 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.
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.
 By Staff
May 7th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 Robin Bailey, Executive Director of the Burlington Food Bank does a daily YouTube broadcast. The Burlington Food Bank is currently serving 650; that is double what they served in April of last year and a 20% increase over the March numbers.
There are some very grateful people out there: One household sent this note:
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! I just received my delivery by a lovely lady, with two helpful children in the backseat! Your generosity is overwhelming. I feel like its Christmas morning. I have spent the last 2 hours filling my fridge and cupboards. The personal care products are so amazing! The amount of anxiety that has been lifted is wonderful. I am going through old recipes so I can bake and freeze.”
The flow of funds to buy the food that is distributed has been impressive but the demand is growing.
There are all kinds of volunteers and some innovative fund raising ideas as well.
If you are in need or know of someone who could use our help have them email us at info@burlingtonfoodbank.ca or call 905-637-2273 to make arrangements to have food dropped at the door. If you live in Burlington, we are here to help.
The daily web cast
If you can help with a donation CLICK here
By Staff
May 7th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Come Saturday we can go to a hardware store.
That’s progress.
One of the biggest reasons the provincial government is able to begin the process of opening things us is because of how, for the most part, people have listened and followed the rules.
 Councillor Stolte, on the right, with daughter Danielle wearing masks made by volunteer community sewers. Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte, put what we do in perspective when she said: “The COVID-19 virus doesn’t move on its own; it needs people to move it.”
Physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most important steps everyone needs to take. To discourage people from gathering and to help reduce the transmission of the virus, the City of Burlington has closed all vehicular access to our parks.
Only walking, jogging, riding a bike or scooter/wheelchair through a park or trail is permitted, except for Spencer Smith Park, where only walking is allowed.
Remember to:
- Keep two metres away from others – about the length of a hockey stick
- Move to the right on pathways to make room for others to pass safely
 Six feet ? Maybe. The younger set – 18-25 roughly have a bit of a problem with the distancing thing. That demographic has been spared for the most part. The day there is a death due to an infection they might begin to listen.
The province has shown strong, consistent leadership and they have shown that when they don’t get it right they know how to change quite quickly. The decision to drop a license plate that didn’t work is a solid example.
When this is all over, and it will be all over at some point there will be an investigation where we will learn how wrong we have been with the way we regulate retirement, nursing and long term care homes. We heard one leading medical practitioner insist that there be criminal investigations. Some of the people in the care business may have already “lawyered up”.
It is interesting to note where the deaths took place and where they didn’t. Some people were doing the job.
Hardware stores and golf courses – opening up. Hair salons and nail parlours opening up.
When the restaurants and the patios come back on line summer might actually arrive.
By Staff
May 6th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Parks are closed.
The Conservation areas are closed.
People don’t like the closures – but they are part of coping with the COVID19 disease that has brought about the death of thousands.
So we put up with.
 One of the lambs – it has to be fed.  American Kestrel at the Mountsberg Raptor Centre However, there is a problem, Mountsberg is home to more than 60 animals, from hawks, owls and eagles to horses, goats and sheep, a whole bunch of bees and even a couple snakes, to name just a few. Conservation Halton has a dedicated team of staff members who care for the animals, and in return, the animals help to teach school children, summer camp participants and park visitors about conservation and agriculture.
It costs about $200,000 per year to feed and care for the animals at Mountsberg, and because the Conservation Halton Parks do not receive support from municipal, provincial or federal taxes, they depend on entrance fees, membership purchases and other donations to fund these expenses. With the parks closed, due to COVID-19, Conservation Halton does not currently have this revenue, but they do still have mouths to feed.
The Conservation Foundation launched the Mountsberg Animal Food Fund to help feed the animals; they would like you to consider donating on their website: The campaign went live on #GivingTuesdayNow and will remain active through the spring to ensure the animals get the care and support they need.
The full donate web site address is: www.conservationhalton.ca/mountsberg-animal-food-fund.
Conservation Halton is the community based environmental agency that protects, restores and manages the natural resources in its watershed. The organization has staff that includes ecologists, land use planners, engineers, foresters and educators, along with a network of volunteers, who are guided by a Board of Directors comprised of municipally elected and appointed citizens. Conservation Halton is recognized for its stewardship of creeks, forests and Niagara Escarpment lands through science-based programs and services.
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 Ashley Worobec
May 6th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
We have been managing pretty well over the past few weeks. The initial shock and disbelief has eased, and we’re settling in to a new normal. However, with the Covid numbers trending as they are lately, I’ve been closely watching the Premier’s announcements and I’m anticipating that I’ll be back to work by the end of May. Of course that’s just speculation, but four other Provinces have now returned their chiropractors to work so I’m hopeful that Ontario won’t be far behind.
My focus has been at the clinic lately, as we’ve been gathering the necessary PPE, and we’re installing a plexiglass barrier at the front desk to minimize contact for our reception staff. When we are given the go-ahead to return, we will be ready to do so safely.
 Backyard update As far as what this confinement is doing to the family unit, I’d say it’s been really good for us. As soon as this situation unfolded, my main goal became to create a good environment for my kids. I read an opinion piece online that talked about how children will remember this time in history, and it became my goal to ensure that they remember it positively. They won’t remember the stress, the financial implications, the worry; they will remember the time we spent together, the games we played, the bike rides we went on.
I check in with them regularly, to see what some of their highlights are, and we try to add more of those things into our days- we’ve biked to my in-laws for a driveway visit a handful of times (a 9km round-trip), something we had never done in the past. We’ve played board games in the sunshine in our backyard, we’ve put up a “silly walking sign” on our front sidewalk and laughed at passers-by, and I’ve thrown more football passes than I can count.
