vancouver, there was no shortage of images and videos showing local residents who were ignoring the calls for physical and social distancing. One television newscast included video of what appeared to be a wedding being carried out on a beach.CTV’s Melanie Nagy says local leaders are more than frustrated by what they saw.Vancouver Council met Monday and voted in favour of a motion to declare  city-wide state of emergency. The motion makes it an offence not to comply with the state of emergency bylaw, and imposes a fine of up to $50,000.In Toronto, Mayor John Tory wasn’t far behind.>>>>> The House Of Commons will be in session Tuesday for an historic and extraordinary sitting. Only 32 members will be in attendance along with the Speaker as the government introduces the emergency legislation intended to support Canadian families and businesses cope with the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak.Scott Reid was an advisor to former Prime Minister Paul Martin. I spoke to him earlier today about what’s coming..>>>>> How government’s respond to this crisis in the coming days will be felt around boardroom tables and kitchen tables around the world. Following the money will require as much detail as scrutiny as following the research efforts to find a vaccine.Amanda Lang is a financial commentator at BNN Bloomberg. I spoke to her on Sunday morning about the fatal effects this crisis could have on small and medium sized companies across Canada.Late Sunday, the Canadian Olympic Committee said Canada will not send athletes to the Summer Games in Tokyo. This afternoon, Reuters is quoting IOC member Dick Pound as saying the games will not go ahead as planned.Veteran Olympic broadcaster – TSN’s Brian Williams told John Moore at Newstalk 1010 in Toronto the IOC is tone deaf on the issue.There’s nothing official from the IOC yet, but Dick Pound has indicated postponement is the preferred option.>>>> So this brings us to the end of day 13 of the COVID-19 pandemic and every day we see a predictable spike in the number of cases being reported in Canada and around the world. And we are reminded that what you and I do, or fail to do, to help curb COVID 19 will be reflected three weeks from now.For some context: Three weeks ago today CANADA had 27 confirmed cases. As of yesterday, that number has grown to more than 14 hundred cases.WHAT ARE YOU DOING TODAY…TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?                                  IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE OR A GOOD NEWS COMMUNITY STORY YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.DISCLAIMER:THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING. Municipalities and health care providers across Canada are calling on the federal and provincial governments to take tougher measures in the fight against COVID1-19 but the Prime Minister insists the time is not right to invoke the Emergencies Act.Here s what you need to know on Sunday, March 22, 2020 Trudeau says Parliament will resume Tuesday to pass emergency measuresNova Scotia declares state of emergency, identifies 7 more cases of COVID-19 Effective 6 a.m. Monday, the borders of Nova Scotia will be tightened, with screening processes at all points of entry to the province. Anyone who has travelled outside of the province will be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return.Prince Edward Island is also asking anyone who has travelled within Canada to self-isolate for 14 days -- a step beyond the federal government's request to those who have travelled internationally.Quebec premier announces all shopping malls closed; Schools will remain closed until May 1st.Hydro-Quebec suspends fees amid COVID-19 pandemicCanadian Tire reducing store hours, SportChek and Mark's locations to closeThe Metropolitan Opera is cancelling the rest of its season and stopping the pay of the orchestra, chorus and other unionized employees at the end of March due to the new coronavirus. The Met last week called off performances through March 31.German Chancellor Angela Merkel has gone into quarantine after being informed that a doctor who administered a vaccine to her has tested positive for the new coronavirus.Huge crowds defied coronavirus fears lining up for hours to see the Olympic flame in northern Japan, as reports emerged that organisers of Tokyo 2020 are considering postponement of the games. Despite states of emergency being declared by a number of provinces, despite the nearly minute to minute appeal for people to observe physical distancing, to stay home unless it s necessary for you to buy groceries or go to work, there are increased reports of people gathering in large crowds in close proximity across the country.It was the subject of the first question from the Prime Minister s scrum today in Ottawa.But that stance is frustrating for some municipal and public health leaders who have limited powers to make sure people follow these health and safety measures.The first call to toughen up came this weekend from doctors in British Columbia. BenMiljurCTV Vancouver That s reporter Ben Miljure at CTV Vancouver.Frank Scarpitti is the Mayor of Markham, Ontario. He s adding his voice to the chorus calling on the senior levels of government to definitively shut down all non-essential businesses and public activities.The House of Commons will convene on Tuesday to pass emergency measures but as noted, the Emergencies Act is not on the