 By Pepper Parr
May 14th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
There is a new graphic related to what the city administration iis call Service redesign.
 Administration has been workiing on this for weeks. They will put it before a Standing Committee today and then make it official at a Special Meeting of Council. What’s the rush? No time for public engagement. The item popped up on the agenda for a meeting of the CPRM Standing Committee as an addendum. It is a 64 page document about how the city administration wants to run things differently. It will be discussed at the committee this morning.
Immediately after the Standing Committee there will be a Special Meeting of Council to approve the changes – which the public knew next to nothing about.
No public engagement.
We should be getting an uncomfortable feeling just about now.
 By Staff
May 14th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
An application has been received by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) for a retail cannabis store. If approved it will be the 8th retail cannabis in the city. The proposed location at 1860 Appleby Line, Unit 11B is now up for public comment.
Written comments about the proposed location will be received by the AGCO until May 25, 2020 and may be submitted online at www.agco.ca/iAGCO. The AGCO will accept submissions from:
A resident of the municipality in which the proposed store is located
The municipality representing the area in which the proposed store is located and/or its upper-tier municipality.
Comments submitted to the AGCO should relate to the following matters of public interest:
 A normal cannabis retail operation Protecting public health and safety
Protecting youth and restricting their access to cannabis
Preventing illicit activities in relation to cannabis
After May 25, the AGCO will consider all written comments and available information to decide whether the application for the proposed store location will be approved.
Currently there are seven licensed cannabis retail stores in Burlington, including two approved since the ACGO moved to an open licensing system for cannabis retail store applications earlier this year. The seven stores include:
Relm Cannabis Co.; 4031 Fairview St., Ste. 103
Corner Cannabis; 3007 New St.
The Hunny Pot Cannabis Co.; 1505 Guelph Line, Units 3-4
Friendly Stranger Plains Road; 1025 and 1059 Plains Rd. E., Unit 3
Pioneer Cannabis Co.; 1200 Brant St., Unit B-004
Mihi; 3500 Dundas St., Unit A1B
Canna Cabana Burlington; 2400 Guelph Line, Unit 2
Mayor Mead Ward has this to say: “These latest locations all conform to our City’s guidelines and are in locations where we want cannabis stores to exist. Cannabis is still a new venture in our city and we were one of the first municipalities to embrace this new form of business – having these stores in spots that meet our local guidelines ensures safe access to a legal substance to those who are legally allowed to purchase it.”
Odd isn’t it; restaurants that have served the city well for some time can’t open and are going broke; cannabis shops that weren’t all that popular by many citizens are now at seven locations with an eighth application in process. And they can be open for business.
Something isn’t quite right. Are there now more cannabis shops than there are LCBO stores in Burlington?
 By Pepper Parr
May 13th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Sometime on Wednesday, today, Craig Kowalchuk went to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy in Hamilton and filed notice of bankruptcy.
During the day there was all kinds of speculation as to just why the restaurant closed. In his announcement on the Emma’s Facebook page Kowalchuk said: “Circumstances have prevailed and we cannot move forward.”
 The decision to declare bankruptcy was a decision Craig Kowalchuk felt he had to make.
This afternoon the Gazette had an agent look at the premises of the restaurant to see if there was a notice posted on the door. No one really knew, or no one was saying, that it was a bankruptcy.
 Our agent took a couple of photographs. “ When I stepped onto the property” said our agent” a uniformed security guards stepped outside. I asked what was going on said out agent and I was told by the security guard that the building had been sold and that the new owner intended to re-open but under a different name and not until the COVID crisis was over.
The first meeting of creditors is on June 2nd – it will be done via a conference call.
Let’s look at what we know.
Kowalchuck files a declaration of bankruptcy. That wasn’t a decision that was made in 15 minutes. Craig Kowalchuck doesn’t work that way.
When we visit the premises we are told by a uniformed security guard that the building was sold and that the new owner would open a new restaurant at the location once the COVID crisis was under control and people were allowed to go to restaurants.
That sale will have to have taken place sometime earlier in the month and the negotiations leading up to it would have taken some time which suggests that the sale has been in the works for some time.
We have not had an opportunity to look at the sale documents. We do know that the building was sold in April of 1994 to 2084 Lakeshore Holdings Ltd.
There appears to be a new owner.
There also appear to be some unanswered questions.
Was the balance sheet so bad that he knew he could not wait out the COVID crisis and bankruptcy was the only option ?
Was there a new landlord who took over the lease and created a situation that led to a bankruptcy?
Or was bankruptcy and very good strategic tool?
Will we see Craig Kowalchuck standing behind the bar of a New Water Street Cooker?
By Staff
May 13th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) released as statement this afternoon on the surprising closing of Emma’s Back Porch & The Water Street Cooker
“Profoundly saddened by the announcement” said Brian Dean, Executive Director of the Association. Craig Kowalchuk is a longtime partner of the BDBA, an excellent corporate citizen and mentor to many in our dining and hospitality sector.
 What will happen to the business – could it re-open? “Craig is a resilient restaurateur and champion of our small business sector Downtown, the closure of Emma’s Back Porch- a Burlington institution – is a deep cut”, says Mark Eade, Chair, Board of Directors for the Association.
This sentiment is echoed by Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns, “Emma’s Back Porch has always been a place for everyone; a place that feels like home and a place to come home to. Burlingtonians have celebrated countless milestones under the warm hospitality of operator Craig Kowalchuk’s enthusiastic team. Emma’s has been a steadfast canvas for community events, from road races to fundraisers and campaigns to sporting victories.
The memories made will continue to galvanize our community with a sense of belonging and shared experience, for that we are forever indebted to Craig’s leadership. Always an advocate, Craig has stood tall in creating the downtown waterfront experience we have all come to love – his passion for safety, participation in community events, supporting local, and tackling tough business issues is unrivaled. As we look out to the horizon with sadness, let’s look upon Emma’s with smiling eyes and gratitude for all that we didn’t know Emma’s meant to us. Please join me in thanking Craig for his contribution to our community, hard work, and his passion which has humbly made our city a better place to live.”
 More often than not the place was packed. Craig operated Emma’s Back Porch & The Water Street Cooker for thirty years and maintained the building’s storied history. Some will recall it as the home of the esteemed Estaminet Restaurant and Sharky’s On The Water. Others have fond memories of family outings to the lakefront, grabbing a bite at Emma’s Freeze & Fries.
Craig quickly emerged as a leader in Burlington’s hospitality industry, forming the Burlington Restaurant Association, championing countless local sports teams and charitable causes and providing a training ground for a generation of young restaurateurs.
