 By Pepper Parr
March 23rd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s now a new reality for all of us.
Getting used to living differently is going to take some time – something we don’t have a lot of.
 A snapshot at 5:45 am March 23, 2020 We used to look for the sports scores – now we look at reports that tell us just how bad things are around the world: COVID-19 is now amongst us – with the medical people scrambling to keep ahead of it.
Front line people are beginning to be personally infected; we can’t afford to lose access to these people.
Things like gowns for the front line workers; masks as well and ventilators we are going to need if (or is it when) this virus hits the seniors.
Burlington has more seniors on a per capita basis that any other community in Ontario – and they are at risk.
The deaths in the province are relatively low which doesn’t make it any easier to bear.
Spring Break is over (it did take place didn’t it?) The schools won’t open today; parents now know that for the next two weeks at least they are going to have to keep their children occupied.
The Province has put some tough rules in place.
As the Gazette toured the city on Sunday we could see changes in public behaviour. There were people out on the Pier, a number of retail operations were open.
The supermarkets weren’t crowded and, while there were shortages, there was no sense of panic at those we toured.
Sobeys was out of 1% milk; the aisle with flour was close to barren. Couldn’t buy a bag of flour anywhere. Toilet paper shelves were not empty.
Butcher counters were closed but packaged meats were plentiful.
Produce was fine in the stores we toured.
Physical distancing is now the phrase being used –social distancing appears to be going out of practice.
By the way – whatever happened to Climate Change?
For those who want to keep an eye on the global picture – here is the link.
By Staff
March 22, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
In a Statement issued at noon the Mayor expanded on her decision to declare a State of Emergency in the city.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward Yesterday I declared a State of Emergency for the City of Burlington.
I have received an overwhelmingly positive reaction from our community, along with many valid questions and concerns about what this means for our day to day living, businesses, and parks. I am glad to see this declaration has caused people to more deeply consider their decisions and actions. That was the intended outcome and I know it will help our city through this crisis.
Today, the City of Burlington has made the decision to close Lowville Park to the public, effective Monday, March 23. This is part of the City’s continuing efforts to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus by following the advice of our public health officials to increase social distancing.
Lowville Park has been very busy with visitors using the closed playground and picnic areas. Although many of our visitors have respected social distancing, there are reported concerns with crowding in some areas, parking lot capacity and people entering areas that are marked as closed. The Province prohibited gatherings of 50 people or more when they declared a provincial State of Emergency last week. As a result of similar concerns, Conservation Halton has already closed all their parks to the public.
 Lowville Park seen from the steps of the schoolhouse Considering these challenges, Lowville Park will remain closed indefinitely as of Monday. Any vehicles parked in the Lowville Park lot will be towed. We are considering additional park closures on a daily basis. While we want our residents to get outside and stay active, we have to make tough decisions when we do not see the social distancing behaviours our public health officials are recommending.
I know there are many additional questions out there, and to help you better understand what a State of Emergency means to the people of Burlington, to our local businesses, and to our essential services, I have put together the following FAQ.
Why did you declare a State of Emergency?
With the support of Council, senior City staff, our Emergency Control Group, and senior staff at Joseph Brant Hospital, this declaration helps send a message to our community that times are serious and people’s lives are on the line. It aligns us with the Province of Ontario’s declaration earlier last week, and we are seeing many communities across North America do the same to ensure people understand the serious nature of what is going on, to support self-isolation and social distancing, and help to focus our city on essential services and activities.
Can I still go for a walk with my family?
Yes, you can still go for a walk or bike ride and get outside to stay active and get some fresh air, as long as you are doing so with the people from within your own household. As far as other family, friends and neighbours go: no play-dates, no baseball games, no dinner parties or poker nights even with close friends, and no pick-up games of hockey in the street. If you encounter others while out for a walk, employ social distancing techniques and maintain at least a 6-ft distance from everyone except those in your own household and/or immediate family. These steps are critical in minimizing the spread of COVID-19, especially by those with mild or minimal symptoms. Ensure children stay off public playground equipment as it is not disinfected, and we know this virus can live on surfaces for up to 2 days. If you are sick or have been advised to self-isolate due to recent travel, stay home until you are fully recovered or have passed the 14-day self-isolation period with no symptoms.
What is an essential service or business?
An essential service is defined in Federal terms as any service, facility or activity of the Government of Canada that is or will be necessary for the safety or security of the public or a segment of the public.
Examples of government services or activities that may be considered essential include but are not limited to: border safety/security, correctional services, food inspection activities, accident safety investigations, income and social security, marine safety, national security, law enforcement, and search and rescue.
The Province of Ontario’s defined Critical Infrastructure Sectors include food and water, electrical power, gas and oil, financial services, our healthcare system, and transportation networks.
At City Hall, we already closed facilities last week and asked staff to work from home with the exception of services that need to be delivered under one of the following categories:
• Are required to meet certain legislative requirements;
• Support employee and public health, safety and security;
• Enable critical community services and supports, including COVID-19 mitigation and recovery;
• Support services necessary to keep essential services operating;
• Protect and operate vital infrastructure; and
• Fulfill contractual, legal and financial obligations.
It’s common sense. We need law and order, we need emergency services, we need groceries and home maintenance items, we need banks and telecommunication services, we need gas, and we need a supply chain of those products including trucks and drivers to deliver them. Our hospitals and emergency workers need equipment and supplies. We need continuity of government, and we need public safety and security. It’s not as easy as coming up with one definitive list, but we need to use good judgement and give our decisions a second thought.