agenda. While Canadian legislatures assemble to vote on emergency support packages to deal with the health and financial effects of the COVID outbreak, the US Congress appears stalled in its efforts to push a bill through the House and Senate.Washington s management of the COVID outbreak has criticized by front line healthcare providers and state governors and much of that criticizes stops in the Oval Office.David Schultz is a professor of political science and constitutional law at Hamline University in Minnesota. He says, despite any effort to the contrary, the COVID-19 pandemic is becoming increasingly politicized in this presidential election year. So here we are at the end of day 10 of the daily COVID-19 podcast series and we end with the reminder we ve heard from public health and government officials again today.Whatever you and I do or fail to do to help curb COVID-19 will be reflected in the cases and circumstances we ll face three weeks from now.What are you doing today to help flatten the curve? Municipalities and health care providers across Canada are calling on the federal and provincial governments to take tougher measures in the fight against COVID1-19 – but the Prime Minister insists the time is not right to invoke the Emergencies Act.Here’s what you need to know on Sunday, March 22, 2020Trudeau says Parliament will resume Tuesday to pass emergency measuresNova Scotia declares state of emergency, identifies 7 more cases of COVID-19 Effective 6 a.m. Monday, the borders of Nova Scotia will be tightened, with screening processes at all points of entry to the province. Anyone who has travelled outside of the province will be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return.Prince Edward Island is also asking anyone who has travelled within Canada to self-isolate for 14 days -- a step beyond the federal government's request to those who have travelled internationally.Quebec premier announces all shopping malls closed; Schools will remain closed until May 1st.Hydro-Quebec suspends fees amid COVID-19 pandemicCanadian Tire reducing store hours, SportChek and Mark's locations to closeThe Metropolitan Opera is cancelling the rest of its season and stopping the pay of the orchestra, chorus and other unionized employees at the end of March due to the new coronavirus. The Met last week called off performances through March 31.German Chancellor Angela Merkel has gone into quarantine after being informed that a doctor who administered a vaccine to her has tested positive for the new coronavirus.Huge crowds defied coronavirus fears – lining up for hours to see the Olympic flame in northern Japan, as reports emerged that organisers of Tokyo 2020 are considering postponement of the games.>>>>> Despite states of emergency being declared by a number of provinces, despite the nearly minute to minute appeal for people to observe physical distancing, to stay home unless it’s necessary for you to buy groceries or go to work, there are increased reports of people gathering in large crowds in close proximity across the country.It was the subject of the first question from the Prime Minister’s scrum today in Ottawa.But that stance is frustrating for some municipal and public health leaders who have limited powers to make sure people follow these health and safety measures.The first call to toughen up came this weekend from doctors in British Columbia.Frank Scarpitti is the Mayor of Markham, Ontario. He’s adding his voice to the chorus calling on the senior levels of government to definitively shut down all non-essential businesses and public activities.The House of Commons will convene on Tuesday to pass emergency measures but as noted, the Emergencies Act is not on the agenda.>>>>>> While Canadian legislatures assemble to vote on emergency support packages to deal with the health and financial effects of the COVID outbreak, the US Congress appears stalled in its efforts to push a bill through the House and Senate.Washington’s management of the COVID outbreak has criticized by front line healthcare providers and state governors and much of that criticizes stops in the Oval Office.David Schultz is a professor of political science and constitutional law at Hamline University in Minnesota. He says, despite any effort to the contrary, the COVID-19 pandemic is becoming increasingly politicized in this presidential election year.>>>>> So here we are at the end of day 10 of the daily COVID-19 podcast series…and we end with the reminder we’ve heard from public health and government officials again today.Whatever you and I do or fail to do to help curb COVID-19 will be reflected in the cases and circumstances we’ll face three weeks from now.What are you doing today…to help flatten the curve?We ask why we continue to count COVID-19 cases in Canada now that it’s in the community.Doctors in Italy are warning the world – we need to completely rethink the way we treat COVID patients.Here’s what you need to know on Saturday, March 21, 2020PM Trudeau not declaring national state of emergency for COVID-19 yethttps://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/trudeau-not-declaring-national-state-of-emergency-for-covid-19-yet-1.4862715Former prime minister Stephen Harper will be one of 12 members on the newly formed Economic Recovery Panel in Albertahttps://pressreader.com/article/281565177844051DBRS has downgraded Alberta’s Issuer Rating and Longterm Debt rating due to plunging oil prices and the COVID-19 outbreak.                       