 Learning the guitar My daughter has been saving her money for many months to purchase a guitar, and it arrived the other day, so she’s been learning to play via online apps and YouTube videos. We’ve painted both kid’s bedroom walls, in colours of their choosing. THESE are the memories we are making. And while my stress is still there, I’m using the lens of my children to guide our days. They understand what’s happening- we’ve been very honest with them and we watch the news together, but we’ve kept the focus on the positive and away from fear.
As far as schoolwork goes, it’s been a manageable amount for us. With me not working, I’m the main teacher, and we spend 1-2 hours in the morning completing their school tasks. Most often, we start our days with a 5km run (myself and the dog running, my husband and kids on bikes or rollerblades), and then we get into schoolwork when we return, which is usually around 9:30 or 10am- that means we’re wrapped up before lunchtime.
 Keeping the intruders away They are missing their friends and their teachers though, and most days they FaceTime their friends as well as my extended family in Alberta. On Monday evenings, we have a group Zoom call with all of my husband’s side of the family, and that’s become a real highlight of the week. We are hopeful that school will resume by September, but we’ve talked to the kids about the possibility that the Fall may look different than usual, so that they’re prepared with that in the back of their minds. As we’ve done all along, it’s one day at a time. Because my husband is a teacher, we’re in a great situation logistically, as he’ll be home with them if schools are still closed, so we don’t have the childcare piece to worry about that many parents do.
In regards to my running, I’m getting in that 5km loop every morning, and while it’s doing nothing to improve my fitness (there are lots of stops/breaks involved!), it’s really helping me to cope mentally. I truly enjoy that time, and when I look back on Covid, those morning family runs will be at the forefront of my memories.
On Sunday mornings, I’ve been getting out for a longer run on my own (usually around 12-15km); in the “normal” world, I would typically run with my training group on Sunday mornings, but these days it’s a solo run, starting around 9:00am rather than 7:00am.
 Worobec starts her day with a run. Rain doesn’t change the schedule; snow didn’t either. I am currently registered for the Chicago marathon in October (I qualified for this race with my marathon time in New York City last November), but I’m anticipating that it will be cancelled, as has been the case with most other races this year. The Chicago organizers have not yet made that decision, but I’m mentally prepared for the email to arrive any day. I always love having a challenge though, so on Saturday, May 9th, I am participating in the virtual Brooklyn Half marathon- essentially it’s just an online way for the running community to come together. It’s a free registration, and the idea is that you complete 21.1km in your neighbourhood, and then upload your results to their website. It’s being organized by the New York Road Runners, the same running club that puts on the NYC marathon, so I was happy to see this come across their e-newsletter.
If anyone else is interested in getting involved, I encourage them to visit the website at https://www.nyrr.org/races/nyrrvirtualbrooklynhalf.
 By Staff
May 6th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Some State Governors in the United States are thinking of making the wearing of face masks mandatory. Ontario hasn’t taken to that idea yet.
A major Burlington supermarket announced that it requires patrons to wear a face mask when they are in the store.
 Ward 1 Councillor Kelven Galbraith and his wife Angie Blignaut Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte and her daughter Danielle One of the problems is that face masks are in short supply.
The Gazette undertook to provide the material and the ties for face masks that are being sewn together by volunteers from across the city – there are ten sewers in place now and they have one person cutting cloth from bolts and running the cloth ties through a surging machine.
A couple of members of council are wearing masks and distributing them to people in their wards. Those masks are fashion statements.
The Food Bank plans to include a mask with every food hamper they deliver. Arrangements are being worked on to collaborate with other community organizations.
 By Pepper Parr
May 5th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
What’s happening to us?
We read that thousands have died – from something we don’t understand and nor do the scientists who are struggling to find a vaccine that will prevent the spread of the disease.
 Self-isolating We are asked to stay inside as much as possible and when we do go out we are asked not to congregate with people. Don’t stop to talk to people – if you do keep at least six feet of space between people.
 No hug – not even a Hi – just a wave Children don’t get to see their grand parents; some parents don’t get to see their parents because they are in a retirement home.
We are told to wash our hands often – at least every hour.
We can’t go to work and when we are able to get back to work we are warned it is going to be a much much different environment.
How did we get to this point ?
There is a delightful children’s bedtime story – short – that has a lot for adults – it may have been meant for us and not the children.
There is something to think about for all of us in that short clip. Part of the answer as to what is happening to us is in that story.
 By Staff
May 5th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Public Health Unit report on the number of cases of the COVID virus show some decline. Curve is not as flat as it needs to be, but there has been some progress.
Cases over time
541 – COVID-19 cases among Halton residents to date (478 confirmed + 63 probable)
 Figure 1: COVID-19 cases, by episode date, Halton Region, Mar. 1-May 3, 2020  Figure 2: Cumulative COVID-19 cases, by episode date, Halton Region, Mar. 1-May 3, 2020 Figures 1 and 2 show the 541 COVID-19 cases among Halton residents reported by end of the day on May 3. All cases have been graphed according to their episode date, which is used to estimate the date that symptoms began. Figure 1 shows the number of new cases per day, while Figure 2 shows how cases have accumulated over time. Counts for the past 14 days should be interpreted with caution, since there is a delay between when a person becomes infected and when they develop symptoms, get tested, and are reported as a case. Please note the large increase on April 11 is due to expanded testing and identification of COVID-19 among asymptomatic individuals at Mountainview Residence.