I still see businesses open that I don’t think are essential – what should I do?
As part of the Orders issued by the Provincial Government on Wednesday, March 17th, 2020, relating to the enforcement the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA), the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) are initiating a planned response to ensure community safety and well-being.
Should police receive concerns relating to complaints of violations of any of the aforementioned orders, they will consider a progressive response of dialogue, education, warning, and enforcement (if required). The HRPS will work with the Region’s health department to assist them in conducting their investigations as well. See the attached link for businesses on the list of the Province’s mandated closures.
As part of Burlington’s State of Emergency, and in addition to the Province’s list of mandated closures, I have encouraged all local businesses to voluntarily close except those that deliver essential goods and services. Neither myself nor the City of Burlington has the power to force a business to close. All I can do is ask.
Please keep in mind that it may not be obvious to the general public what each business does – they could provide rental equipment for essential city services or supplies for our local hospital, for example.
They may have a skeleton staff on-site and be able to maintain social distancing inside their building.
Let’s trust people to make the right decisions and remember to be sympathetic of the significant financial impact it will have on them and their employees to close as we encourage them to prioritize the health and well-being of our community at this time.
What about take-out and drive-thru restaurants? Are they still safe?
We know food is an essential. Whether you are picking up food from the grocery store or a take-out restaurant is not significantly different. As I mentioned before, the virus can live on surfaces for 2 days.
The same can be said for picking up essentials from our local food banks, or accepting at-home deliveries from grocers, Wal-Mart or Amazon. We are relying on both types of business to exercise precautions in their food handling and staff hygiene, and to ensure sick employees and customers stay home. The most important thing is to use good judgement, employ social distancing, wash your hands, and stay home if you’re sick.
I saw my neighbour at the grocery store and he just returned from a trip? Is that allowed?
As part of the State of Emergency, I have asked all our residents to stay home unless they are going to work, to a medical or other essential appointment, or to get essential supplies. Further, the Federal Government has mandated that all individuals who are returning from travel outside of Canada self- isolate for a period of 14-days and self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. That means that recent travelers have additional restrictions and should not be going to work, the grocery store, or other appointments. They must rely on delivery services or ask healthy friends and neighbours to drop off supplies for them. We can help them by offering our support so that they don’t feel the need to go out.
If you are concerned that someone who should be self-isolating is not following those guidelines, or that someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 is not self-quarantined, you can reach out to our local police at 905-825-4777. As I mentioned above, should police receive concerns relating to complaints of violations, they will consider a progressive response of dialogue, education, warning, and enforcement (if required). Please remember that this shouldn’t be a time to shame others or try to catch people doing something wrong. Before reaching out to police, think about alternative ways to support good behaviour. This is a time to constructively spread awareness and offer help to others so that people don’t need to put our community at risk.
How long is this going to last?
Honestly, I don’t know. From what we have seen in other countries, it could be weeks and it could be even longer. The most important thing we can do to help slow the spread of this virus and mitigate the impact it has on our community and our healthcare system is stay home. It only stands to reason that the more we do right now, the better off we will be later.
What else is important to know right now?
The most important thing I want everyone to know right now is to be thoughtful, responsible, and kind. Follow the advice of healthcare experts and local leaders. Avoid the temptation to blame others and treat people the way you would like to be treated. We are all in this together.
This past year I had the pleasure of meeting some of our local WWII veterans as part of the 75th anniversary of D-Day at Juno Beach in France. I heard their stories of sacrifice and understood the bravery and courage it took to fight for our freedoms and safety. It gives me perspective in these challenging times. We are not being asked to leave our families and go overseas to storm a beach. We are being asked to be responsible, to stay home, and be patient. I think it’s the least we can do for each other and our country.
Our top priority remains the health and well-being of our residents. We are committed to keeping you informed in clear and timely manner and encourage you to stay updated via the City’s dedicated website. Additional information on all COVID-19 related matters can be found at the Halton Region website, the Ministry of Health of Ontario’s website, and the Federal Government’s website.
Stay healthy, stay calm, and be kind to one another.
 By Pepper Parr
March 22, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Premier Doug Ford has said time and again that he will do “Whatever it takes” and for the most part he has lived up to that statement.
As Premier he is looking pretty good. Confident, forthright; no flip flopping. Perhaps a little bragging about the province’s industrial might – but Ontario is the economic engine of the country. I can put up with Doug Ford’s briskness: no forced empathy from this guy.
We are in the midst of a crisis and Ford appears to be doing what needs to be done.
 Regional Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Meghani – not a politician in sight as she addresses the public. The Regional Medical Officer of Health (MoH) is learning to be less bureaucratic and explaining the decisions she has made. She is making the right decisions. She will be a stronger MoH when this crisis ends.
Burlington’s Mayor is doing her best – my own view is that her pleading for the public to be more sensible and responsible isn’t going to do the trick.
The Mayor declared a State of Emergency in the city. It isn’t clear to me just what kind of power she has to force people to do what needs to be done.
Large numbers of people were reported in Spencer Smith Park on Saturday, and at Mt Nemo – people who didn’t seem to know what “social distancing” is – if they did, they ignored the need to social distance.
Our City Councillors seem to have parked themselves on the side lines, letting the Mayor do all the talking.
During the flood in 2013 then Councillors Sharman and Dennison went door to door asking people if they were all right. Hundreds had flooded basements.