Right up until the Craig was leading the charge to advocate for measures that would help the restaurant sector recover quickly. We are thankful for all that he has given to our community over the years, he has left an indelible mark on our Downtown.
The Gazette has a question: “Who made the decision to close the restaurant?
Craig Kowalchuk or his landlord?
There is much more to this story.
Stay tuned.
By Pepper Parr
May 13th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Remember that announcement by the then MPP for Burlington, Eleanor McMahon that a new courthouse was going to be built fire the Region.
 It was an empty field – land the province owned – it was to be the home of a new courthouse. The current Courthouse on Steeles Road in Milton was years beyond its best before date and finding space for trial and hearing was getting hard to find.
Those plans were cancelled by the provincial government – there isn’t going to be any money to pay for what was budgeted as a $500 million project.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and the other Halton mayors wrote to Premier Ford and Attorney General Downey saying they understand the financial pressures that have emerged due to the COVID-19 pandemic and asked the government to postpone the construction project rather than cancelling it outright.
May 13, 2020
Dear Premier Ford and Attorney General Downey,
We are writing to express our disappointment in the Province’s decision to cancel construction of the Halton Region Consolidated Courthouse. While we recognize and understand the tremendous financial burden the COVID-19 relief efforts have put on Provincial and municipal finances, this construction project would help stimulate the economic recovery of Halton Region. The administration of justice is not where to make cuts, as this is a foundational pillar of democracy.
The design and construction of the new courthouse would have resulted in close to 600 jobs for our community, while the estimated $200 to $499 million in capital costs would have provided a tremendous economic stimulus for our Regional economy. At a time when we are all looking for ways to stimulate economic recovery, the Province will be left with the cancellation costs of this project, and no economic return.
The community has been awaiting construction of this courthouse facility for many years. The new facility would have brought the Superior Court of Justice and Ontario Court of Justice operations in Milton and Burlington together in one state of the art, accessible and efficient facility in Oakville.
The new building design included innovative technology features that would allow for video conferencing and closed-circuit television to enable children and other vulnerable individuals to appear before the court from a private room, allowing the court to run more efficiently and help speed up the criminal justice system in Halton Region.
We support the request made to you by the Halton County Law Association and the Halton Regional Police Service to engage and discuss alternatives to the full cancellation of this important project.
We urge you to reconsider your decision and request instead only a postponement of this much needed facility.
Related news story:
Original court house plan announcement
 By Staff
May 13th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Wonderful news from the Farmer’s Market.
IT IS Official – the Burlington Centre Lions Market will open on Wednesday June 10 – 8am to 2pm, Friday June 12 – 8am to 3pm and Saturday June 13 2020 – 8am to 2pm
They will be happy to be able to serve you.
 Fresh bread – straight from the ovens – but you had to get there while the basket still had something in it. There will be some rules for the Covid19 virus – but the rules will be posted and the process will be simple to follow. They are there to help and with everyone following the rules it will amount to one more thing people can get out and do.
 By Staff
May 13th, 2020
BURLINGTON, On
The Regional Police Service would like the public’s assistance in identifying three suspects responsible for distraction thefts in the City of Burlington and the Town of Oakville.
Between May 4th to May 7th 2020, there have been four incidents where a group of thieves targeted elderly females shopping in retail spaces. Suspects obtained the victims personal identification numbers of their financial cards as they observed them at these retail locations. As the victims returned to their vehicles in the parking lots, these suspects distracted them in order to steal their credit cards.
Subsequently, these suspects used the stolen credit cards for cash withdrawals and retail purchases.
These thefts occurred at a Walmart in the City of Burlington and the Longo’s and Metro grocery stores in Oakville on May 4th. Another theft occurred at a Shoppers Drug Mart in the City of Burlington on May 7th.
The estimated loss to the victims is projected to be over $5,000.
Investigators from the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau are looking for the following suspects:
 Suspect One is described as male, white, 25-30 years old, 5’9 to 5’10, medium build 170-180 lbs, wearing black shoes, blue jeans, blue coat, Toronto Blue jays baseball cap and dark rimmed glasses.  Suspect Two is described as male, olive complexion, 25-30 years old, 5’9 to 5’10, medium build 170-180 lbs, wearing black shoes, pants and jackets and a white baseball hat with writing on the cap
 Suspect Three is described as male, white, 25-30 5’10-5’11, medium build, 170-180 lbs, wearing white/ blue shoes, blue jeans, blue coat, white sweater with hood and a camo-green Toronto Maple Leafs cap. All suspects were wearing surgical masks.
Suspects were last seen driving a older model Grey or Silver Ford Edge. Vehicle is likely a 2010-2015 year model. No licence plate was obtained.
The public is reminded to reduce their risk when shopping and only bring your driver’s licence, health card and a few financial cards.
All identity documents should be left securely at home. Don’t let your belongings out of sight and become distracted while shopping.
Thieves will take any opportunity to rob people; the COVID crisis with people wearing face masks made these three look like many other shoppers.
Be vigilant and keep your eyes out for anyone lingering too close. The six foot rule would have been very useful in these situations.
The security camera got two very good images of two of the three.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Derek Gray of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Seniors Liaison Team at 905-825-4747 ext. 2344.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca
Please be reminded that all persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
 By Pepper Parr
May 13th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Some background on the closing of Emma’s Back Porch.
 Emma’s at its best – it was the place to be. Craig Kowalchuk, the operator of Emma’s Back Porch didn’t own the property; he rented it from Mayrose Tyco.
That company has significant property interests in Burlington. They owned that land on which the Bridgewater development is taking place.
The property to the east of Emma’s is a vacant lot, also believed to be owned by Mayrose Tyco.
The property to the west, the motel is owned by Solid Gold people in Aldershot.
The Water Street Cooker is also owned by Mayrose.
 This is what the CORE development group is proposing; the heritage building will continue as a restaurant; traffic will flow on to Lakeshore Road the other side of this rendering. The proposal is for a 27 storey structure.  The outline represents the properties that were acquired and assembled by the CORE group Directly across the road from Emma’s is the location of a major development proposal; some xx storeys high.
That development had some problems – there was no space for much in the way of amenities.
My guess is that the CORE group bought the property and will make it part of the development.
Nothing is going to be built on the Emma’s site.
There is a planning term: “top of bank” that determines how far back a structure has to be set back from the top of the bank.
That top of bank limitation made the development of anything very high impossible.
That part of the city, known in planning circles as the “football”, which has Lakeshore Road on the north and Old Lakeshore road on the south is about to undergo huge changes.