Individuals who are lab-confirmed cases are shown in green. Individuals who are probable cases are shown in orange. Probable cases are epi-linked cases, which means they are presumed to have COVID-19 because they are symptomatic close contacts of cases or returning travelers who have COVID-19 symptoms.
Case demographics
73 cases were residents or patients of an institution experiencing an outbreak (13% of all cases)
86 cases work in health care (16% of all cases)
 Figure 3: COVID-19 cases, by age and sex, Halton Region, 2020 Figure 3 shows that by end of the day on May 3, the most COVID-19 cases were among Halton residents aged 40-59 (with 200 cases, or 37%). 317 cases (59%) were female.
 Figure 4: COVID-19 cases, by municipality of residence, Halton Region, 2020 Figure 4 shows that by end of the day on May 4, the greatest number of COVID-19 cases were among residents of Oakville (with 184 cases, or 34%). Please note this figure shows counts, and therefore does not take into account the different population sizes or age structures of the four municipalities. Counts in municipalities can also be inflated by outbreaks that have occurred within institutions in their boundaries. The figure excludes one case with municipality information pending.
Case exposure source
 Figure 5: Percentage of COVID-19 cases, by exposure source, Halton Region, 2020 Figure 5 shows that by end of the day on May 3, 225 of Halton’s COVID-19 cases (42%) had no known travel or contact history, and therefore were believed to have acquired the virus within Ontario, making them community cases. 206 cases (38%) had contact with a confirmed case that was believed to be the source of their infection. 98 cases (18%) had a history of travel that was believed to have been the source of their infection. Information on exposure source was pending for the remaining 12 cases (2%).
Case outcomes
75 cases who have ever been hospitalized to date (24 listed as currently in hospital)
395 cases who have recovered to date
22 cases who have died to date (11 of the deceased were residents or patients of an institution experiencing an outbreak)
Institutional outbreaks
12 confirmed institutional outbreaks of COVID-19 reported to Halton Region Public Health to date (4 are ongoing)
 Figure 6: COVID-19 institutional outbreaks, by date outbreak was declared, Halton Region, Mar. 1-May 3, 2020 Figure 6 shows the 12 confirmed outbreaks of COVID-19 in Halton institutions reported by end of the day on May 3. Institutions are defined as long-term care homes, retirement homes, and hospitals. Eight of the outbreaks have resolved, while four remain ongoing. Among the 12 confirmed institutional outbreaks reported to date, seven (58%) have been in retirement homes, four (33%) have been in long-term care homes, and one has been in a hospital (8%).
Lab testing
>7,500 Halton residents are known to have been tested for COVID-19 to date
Comparison to Ontario
17,923 total confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Ontario to date
 Figure 7: Age-specific rates of COVID-19 (per 10,000 population), Halton Region and Ontario, 2020 Figure 7 shows age-specific rates of COVID-19 for Halton and Ontario. Rates take into account the population size of each age group to make it possible to compare between different areas. Halton’s age-specific rates are currently significantly different from the provincial rates for all age groups except youth aged 0-19. For example, Halton has 32.5 cases per 10,000 residents aged 80+, which is statistically significantly lower than the 58.7 cases per 10,000 residents aged 80+ in Ontario overall. It is important to note that these rates will fluctuate as numbers increase throughout the pandemic, and that differences between age groups may reflect differences in the likelihood of developing symptoms and being tested.
Data limitations and data sources
Halton case data: integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), extracted at 7:00 AM on May 4, 2020, to reflect data entered by the end of the day on May 3, 2020
Halton lab data: COVID Data Information System, extracted on May 4, 2020.
Ontario case data: Public Health Ontario, Epidemiologic Summary, COVID-19 in Ontario: January 15, 2020 to May 3, 2020, posted on May 4, 2020 to https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus
Denominators for Halton and Ontario age-specific rates: Population projections [2020], IntelliHEALTH Ontario, extracted on April 8, 2020.
Data notes
All cases of diseases of public health significance diagnosed in Ontario are entered into iPHIS by local public health units. iPHIS is the Integrated Public Health Information System. It is a dynamic disease reporting system which allows ongoing updates to data previously entered. As a result, data extracted from iPHIS represent a snapshot at the time of extraction and may differ from previous or subsequent reports as data are updated.
The data only represent cases reported to public health and recorded in iPHIS. As a result, all counts will be subject to varying degrees of underreporting due to a variety of factors, such as disease awareness and medical care seeking behaviours, which may depend on severity of illness, clinical practice, changes in laboratory testing, and reporting behaviours.
Cases are included if their “diagnosing health unit” in iPHIS is Halton Region, which means counts include only individuals whose primary residence is in Halton Region. The case may not necessarily have been managed by Halton Region, if they were temporarily residing elsewhere during their case management period. Cases managed by Halton Region who normally live elsewhere but who were managed by Halton Region staff because they were temporarily residing in Halton during their case management period have not been included.
Cases for which the Disposition Status in iPHIS was reported as ENTERED IN ERROR, DOES NOT MEET DEFINITION, DUPLICATE-DO NOT USE, or any variation on these values have been excluded.
Figure 1 distinguishes between lab-confirmed and probable cases. Since April 7, probable cases are defined as epi-linked cases, meaning they are symptomatic close contacts of cases or returning travelers who have COVID-19 symptoms and therefore are presumed to have COVID-19. All other figures and numbers include both confirmed and probable cases combined.
Figures 1 and 2 use episode date, which is a field that is intended to approximate the symptom onset date for each case. It is calculated hierarchically, using symptom onset date if available; when it is not available, specimen collection date is used; if neither symptom onset nor specimen collection date are available, the lab test date is used; and finally, if none of these other dates are available, the date the case was reported to Public Health is used.