https://pressreader.com/article/281612422484307FEMA Declares New York a ‘Major Disaster’. Gov. Andrew Cuomo says one million face masks are being sent to hospitals in New York City and another 500,000 to Long Island.https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/21/nyregion/coronavirus-new-york-update.htmlItalian health officials are warning the world to decentralize their approach to treating COVID-19 patients. Hospitals may be the primary source of corona virus transmission.https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/21/coronavirus-plea-from-italy-treat-patients-at-home/When should Canada’s federal government declare a state of emergency? Are Canadians abroad better to isolate in place rather than risk getting caught in quarantines or border closures?These were among the questions Prime Minister Trudeau addressed at his daily briefing. But top of mind was the need to do more testinghttps://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/trudeau-not-declaring-national-state-of-emergency-for-covid-19-yet-1.4862715Italy remains the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic. The healthcare system there is all but overwhelmed by the outbreak. Today, STAT NEWS is reporting that Italian health officials are telling other countries to reconsider how they treat COVID-19.There is a warning to decentralize patient care from hospitals to their homes and make the community a focus of interventions. Doctors in Bergamo say hospitals may well be the main source of COVID-19 transmission.https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/21/coronavirus-plea-from-italy-treat-patients-at-home/The COVID-19 death toll in Canada is 13 to date. 10 of those cases are in British Columbia, 3 are in Ontario.In most cases, public health officials can trace connections to other infections. Such was not the case earlier this week when a 51 year old man died in Halton Region in Ontario with no apparent connections to the virus.Dr. Neil Rau is an Infectious Disease Special. He works at the hospital where that death occurred and it has been difficult for the staff at Milton District Hospital.As this pandemic moves into a new phase in this country, it’s worth focusing on the great work that’s being done in public health and by charity and community groups trying to support the marginalized.We keep hear that fear and panic and scare-mongering will be the toughest thing to fight in the coming days and weeks…SO…there are online efforts to promote and boost CARE-mongering. Taking care of ourselves and each other..Heather Wright at CTV National News says it gaining momentum by the day.https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/you-re-not-alone-in-this-canadians-are-caremongering-through-the-covid-19-pandemic-1.4859369So, we close DAY 9 for this podcast with a reminder that the effects of what you do today to help curb the COVID-19 outbreak will seen and felt three weeks from now.Think back FEBRUARY 29th. What were you doing? Chances are you can’t or you aren’t doing that today. That’s quickly this has changed.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE OR A GOOD NEWS COMMUNITY STORY YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.We learned that hand washing matters. We learned that social distancing matters. We learned that what we do today will have effects three weeks from today. We also learned that some people aren't paying attention.Here’s what you need to know on Friday, March 20th, 2020Trudeau unveils new measures to mobilize industry in COVID-19 fight, bring Canadians homeTrudeau also announced that Canada-U.S. border will close to non-essential travel as of midnight Friday. That means, come Saturday, tourists and visitors will not be allowed in.The US and Mexico will close their common border to non-essential trave at midnight SaturdayNew protocols for irregular migrants, who will now be turned around if they appear at the Canada-US border, rather than allowing them in and isolating them.Interpol: 121 arrests made in more than 90 countries over counterfeit COVID-19 supplies, medicationsIllinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has announced a statewide shelter-in-place order aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus. California made the same order earlier this week.Walmart Canada says it will hire 10,000 more employees to work in its stores and distribution centres as it deals with issues related to COVID-19.>>>>>>> Prime Minister Trudeau says the details have been nailed down – the Canada-US border will be closed to non-essential travel as of midnight Friday. It means no tourists crossing the border but it does mean trade will continue to flow between the two countries.Trudeau says Ottawa will be assisting Canadians who are trying to get home.The PM also made it clear that irregular migrants seeking asylum at the US border will be turned back.Up until now, the migrants have been allowed into Canada and ordered into isolation.The Prime Minister also announced plans to engage the private sector to help stem the COVID-19 outbreak. Trudeau says major businesses and manufacturers have already offered assistance to boost health care and medical supplies.Former federal health Minister Jane Philpott is heading the front lines. Dr. Philpott is answering the call for retired physicians to help with the COVID-19 outbreak.A study by Toronto epidemiologists suggests that Canada's largest province could run out of intensive care beds and ventilators by late April, even assuming a sharp drop in the current infection rate.Researchers from the University of Toronto, University Health Network and Sunnybrook Hospital have released a model showing Ontario could run short of machines and space to ventilate very sick patients in just over five weeks.Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott told reporters on Wednesday, the province has  adequate supply for the current situation.She then noted the province had ordered 300 more ventilators that it expected to receive shortly and said automotive parts manufacturers are looking to retool their facilities so they can produce ventilators in Ontario.>>>>>>> Today…Dr. Dina Kulik answers questions about your kids and COVID-19If you have questions you’d like us to address, send them along to me through TWITTER @DaveTrafford.>>>>>>> There has been a lot of discussion and some confusion about the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. Associated Press had been reporting that human trials were supposed to begin on Monday of this week. So, where are we?I put that question to Sharon Begley - a senior writer at STAT News.>>>>>> As we noted off the top of the podcast, Canadians abroad are being told to get home now.Barrie Shepley is among them. Barrie is the former Canadian Olympic triathlon coach and he has been running his annual training camp in Arizona for elite athletes – including wannabe Olympians.He spoke to me earlier this week from his apartment outside Tucson. He says he and his athletes arrived in Arizona just before Canada and the US started restricting borders and international travel.>>>>>>> So, here we are at the end of DAY 8 for our daily podcast…and what have we learned in the last week?We’ve learned that our actions or inactions today will be reflected three weeks from now. Whether its hand washing or closing borders, whatever we do today will come home to roost in the next three weeks.What were you doing three weeks ago today?Me? I was getting ready to host the Weekend Morning Show on Newstalk 1010 in Toronto. I was also preparing to celebrate LEAP DAY – February 29th – performing a house concert with Quisha Wint and Beau Dixon. We were playing music I’d written that celebrates the great Martin Luther King Jr.We wouldn’t be doing that tomorrow..three weeks later.What are you doing today? How will that be reflected three weeks from today?I’d be interested to know…Send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.>>>>> As we enter week two of COVID-19 pandemic Ottawa and Washington are in the process of tightening border and travel restrictions. The Ontario legislature passed emergency measures to support workers who will be affected by the outbreak. Italy's death toll has exceeded China's. Canada's auto makers say they are prepared to provide resources, staff and facilities to help manufacture much needed ventilators.FACT OR FICTION: The coronavirus hangs in the air like an aerosol. We'll bust the myth.How should you talk to your kids about COVID-19? That's one of the FAQs we put to our medical and science experts.Pollster John Wright at Dart Insight and Communications has the latest numbers on how Canadians are feeling and coping in the face of the pandemic.And we’ll have a special ROUND TABLE discussion with Catherine Swift, former President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and Marketing Strategist Tony Chapman of Tony Chapman Reactions.Here’s what you need to know on Wednesday, March 18th, 2020Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government will spend up to $82 billion on measures to support the Canadian economy through the COVID-19 pandemic.Trudeau officially announce a temporary closure of the U.S. Canada border to non-essential traffic.Porter Airlines has announced they will be suspending all flights until June 1st.The move takes effect at the end of the business day on Friday, March 20th.Detroit's three automakers have agreed to close all of their factories due to worker fears about the coronavirus. The move by General Motors, Fiat Chrysler and Ford will idle about 150,000 auto workers.EU leaders discuss shutting of borders. EU leaders were debating on a videocall on Tuesday whether to shut down Europe’s external borders and offer economic stimulus as the continent scrambles to contain the quick spread of the disease>>>>>>>> As expected, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outlined financial relief measures for Canadian workers and businesses to cope with the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic.Trudeau says the federal government package is worth up to $82 billionThe PM says there is a specific focus on workers who can’t because of illness or the need to care for others.The package will also support small businesses who will have difficulties making payroll.And Ottawa will extend the time for businesses and individuals who owe taxes to the government.Finance Minister says these relief measures will focus on business and households right actross the country but admits they will need to pay particular attention to the regions of the country that heavily rely on the resource sector to support their economies.