 The Carnacelli development at the east end of the football will become the focus to the entry to the city. The Carnacelli development on the east end of the football is before LPAT; the CORE development is before LPAT.
The property at the west end of the football is owned by a trust, one of the leading real estate agents ii the city has his fingers in that pie.
Developers saw huge opportunities in Burlington. The city council at the time didn’t seem prepared to fight for its authenticity; of the seven just one Councillor was prepared to fight – she became Mayor in the 2018 election.
The new Offical Plan, adopted but not approved – it has to go to the Region first- has very clear guidelines – but most of these developments were filed before the Official Plan became real.
Can changes be made? Time will tell.
 An architects model of what the east downtown core along Lakeshore Road could look like.  The football – where developers have some very big plans. While no one anticipated the closing of Emma’s – it might be the cost of the developments that a lot of people don’t want. However, people are going to buy the units. It will be interesting to see how this all rolls out.
Related news story links.
The development of the football
The background behind the CORE development.
 By Staff
May 12th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Closer Look was that part of the Official Plan Review that focused on the downtown – what did we want and what was possible. Remember the Taking a Closer Look at the Downtown? The exercise that had people taking walking tours and talking one-on-one with the planners, sitting in on Standing Committee and Council meetings to hear what the consultants had to say about what could be done and what couldn’t be done in terms of setbacks and height, and shadows resulting from the different height options?
 Alison Enns – she mothered that Closer Look from the very beginning. She introduced a number of innovative approaches to engaging the public; a public that wasn’t as engaged as it should have been. The group involved in working with the the public, Alison Enns and members of the team she was leading, churned out document after document. Two options were put forward, one of which didn’t seem to please anyone – the other began to look like the best of the lot but not all that good.
The problem wasn’t so much with the ideas but with the graphics and illustrations that were used to get the concept across to people – they just didn’t work all that well.
 A graphic of one of the concepts for Brant Street looking south: it doesn’t convey all that much information. The announcement that we were now facing a pandemic changed everything. The province shut everything down; then the Mayor declared a State of Emergency and the city administration began running the city on a day to day basis – the crisis was something during which any immediate decisions that had to be made could be made without getting tied up in the procedural process that is required at council.
The COVID-19 infection was running rampant and it took some time for the health people to get a grip on the outbreaks that were taking place.
Most of them, it turned out, were cases where people working at several different nursing homes at the same time were spreading the disease.
Early in the game the disease was brought into the country from China, Italy, other parts of Europe and the United States.
Then the health people learned that the disease was being transmitted from one person to another in the community.
 On May 3rd the Halton Region Public Health Unit said the infections came from the following sources. Travel was significantly reduced. We had to stay home and we had to be careful about the way we conducted ourselves around other people when we were outside.
City Hall staff didn’t go to city hall anymore. Some exceptions – several of the members of Council go to city hall because it is a quiet place where they can get some work done.
The “Taking a Closer Look at the Downtown” project was the name the planners gave to the Scoped Re-examination of the Adopted Official Plan: it has experienced delays due to COVID-19. There is now an updated project timeline.
It includes opportunities for public engagement.
End of May 2020: The City will release:
• the recommended policy changes for Downtown Burlington,
• the associated staff report,
• consultant report and
• technical studies.
 From the left: Paul Lowes with SGL Planning and Design, one of his staff, Alison Enns and one of her planning colleagues.
These documents will be posted for public review on both the Taking a Closer Look at the Downtown project webpage on Get Involved Burlington and the New Official Plan webpage.
July 2020: The City will share two more documents:
• Financial Impact Analysis concerning the recommended policy modifications, and
• Draft Downtown Burlington Placemaking and Design Guidelines for public review.
Aug. 28, 2020: Anyone with comments on these documents should submit their comments to the project team by Aug. 28 so the project team has time to consider the feedback in advance of the Sept. 30 Committee meeting.
Sept. 30, 2020: City Council will review all reports at a public meeting of the Community Planning, Regulation, and Mobility Committee on Sept. 30. This meeting will include a presentation from City staff and the project consultants, and opportunities for the public to delegate.
Oct. 7, 2020: Council will consider the Sept. 30 recommendations at a Special Council meeting on Oct. 7.
 By Nicki St George
May 12th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
WEEK 8 –
Monday, May 4th
Today I commence my new work-from-home/complete grad schoolwork/homeschool/stay active/keep a clean house/do the meal planning and groceries schedule. My plan is to get up early and work on my Masters degree followed by a neighbourhood walk using the Strava app that was set up by my friend and work colleague.
Then I will work with the kids until my husband takes over for his turn at homeschooling so that I can do my actual job. He completes his hour of face time with the kids and I return to make lunches and finish of schooling until 2pm when I allow the kids screen time while I do more work.
I’m not going to lie. It’s a grind. I know that I will be comatose by the time Friday rolls around. I only miss one meeting in the morning (while on my walk), which I am only now realizing that will be evident to all of my work colleagues who are also using the Strava app (luckily I only have 2 followers).
 The cat and that ball of wool did add to the tension, Tuesday, May 5th
The new schedule is playing havoc with our routine. Tensions are running high today. Everyone is upset at everyone. I skulk off to my bedroom for a zoom call with a student at 7pm and try to shut out the desperate cries of a 6-year-old and the sound of slamming doors.
Wednesday, May 6th
One thing that I love about Beatrix is her creativity and endless ideas for games to keep us entertained. She gets ideas in her head about fun things for us to do (usually involving treats or very messy science experiments) and I indulge her and use her schemes as bait for good behaviour.
 Chocolate chip pancakes and they have to be in a stack, with butter and sprinkles and marshmallows and maple syrup and berries For a week, I have been promising her that she can have pancakes for dinner on Wednesday. She has spent the week fixated on what this would involve. They are not just any pancakes. They are chocolate chip pancakes and they have to be in a stack, with butter and sprinkles and marshmallows and maple syrup and berries and anything remotely tasty that she can find in the fridge.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am pretty stingy when it comes to dolling out the treats, so this is a big deal. Leo devours his stack while Bea eats about 1/8 of her 5-stack of pancakes and asks to save the rest for tomorrow’s breakfast. For a girl who does not see the point of getting out of her pajamas, this has made her week.
Thursday, May 7th
By some miracle, I have managed to stick to my early morning routine of schoolwork and walking every day this week. I even managed to get to the hospital for my appointment today without getting too far behind. I just wish that I were actually back at work. I had been looking forward to a big return after having conquered the Big C. I imagined getting high fives and kudos for being a badass cancer survivor.