In subsequent reports, counts in Figures 1 and 2 may increase as cases are added from past dates as individuals become symptomatic, get tested, and their results are reported to Halton Region Public Health, as well as any past results are added due to delayed data entry or new arrival of lab results.
Cases are considered to be patients or residents of an institution experiencing an outbreak if they are linked to a confirmed Halton institutional outbreak in iPHIS, and they are not known to be a staff person at the institution.
Cases are considered to work in health care if they are known to have an occupation that involves caring for patients, e.g. physician, nurse, occupational therapist, recreational therapist, chiropractor, paramedic, midwife, orderly, etc. Individuals who work in health care settings but do not provide direct care to patients (e.g. managers, cleaning staff) have not been included.
Exposure type is determined by examining the exposure and risk factor fields from iPHIS to determine whether a case travelled, was a contact of a case or neither. A hierarchy has been applied as follows: Travel-related > Close contact of a confirmed case > Neither (indicating community acquisition) > Information pending.
Case outcomes (hospitalizations, recovery, deaths) reflect the latest available information reported to Halton Region Public Health and recorded in iPHIS by the extraction time.
Institutional outbreaks include outbreaks of COVID-19 in settings such as long-term care homes, retirement homes, hospitals, and prisons.
Lab testing data reflects only lab tests that have been reported to Halton Region Public Health and entered into CDIS. There may be more residents who have been tested but not reported to Public Health.
For daily Halton case tables and up-to-date information about how to protect yourself and others, please visit halton.ca/covid19
For daily provincial epidemiologic summaries and more information on COVID-19 in Ontario, please visit Ontario.ca/coronavirus
For national information on COVID-19 in Canada, please visit Canada.ca/coronavirus
 By Staff
May 5th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Timely – very timely.
With the province locked down while we deal with a pandemic that has infected tens of thousands and been the cause of death for tens of hundreds the city is offering advice and direction on how to better prepare for what we are going through.
 The focus is on the young people, partly because this is National Youth Week.
The theme for the Emergency Preparedness initiative is “Putting on your resiliency backpack” and being prepared.
The best thing residents can do to protect themselves and the community is stay home, practice physical distancing and use online tools for social connectedness.
In an emergency, protecting yourself from mental stress and harm is just as important as protecting yourself from physical harm.
Within the web site page burilngton.ca/covid19resources, there are several organizations offering mental health supports and resources across the City. Many workplaces also offer similar resources and supports through workplace employee assistance programs.
One of the largest law firms in the country is sponsoring a Mental health in the age of dramatic change and uncertainty event.
Tips for protecting your mental health
 Be aware of your thoughts and feelings. It is normal to feel anxious- Limit the news you are watching or reading and ensure it is from a reliable news source
- Reach out to friends and family through phone calls, video chats, texts
- See resources and supports offered through burlington.ca/covid19resources
- Keep healthy habits: eat healthy foods, stay active, get a good night’s sleep, drink water
- Limit, reduce or avoid alcohol, drugs and caffeine
- Take advantage of your employer’s employee assistance programs for mental health
Stress and anxiety can be high for youth during emergency situations, too. Many youths are working the front lines at grocery stores, restaurants and delivery. They are at risk and they feel at risk – and many of them wonder – does anyone care?
There are organizations, resources and supports to support youth mental health in Burlington such as the Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK).
ROCK has put together resources and suggestions to help support children, youth, and families at this time of uncertainty. They are committed to live answering phone calls from the hours of 9 – 5 p.m. each business day. Families will have the ability to speak directly to a ROCK staff person. They have also created the opportunity to connect families to a pathway coordinator staff who will assess and support connection to brief virtual consultation services.
REach them in a number of ways:
rockonline.ca
Main Line: 289-266-0036
Crisis Line: 905-878-9785 – 24/7
 Youth are also invited to participate in the No Socks for Ivan daily challenges, which can be found on No Socks for Ivan’s Instagram page at burl_youthvoice. Daily challenges include posting about binge-worthy shows, books, shout-outs to essential and front-line workers, dance moves, athletic feats and more.
The Mayoris certainly onside pointing out that “There’s no better time than now to explore the issues around emergency preparedness and mental well-being. The City’s new webpage provides a wealth of information on supports and resources, and I am so impressed at how dozens of organizations from across our community collaborated to put this information together in such a short time. We are all facing resiliency challenges right now and we need these amazing local supports more than ever. I am thankful for the great work they continue to do to help our residents in these trying times.”
Amber Rushton, now the Community Emergency Management Coordinator, a who happens to have a lot of experience organizing communities and projects that take place in those communities saiid: “As we reflect this week on the importance of emergency preparedness and mental health and wellness, I ask that individuals, family members and friends of all ages across our community reflect on one vision: Putting on your resiliency backpack. What could you put in yours? How could you fill your neighbours? How could you fill your family members or your friends?
“These are unprecedented times and it’s still important to be prepared and take care of ourselves, which includes physical distancing, healthy habits and reaching out for health and mental health resources. Remember: in community we persevere, taking the right steps each day toward a more resilient tomorrow. Stay healthy and be kind to one another. You are not alone.”
Links
- Youth Week: burlington.ca/youthweek
- Mental Health Week: mentalhealthweek.ca/
- Emergency Preparedness Week: burlington.ca/epw
COVID-19 Links and Resources
- For further COVID-19 information, including where to get tested, please visit Halton Region Public Health halton.ca/coronavirus
- COVID-19 Resources: burlington.ca/covid19resources
- Residents can stay informed at burlington.ca/coronavirus as well as on our social media channels: @cityburlington on twitter and facebook.com/cityburlington
- Questions about the cancellation of Recreation programs can be directed to rentals@burlington.ca or liveandplay@burlington.ca or 905-335-7738
- Government of Ontario: ontario.ca/coronavirus
- Government of Canada: canada.ca/coronavirus
- World Health Organization: who.int
- Joseph Brant Hospital: josephbranthospital.ca/covid-19
By Staff
May 4th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington’s business support organizations, known as Team Burlington, have announced the launch of the Burlington Economic Recovery Network.
