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2020-04-24
A post with photos of the food program implemented to supply food to kids in School District 52, Prince Rupert, BC. Photos show volunteers preparing over 200 hundred bags of food and gift cards for families struggling amidst school closures and stay-at-home orders. The post appeared on the Prince Rupert School District website.
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2020-04-22
A letter from the Government of Yukon offering ideas, resources, and potential lessons for students and families to continue education during school closures. The letter offers numerous ideas for students of all ages, including on-line resources, and ways to incorporate learning into everyday activities such as cooking, gardening, and caring for siblings or elders in the home.
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2020-04-09
A letter from the government of the Yukon to families outlining ways for them to speak to children and cope with both the medical and emotional needs of Covid-19. It offers ideas and techniques for normalizing lives and homeschooling students of different ages. It also gives descriptions of symptoms to look for, ways to teach students hygiene, and methods to prevent the spread of the virus.
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2020-04-30
Webinar discussion between Indigenous health professionals who are grounded in their cultures and share their views on how best to respond to the pandemic in Indigenous communities. #IndigenousStories
*Participants from Canada, Australia and the United States.
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03/20/2020 to 05/01/2020
Thoughts, observations, musings, some News content and every day activities of a woman from Bowen Island, British Columbia.
Sue Hurn emailed to Catherine O'Donnell, who uploaded
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2020-04-28
A poem or story about a mother's dream.
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2020-04-27
By mid march, our mom was confined to her room. She, and all the residents of Mountainview Residence in Georgetown, had not been allowed visitors from the outside for 2 weeks. They still were enjoying their dinners in the dining room, and the interaction with other residents. But a report came back from the hospital from a resident who had fallen and been admitted. That person tested positive for Covid 19. Suddenly, it was prudent to isolate residents to their rooms. My brother and I asked - "what do we do about mom?" We wondered if we should be taking her out of there? Who would take her? Who could isolate in their home with her? But what if she is already positive? We decided neither of us could do it. So a schedule of phone calls was decided upon, and daily visits to her ground floor window would have to suffice. That first week showed much lethargy and weakness. Was she depressed? Was she missing the social interaction already? Our mom was very very tired, and had a little head cold, but she assured us she was fine.
The regional health department was in close contact to the administrator, and monitoring every resident, dictating who to swab for tests. My mom was never selected, as she never presented with a temperature. By Easter weekend - April 10, 11 and 12th, the health department finally came to test every resident and every staff member. Results showed 63 positive cases among the residents, and several more for staff members. And yes - our mom was one of the positives, but apparently asymptomatic. In hindsight, she DID have symptoms, just not the ones they were looking for. After that first week of extreme tiredness, she seemed to perk up and be just as happy and strong as before being isolated.
Although Mountainview Residence made the news with 63 positive cases, and 8 deaths at the time of airing (9 now to date) - that leaves 55 seniors with strong consitutions who recovered from whatever symptoms they had presented. I think that's amazing.
As of today, 27 April, it has been 2 weeks since any new cases have appeared. Healthy residents are now able to come outside for distanced walks with workers or family members. After 4 weeks being isolated in their rooms, these seniors are proving to be resilient and able to persevere.
We grieve with those families who have lost a parent in these last 5 weeks, but celebrate with those who are seeing their parent recovering.
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2020
The cartoon shows Superman, a superhero, giving his cape to a nurse taking care of a COVID-19 patient. It means that nurses and doctors are the true heroes during these hard times because of how many lives they saved and are saving every single day.
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2020-04-24
As I write this I have no idea as to how long we have been socially isolating.
I have not been keeping count of the days.
I have been writing a diary of sorts but mainly just ordinary daily events not a 'pandemic' diary.
My last physical contact and close encounter with friends was a Saturday afternoon and we made plans to see each other soon. Just two days later it was apparent that we would not see each other for a very long time. Quite suddenly the world was closed.
How did I feel when the implications of the lockdown became apparent?
At first it was just social isolation and I was sad as I wouldn't be able to see my family and hug them. Then very quickly the closure of libraries was announced – that really hurt as reading books is one of my main pleasures. An actual book that is not an e book on the laptop.