 Wearing sandwich boards might be a bit much for some of our Councillors – if they care about the people they represent they will get out there with them – at a socially acceptable distance of course City Councillors can’t knock on doors with this crisis but surely they can summon some of the innovative ideas they used to get elected.
All we are seeing at this point is their repeating what the Mayor is saying – which is good as that keeps the message consistent.
The Mayor speaks for the city and to her credit she is doing a good job.
 How about each Councillor buying half a dozen signs – putting a clear message on them and setting them out in different places in their ward. Real Estate agents do it all the time. The city Councillors represent the people in their wards and it is incumbent upon those Councillors to get out as much as they can – yes, at an acceptable social distance – and communicate.
They are basically sitting at home, collecting very good pay cheques and waiting this out.
Get out there and communicate. If they are stuck for ideas – try this: Spend some of the expense money you have and buy some sandwich boards – put a message on them and move them around the ward.
Do something!
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 Staff
March 21st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The public has not paid enough attention to the requirement to maintain a social distance between people they come into contact with.
Conservation Halton made the decision to close all parks indefinitely as of March 22nd.
 Made for pleasant outdoor walks – people using the park on Saturday did not stay far enough apart. This social distance stuff is serious. On March 13, we reduced staff in our parks and gatehouses, cancelled all programming and closed some of our parks, while leaving others open for people to engage in passive recreation. We also suspended our regular fees and encouraged visitors to pay what they can. The parks were still served by Park Rangers and other park operations staff with no direct contact with customers. They were monitoring conditions, parking, and visitor safety for adherence to social distancing related to COVID-19.
Our parks were extremely busy on Saturday March 21 with a spike in hiking visits from 12pm onward. Although many of our visitors have respected social distancing, our Rangers observed and reported concerns with crowding in some areas, parking lot capacity and illegal parking, and people entering areas that are marked as closed.
 Now closed o the public Considering these challenges, all Conservation Halton parks will remain closed indefinitely. These include Kelso, Mountsberg, Crawford Lake, Rattlesnake Point, Hilton Falls and Robert Edmondson Conservation Areas. All sites will be monitored for illegal access and trespassers will be charged.
“These are extraordinary times and we are not in a position to use staff resources to manage non-compliance with park rules or control crowding proactively. Our collective response to COVID-19 has to be all or nothing when it comes to social distancing.” said Hassaan Basit, Chief Administrative Officer.
 People were not staying far enough apart on Saturday – trail now closed. “Unfortunately, while most people have been very responsible, some have demonstrated a complete disregard for the health advice we must all follow. This leaves us no choice but to close the parks indefinitely. We can not risk the safety of any member of our staff or the broader community.”
“For parents with children at home, Conservation Halton has prepared some online resources to support learning about nature without leaving your home. You can find them on our website at conservationhalton.ca/nature-home-learning-resources.”
Important related news story:
Why is social distance important?
By Pepper Parr
March 21st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
We received the following from a trusted source:
I am told on good authority Spencer Smith Park was full of people today (Saturday March 21) and they were like 6 inches not 6 feet apart.
Secondly this past week, on several evenings’, soccer teams were holding practices at city parks.
I would think aside from being dangerous these likely violate provincial rules on Social Distancing.
Sad people aren’t better than this.
There are some people who are not yet getting it. Those of you who do get it – reach out to those who don’t understand what we are up against. Be blunt if you have to.
Mayor Meed Ward is doing her best.
 By Staff
March 21st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The following was first published by the Globe and Mail earlier today under the headline: Deciding when to end social distancing won’t be easy.
It looks like the effectiveness with which people distance themselves is going to have a huge impact,” said Caroline Colijn, a professor at SFU and Canada 150 Research Chair in mathematics for evolution, infection and public health.
To examine what that means for Canada, Dr. Colijn tested a range of possible futures. Each begins in mid-March with a tiny fraction of the population infected by the virus.
Importantly, the scenarios show the high level of uncertainty that is built into models of this kind.
Based on a slight difference in how easily the virus can be transmitted from one person to the next – a number that is not yet known to high precision – the fraction of the total population that is infected during the peak of infections can vary by as much as 15 per cent.
Another unknown is whether the virus will become less active during the summer months. This is what happens with seasonal flu, another respiratory virus, but the same effect can’t be assumed for a virus to which the human population has never been exposed. However, even if there is a seasonal effect, it would likely only serve to delay the trajectory of the outbreak rather than significantly change it.
Where the scenarios can provide some clarity is in the comparisons between different options for how much social distancing should be applied and for what length of time. Those comparisons are captured here.
Why distancing matters
The basic strategy is simple. If everyone in the population is isolated from everyone else, the virus has nowhere to go and infections die out over the course of the incubation period of 14 days. In practice it doesn’t work that way. Families will isolate together and it could take a number of weeks for a virus to move within a family group. And there is still a need for at least some people to be out and about performing essential services, including caring for the sick.
THE POWER OF ISOLATION
Three scenarios show the impact of different levels of social distancing on a population that is susceptible to COVID-19. In the final case the wave of infections stretches out to nearly a year but peak infections and total number of cases are both significantly reduced.
These three scenarios compare the trajectory of the pandemic when no measures are taken with what happens under medium and strong levels of social distancing. The measures are interconnected in complex ways. For example, school closings and work-from-home recommendations greatly reduce the spread of the virus between students and co-workers, but increase the potential for household and local community contact as people spend more time in their own neighbourhoods. Shutdowns of social venues, including restaurants and cafés, can reduce contacts still further.