Instead I am just a black screen on a staff zoom call of 189 people. Now everybody is going through this period of isolation and facing adversity and I am no longer special.
Friday, May 8th
I am pleased that Bea finally has the independence to go into the cupboard and get a snack for herself. Unfortunately, her snack of choice is a plastic bowl filled to the brim with cheerios which she carries around the house, leaving a trail of singular cheerios in her wake. There are cheerios in every crevasse of our house. She consumes a large sized box of cheerios a week in this style.
Leo has been getting his 10,000 steps everyday by spending hours on the trampoline. He contributes to a google meet session with his teacher and fellow classmates once a week. This week they had to describe a household object (en Français) and get the other classmates to guess it. He chose toilet paper.
My prediction of being comatose by Friday comes true. I fall asleep on the couch downstairs while spooning Bea and watching Trolls 2, which I finally gave in and paid $20 to rent.
Saturday, May 9th
It snowed. That is all.
Sunday, May 10th – Mother’s Day
Daily step count: minus 12
Actual thoughts that I had: How long is too long to sit in a bath? If I flail my arms around in the bath would that count as swimming?
Things I did on my phone while lying in bed and avoiding interactions with the children: searched murderous hornet memes, changed my Bitmoji avatar from completely bald to short buzz cut, played words with friends, watched SNL skits on my Instagram feed.
Number of memes and funny videos forwarded to friends: 387
 Mothers Day – what more can one say. What the children did: They made me homemade cards and served up Leo’s scrambled eggs for breakfast in bed. Leo slept in his clothes from the night before. Bea refused to get out of her pajamas, as she does every day, but today I let her because it’s Mother’s Day (her justification). Bea and I sat together for a while looking back at old videos of her and Leo on my phone. We played beauty salon and I got a Bea make over complete with false eyelashes.
Conversations I had with Dan:
Dan: What would you like for dinner?
Me: To not have to make the decision about what we have for dinner.
Dan: But then how will I know that it will be something you want to eat?
Me: Sigh (on behalf of mothers everywhere).
Gifts: A gift card to a new local boutique #shoplocal
How I ended my day: Playing euchre over Zoom with my girlfriends from high school.
Highlight of the week: The kids changed Dan’s Netflix name to “Crap Bag” and he didn’t notice for several days.
Serious highlight of the week: The fact that we are all alive, healthy, and still smiling (most of the time).
By Pepper Parr
May 12th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The strategic thinkers ask the “What if” questions.
Their job is to attempt to look over the horizon and figure out what lies ahead and then plan for that possible eventuality as well as they can.
The province is stepping very gingerly into opening things up. Parks and provincial conservation areas have been opened. Retail is permitted to sell you something and have it delivered to you at the curb.
I saw one clothing store promoting their product line – couldn’t get my head around buying a suit without tying it on first and then having the alterations done.
Restaurants are hoping the province will come up with some regulations they can live with – staying alive is their issue at this point.
We Canadians watch with despair and at times total disbelief at what is taking place south of us. Hearing the Premier insist that the border between us and them be kept closed now sounds like a really good idea. Interesting change for Canadians.
The province is dragging its feet just a little in announcing when and if schools will be opened. My take is that the writing is all on the wall – see you all in September is the message I think we can expect – but I’ve been wrong before.
 What if ? The BIG question is – where will we be in December?
Will there be Christmas? If the province finds that every time they loosen up there are spikes in the number of new infections meaning they have to clamp down.
December is the month for retail. It is also a huge festive family month.
But what if things are just so bad that it would be necessary to put and keep regulations in place that severally limit what we will be able to do ?
The Premier broke the rules on Mother’s Day – will he, and others be able to exercise the discipline needed to stay the course should we be in December where we are now ?
The leadership of the country keeps referring to this as a war with absolutely no actual war time experience. We may be about to have to learn just what hard times are.
The people who are doing that strategic thinking are, hopefully, asking the hard questions.
There once was a small community in California named Paradise, which is what the people who lived there thought it was – until forest fires burned down every dwelling. Nothing was left standing.
We no longer have plagues; there are crop failures, tragedy hits some families. Life has never been fair.
All we have is our own inner strength – we might want to think about just how strong we may have to be.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
By Pepper Parr
May 11th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Her name is Deepika Lobo.
She is a medical practitioner who has the honorific Dr. in front her name.
She is an Assistant Medical Officer of Health with the Region of Halton working as the medical lead on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Educated as a doctor in India where she worked for a year as a GP, Dr. Lobo came to Canada and earned her public health degree at McMaster University. She has also earned an MBA at McMaster.
 Dr. Deepika Lobo, Assistant Medical Officer of Health with the Region of Halton working as the medical lead on the COVID-19 pandemic. Lobo directs a team of 220 people who have the job of doing what they call “case management”.
The media refer to it as tracking and tracing, that is – identifying those who have been in contact with a person infected with COVID-19.
“We know the disease is transferred from person to person” she said. “When we determine that a person has been infected we want to know two things:
1: Who the infected person come into contact with in the last 48 hours and
2: who have they been in contact with for the last 14 days.
It is these people who might be the next person to become infected.”
More than 150 people are assigned to this case management work.
Lobo continues to explain: “Once we have them identified as an infected person, we begin trying to get in touch with the people they have been in contact with: these are the people we are now very concerned about.
“Sometimes the infected person has only been in contact with one or two people. They may have already begun self-isolating.
“Some of the contact was very casual – there is no need to dig deeper. We have learned to differentiate between high risk and low risk exposure.
“We explain to the infected person what they have to do – they have to self-isolate for that 14-day period during which the disease is going to grow. We quickly become aware of the personality we are working with and determine just how much they know about the disease; more often than not the person wants to know as much as we can tell them.
“They are usually very thankful that someone is reaching out to them.
“We counsel them while they recover from the infection on their own.
“Our task is to constantly assess and follow up every other day with the infected person who is self-isolating.”
What Lobo hasn’t had up until very recently is software that will serve as a massive data base the case management staff can refer to and add information to so that when there is a staff rotation (these people have to get some rest) there is a fully detailed report on the people who are self isolating.
 A nursing home with a 30 year reputation lost 11 of its residents. The biggest concern is managing the “outbreaks”. Some public health practitioners see four or five cases of infection at a long term care or nursing home as an outbreak. In Halton one infection at a nursing home is considered an outbreak and they are all over it.
“When there is an infection in a nursing home” said Dr. Lobo, ” we know that it was brought into the institution – who brought it in and who have they been in contact with is something we need to know.” It is a desperate race to track that down and time is their worst enemy.