Frustratingly I could see a book I had ordered – one that was in the middle of a detective series I was enjoying – through the window on the shelf inside the library tantlisingly close. And it was not available as an e book!
But I felt I could just carry on as sort of normal. I would adapt and possibly go through my own library of books on my own shelves.
Then they closed the beaches and told us we couldn't drive to a trail to walk.
A state of emergency was declared and the borders were closed.
The full implications of what we were facing were becoming alarmingly apparent.
I worried about my friends and family and their health situations. I worried about my own health as I have a lung disease. I felt almost overwhelming concern for everyone that was facing economic hardship and how people were going to cope.
On my own home front my husband and I were facing our own difficult scenario. He was about to start six weeks of daily cancer radiation treatment.
At the end of January he had undergone a fourteen hour surgical operation to remove a tumour located in his sinus – and replaced with facial reconstruction. He had his upper jaw bone removed and replaced with a bone taken from his leg and a skin graft taken from his thigh. He was discharged after nine days a remarkable recovery that says much about his determination and courage. Now we had the radiation to face.
A daily journey round trip of 130 kilometres. Then they decided to double some of the treatments six hours apart so we had to come home and go back as there was nowhere to wait out the time in town – 260 kilometres round trip in a day.
But somehow in all this apparent chaos in the world for us there was a silver lining. Because of the lockdown the roads were relatively empty – car parking at the hospital was easy and free. Gas prices had fallen so the financial burden of all the travelling was eased. My husband did most of these trips for treatment on his own. He enjoyed the freedom of the open road, had the music turned up loud and the heating full on. And I wasn't yacking in his ear!
And for me on a very personal level I realised that when the full implications of the lockdown became apparent and I was not going anywhere or doing very much I felt a strange euphoria. I realised that for a very long time I had suffered a sort of anxiety a feeling of stress to always be doing more.
I happen to not look my age so when I complained about tiredness my family often instructed me to 'use it or lose it' Grandma!
“You are only as old as you feel” has some scientific validation and I never really felt as old as my advancing years but it was often a bit of a struggle.
I am a photographer not professional it is a hobby but I sold some of my work at the local farmers market. So I always had personal goals and work to do. The real pleasure was in going out into the countryside and walking the beaches and photographing the landscape and wildlife.
Without me giving it a conscious thought when the lockdown became strict my anxiety fell away. It just wasn't there anymore.
I didn't need to step up to the mark all I needed to do was stay on my property. I am fortunate that I live on the edge of a tidal inlet so I look over water and the wildlife comes to me! Facing west I enjoy stunning sunsets.
I have found myself relishing being able to relax and do stuff as I felt like it. Spacing out the things I wanted to do and taking the time to enjoy even the mundane stuff.
My concentration levels changed my sleep times changed. I always resisted an afternoon nap it seemed such an 'elderly' thing to do. Now I was having a lovely nap after lunch and still unbelievably enjoying a long nights sleep. My energy levels changed – they got better!
Books and movies I thought I would enjoy I didn't, but I would spend longer just sitting outside watching the waves or the clouds, listening to the birds and watching the squirrels. Catching the moment when an otter swam by or a bald eagle flew past with its catch.
Because there wasn't anything else to do with my time I was 'using it not losing it' a completely different concept to the original cosh it was intended to be.
If I could step away from the feeling of guilt for what others are suffering I can only say that I am relishing the ease of enjoying my days.
This has also been enhanced by the support of dear friends and family who have provided meals and treats when cooking and shopping have been too much of a task. I have never eaten so well. My son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren have collectively and individually been the source of much comfort to us both.
Now we have had the news of the tragic shooting that took place in Nova Scotia last weekend.
Everything staggers into jagged shards of grief and dismay.
I can find no words to describe the anguish we are feeling for the victims and families of this random rampage of violence. As always in these situations we try to understand why it happened and as always it is locked inside the perpetrators head.
In one way or another all Nova Scotians 'know' each other and we are all affected .
We will continue to be a kind and compassionate community supporting each other through these incredibly difficult times.
I feel I am living in parallel universes.
The anxiety of the news of the pandemic and how it is affecting individuals and families in Canada and the world.