With no measures in place, infections rise quickly and reach their peak by about June. At that point, up to one quarter of the population could infected at the same time. In a large Canadian city, this would amount to hundreds of thousands of cases, many of them severe.
In the medium scenario, schools and some businesses remain open but social contact is reduced by up to 40 per cent. Here the peak is lowered somewhat and shifted by a month or so. The bigger difference comes if social-distancing measures are strong, with most places where people gathered closed for the duration of the pandemic. Then the height of the peak could be cut by more than one half and it doesn’t arrive until the early fall, by which time health facilities may be better able to meet the flood of new cases.
All three scenarios end with a significant fraction of the population having been infected one year from now. With no distancing, that amounts to more than 70 per cent of the population before the virus burns out. With strong distancing, it’s more likely to be less than half the population.
GOING THE DISTANCE
Here, the scenarios show what happens when strong social distancing measures are lifted after one month, three months and six months. The first two cases only delay the pandemic, the third significantly lowers its impact.
These scenarios show what happens when the strong distancing measures are lifted after one month, three months and six months. Whether distancing ends abruptly or gradually, there appears to be little benefit to ending the measures before the peak of the pandemic is over.
For example, ending after one month merely displaces the steep infection curve that occurs with no distancing by roughly the same amount of time. Ending after three months – about July 1 – spreads the peak out a bit more, but it still reaches 20 per cent of the population infected by the end of the summer. Only the six-month interval, which means lifting measures around Oct. 1, significantly breaks the shape of the infection curve. Here the range of uncertainty is greatest, with a few per cent to 15 per cent of the population infected late in the year.
PLANKING THE CURVE
If even stronger levels of social isolation are enforced, this scenario suggests that the number of infections within the community can be suppressed during the initial weeks and held to less than 50 cases per million people at any one time. However, the curve might still rise gradually, propelled by a few cases, and there would remain a constant risk of infection re-entering from other locations. When enforcement stopped, infection rates would be expected to rise quickly.
On Thursday, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam said the country must not only flatten the infection curve but attempt to “plank” it. That means pursuing every possible measure to its fullest, including social distancing and rapidly identifying new cases and isolating anyone who may have been exposed to the virus.
In that scenario, the pandemic does not take off. While the cumulative number of cases may run into the thousands, it only amounts to a tiny fraction of the population. In the model, this means reducing all contacts outside of the household by more than 90 per cent. If it works, community infections could be kept relatively low.
This option would require even harsher measures than Canadians are already practising. And since the vast majority of the population still has no immunity to the virus, there remains a strong likelihood that the infection rate will soar as soon as measures are lifted. And even if the virus is extinguished within the community, there remains the risk of it being reintroduced from elsewhere.
 By Pepper Parr
March 21st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward declares a State of Emergency for the city.
Asking the malls to close.
Notes there is still some complacency in our community around the need to self-isolate, to engage in social distancing
In her Statement the Mayor set out and explained her decision.
With the support of Council, senior City staff, our Emergency Control Group, and senior staff at Joseph Brant Hospital, I have decided it is time to declare a State of Emergency for Burlington.
The next few days are critical in our ongoing efforts to slow down the spread of COVID-19 and I encourage our residents to continue taking every precaution in protecting yourselves.
Some of you may be asking why now, what has changed over the past few days?
While I thank our many residents who are heeding expert medical advice, we have noticed there is still some complacency in our community around the need to self-isolate, to engage in social distancing and to only go outside for essentials, such as food and medical needs or appointments.
With the end of March break, many people are returning home over the next few days and may need to restock their shelves. I urge these residents to self-isolate in your homes for 14 days and ask family, friends or neighbours to safely drop off supplies for you.
Earlier this week, there was the tragic death of a Milton man. On behalf of Council and the City of Burlington, our hearts go out to his family and we send them, and those who knew him, our deepest condolences. While it is still unknown exactly how he contracted COVID-19, our Halton Region Public Health Department has said there is evidence the virus is spreading through community contact. This increases the urgency around the need for social distancing and self-isolation.
We need to keep each other safe and healthy and must do everything we can to “flatten the curve.”
By declaring a State of Emergency, we want to send the strongest possible message to our community to stay home. Self-isolation means not visiting friends and family, not organizing playdates for your children or pick-up games in our parks and neighbourhoods, and not congregating on the street.
I am also asking all local malls and non-essential businesses to close for the time being.
 Mayor wants the malls to close completely. Our healthcare workers are here to support you all. We need to stay home not only for ourselves and loved ones, but for our medical professionals so that they can continue to be healthy enough to care for the members of our community who do get sick.
Declaring an emergency is a necessary step in the right direction to effectively slow down the spread of this pandemic throughout our city.
I continue to appeal to our residents to resist the urge to hoard. Clearing out your local grocery store of all its frozen and canned foods, and essential supplies is neither necessary nor helpful to others. Take what you need and remember that restocking will happen. I ask anyone who owns or manages an essential service to please consider setting per-person limits on essential items and to ask customers to engage in social distancing while they are shopping in your stores.
I know this has been a trying time for our community and we will likely continue facing these difficult times ahead, but we are all in this together and the only way we will get through this is together.