“Telephone calls are made, people are not at home, call backs are made by staff all trained not to alarm people.
“Sometimes the person with the infection hasn’t been in contact with very many people; one perhaps two. Other situations the person with the infection has been in touch with as many as 30 people. That’s when the rush is on to get in touch with every one of them, enter them into the system and begin asking questions.
“All it takes is one infected person to be in contact with 20 people and within that twenty people there are five who have been infected – you can see where this takes them.”
Lobo emphasizes that it is vital to get in front of these situations when they are sometimes far behind. It is a race – and the consequences are measured in peoples lives.
“When there is a case that has a bearing on an institutional setting – the immediate objective is to contain it and ensure that it doesn’t surge out of control.
“It is in situations like that that tough measures have to be put in place which people often don’t understand and don’t appreciate.
“Staff resources are shifted to drill down and learn who has been in contact with the infected person and work out from that person.”
 The paramedics came through in a major way – it hadn’t occurred to anyone to use these people. The work for the team is exhausting – asked for her best experience so far Dr. Lobo pauses – then almost bursts when she explains “the paramedics suggested that they could do some of the testing. What really made a huge difference was the way the paramedics have come through for us by going to people’s homes and testing for the infection.
“They have 2500 of those tests – sometimes as many as 200 in a single day.
“That testing is vital – and it takes trained manpower to do it properly.
“It never occurred to us to call upon the paramedics – the said they could do it – and they did.”
Asked what the worst experience has been – there was another pause – then a recognition of those who were lost.
The pace at which this disease is racing through some locations is almost frightening.
The staff she has have to be both managed and trained. We learn something every day that we ensure is shared with everyone.
The case management people develop relationships with the people they are talking to at least every second day; it is a relationship that is under stress from the start – the job is to manage the stress and not let it take over.
There are 46 nursing homes – long-term care residences in the Region. Lobo is amazed that there have been just three outbreaks – one of which was tragic, 11 lives were lost in what was a quality operation.
Lobo has handled intense situations in the past – “but never on this scale”
Asked how much longer is this likely to go on – Dr. Lobo said “we don’t know. We are a day to day operation.”
When will they celebrate the end – “no idea”, she said, “we just hope it is soon.”
The regional public health units are directed by the province – they determine the overall direction – The Region follows that direction.
The staff have learned to support each other – they rely on one another for emotional and mental health support. These people have families at home – they volunteer hundreds of extra hours.
The province will decide to open things up a little – just a bit – we then wait that two to four weeks to see if there is an uptick or a spike in infections. If there are – the province might decide to cut back and re-impose restrictions.
Lurking in the background is the wish – a hope for a vaccine.
To date there have been 23 deaths in the Region; 11 of which were in institutional setting.
Dr. Lobo said there have been at least 40 guidance papers written and prepared for those who have to do this work in the 34 Public Health Units in the province; directing and supporting the people who do the slogging work – listening closely to what the infected people are saying; assuring them as well as supporting them.
Few people in the Region know that there are that many people working exceptionally long hours to identify infected people and ensure that they self-isolate.
They look forward to the day when they can see there was not one new infection reported – then that curve will have been flattened.
 By Ray Rivers
May 11th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
“All countries will wake up after the global pandemic with much higher debt levels. Canada is fortunate because we are starting at a much lower net debt-to-GDP level,”..…”If low interest rates are maintained, there is no good policy case for rushing to austerity — either spending cuts or tax increases.” (former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page)
Isn’t it a rule that one is supposed to become more conservative as they age? So I’m looking at the ballooning federal deficit – and it’s a lot of money. This year’s red ink may well stretch into the three hundred billion dollar mark. Government revenue has dropped like a lead weight and these monstrous payouts are rising like hydrogen blimps.
 720 billion is what it would cost to pay out a Universal Basic Income annually. Tory leader Scheer has grumbled that the $2000 a month in emergency funding (CERB) is discouraging folks from going to work, but CERB breezed through Parliament anyway. And he is wrong – it’s not the $2000 that is keeping folks at home – it’s the lockdown.
In fact Scheer should get on board with the other opposition parties, some voices within his own party, and even the Anglican Church, which are all calling for a permanent universal basic income (UBI). The COVID-19 health crisis landed on us with lightening speed and with it came the economic crisis, thanks to the necessary lockdown.
Since both crises will likely be with us, at least to the end of this year, those emergency funds will need to be extended. That sounds more and more like a UBI. Having already rejected implementing a proper UBI Mr. Trudeau needs a rethink. It is time for him to re-discover his social democratic roots and implement a permanent UBI or move aside for some one who will. There are those who once thought universal health care was impossible too.
UBI is not a new idea. There have been a number of pilot UBI projects around the world and the results have all been positive, even those in Ontario and Manitoba which were prematurely aborted. If mental health and income security mean anything to society UBI is a no-brainer. And there is no evidence that UBI provides a disincentive to work, so Mr. Scheer’s concern about ‘money for nothing’ turning us all into lazy bums is nonsense.
 As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has yet to take to the idea of a Universal Basic Income. Do the numbers. A UBI at the $2000 per month level for each of the 30 million Canadian adults might seem frighteningly high. But UBI would eliminate the need for old age security, unemployment insurance and a host of other federal and provincial income support programs in addition to the complex of welfare programs administered by all three levels of government. UBI would be taxable and possibly even clawed-back for high income earners at tax filing time. In the end the numbers should be, at a minimum, a wash.
UBI or not Canada is facing a record high deficit this year. But we’ve done this before. Does anyone remember that we were once heavily invested in the second world war? The federal government, unlike the provinces or municipalities is not constrained by debt, at least not in the short run. We print our own money and the Bank of Canada is buying up most of that debt. So we owe that money to ourselves.
But we should expect inflation when it is safe to reopen the economy. We’re already seeing some of that – especially hand sanitizers and meat products as the processing plants shut down. And inflation may affect our currency exchange rates, but even much of that is unlikely. After all, if there is an upside to this being the pandemic it is in that we are all in this together – a level playing field – this economic malaise is truly global. And inflation is an eventual pathway out of the debt, since today’s obligations will be smaller in tomorrow’s inflated dollars.
We can pay ourselves back once this is over. Canada ran sizeable deficits in the later Pierre Trudeau years, and right through the Mulroney near-decade. Yet after Jean Chretien balanced the budget both Harper and Trudeau inherited and grew one of the lowest debt-to-GDP economies in the G7. And even with a deficit of $300 billion our debt-to-GDP ratio will still be lower than when Chretien came into office, unless our economy really slips into the dark side.