The trauma of a mass tragedy in Nova Scotia that has a profound affect on so many individuals and families and collectively on all of us.
The incredible feeling of love and warmth for my community as I see so many people stepping up to the mark and helping and supporting one another.
Watching my beloved husband go through gruelling treatment with so much courage and determination so we can have a future together.
And here I am thankful beyond words that I am here in this place at this time.
I will not live in fear. I will cherish this time as it is so precious. We mostly live taking the future for granted and now we know we can't. It is fragile and cannot be pinned down only lived fully moment to moment in love and hope. This is what I have found.
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2020-04-12
Front yard Easter decor gives a positive message to passers-by.
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2020-04-12
Nova Scotia highway signs remind people of the importance of staying home.
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2020-04-23
Beaded at about 3 hours a day (= 3 inches), Covid both recorded the passage of time and provided diversion, though truth be told, I’m rather enjoying this time out. There are various event and day markers built into the strand that also provide memory points in its construction.
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2020-04-17
Reflection about not being able to visit relatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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2020-04-12
Indigenous peoples connect through a Facebook Group called Quarantine Dance Specials 2020 where they record themselves dancing while self-isolating.This article follows Laryn Oakes performing the women's fancy shawl dance in downtown Saskatoon where she was reminded "This is our land. You're dancing...you're doing something positive." #IndigenousStories
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03/23/2020
Dallas Goldtooth (Dakota/Dine) moderates a conversation with speakers Linda Black Elk, Stacy Bohlen, and Nicole Redvers representing different tribes and organizations across the United States and Canada to discuss the measures that tribal communities are taking to care for their members during the pandemic. #IndigenousStories
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2020-03-20
A colorful, bright digital illustration of a news paper showcasing the 'caremongering' movement in Canada in response to the 'scaremongering' movement- intent to spread positivity and general uplifting feelings.
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2020-03-23
There was a grassroots campaign to not pay rent on April 1 as a response and reaction to the ontario government announcing relief for mortgages and utilities with a hope the “social contract” would mean it would be paid forward to tenants. Our building is owned by a non profit entity that works to provide afforable housing in the community - this was in our mailbox shortly before april 1st.
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2020-03-26
I've been paying close attention to different aspects of this outbreak. It is clear now that many world governments were aware of COVID in early-mid January at the latest, and opted to allow most of the world to become infected while keeping the whole thing a secret from us. Now, they are acting dumb, inept. Telling us masks don't work? Bullshit. Not locking down in January-February? Bullshit. This was willful allowance of global infection by many nations, while keeping it a secret from most of us for almost two months. There's no way they didn't know what was going on in January - every single allied nation missed this? Every military missed this? Not a chance. They planned in mid-late January through February to allow the spread of this virus. What's happened through all of March was planned, governments knew about this and allowed it.
We just got fucked over bigtime. Excuse the French.
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2020-03-24
Queens avenue at Ridout street. Not seen, just to the right side of the photograph is the main court house for London and area. Usually this area, even after business hours is very busy with traffic and police vehicles. The surrounding area is the commerce centre of one of Canada’s most affluent cities. Taken on Tuesday, 24 March 2020 around 7:00 p.m. EDT.
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2020-03-21
Lack of cars is very noticeable on an otherwise busy street. Normally this time of day, the cars can be backed up from the traffic lights to well over the crest of the overpass. York street, which runs under the overpass, is the main truck route through the core downtown of the city of London, Ontario, Canada, and is very quiet.
*Taken on Saturday, March 21, 2020 around 4 pm EDT; Drone photograph. Taken at roughly 100 feet above ground level with a Yuneec H520 survey drone and the E90 camera (large 1" sensor).
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March 21, 2020
Story of a Stratford Ontario Brewery that switched to making hand sanitizer
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2020-03-22
Press release from the Olympics committee in Canada saying they will not go to Tokyo Olympics
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2020-03-23
Article and video of Ontario Premier Doug Ford Shutting Ontario down for non-essential services
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2020-03-23
This is the email that confirms that faculty are non essential services during the pandemic. It assumes that all offices at the university will be closed past April, 2020.
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2020-03-22
3D Printing Face Sheilds