Comprised of Burlington Economic Development, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, Burlington Downtown Business Association, Aldershot Village BIA, and Tourism Burlington, Team Burlington has been working closely over the last several weeks to support the business community in dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.
 How much of the downtown core will survive the pandemic? what about the Aldershot and Alton communities? The Network will bring together key stakeholders and business leaders from across Burlington to develop a recovery strategy that will prepare our economy for recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. The impacts of the global pandemic are already being felt locally and there is a strong need to align economic stakeholders and business support groups to position Burlington for short and long-term economic recovery.
In a joint statement made by the leadership of the Team Burlington organizations they said: “We’re being proactive. The Burlington Economic Recovery Network is a natural extension of the work Team Burlington is currently doing to support businesses in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. The creation of the network is about preparing businesses to come out strong on the other side and help our local economy recover. Meaningful advocacy, as well as business support and programming will be key outcomes.”
The impacts of COVID-19 are already being felt in our community and will continue to be felt long after the state of emergency has ended. It is anticipated that in Burlington alone, just under 2,000 businesses and 29,000 jobs may be directly affected. The network will work together to advocate for business support at all levels of government, including targeted relief measures and stimulus funding for the hardest hit sectors, which include agriculture, retail, tourism, healthcare and hospitality.
The network will also focus on cutting “red tape” to help all sectors rebound and get back to business.
 Mayor Meed Ward is happy with the work Team Burlington has done. Mayor Marianne Meed Ward is looking forward to how the Network will help businesses through recovery. “Our local businesses have not been immune to the negative economic effects of the COVID-19 emergency. I’m very happy with the work Team Burlington has done so far and the support and guidance they have been offering to owners and staff. I support the launch of the Network as it will work to address, wherever possible, any gaps in existing supports, such as directing guidance to help manufacturers retool; clarity on direct contacts for supports at federally- and provincially-announced programs; and any constraints on our municipality to support.
The Economic Recovery Network will be focused on seeing our businesses through COVID-19 and ensuring they can get back on their feet after this crisis and that’s the light at the end of this tunnel that we need.”
Every bit counts and the business community is going to need all the help it can get. There will likely be considerable damage.
There are views that the commercial sector hasn’t managed to come together as a group. The creation of the Network is a good start – but isn’t the information they refer to available from the offices of the MP and the MPP?
And what are we hearing from the Economic Development people at the Region?
Stephen White, an at times acerbic critic had this to say several weeks ago.
 Stephen White “Moral support and a business seminar. Is that it? Is that all Team Burlington has to offer? In the words of a song from the immortal American Blues singer, the great Peggy Lee,”Is that all there is”?
Here are some free ideas Team Burlington can “run up the flagpole”:
1) hire a website designer, create a central website, and have them work with all the small, at risk businesses in Burlington that do not currently have a website or internet presence. The website designer can help them create an ad or posting promoting their services, hours of operation, contact information, etc.
2) on behalf of small business owners at severe risk, collectively approach their landlords and ask them to accept a reduced rental payment through the end of the year. Half a loaf is better than no loaf. If the “at risk” businesses go under the landlords are left trying to rent property in a depressed market.
3) 2 hours free parking downtown from the time things open up to the end of the year.
4) Approach the Burlington Post and the Burlington Gazette, and purchase advertising space in both printed and electronic format on behalf of the most severely “at risk” businesses to promote their products and services. Default to those with no internet presence or website.
5) identify those business owners who want/have to sell, and facilitate discussions/meetings with recent immigrants or those wishing to buy a business.
If Team Burlington doesn’t like the preceding, then fine: come up with some ideas of your own.
However, for God’s sake, don’t just sit there and mouth platitudes like “We’re all in this together”. Moral support is wonderful, but it doesn’t put food on the table, pay the bills or keep a roof over one’s head. This is an existential crisis, and it’s high time the captains of industry in this community started demonstrating some real leadership.”
More information on the Burlington Economic Recovery Network will be posted on the Team Burlington COVID-19 one-stop-shop resource site, hosted on burlingtonchamber.com.
By Staff
May 4th, 2020
Burlington, ON
Robin Bailey, Executive Director of the Burlington Food Bank explained in his short broadcast this morning that there are people who never thought they would have to rely on a Food Bank. He said: “We recognize that these are stressful times and you may not have ever thought that you’d be in this situation.
 Robin Bailey – he is there to help. “We are here to help you make things a little bit better for you and your family, confidentially, people don’t need to know where it’s coming from. It’s the start of the month and that’s budget time, so now we all have the stress of being alone and the financial stress. Allow us as part of your community to help you out right now. Give us a call.
“If you are in need or know of someone who could use our help have them email us at info@burlingtonfoodbank.ca or call 905-637-2273 to make arrangements to have food dropped at the door. If you live in Burlington, we are here to help.
More about the Food Bank and how you can help.
 By Pepper Parr
May 4th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 She gets right into the trenches with her constituents – this time it was a Legion kitchen. Karina Gould is a Mother, a Burlingtonian, a graduate of McGill University and Oxford University. She is a Member of Parliament and a member of the Justin Trudeau Cabinet.