Related news story:
Science suggests the Mayor has good reason to declare a State of Eamergency
By Pepper Parr
March 20th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The ward 2 resident got a call from a Public Health nurse:
We did receive a call from a Public Health Nurse in the past hour; my wife and I will be going for COVID-19 Testing. Someone from Joseph Brant hospital will be contacting us with an appointment time soon.
You can almost feel the anxiety in the words a ward 2 resident sent us early this morning.
Give a listen:
 Why don’t we qualify for a COVID-19 test
Myself and my Family Returned from Epicentre Spain March 17th.
– We are self-isolating
– We have since developed symptoms of COVID-19
– We were in direct contact with Sick persons in Spain
– Yesterday we had a Tele-Appointment with our Family Doctor (Dr. Adam Grezslo) He prescribed us ‘Puffers’ for our breathing conditions and advised we get tested.
We informed the Doctor we called 311 who informed us we don’t qualify as they are concentrating on Health Care workers. He was amazed by this change of strategy.
I am reaching out to you our representatives at the City, Regional, Provincial and Federal Levels – If the persons you represent, residents such as me and my family with all of the COVID-19 red flags aren’t being tested – who is?
We would really like to follow our Doctors advice and get tested. I’m hoping you can help get us through the red tape.
If high risk families like us are not being tested: You have no idea if the number of cases you are dealing with in Halton. The numbers we are tracking on the news are irrelevant.
 Gary Carr: a resident put the ball in his court – what will he do with it? Minutes after receiving the email from the ward 2 resident we were copied on an email from Regional Chair Gary Carr who is passing the matter along to his staff, which includes the Medical Officer of Health and that will probably get the resident the test he wants.
The concern is that Gary Carr can’t stick handle every concern.
Sticky.
By Pepper Parr
March 20th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
A reader wrote is yesterday. He is well known, respected, held a very senior position before he retired.
He is not a nut case prone to extremes.
He wrote saying the following.
 I have been in constant contact with my cousin in Northern Italy since Feb 23.
At that time and in her words, they were “panicking”. The covid19 virus has a life of its own. I do not believe for a minute what is coming out of China. There is no way you have a curve such as the one attached, that suddenly goes to zero. I will be tracking the situation here in Canada and hope our efforts will flatten the curve (fingers crossed).
We are self-isolating, (a) as we don’t want to contract the virus and (b) we would not want to pass it on if we have Covid19.
When our self-isolating time is up in 12 days, we will not re-integrate as we feel we will be free but have little confidence that our neighbors are not carrying.
That last sentence is unfortunate – we are going to have to trust each other to get through this.
We have attached a link that gives you a world wide picture.
 By Staff
March 20th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
There are a number of very authoritative sources on just what the COVID-19 virus does to people.
 The Guardian newspaper, one of the best in the world has done a feature article on what happens to people who are infected.
How is the virus affecting people?
Guardian Australia spoke with Prof John Wilson, president-elect of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and a respiratory physician.
He says almost all serious consequences of Covid-19 feature pneumonia.
Wilson says people who catch Covid-19 can be placed into four broad categories.
The least serious are those people who are “sub-clinical” and who have the virus but have no symptoms.
Next are those who get an infection in the upper respiratory tract, which, Wilson says, “means a person has a fever and a cough and maybe milder symptoms like headache or conjunctivitis”.
He says: “Those people with minor symptoms are still able to transmit the virus but may not be aware of it.”
The largest group of those who would be positive for Covid-19, and the people most likely to present to hospitals and surgeries, are those who develop the same flu-like symptoms that would usually keep them off work.
A fourth group, Wilson says, will develop severe illness that features pneumonia.
 A doctor looking at x-ray images of a patient’s lungs. He says: “In Wuhan, it worked out that from those who had tested positive and had sought medical help, roughly 6% had a severe illness.”
The WHO says the elderly and people with underlying problems like high blood pressure, heart and lung problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.
How does the pneumonia develop?
 When people with Covid-19 develop a cough and fever, Wilson says this is a result of the infection reaching the respiratory tree – the air passages that conduct air between the lungs and the outside.
He says: “The lining of the respiratory tree becomes injured, causing inflammation. This in turn irritates the nerves in the lining of the airway. Just a speck of dust can stimulate a cough.
“But if this gets worse, it goes past just the lining of the airway and goes to the gas exchange units, which are at the end of the air passages.
“If they become infected they respond by pouring out inflammatory material into the air sacs that are at the bottom of our lungs.”
If the air sacs then become inflamed, Wilson says this causes an “outpouring of inflammatory material [fluid and inflammatory cells] into the lungs and we end up with pneumonia.”
He says lungs that become filled with inflammatory material are unable to get enough oxygen to the bloodstream, reducing the body’s ability to take on oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide.
“That’s the usual cause of death with severe pneumonia,” he says.
How can the pneumonia be treated?
 Points at which fluid builds up in the respiratory tract. Prof Christine Jenkins, chair of Lung Foundation Australia and a leading respiratory physician, told Guardian Australia: “Unfortunately, so far we don’t have anything that can stop people getting Covid-19 pneumonia.
“People are already trialing all sorts of medications and we’re hopeful that we might discover that there are various combinations of viral and anti-viral medications that could be effective. At the moment there isn’t any established treatment apart from supportive treatment, which is what we give people in intensive care.
“We ventilate them and maintain high oxygen levels until their lungs are able to function in a normal way again as they recover.”
Wilson says patients with viral pneumonia are also at risk of developing secondary infections, so they would also be treated with anti-viral medication and antibiotics.