 The federal government can just print all the money they want to distribute. Most economists and politicians agree with the current approach of keeping the fiscal taps running. But the truth is that UBI would be more efficient than what the PM is doing now. It would cost less, avoid duplication for some and inadvertent exclusion for others. It would also avoid the inevitable double-dipping and potential cheating inherent in the current mess of hastily developed income subsidy programs.
Still we shouldn’t be too worried about those deficit numbers even as we are getting more conservative in our golden years, at least not yet. We’re doing what we can – staying home, keeping our physical distance, washing our hands often and always wearing a mask in public. Governments may have been responsible for letting this outbreak get as bad as it is here in Canada. But they are doing the right thing in keeping the money flowing.
And they will need to do even more of that once we safely open up more economic activities. Already the federal minister of infrastructure, Catherine McKenna, is calling for shovel-ready projects to get us back to work sooner than later – but hopefully only when it is safe to do so. But even when we get back to full employment UBI makes for better social policy and sounder economic sense.
 Ray Rivers writes regularly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
Deficit – Biggest Deficit – CERB –
Wage Subsidy – Who’s Missing – UBI –
By Staff
May 11th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Sofina Foods plant in Burlington, known locally as Fearmans, has reported that an employee tested positive for COVID19.
An employee at the Sofina Mississauga plant also tested positive.
The Burlington plant is a pork processing operation with 1000 employees.
Daniele Dufour , Senior Director, Communications, Public Relations and Consumer Inquiries – Sofina Foods Inc. said the company became aware of both cases on Tuesday.
 Known locally as Fearmans, the 150 year old corporation that plays a significant role in the Burlington economy. The plant is now a part of the Sofina operation “The person [at the Burlington plant] was at work until April 28 and as soon as they started experiencing symptoms, they went home,” Dufour told CBC News on Friday.
“The employee wore a mask while at the site, this is why in our own risk assessment we determined that the risk was low.”
Dufour added that all employees who were in close contact with the affected workers have been asked to self-isolate at home.
Sofina Foods operates 19 meat processing plants in Canada.
On its website the company said it is closely monitoring the evolution of COVID-19 and working to prevent risks to employees and its ability to continue manufacturing.
Dufour said while the two cases happened around the same time, they are not related.
While Sofina Foods knew about the cases since Tuesday, the union representing workers said it was only notified on Thursday.
Tim Deelstra, spokesperson for UFCW Local 175, said while the company has taken steps at each of its sites to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19, workers are understandably worried.
Deelstra said in a telephone interview that face shields have been issued and that partitions have been put in place in some but not all the productions lines.
 Corporation and union said that everyone has to wear a face mask and where possible wear a shield. Workers in the meat packing business are basically shoulder to shoulder as they process the meat on a conveyor belt.
The infections in the meat [packing plants in Alberta saw hundreds of infections, at least one death and the shut down of two plants.
“Obviously, at this time, workers are concerned if they’re going into the workplace,” Deelstra said.
“We’ll look into those concerns and follow up on a regular basis with the employer, and we’re doing everything we can to address them and provide them with as much safety and security as they can get.”
“So, it’s good to see that there’s more recognition happening for those workers now and we’re going to do our absolute utmost as a union to look after them at this time, to make sure that they can go home healthy.”
In a press release issued Friday afternoon, Sofina Foods said the infected employees are doing well and following the guidance of the provincial health authority.
Dufour also said that the company’s COVID-19 response protocol was immediately deployed to investigate the incidents and mitigate any risks to other employees.
“In addition to the required PPE when in production areas, masks or face shields are now mandatory in production areas at these two sites,” Dufour wrote in the press release.
“We have a comprehensive manual and protocols in place for such situations and the teams were prepared. This allowed us to quickly assess risks, alert proper stakeholders and identify any action needed in addition to the proactive measures already in place.”
Dufour said both plants remain fully operational, and all Sofina Foods sites have deployed a number of measures to prevent the spread of the virus. These include temperature checks, ongoing sanitation of common areas and offices, staggered breaks, physical distancing in common areas, face shields, plexiglas separations on the production line, at handwashing stations or in lunch rooms.
In addition, the plants have redirected the flow of movement to create a single point of entry and a single exit point at each site.
“In the case of our Burlington plant … Given the sanitation protocols in place at the plant, including regular fogging, we are confident that the areas where the employee went do not pose any contamination concerns.”
By Staff
May 11th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
While the province improves its testing and report fewer new infections the municipal sector pulls together to prepare for a recovery.
Twenty municipal and regional governments, as well as key economic development partners from across the GTA and Niagara announced the launch of the GTA Economic Development Alliance. The formation of the Alliance is in response to the COVID-19 crisis and the urgent need to collaborate, share knowledge and ideas, and pool resources to support the regional economy in its recovery from the global pandemic.
 This would be a very large, perhaps cumbersome committee. Founding partners out of the City of Burlington, Durham Region, and the City of Toronto identified the need for economic development offices to coordinate a united, focused effort on delivering research and developing programming to help mitigate the effects of COVID-19, as well as advocate for effective relief measures and create informed policy recommendations.
Currently, the list of partners has grown beyond the founding partners to include Aurora, Brampton, Georgina, Halton Hills, Halton Region, King, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, Niagara Region, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Whitchurch-Stouffville, and York Region. The Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO), as well as the regional investment attraction agency Toronto Global are also included.
The group has identified four key pillars for collaboration, in supporting businesses to get back to business once the Province lifts the state of emergency declaration. They include research, advocacy, programming and innovation.
Each pillar will have a leader, who will be responsible for executing the strategy. According to Martin Bohl, Sector Manager, Health and Life Sciences at The City of Brampton, the initiative was a no brainer.
 Anita Cassidy, Executive Director of Burlington Economic Development. “What started off as a check-in across municipal borders has evolved into an all hands-on-deck approach to supporting businesses and Brampton is very proud to be a part of it. After all, regardless of where businesses are located, or where municipal borders lie, we’re all in this together.”
The vision of the group is to be the champion for Ontario’s COVID-19 mitigation and business recovery through delivering effective economic development expertise and advocacy at the speed of business. Anita Cassidy, Executive Director of Burlington Economic Development, said “We’re already seeing the detrimental effects of mandatory closures, lay-offs, borders closing, and supply chain disruptions on our local economies. We need to get ahead of what’s next, which is the start of a long journey to economic recovery.”