When she writes to her constituents she talks to her people. In her most recent missive she had this to say: “Let’s get through the local stuff.” Karina has been doing BIG stuff at the world level as well.
“This is mental health week, I encourage you to check in on someone new every day. Whether it is a family member who you have talked to this week, or a colleague who you have not seen since social isolation began, I am sure they would really appreciate to hear from you.
“I know many members of our community might be struggling in other ways as well. COVID-19 has caused many to become food insecure and they may not be sure how to access the supports that are available here in Burlington. To assist those in need, the City of Burlington has compiled an extensive list of resources that residents can access to get the help they need or offer supports to the community. To access this page, please consult the link found here.
 Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization had a conversation with Minister of International Development Karina Gould that he isn’t likely to forget. He won’t be looking forward to the follow up call he will be getting either. “I know that accessing supports for the first time can be nerve racking but I can assure you the teams at the Burlington Food Bank, Food for Life, and the United Way are some of the most compassionate people out there. They understand the situation that you’re in and they don’t care about your income, they just care that you have access to food. Should you have any questions about accessing supports in Burlington, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
“I have some good news. In many parts of the country, the curve has flattened. This means that we are seeing some progress because of the commitment and determination shown by Canadians to stay home and practice physical distancing is paying off.
“To continue to improve on our results and ensure that we beat COVID-19 we must continue to stay home, wash our hands, and when we go out, stay two meters away from one another.”
 Karina Gould – punches well above her weight. Local matters, especially when you want to get re-elected. During the month of April Gould had conversations with the people at the World Health Organization (WHO). Right now the world is struggling to control COVID-19 disease but there are a lot of people who wonder and are concerned that the WHO did not do the job that could and should have been done to warn the world what was likely to be coming our way.
The perky, always smiling mother of one child, can also be very firm and persistent at making her point. She advised WHO that they have been put on notice by the government of Canada.
This is a woman who punches well above her weight.
By Pepper Parr
May 3rd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
It was the first really nice sunny warm day since the decision was made to lock down the province with the Mayor telling anyone with ears to stay home – and when they do go out for some exercise to walk and not stop to talk.
The only way, the public has been told, to put an end to the pandemic is to ensure that the virus is not spread from person to person.
The Regional Public Health unit produces daily reports showing that infections in the Region are rising every day – not by a huge number – but they are rising.
That curve we have been told about is not flattening.
But – sunshine, good weather – what do people do?
 Playground was vacant – surrounded by yellow tape. I drove around the city in the northern part and then down into the waterfront and along the Beachway.
A couple of things were immediately evident. There were more police vehicles on the street; there were a lot of bikers roaring along and hundreds of young people on their bikes.
The vehicular traffic was not really heavy. On the residential streets most driveways had several cars parked.
I didn’t see very much in the way of sidewalk crowding.
 Some people wore masks – which they slipped away from their faces once they were outside the supermarket. Some people wore masks, some didn’t. Did see one couple – she wore nothing – he wore a mask and a shield.
There were children out and about but there weren’t hundreds of them.
People were respecting that six foot rule – for the most part.
 Each of the major supermarket chains has taken their own approach to staking out how they choose to respond to the public concern. Business for this sector is great. Brant and Lakeshore is definitely the pinch point the Mayor has mentioned several times.
Supermarket parking lots, as well as Costco weren’t packed solid but there was a steady flow of traffic in and out.
 Lowville Park – CLOSED  Mt Nemo -CLOSED Parks were all closed. Saw a couple of coffee shops that were opened but you couldn’t sit down.
 A hard sight for those who enjoy a cold one while sitting out on a patio. The Queen’s Head patio was barren – a terrible sight for a drinking man.
 People were reasonable spaced, most people respected the pedestrians only rule. Pedestrian traffic on the Promenade was steady and for the most part well-spaced out.
The message has certainly been heard and there didn’t appear to be a lot of worry from the people we spoke to – tough to have much in the way of a conversation six feet away from someone.
Two weeks from now we will see new numbers from the Public Health Unit and get some idea if our individual behavior is working.
I stood and watch small groups, 10 to 15 people, gather at intersections; some wearing masks other less than a foot away from people who were not wearing a mask.
 This is probably the location that bothers the public health people the most – Brant and Lakeshore – where people cross to get into Spencer Smith Park. City manager Tim Commisso said last week that he shudders when he thinks about what could be going on amongst those small groups of 10 to 15 people.
We will know soon enough.
The Provincial government wants to open things up – give people some breathing room and let some business operations open up.
It is going to be tricky; these are perilous times.
By Pepper Parr
May 1st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
For those who are having difficulty with the need to Stay at Home and not mingle with people you don’t live with when they are out – some graphics from the Regional Health Unit should give you caution.
515 COVID-19 cases among Halton residents to date (456 confirmed + 59 probable)
The curve: It has to stop rising – until then we are going to have to Stay Home – and the province will not be able to even begin to lift the restrictions.
71
cases were residents or patients of an institution experiencing an outbreak (14% of all cases)
78
cases work in health care (15% of all cases)
The number of people infected by municipality.
 Burlington’s numbers have always been the lowest – that is not a reason to think we can let up.
 By Pepper Parr
April 30th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
When the motion you put forward to create more sidewalk space for people to use when they are out for a walk is followed by an amendment from the Mayor with seven points to it – you know your motion is in trouble.
Such was the fate of a motion put forward by ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte.