>>>>>>>> The Prime Minister also told us that Canada and the US have mutually agreed to temporarily close our border to non-essential travel. President Donald Trump “broke the news” earlier in the morning by announcing the measure on his Twitter account.Parliament will likely be recalled next week. In the meantime, the Prime Minister says his government is still considering whether it needs to invoke the Emergency Measures Act.Today marks the end of the first full week since the World Health Organization declare COVID-19 to be a pandemic..I know…feels like a long week. And all indications are we’ve got plenty of long weeks ahead of us.So, let’s take the pulse shall we? Time for a Round Table discussion with Catherine Swift, the former President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Indpendent Business, and Tony Chapman -  marketing strategist with Tony Chapman Reactions and they joined me this afternoon by video conferencing.IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE OR A GOOD NEWS COMMUNITY STORY YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.Be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts…And that will guarantee -  I’ll be back tomorrow.Thanks for joining us..I’m DT.Late this afternoon, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney made an  announcement declaring a state of public health emergency. It includes a ban on any organized gatherings of more than 50 people. Albertans are now prohibited from visiting a number of venues including: public recreation centres, casinos, bingo halls, bars, nightclubs, fitness centres, arenas, museums, and indoor children's play centres. Sit-down restaurants, pubs, delis and coffee shops are now limited to a maximum of 50 people or 50 per cent of their maximum capacity, whichever is lower. The declaration comes under the province's Public Health Act  which typically permits a 30-day period for the state of emergency, which can be extended to 90 days. >>>>>>> Meanwhile, Alberta’s COVID-19 website has received more than 300,000 visits.It’s a new tool to self-assess for the coronavirus - launched in Alberta to reduce the strain on Health Link 811 call volumes, which have more than doubled in recent days.The online service is the first of its kind in Canada and helps people determine whether to call Health Link 811 and get tested for COVID-19. The online questionnaire asks what symptoms, if any, someone is experiencing and takes the user through steps to determine whether testing is needed.>>>>>> Ontario may have its first COVID-19 related death. The province’s health minister Christine Elliott says a man who tested positive for the corona virus has died but it’s not yet clear whether COVID-19 was the cause of death.There are now 190 COVID-19 cases in Ontario. Twelve new cases were reported today. That’s down considerably from the 74 new cases that were reported between Saturday and Monday.>>>>>>>> Two new polls confirm what many of us already know…Canadians are stressed by the pandemic and many agree the worst is yet to come.The Angus Reid Institute reports half of those surveyed fear the  illness will severely harm someone close to them; 65% worry about their personal finances amid chaotic markets>>>>>> Markets in the US responded with a favourable bounce – the Dow Jones finishing up more than 1000 points after the White House unveiled its $850 billion relief package.We may get a sense of the financial measures Ottawa will be taking when we hear from the Prime Minister on Wednesday.Today, Prime Minister Trudeau says he’s considering a recall of Parliament .Trudeau says there will be legislation that makes it easier for the government to get EI cheques out the door…and they’ll explore options under the federal Emergency Measures Act>>>>>>>> The challenges posed by self-isolation, by school closures and the chaos as some retailers and grocery stores has meant more of us are turning to Amazon to deliver our goods and groceries to our door.And that has stressed Amazon’s capacity. So much so that Jay Carney at Amazon tells CNN, the company is prepared to hire 100 thousand new workers.>>>>>> IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE OR A GOOD NEWS COMMUNITY STORY YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford. Here’s what you need to know on Monday, March 16, 2020Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced the borders will be closed to non-citizens or permanent residents. Americans citizens, flight crews and diplomats are exempt.British Columbia is reporting three additional deaths from COVID-19, all of them related to a care home in North Vancouver.That brings Canada’s national death toll to 4.The only other death in Canada was in B.C. – also at the Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver where there has been a cluster of cases.Ontario’s government is drafting legislation that would change the Employment Standards Act, and help people directly affected by COVID-19. Employees would also not be required to provide a doctor's note if they need leave from work.Major League Baseball has pushed back opening day until mid-May at the earliest because of the new coronavirus after the federal government recommended restricting events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks.Restaurant Brands International Inc. says it is asking Canadian Tim Hortons restaurant owners to provide take-out, drive-thru and delivery only in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.The company says it is closing all dining room seating effective Tuesday. The closures will continue until future notice.Medical schools in the UK have been urged to fast-track final-year medical students, waiving requirements for clinical exams and using alternative assessments to enable them to be quickly registered as doctors in order to help tackle the coronavirus outbrThe Associated Press is reporting: A clinical trial to evaluate a vaccine designed to protect against the new coronavirus will begin on Monday. The report cites an unnamed U.S. government official. The trial is being funded by the National Institutes of Health Research Institute in Seattle.