The group says that coordination and idea sharing will create opportunities to increase impact and improve support for businesses of all sizes and across all sectors. According to Simon Gill, Director, Economic Development & Tourism at Durham Region, “Great ideas can be made even better when you have a large group contributing. This group’s coordination can help to position our communities for economic recovery.” He added, “For example, we’re all doing research, and we’re all advocating to higher levels of government for effective relief measures. If we coordinate, we can be more effective.”
The downside to this is that with lets say just three people from each municipality you have a committee of 60 people. Not a prescription for quick action.
Keeping the initiative agile, nimble and tightly focused and looking for quick solid wins to earn some credibility is vital.
 By Staff
May 9th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Connie Price who heads up the production side of the 100% cotton face masks with cloth ties that are being distributed in the community, reports on what her team has achieved.
“To date, from nine dedicated Sewers, there have been 470 masks made, with almost 300 of those being distributed in the next week and another 250 in the process of being made. Fantastic team work!
 Ward 1 Councillor Kelven Galbraith with his wife Abigail modelling masks  Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte with her daughter Danielle – modeling masks. The Councillor is handing them out to her constituents. “Just so you know what happens once the masks have been sewn. After the sewn masks are sealed in envelopes, along with Gov’t of Canada Guidelines for Use and Care of Non-surgical Face Masks, they are held in quarantine for 72 hours, then delivered by the Lions Club.
“Presently we are delivering to the Burlington Food Bank to go in their Door Delivered Food Hampers, for the Clients who come to Wellington Square Church for Take-Home Dinners and to the Seniors at Halton Region’s Wellington Terrace Apartments, who don’t have any.
There are other subsidized Seniors’ Apartments, who are also in need of masks for when the Seniors have to go out to shop, or even in their hallways, elevators, laundry rooms etc. and will be next on our delivery list.
“None of these people can afford to buy masks, so your sewing and participation to get free ones to them, is very much appreciated. Thank you for your efforts.
 Jan Mowbray working at a surging machine to make cloth ties for the masks – 4 ties per mask “This is an awesome Team! Truly, the community helping their community neighbours. With blessings and many thanks,
Connie refers to this effort as the Gazette Community Face Mask Initiative. There is a bit of truth to that statement; full disclosure, the Gazette did get it off the ground by donating all the cotton cloth that was needed and sewing the cloth ties. From that point forward Connie Price found the volunteers and got the distribution team in place.
They are close to making and distributing 1000 masks.
 Ammunition recovered with 14 rifles in an Oakville incident. By Staff
May 8th, 2020
OAKVILLE, ON
Sometime after the noon hour on May 1st, the Halton Regional Police Service received a call regarding a male barricaded in a home, possibly with weapons, on Honeyvale Road in Oakville.
The call originated from someone concerned about social media posts they had seen online.
Frontline officers, TAC, K9, and negotiators were deployed to the scene with the goal of bringing this to a safe conclusion.
Roads were closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the immediate area and adjacent homeowners were instructed by officers to shelter in place in their basements until the situation was resolved.
During negotiations, a second party (female) exited the home unharmed and negotiations continued unsuccessfully with the male party.
Officers then received information that escalated our concern for the male, and entry was made into the home at which time the male was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and transported to a local hospital for assessment.
Upon his release from hospital on May 7, 2020 he was subsequently charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
-Uttering Threats to Cause Death
-Mischief Over $5000
A Criminal Code search warrant was executed at the residence of the accused, resulting in the seizure of 14 guns and over 10000 rounds of ammunition.
 None of these weapons are covered by the recent federal government ban announcement.  The accused has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.
The Halton Regional Police Service will not be releasing the name of the accused.
Anyone with further information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Det. Ryan Smith of the 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2219.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
This might be seen as just another dangerous police action that was worked out – until you see the picture of the weapons retrieved and recalling the terrible tragedy in Nova Scotia very recently where 22 people were killed.
The federal government decision to ban certain types of weapons doesn’t include most of the weapons in the picture that accompany this article.
Our view – ban all guns.
By Staff
May 7th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 All four municipalities in the Region will now have high schools that will offer the International Baccalaureate Programme.
International Baccalaureate (IB) is a worldwide, nonprofit education program founded to give all students the opportunity to receive an education fit for a globalizing world. There are four IB education programs, all of which are intended to develop students’ intellectual, emotional, personal and social skills.
The Halton District School Board announced that Craig Kielburger Secondary School in Milton has received notice that it is now an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. The IB Diploma is a comprehensive two-year programme that students can take in their last two years of secondary school. The Programme is set to begin for Grade 11 students for the 2020-2021 school year.
Through the programme students take courses that prepare them for university. These courses are content rich and focus on the development of skills that are necessary for post-secondary success. Students will complete an independent research essay and undertake a project that involves community service.
For the past two years, the school has offered an Advanced Learning Programme (ALP) for Grade 9 and 10 students to prepare them for the rigorous two-year IB Diploma Programme in Grade 11 and 12. The IB programme has a focus on developing intercultural awareness. Students will explore the world around them through inquiry, critical thinking and open-mindedness. They will seek to understand different points of view and understand that people with different opinions can also be right.
 Craig Kielburger Secondary School in Milton “We are thrilled about our school’s authorization as an IB World School,” says Jacquie Pece, Principal of Craig Kielburger Secondary School. “The Diploma Programme will provide Milton students with increased learning opportunities that will prepare them well for the challenges of university.”
“We are excited to meet the students’ interests in pursuing the IB Diploma Programme,” says Jacqueline Newton, Superintendent of Milton schools at the HDSB. “The Milton community including Trustees Heather Gerritts and Donna Danielli, school and Board staff continue to be supportive of implementing this program at CKSS.”
Craig Kielburger SS joins a global community of schools committed to developing knowledgeable, caring young people who will be ready to negotiate their futures successfully and make contributions resulting in a more harmonious and peaceful world.
In the Halton District School Board, the following schools are also authorized IB World Schools offering the Diploma Programme: Burlington Central High School in Burlington, Georgetown District High School in Halton Hills, and White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville.
By Staff
May 8th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
This is a very rich city.
Take a look at the organizations in place – offering food support; meals, doing the shopping for you. Each of those organizations has dozens, in several cases hundreds of people showing up every day serving as volunteers.
Many people and families across Burlington are finding themselves in need of food support, including those who have never needed to access a food bank before or simply need food delivery. Within Burlington, there are dozens of different non-profit food organizations willing to help anyone who needs food, including food donations, prepared meals or simply delivering groceries. Below is a short list of some of the organizations offering help.