Direct the Director of Transportation Services to assess, create and implement as soon as possible, and with input from other city departments and members of the Cycling and ITAC Committees, a “Shared Streets Burlington” Pilot Project with the goal of temporarily closing portions of roadways to allow for safer physical distancing for pedestrians and cyclists for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background Discussion:
The residents of Burlington, along with City Council and City Staff, are all committed to the goal of stopping the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Our role, as City Council and staff, is to amplify the message of medical experts in regard to adhering to physical distancing requirements while also considering a longer-term plan that acknowledges residents need for physical exercise and fresh air in order to effectively manage their mental health and well being.
Stolte had reliable statistical data on how people were handling the isolation. She pointed out that sidewalks are simply not wide enough to ensure the physical distancing requirements recommended by medical experts and the informal use of grass boulevards does not provide a safe nor viable alternative for wheelchairs, strollers or bicycles.
 These two women work well together; very different personalities but when the strength are combined that are very effective. Roadways are underutilized due to reduced traffic volumes and represent a clear and simple alternative to “expand the sidewalk”. There are many resources already available, as well as an established work group comprised of dedicated residents from the ITAC and Cycling Committee who have been meeting to research strategies and suggestions for implementation.
Stolte wanted to begin with a Pilot Project to measure, monitor and learn as well as to assess the willingness of the community to participate in a safe manner. She was strongly supported by ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns.
Her hope was that council would consider a phased approach that can adapt/expand as needed at multiple, local, widespread, “very ordinary” locations to avoid gathering crowds gathering. Her hope was that street networks would be coordinated with park locations
•to ensure strong signage and communication
•to consider a variety of options such as closing off curb lanes on thoroughfares (ex. Maple, Palladium Way, Prospect -east of Guelph) or installing strong “Shared Streets” signage on key neighbourhood streets (ex. Spruce, Townsend, Palmer, Millcroft Park)
This motion is intended to encourage a realistic, longer-term plan that will ensure safe “physical distancing” as well as strive for the balance that is needed to support physical exercise and mental health initiatives, by literally creating more space for people to get outside and breathe.
 Public education is key – it doesn’t always take in Burlington. Stolte encouraged Council to join the 60+ other cities around the world including Brampton, Calgary, Edmonton, Kitchener, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Victoria and Winnipeg who have already implemented or are actively exploring this creative alternative as a means of supporting the well-being of their residents.
Debate on this one was vigorous.
Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna came out of the gate asking that it be deferred – “we have bigger fish to fry – and this will be expensive” he said. “If we open up part of a roadway we are going to have to put pylons out and then take them in.”
 Councilor Bentivegna was solidly against the motion – too expensive and the city has bigger fish to fry. Bentivegna, like most of the other Councillors said they just weren’t seeing all that much pedestrian traffic on the streets.
The Mayor who lives in ward 2 didn’t agree with Lisa Kearns, councillor for the ward. The Mayor said you could fire a cannon up the streets she walked along. She said she was out walking every day.
Councillor Nisan said he felt that this was a Staff matter and that they were the people who should be driving it; implying that Councillor Stolte might be offside. Odd that Nisan would take that position; when he wanted some traffic moderating in Kilbride and he could hardly get the time of day out of the department.
Nisan wanted the issue of changing the way roads get used during the State of Emergency referred back to transportation – problem with that is the motion didn’t come from Transportation – it came from Stolte, a member of council.
Ward 6 councillor Bentivegna said: “Transportation experts should make the decision because it is an operational matter – maybe it should be handled at the ECG.” It was discussed at the ECG.
Nisan moved a motion to refer it to staff – Galbraith seconded it. He too didn’t see the need, at least not in Aldershot. Didn’t think this was on for Burlington – “we are not a big city like Ottawa, Edmonton and Vancouver.
Stolte had taken the idea to Staff and found she wasn’t getting anywhere and withdrew the motion she had planned on putting forward earlier in the month.
 Mayor Med Ward basically manhandled the Stolte motion. Meed Ward’s amendment, it had seven parts, did add valuable points to the motion. She was concerned about the purpose of the amendment and what the criteria would be for closing down part of a public road.
In getting into her seven point amendment the Mayor seemed to be defining what the motion was really about – it is usually the mover of a motion who does that and the record shows that Stolte had done her home work.
There wasn’t much in the way of appetite for the idea from the Transportation department when it first came to them. The ECG people were swamped with other more pressing issues. City Manager Tim Commisso was comfortable with where things were – people were thinking about a possible problem. Stolte had discussed the idea with them earlier.
Galbraith, Councillor for ward 1 couldn’t see a need. No heavy pedestrian traffic in his part of the world.
Councillor Sharman was non-plussed – he didn’t see any pedestrian traffic to speak of on Spruce or any other part of his ward.
After lengthy, robust debate, the motion carried 4-3 and will come back to Council during the May meeting.
Earlier in the debate Councillor Nisan had put forward a motion to defer the motion back to Transportation; it really should have been a referral – a motion that will come to be seen in a much different light when the warm weather arrives and people don’t want to stay cooped up.
Lisa Kearns had it right: “This is a public health and a mental health issue, she said. Covid-19 is a serious public health issue, “but we also have to let people move around and we need to be proactive now and not react to a serious problem later” said Kearns.
 The matter is in the hands of the Director of Transportation Vito Tolone Bentivegna, Sharman and Galbraith weren’t seeing that.
Nisan wanted staff to run the show.
The City manager, with help from City Solicitor Nancy Shea Nicol, that the closing of a public road is not something that has been delegated to municipalities – that is going to require some explaining. explained something
The Mayor scooped a good motion right off the plate of a Councillor who understood the need and was taking steps now to handle a situation she is certain will come back to bite us.
Stolte wanted to know why her motion wasn’t acceptable. The Mayor said that the Nisan motion prevailed.