“In some situations that isn’t enough,” he says of the current outbreak. “The pneumonia went unabated and the patients did not survive.”
Is Covid-19 pneumonia different?
Jenkins says Covid-19 pneumonia is different from the most common cases that people are admitted to hospitals for.
“Most types of pneumonia that we know of and that we admit people to hospital for are bacterial and they respond to an antibiotic.
Wilson says there is evidence that pneumonia caused by Covid-19 may be particularly severe. Wilson says cases of coronavirus pneumonia tend to affect all of the lungs, instead of just small parts.
He says: “Once we have an infection in the lung and, if it involves the air sacs, then the body’s response is first to try and destroy [the virus] and limit its replication.”But Wilson says this “first responder mechanism” can be impaired in some groups, including people with underlying heart and lung conditions, diabetes and the elderly.
 A group of seniors taking part in a Bfast transit meeting – these are the people most at risk. They will not be able to meet like this until the COVID-19 pandemic is over Jenkins says that, generally, people aged 65 and over are at risk of getting pneumonia, as well as people with medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer or a chronic disease affecting the lungs, heart, kidney or liver, smokers, Indigenous Australians, and infants aged 12 months and under.
“Age is the major predictor of risk of death from pneumonia. Pneumonia is always serious for an older person and in fact it used to be one of the main causes of death in the elderly. Now we have very good treatments for pneumonia.
“It’s important to remember that no matter how healthy and active you are, your risk for getting pneumonia increases with age. This is because our immune system naturally weakens with age, making it harder for our bodies to fight off infections and diseases.”
By Pepper Parr
March 19th, 2020 6:40 pm
BURLINGTON, ON
This is a very dynamic and fluid situation. Information does change. We are now adding a time stamp to the date published. The most recent news stories are at the top of the list.
Had we been able to get to the media event the Regional government held this afternoon the following are the questions we would have asked along with the answers the Regional Communications advisers provided:
Question 1
Is the process for anyone concerned about their COVID-19 health to Self Assess, then if the assessment suggests there might be a problem – people should people call 911?
Halton Region Public Health and health care partners continue to focus on those most at risk of COVID-19. Our current priority is to hear from high-risk groups only:
o health care providers who are seeking or reporting information;
o those living or working in a health-care setting or institution and experiencing symptoms of COVID-19; or
o those who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Not everyone requires testing. Most people with mild symptoms will recover on their own at home. Get rest, drink fluids, eat well and stay home. You do not need to contact Public Health.
If you are high-risk please call 311 to start the assessment process. Residents must have an appointment to attend an Assessment Centre.
At high risk are the following:
health care providers who are seeking or reporting information;
those living or working in a health-care setting or institution and experiencing symptoms of COVID-19; or
those who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
If you have severe symptoms, please call 9-1-1 immediately.
Severe symptoms may include:
Shortness of breath when walking, exercising or at rest which is unusual for the patient.
Chest pain, severe fatigue, drowsiness, unstable vital signs
Question 2
Is there just the one testing location for the Region at this point?
What would have to happen for the Region to set up a second testing point.
• We have multiple assessment centres in Halton.
• If you are high-risk please call 311 to start the assessment process. Residents must have an appointment to attend an Assessment Centre.
Question 3
BC has a self assessment app – Is the Region or the province creating a similar app?
• The Province launched a self-assessment tool for COVID-19. It can be accessed by visiting https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-self-assessment.
Question 4
Is COVID-19 now being passed from person to person in the community?
• We have reason to believe that there is local transmission now. Public Health is in the early stages of collecting information. What we know is this case (the Milton death) did not travel outside of Canada recently nor was he in close contact with a confirmed case.
By Staff
March 19th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Correction. There were two COVID19 deaths in Ontario; one of which was in Milton
Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health, Halton Region and Dr. Neil Rau, Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control, Halton Healthcare met with media at 1:30 this afternoon to expand on the second COVID-19 related death in Ontario.”
 Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health, Halton Region They took questions from the media – the questions the Gazette submitted were not given to the MoH.
When Dr. Hamidah Meghani was appointed as Medical Officer of Health she said it was the job of a life time. She may not be saying that today. These are what can only be described as very difficult circumstances under which Dr Meghani does her best.
When she spoke this morning she was at the podium all by herself for the most part – not a politician in sight.
She was supported by Dr. Neil Rau, Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control, Halton and a communications staff person who did the introductions.
 Dr.Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health, Halton Region, standing at the podium by herself – not a politician in sight. Dr. Meghani announced that Halton Region Public Health had been notified of a death related to COVID-19. The individual, a man in his 50s, is the second COVID-19 related death in Ontario.”
The man had an underlying health condition and was being treated first at the Milton District Hospital and then transferred to the Oakville hospital where he died shortly after arriving.
“This is the tragic proof that we need to work together as a community to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing and taking action to protect yourself and those around you,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health. “This is a larger community issue and I know that everyone joins me in extending their deepest condolences to his family at this time.”
“Halton Healthcare extends our sincere condolences to the family and our thoughts are with them at this time,” said Dr. Neil Rau, Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control, Halton Healthcare. “We want to reassure our communities that all of our infection, prevention and control policies and procedures were followed during this patient’s stay, consistent with the clinical presentation.”
 Dr.Meghani said “we have one shot” at this and later added that it was her belief this most recent death was the result of contact with someone in the community. The deceased had not traveled outside the country and was not known to have interacted with anyone who was self isolating. The virus is now amongst us.