 In order to make up those meals to be delivered all kinds of food has to be brought into the church kitchen. Friday Night Community Take Home Meal Bags
Already prepared meals as well as any available produce, dairy, hygiene and baby needs. Pick up Monday, Wednesday, Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Wellington Square United Church, 2121 Caroline St. *Delivery as needed.
For more information, email llunski@wsquare.ca or call 905-634-1849 or visit www.wsquare.ca/outreach/friday-community/
Food for Life Pre-bagged Food Programs
• St. Luke’s Anglican Church, 1382 Ontario St. Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m.
• Faith Christian Reformed Church, 2258 Mountainside Dr. Tuesdays, 6:15 to 7 p.m.
• Brant Hills Presbyterian Church, 2138 Brant St. Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m.
• Tansley United Church, 2111 Walkers Line, Fridays, 9:30 a.m.
• Good Food Line, 905-635-1106 ext. 7 or email goodfood@foodforlife.ca
Compassion Society
Non-perishable food packages, produce, meat, bread, and hygiene Items available Monday, Wednesday, Friday, noon to 2 p.m. 484 Plains Rd. E., Unit 14. For more information, email contact@compassionsociety.net or call 905-592-3722.
Salvation Army
Clients may come weekly if necessary to receive non-perishables, milk, eggs, produce, frozen meat, baked goods; quantity and variety will vary from week to week. 5040 Mainway, Unit 9; Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to noon. To request food, call 905-637-3893.
 Each of the organizations has their own niche -Food Bank is part of a wider network. Burlington Food Bank
Pre-packed boxes of non-perishable foods, hygiene, produce, milk, eggs, bread and frozen meat. Contactless delivery to lobby or door. To request food, email info@burlingtonfoodbank.ca or call 905-637-2273.
Glad Tidings Church
Glad Tidings Church would like to serve those who require mandatory isolation with free grocery delivery. For more information on how to receive help, go to gtburlington.org/groceries or call 905-335-8172 and leave a message.
These organizations are delivering the services that are needed. The corporate sector is ponying up some of the money that is needed. Every city is doing its own thing – this is what we are doing in Burlington.
The Gazette has put together a team of parents who are at home taking care of their children while the province goes through school closures and the shut down of everything other than essential services.
Ashley Worobec and Nicki St. George will write regularly on how they are coping. We invite parents to take part in this initiative by adding comments to each Coping with COVID19 & the kids article.
 By Nicki St George
May 7th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
WEEK 7 –
 What you don’t see in this drawing – is what appears at the bottom this piece MONDAY, April 27th
It is my brother’s birthday today and the 5-year anniversary of the day my family arrived in Canada from New Zealand. My husband posts a memory on his Facebook page saying ‘no regrets’ in reference to our decision to move here. I concur; however, lately I have been rather envious of my friends and family in NZ with their low COVID rates and inspirational leader, Jacinda Adern. But mostly I am envious of the fact that their lockdown rules are being relaxed and they are now heading out to the beaches.
TUESDAY, April 28th
The day unfolds as usual. School work in the morning, bake something in the afternoon. I’ve created a list of ‘must dos’ for Beatrix and use screen time as a carrot. My hope is that I won’t have to ask her to get dressed 15 times (at least) every morning or chase her around the house with a hairbrush. But I do not have the discipline for reward charts and she seems to derive no satisfaction from folding down the little ‘to do’ tabs that I had carefully crafted. Still, I think she is getting the message and her behaviour is better this week.
WEDNESDAY, April 29th
As my return to work is approaching, I decide that we need to buy a Chromebook for the children to share. This involves spending a few hours trying to decide between the various models and features. Finally, I find the one and it is at BestBuy in Milton. Dan seems to think that driving to Milton for curbside pickup will be some kind of hardship for me, but I’m actually quite excited at the prospect of a whole hour in the car by myself! And it is glorious…until I get a frantic phone call from Dan because zoom has crashed my computer and Bea was about to start her virtual dance class…
 Chromebook worse for these two – Mom likes it as well. THURSDAY, April 30th
The Chromebook is awesome. It has all the Apps that the kids are familiar with from school and they enjoy taking turns picking songs from Go Noodle and can navigate the device better than I can. The iPad just doesn’t cut it when it comes to google drive. I am starting to feel better about being able to multi-task while homeschooling and working from home.
 Trampoline – constant use Our trampoline, which got taken out of the garage and set up last weekend, has been in constant use. Except for today because it is too cold outside. The kids need some kind of brain break, so we all find something to balance on our heads while we play follow the leader.
Later we play hide and seek. I sometimes wonder if all the grandmas of the world are just shaking their heads at mums like me and my friends.
What do we really have to complain about? They would have spent every day entertaining their kids and loving it. My friend sends me a viral video about how we need to re-examine our lifestyles and what caused us to get into this whole mess in the first place. I couldn’t agree more.
FRIDAY, May 1st
Today is officially my first day back to work. I feel like a fish out of water. When I left work at the end of November for my surgery and cancer treatment classes were in session and nobody had heard of the coronavirus. Now, it is like I am starting a new job. There is post-pandemic jargon to familiarize myself with and a slew of new technologies to get my head around, not to mention the whole zoom meeting culture and etiquette. Camera on or off? Can I just ‘leave meeting’ discretely? My computer, sensing my trepidation, crashes and that signals the end of my workday (at 11:00 am).
 Dan scours the Bulk Food Warehouse for Kashmiri curry powder and cardamom seeds. SATURDAY, May 2nd
We are not given the warm, sunny day that the weather network had promised. Dan spends the day distributing soil and grass seed to our front lawn. I believe this is called ‘over-seeding’. The children have been asking for butter chicken for dinner. Dan and I both like to cook and we make our curries from scratch. So, while Dan scours the Bulk Food Warehouse for Kashmiri curry powder and cardamom seeds, I study Jamie Oliver and Maunika’s FoodTube tutorial. And, well, it’s not an exaggeration to say that I haven’t stopped thinking about that curry ever since.
 Two baby bunnies in there – more to this story for sure SUNDAY, May 3rd
Finally! It’s here. The first day above 20 degrees that we have seen in about 6 months (and it is just the one day because the week ahead is back to single digits again). Leo complains that it is too hot (eyeroll). I get a sunburn. We eat breakfast, lunch and dinner on the back deck.
For the last few weeks, I have been watching a rabbit make a burrow in the planter box which sits on my deck and normally holds my herb garden. Today we find her sitting atop the planter box and upon closer inspection, we notice that she is feeding two little baby bunnies. It’s a nice way to end the week.
|
|
