Times of Crisis ...

... bring out the worst sort of idiocy in governments and the people who put them into power.

But don't take my word for it:

The decision to require some diplomatic staff and families to return home was “on the basis of health risk assessments.”

The decision comes as Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said Thursday it will be weeks before Canadians know if border clampdowns, social distancing and closures of businesses are slowing the spread of COVID-19, as the testing catches up with the spread of the virus.

This Theresa Tam:

I'll just leave this little item written by one Dr. Theresa Tam right here:

The next pandemic will first emerge outside of Canada. The majority of new influenza strains emerge in Asia where the close proximity of humans, poultry and domestic pigs in farming communities facilitates mingling and genetic exchange between human and avian influenza viruses. 

The next pandemic virus will be present in Canada within 3 months after it emerges in another part of the world, but it could be much sooner because of the volume and speed of global air travel. This assumption regarding timing is based on the last two pandemics. In 1918, returning soldiers who had influenza and traveled by train carried the virus from Québec to Vancouver within a few weeks. Given the increase, different patterns and speed of modern travel, a new virus once arriving in Canada could spread quickly in multiple directions throughout the country. 

The pandemic virus may arrive in Canada at any time of year (i.e., potentially outside of the usual influenza season in Canada). The first peak of illness in Canada could occur within 2 to 4 months after the virus arrives in Canada. The first peak in mortality is expected to be approximately 1 month after the peak in illness. Based on past pandemics, when the pandemic virus arrives close to the usual annual influenza season in temperate climates (November to April), the interval from the arrival of the virus to the height of the epidemic can be very short.

A pandemic wave will sweep across Canada in 1-2 months affecting multiple locations simultaneously. This is based on analysis of the spread of past pandemics including the 1918 pandemic. The influenza pandemic will occur in two or more waves. In any locality, the length of each wave of illness will be 6 to 8 weeks. The pandemic will last 12 to 18 months and more than one wave may occur within a 12 month period.

Why does that sound terribly familiar?:

Total COVID-19 cases in Canada: 925

• Ontario - 308 cases, including 2 deaths (5 resolved)
• B.C. - 271 cases, including 8 deaths (5 resolved)
• Alberta - 146 cases, including 1 death
• Quebec - 121 cases, including 1 death (1 resolved)
• New Brunswick - 11 cases
• Manitoba - 17 cases
• Saskatchewan - 20 cases
• Prince Edward Island - 2 cases
• Newfoundland and Labrador - 3 cases
• Nova Scotia - 14 cases
• CFB Trenton - 12 cases

So, a woman who wrote in 2006 (three years after what should have been an eye-opening crisis) that a new pandemic of foreign origin would sweep through Canada and, not two months ago, told everyone in the country not to worry as the risk of this virus infecting everyone at an alarming rate was low, now is telling everyone to "flatten the curve" of a virus she warned everyone about but then tried to walk back from.

Interesting ...


It's a good thing, therefore, that everyone was prepared because they had learned from the SARS virus.

Oh, wait:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a plan to help Canadian companies ramp up production of medical supplies needed to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

They weren't doing that before?:

China’s medical and surgical equipment producers a reset for a solid performance in upcoming years, driven mainly by domestic consumption in line with China’s overall healthcare industry expansion, especially within the private sector.

What can go wrong with outsourcing an important sector of Canadian production?  I mean - what?


In the mean time, the government is throwing around money around because it apparently grows on trees:

The Canadian government will soon roll out millions in foreign aid spending to help combat the spread of COVID-19 abroad, particularly in refugee camps and developing countries, says International Development Minister Karina Gould.

(Sidebar: say, where did they get that money from? It can't be from the oil sector. I hope they get it before the half a million Canadians on employment insurance realise that they are not getting money any time soon.)

 

Last week, the government announced plans to pledge $50-million to the World Health Organization and other bilateral aid as a part of a larger $1-billion coronavirus response package. Some of the foreign aid money, which comes from a special crisis fund, is expected to start flowing to organizations in the coming days.

(Sidebar: this WHO.) 

Hey, coronaviruses don't last forever, especially if you are angling for a UN seat, but unlimited power ... :

As Canada confronts the worsening COVID-19 outbreak, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has hinted his government might declare a federal emergency, giving his cabinet extra powers to battle the pandemic.

“It is a major tool and I can tell you that we already have a lot of tools that allow us to do what we need to do,” said Trudeau, at his Thursday news conference outside Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. “If there are other steps that need to be accomplished and can only be accomplished through invoking the Emergencies Act then we will do so.”

However, never under-estimate Justin's stupidity. Yes, it was he who laid out a welcome mat for every illegal migrant to walk into Canada and benefit from a system he and she did not pay into and yes, he did vacillate between a wide-open border and then saying that he didn't want one when everyone got mad at him and then letting in foreign workers to take the jobs unemployed Canadians probably won't do but this is also the same moron who bribed the press to be on his side.

Fat lot of good that did for him.




Stupidity is hard work:

Parliament is pocketing a $2.5 million pay hike amid the Covid-19 pandemic and recession fears. The April 1 bonus takes effect without debate under terms of a bill one former MP called “indecent”.

Also:

An emergency recall of Ontario’s legislature on Thursday will see a thinned-down crowd of just 24 MPPs debating and casting votes at Queen’s Park, as the government seeks to pass two pieces of COVID-19 legislation.

Is there any relief for these people?:

Food banks are generally not short of food at the moment, though as layoffs take hold it can reasonably be expected that demand will rise. But food banks tend to rely on many volunteers for the receiving, sorting, packing and distribution of food. What happens when 20 volunteers who worked together in one room are reduced to six in order to keep safe distances? What happens when all elderly and sick volunteers stay home? A food bank might have enough food but be hampered in its ability to make it available.

You wouldn't bugger off a few weeks ago:

Canadian indigenous communities, already facing poor healthcare options, are closing their own lands’ borders to limit coronavirus exposure as Ottawa dispatches funds and tents to house and isolate sick patients in the country’s chilly north.

 
Whatever you do, don't mention the Chinese:

A Chinese report into the coronavirus death of a young doctor reprimanded by police for “spreading rumors” when he tried to raise the alarm about the disease drew quick criticism online after it merely suggested the reprimand be withdrawn.

**

The world’s richest nations poured unprecedented aid into the global economy on Thursday as coronavirus cases ballooned in the new epicentre Europe, with the number of deaths in Italy outstripping those in mainland China, where the virus originated. 

Gee, I guess that online class thing wasn't such a bad idea, after all:

The Ontario government announced the launch of a new online platform entitled, “Learn at Home” for students out of school amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Premier Doug Ford, education minister Stephen Lecce and health minister Christine Elliott made the announcement of the launch of the first phase of the endeavour at Queen’s Park on Friday.

Lecce also took the time to reassure students who were supposed to graduate this year, that no graduation will be compromised.

Yay! Non-coronavirus news!:

The Conservative Party has now approved both Leslyn Lewis and Derek Sloan as “verified candidates,” meaning they’ve fulfilled all the entry requirements for the race, including submitting $300,000 (of which $100,000 is a refundable deposit).

That status means they can participate in the two official leadership debates scheduled for April, and their names will be on the final ballot on June 27. They join Peter MacKay and Erin O’Toole as the only verified candidates so far.