The Mayor said that Stolte’s motion didn’t do what Nisan’s did.
Hopefully staff will understand and work with the nuance that came out of the meeting.
By Pepper Parr
May 1st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
She isn’t ready for the big stage – not yet
And she needs to let the microphone slide into other hands.
 For her first Zoom solo – she did Ok. On the positive side – Lisa Kearns deserves credit for taking a shot at using Zoom to talk to her people,
She drew 35 people – nice to see Jackie Isada again. I think Paddy Torsney should have been less blatant with the wine glass.
Kearns chose to cover the complete waterfront – her audience was well plugged in – they didn’t need be told to wash their hands.
Kearns likes the new TelePlus program the city Parks and Recreation has rolled out. Few fully understand what the city has gotten itself into. Time will reveal where the problems are.
Two parts of the presentation were disturbing – before questions were permitted Jenn Morrison from CLV development that is going to put up seven structures that range from 29 – 37 floors, got to make comments. There was no opportunity to discuss that development in more detail.
The rules appear to be a bit different for this development.
We did learn that those sites that are permitted to continue construction can work from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm used to be 7 to 7.
If a development site has risen above grade it is deemed essential and can continue building.
 Section on the right is residential – construction can continue – section on the left is a hotel – not essential – continued construction not permitted. Bridgewater site that looks as if it is going to be under construction for some time. The residential parts can continue with construction – but the hotel which is on the west side cannot – hotels were not deemed essential.
Cyclists are causing a lot of people considerable grief. They are on pathways that were not meant for bikes and they “just fly by” as one commentator said.
There was a “hint” that a way might have to be found to limit the number of people who access the park – where you are expected to walk with no dilly dallying or sitting on a bench for a break.
It was a good effort – do it again – but listen more and talk less.
By Pepper Parr
April 29th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
As the Gazette was putting together the idea of making a couple of thousand 100% cotton face masks with ties rather than elastics someone suggested we reach out to the Burlington Caremongers Facebook page.
 There we found Beth Martin who built an organization that in the first week of being active, raised $2500 for Food4Kids Halton. They have been highlighting Halton charities every week. They connected community members who are in immediate need with food and necessities; their members have picked up and dropped off groceries and pharmacy orders.
Others have been making masks, scrub caps, button headbands and scrub tops for front-line healthcare workers. Several times, we have posted anonymously for community members who did not want to be identified, and have received overwhelming offers of assistance.
There are now 6,177 Caremongers serving whoever needs help.
They moved very quickly on our Face Mask initiative – we had 10 volunteers before the end of the first day.
 Beth Martin with her two children. So who is this Beth Martin?
She is the mother of two children, works at home with her husband after a number of years in book publishing for a major multi-national firm and then in advertising.
It was this collection of skills, plus a degree from Western University that taught her how to jump into the trenches and make things happen.
She had heard of a Caremongers group working out of Hamilton but they had a political bent that Martin wasn’t comfortable with.
She wanted something that would help people. Martin always uses the phrase “be kind” when she communicates with people.
When the Burlington Caremongers got going it became clear that there many different needs. Some people were looking for something; others had something to give. Martin began creating hash tags that directed conversations. #need meant you needed something; #sew meant you could sew.
It didn’t take long for a sewing group to develop; they got involved in making face masks for people in long-term care and nursing homes.
Martin put the Gazette in touch with that group.
Where will the Burlington Caremongers go from here? Wherever there is a need or someone who can help.
Martin is supported by ten people who serve as administrators of the site. With 6,000 + members they are kept busy.
It all works out wonderfully well – you just have to “be kind”.
By Pepper Parr
April 29th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
A ray of sunshine when the Canada’s Craft Breweries said: “If there was ever a time for beer lovers across the country to support their local craft breweries, it would be right now.”
The comment was part of a plea to the federal government for financial support.
A survey of the craft breweries on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the brewing industry in Canada. There was sufficient response from across the country to achieve a 95% confidence level with 5% margin of error.
 Let the suds flow. “Similar to many other industry sectors, craft breweries across Canada have been dramatically impacted by the current health and economic situation.” began Rick Dalmazzi, Executive Director of the CCBA. “For example, 44% of breweries reported a year over year revenue drop of over 50% in March, while another 25% were down over 25%. Over 77% of breweries anticipate that April will be the same or worse.”
There are over 1,100 craft breweries in every province and territory in Canada, with over 90% of them opening in the last decade. Many have helped to rejuvenate local economies and bring new employment to communities that have otherwise lost jobs. In provinces where it is legal, many breweries have added a home delivery service to help replace lost revenue. But it doesn’t come close to making up for their own restaurants and taprooms being closed, and keg sales to bars eliminated. The 317 survey respondents reported having to lay off 4,180 of their 6,409 employees, or 65%.
 “Cashflow is the biggest problem”, continued Dalmazzi. “Many of our member breweries are still in their investment growth phase, and therefore marginally profitable if at all. Everyone’s doing whatever it takes to weather the storm as best they can. Fortunately, we’ve seen very few permanent closures, but that will change if current conditions extend into the summer.” continued Dalmazzi.
The survey also found that craft breweries are stepping up to support the fight against COVID-19. Over 15% of respondents said that they are either making hand sanitizer or that their beer is being used to make it elsewhere. Most of the hand sanitizer being produced by breweries is for use within their local community.
“We are appreciative of the federal government’s wage subsidy and other programs. Ottawa has been very responsive to the financial needs of small businesses. However, our industry will need further support if it is to survive in its present form.” concluded Dalmazzi. “And if there was ever a time for beer lovers across the country to support their local craft breweries, it would be right now.”
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