-As of yesterday, Alberta began more rigorous testing for Covid-19 in some sectors. Since Calgary has been the hardest hit, anyone in that zone who has symptoms can be tested. But Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw says ALL essential workers across the province with symptoms will be tested as well:
“I want to emphasize we expect anyone who is ill, to remain home for at least 10 days from the start of their symptoms, or until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer. Anyone who has any of these same symptoms: runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath, fever or cough, and who lives with a person 65 or older, is also eligible for testing.”
Alberta now has more than 14-hundred confirmed cases of Covid-19. More than 5-hundred people have recovered, while 29 people have died.
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-Alberta Health has been working on a “modelling” system that will help officials prepare for whatever the virus may throw their way. For example, more acute care beds have been opened up, along with ICU spaces and ventilators. Non-urgent surgeries and imaging have been postponed while videoconferencing and phones are being used to connect patients with their doctors and other healthcare professionals.
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-In the meantime, Ontario researchers say dialing “physical distancing” up and down could be a new tool in the long term fight against the virus. They say people could modulate their behaviour, depending on what’s happening . So when the virus is ramping up, we self-isolate. And when it’s calming down, we can be more relaxed. They say it would help save the economy and keep the healthcare system in good shape.
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-Some good news for the oil and gas sector, as the feds say energy companies will be able to apply for wage subsidies, even if their revenue drops had nothing to do with Covid-19. It could be as a result of the current oil price wars.
-Speaking of oil, the G-20 energy ministers are going to hold virtual talks on how to end the current price wars between Russia and Saudi Arabia. U-S President Donald Trump has been talking about slapping import duties on oil from both countries, but Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland is keeping her cards to herself for now.
-Speaking of oil, the G-20 energy ministers are going to hold virtual talks on how to end the current price wars between Russia and Saudi Arabia. U-S President Donald Trump has been talking about slapping import duties on oil from both countries, but Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland is keeping her cards to herself for now.
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-Now that people have been able to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit–the feds have a warning. They will know if you try to take advantage of the system, and there will be consequences. The CERB provides 2-thousand dollars a month for 16 weeks to help those who have lost their income because of Covid-19. Those who apply for E-I will be automatically transferred into the CERB payments, and then if they’re still eligible, E-I will kick in when the CERB runs out. But some people have applied for both. And the feds say they will get the money you aren’t entitled to, back.
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-Reports that some Alberta dentists have been carrying out non-emergency procedures, even though they’ve all been ordered to stop. Dental’s governing body says it’s alarming if it’s true and admit they have been getting reports. Dental work of any kind can be especially dangerous during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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-Edmonton police have charged a man in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins, in and around the University Hospital. Police say vehicles of front line healthcare workers were being targeted. Police say the suspect in the case is a prolific offender. A beat cop spotted him taking off on a bike around 85th Avenue and 108th Street last Friday night. There was a chase and they caught him. He was carrying drugs and break-in tools at the time. 32 year old Richard Harnum is facing a number of charges.
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-Some good news concerning British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he’s said to be improving . He’s still in the ICU at a London hospital with Covid-19, but his people say he’s been sitting up in bed and engaging with his doctors. He’s not on a ventilator but he has been getting oxygen therapy.
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-Good Friday and Easter services are going virtual this year because of the pandemic. Edmonton’s “Outdoor Way of the Cross” is still happening, in the form of a video that people can watch. The Bridge Church in Fort Saskatchewan is going to have Easter Sunday service at the Dow Centennial Centre, but in a “drive-in movie” format, where everyone stays in their vehicles, watching on a screen and listening through a specific channel on their vehicle’s radio.
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-A new organization called the “Centre for Online Mental Health Support” is ready to start helping people who are having trouble coping with everything that’s going on right now.
Dr. Peter Silverstone says it became apparent about two or three weeks ago that Albertans are suffering from a lot of anxiety:
“Perfectly understandably. And it can be very difficult to deal with when you don’t really understand what it is you’re experiencing or have access to techniques to try and minimize that. And so, what this really is, is a series of discussions, where we say here are some tools that can help you increase your resiliency and help you deal with the very stressful situation that people are in right now.”
Silverstone says their program allows viewers to ask questions through Zoom and those questions can be answered immediately. The Centre is offering a few sessions for free. You can find out more at comhs.health.
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-Health foundations throughout the province have launched a “Foundations of Gratitude” campaign, to say thank you to all healthcare workers and support staff during this challenging time.
All you have to do is decorate your windows with hearts and send a message of support by using the hashtag-Foundations of Gratitude.
The campaign, initiated by eight Edmonton area health foundations – the University Hospital Foundation, Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, Covenant Foundation, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Capital Care Foundation, Mental Health Foundation and Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation, brings Alberta’s health foundations and the community together in a show of support for healthcare workers and support staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our healthcare team is on the front lines fighting COVID-19, keeping Albertans safe and ensuring patients receive the exceptional care they need,” said Dr. Verna Yiu, CEO of Alberta Health Services. “We were so touched to hear about this campaign initiated by foundations, and hope that when our healthcare and support teams see all these hearts in the windows of people’s homes on their way to and from work, they’ll know the community is behind them.”
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO HERE:
https://youtu.be/HH1LLCU4Q_M
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-As many people are sidelined by the virus, those who are able are working from home, while many are cooking, working out or binge-watching TV. Business owners say now is the time to learn some new skills that can help you stand out once things get moving again. Among the recommendations; take online courses in Word and Excel, work on your written communication through tools like Grammarly and study up on in-demand “soft skills.”
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-And some virtual genius has taken pieces of the Prime Minister’s daily news conferences and put them to electronic music to compose a song about Covid-19. They also incorporated his “speaking moistly” comment from the other day, so naturally the song is called “Speaking Moistly”. You can check it out on YouTube.