Dr.Meghani explained that the necessary follow up investigation work is being done to learn who the deceased met with in the last couple of weeks. “These investigations take time” she said.
Dr. Meghani said this is not the time for dinner parties or for play dates for children. The time to hunker down and stay at home is now.
Halton Region Public Health urges residents to take every precaution to stop the spread of COVID-19 and help protect the health of the community, especially those most at risk. The best way to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 is to practice social distancing and:
• stay home when ill;
• cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve;
• wash hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand rub;
• clean and disinfect objects and surfaces;
• do your best to keep at least two metres away from others; and
• if you are able, avoid all non-essential activity recommended and declared by the province.
 Keep a six foot distance between others whenever you can. Halton Region Public Health continues to focus on those most at risk of COVID-19. Our current priority is to hear from these groups only:
• health care providers seeking or reporting information;
• those living or working in a healthcare setting or institution and experiencing symptoms of COVID-19; or
• those who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
If you have severe symptoms, please call 9-1-1 immediately.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed by regularly reviewing credible sources of information. To get the latest information on cases in Ontario and to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19, please visit ontario.ca/coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19 including confirmed cases in Halton, symptoms, risks and when to contact Halton Region Public Health, please visit halton.ca/COVID19.
By Pepper Parr
March 19th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
During times of social stress there are those out there who will look for a way to prey on the public.
The following is a vicious example of just how low someone will go to put their interests ahead of yours.
The sender of the email wants you to click on the link for the “requisition” and begin stealing your identity.
If you have COVID-19 concerns – here is the link you want.
By Pepper Parr
March 19th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington City Manager Tim Commisso put it as plainly as anyone could – these are serious times that are very dynamic.
Information floods in – and what we knew an hour ago gets changed and will probably change in the next hour.
There is a public that needs to be protected and informed.
COVID19 is now a pandemic and every resource available has to be used.
Protecting people and providing for people who need help is important.
We have thousands of men and women on the front lines doing their best to take care of people who are critically ill. The challenge for these people is ensuring they are taking care of people who are ill and at the same time protecting themselves.
These are the heroes.
We area all in for a long haul -months not weeks.
There is some confusion as to what he average person should do when.
The following will help:
By Staff
March 19th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Joseph Brant Hospital enacted an Emergency Operations Centre which meets daily to review their response and make adjustments as required in our rapidly changing environment.
In addition, Joseph Brant Hospital has opened a COVID-19 Assessment & Testing Clinic. Clinic services are offered only through referral from Public Health.
This is an important point: The hospital takes you in once you have been referred to the hospital by Public Health.
 British Columbia has a Symptom Self Assessment app – no word yet on what Ontario plans. If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, you can use this self-assessment to help determine if you need to seek further care.
If you are having difficulty breathing or experiencing other severe symptoms, call 911 immediately. Advise them of your symptoms and travel history.
When you call 911 you will be asked if you are calling for fire or police. If neither you get transferred to ambulance. Ambulance will determine what gets done next.
If you get nervous and hang up on the ambulance people – they will trace your call and phone you back. They do not take lightly to anyone who hangs up on them. They ask for your name and you get a short lecture as well.
The Hospital leadership is working closely with regional and provincial health partners to monitor the situation, assess ongoing risk and keep our community informed.
In its most recent media release, Halton Region Public Health continues to focus on those most at risk of COVID-19. Our current priority is to hear from these groups only:
- health care providers seeking or reporting information;
- those living or working in a healthcare setting or institution and experiencing symptoms of COVID-19; or
- those who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
If you have severe symptoms, please call 9-1-1 immediately.
In an effort to keep our physicians, staff and patients safe, all staff and visitors coming to our hospital are now being actively screened for symptoms at dedicated entrances. Patients and visitors are asked to enter through the Main Entrance on Lakeshore Road.
 There is just the one entrance to the hospital at this time – Lakeshore Road.
By Pepper Parr
March 18, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
How do you run a city when what you think what was going to be possible when you got to work proves to have changed before lunch. And by that time of day you have handled upwards of 100 emails and attended two critical meetings with two more in the afternoon.
That’s the pace City Manager Tim Commisso has found himself dealing with – and he knows it isn’t going to change any time soon.
 In an exclusive interview with the Gazette Commisso said “it has been this way since last Thursday” – “focusing on public safety and doing everything possible from an administrative point of view to help stop the spread of the virus.”
Managing virus infections is in the hands of the Hospital with the Regional Medical Officer of Health alongside to ensure that communication with the public is as clear as they can make it.
“The Province is under a State of Emergency – so they call all the shots. Two of my people keep a close watch of what comes out of the federal and provincial offices.”
The job for Commisso is to ensure that he has the resources he needs and is able to allocate them – that changes by the hour.
Treasurer Joan Ford has created special accounts to monitor the spending.
 Gerry Smallgage, Hydro president has a lot of crisis management experience – he was front and center during the 2013 ice storm. All the senior staff on the Emergency Control Group are putting in the same long hours. Gerry Smallgage, President of Burlington Hydro, sits in on the ECG meetings as does the Mayor who ensures that members of council are fully engaged.
Commisso reports that about 5% of staff are working from home. He added that there is a certain amount of “apprehension” within city hall but added that “all the senior staff on the Emergency Control Group have worked very hard on our COVID 19 emergency response…very proud of their work as a team especially over the past week.”