>>>> And coming up…Are you ready to work at home?And how are your kids coping with the COVID-19 crisis? We’ll put some of your FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS to our medical and science experts>>>>>> The big news of the day came from Ottawa where the Prime Minister announced new measures to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Justin Trudeau met the media at a distance because he remains in self-isolation at his official residence.The new measure effectively close Canada’s borders to most foreign travelers.But the PM stressed that only travelers who have been properly screened will be allowed into the country – Canadians included.In addition, anyone arriving from international locations will still be expected to self-isolate for 14 days.Only four Canadian airports will accept International flights as of Wednesday>>>> Ontario is opening 17 designated testing centres in an effort to relieve pressures on provincial hospitals.The Premier also announced his government’s intention to pass legislation that will protest and support workers directly affected by COVID-19Premier Ford also stressed the need for people to refrain from panic buying at local grocery stores.Ford says major retailers have assured him that supply chain is healthy. There will be product on the shelves.>>>>>>> The flurry of research activity is astounding. We told you about a Cambridge Mass. firm that is trying fast track human testing of vaccine…Today, Associated Press is reporting that human trials were supposed to begin today at a facility in Seattle Washington.Meanwhile…some international intrigue over who will get access to a vaccine once it’s developed.Berlin is trying to stop Washington from persuading a German company seeking a coronavirus vaccine to move its research to the U.S. That’s prompted German politicians to insist no country should have a monopoly on any future vaccine.German government sources told Reuters on Sunday that the U.S. administration was looking into how it could gain access to a potential vaccine being developed by a German firm, Curevac.Earlier, German newspaper reported that U.S. President Donald Trump had offered funds to lure Curevac to the United States, and the German government was making counter-offers to tempt it to stay.Responding on Twitter to the report, the U.S. ambassador to Germany said the newspaper story was “wrong.”Welt am Sonntag quoted an unidentified German government source as saying Trump was trying to secure the scientists’ work exclusively, and would do anything to get a vaccine for the United States, “but only for the United States.”German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer told a news conference that the government’s coronavirus crisis committee would discuss the Curevac case on Monday.>>>>>>> Sudbury residents have started a Go Fund Me campaign in addition to one started by Comics North after they were broken into for the third time in three months. He was quickly arrested in the parking lot of a busines and charged for weapons dangerous. Nobody was injured during this incident. Greater Sudbury Police are checking on the well being of Donna Richer this morning. Richer was last seen on New Year's Day on Levesque Street in Sudbury. She was headed for Manitoulin Island. Please contact Greater Sudbury Police if you have seen her or know where she is. A near collision early Saturday morning resulted in 2 arrests for Impaired by Drugs on Skead Rd by Airport Rd early Saturday morning. A 33 year old female and 36 year old male failed Drug Recognition testing. They are both scheduled to appear in court. Greater Sudbury Police were busy on New Year’s Eve. Traffic Management was on the lookout for impaired driving and checked 371 vehicles in Greater Sudbury. Four Impaired drivers were charged and 18 Highway Traffic Act violations and five other Criminal Code charges were laid. Sudbury driver Kristen McPherson made a plea on the Ward 2 Community Board on Facebook on Saturday to "please, PLEASE CLEAR THE ICE AND SNOW from your vehicles." She posted a picture of the windshield of their truck which had been destroyed by ice flying off another vehicle on MR 55. A little after 8:00 on New Year's Eve, Greater Sudbury Police responded to a weapons complaint on Myles Street. Officers executed a search warrant at a residence on Myles and, in addition to the firearm and ammunition, police found cocaine with a street value of around $44,000. A male adult is being held for an appearance in court. Do you know CPR? A Sudbury group called "Northern City of Heroes" has put together a straight forward video that tries to teach people Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation or CPR. Police say the man was rescued and they confirm that his snow machine fell through the ice and into the water.

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