We are dealing with a different reality – a situation that is dynamic, changing every time there is a change at the federal and provincial levels.
 Burlington Teen Tour Band was cancelled due to concerns over COVID19 in the United States. “A week ago we cancelled the Teen Tour Band trip to the United States,” said Commisso. “and we did so very reluctantly – there wouldn’t be any reluctance today.
“We are in meetings that run from an hour to four and a half hours; the volume of information is staggering. Work done at the municipal level impacts on almost everyone.
I am in touch with the Regional CAO at least once a day.
Mayor Meed Ward sits in on all critical meetings and attends the meetings at the hospital as well. It is in situations like this where the Mayor excels – she is a Momma Bear when there is a challenge and loves situations where decisions have to be made quickly and a questioning voice is needed.
Coordinating communications is the critical part –people need to know what we are all up against.
“I am currently working within a three week window – keeping a close eye on the resources I have and where I might have to allocate them.”
 City Manager Tim Commisso – 15 hour days. Asked if he thought this was what the job was going to be when Marianne Meed Ward invited him for coffee – there was a long pause before he said – “I did have six solid weeks of experience getting Thunder Bay through the flood they had while I was CAO there.”
Asked if there were summer vacation plans for the Commisso family in place, Commisso just sighed.
Which raises an important question: Should Commisso fall ill – who would fill the shoes he wears?
By Staff
March 18th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region today confirmed the fifth case of COVID-19 in Halton region.
Halton’s fifth case, a female resident from Oakville in her 50s, returned to Toronto from Los Angeles on March 8 (Flight AC790; Air Canada). She became symptomatic on March 8, and presented herself for testing at Joseph Brant Hospital on March 14. As per established infection prevention and control protocols, the hospital took all precautions, including testing in an isolated environment with all necessary personal protective equipment. Halton Region Public Health is actively engaged in contact tracing and case management. The case is self-isolating at home.
Another individual is awaiting confirmatory testing—a female resident from Burlington in her 20s who returned to Toronto from Los Angeles on March 2. She became symptomatic on March 8, and presented herself for testing at Joseph Brant Hospital on March 13.
This case is self-isolating at home. It has been determined that the case was symptomatic during a recent trip to Ottawa on the following flights: Toronto to Ottawa on March 9 (Flight WS3464; WestJet) and then Ottawa to Toronto on March 11 (Flight WS371; WestJet). Individuals who have travelled on these flights are considered exposed to a case of COVID-19.
Passengers who travelled on any of the above-mentioned flights need to self-monitor and self-isolate if they become symptomatic within 14 days of being on the flights.
 Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health. “While we continue to see more cases, I want to reassure residents that most individuals who do contract COVID-19 with mild symptoms will recover on their own,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health.
“We are starting to see cases emerge where there is no direct link to a confirmed case and thus indicate community transmission. Please continue to follow the advice provided by health care professionals, self-monitor or self-isolate as appropriate and simply stay at home if you are feeling unwell.”
“Joseph Brant Hospital has taken important measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our patients and visitors as well as our staff, physicians and partners,” said Eric Vandewall, President and Chief Executive Officer at Joseph Brant Hospital. “We have set-up isolated areas for immediate screening and care, have reduced elective program and service offerings, as directed by the Ministry of Health, and we are preparing larger clinical areas should the need for more inpatient capacity arise. All of our physicians and staff are prepared for the increased demands and additional infection control precautions that are required during this time.”
Halton Region Public Health is focusing on those most at risk of COVID-19. Our current priority is to hear from high-risk groups only:
• health care providers who are seeking or reporting information;
• residents who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19; and
• health care workers or essential services workers who are experiencing symptoms.
Not everyone requires testing. Most people with mild symptoms will recover on their own at home. It is recommended to rest, drink fluids, eat well and stay home. You do not need to contact Public Health.
As always, if you have severe symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
The best way to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 is to:
• stay home when ill;
• cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve;
• wash hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand rub;
• clean and disinfect objects and surfaces; and
• do your best to keep at least two metres away from others.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed by regularly reviewing credible information sources. For more information on COVID-19 including confirmed cases in Halton, symptoms, risks and when to contact Halton Region Public Health, please visit halton.ca/COVID19.
 
By Staff
March 18th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 Ride Free
The City of Burlington has announced that Burlington Transit will not be charging ride fares. Free rides will be in place until at least until April 5
Transit users can now only board and exit the bus from the rear doors. This is to help social distancing between transit riders and transit drivers. Customers with mobility devices can still board and exit through the front doors
All Burlington transit vehicles will be sprayed with a long-term disinfectant
The city is also continuing to support the efforts to slow the COVID-19 virus. We continue to deal with a number of items tied directly to the City’s overriding goal of keeping our staff and the public safe and minimizing the spread of the COVID-19 virus by following the advice of our public health officials to increase social distancing.
 CLOSED Effective immediately City hall will be closing facilities and asking staff to work from home with the exception of services that need to be delivered under one of the following categories:
• Are required to meet certain legislative requirements
• Support employee and public health, safety and security
• Enable critical community services and supports, including COVID-19 mitigation and recovery
• Support services necessary to keep essential services operating
• Protect and operate vital infrastructure
• Fulfill contractual, legal and financial obligations
Going forward, responding to emergency situations across all City service areas will be a priority.
Additionally, the following updates are also in place, effective immediately:
• Burlington Transit will not be charging ride fares. Free rides will be in place until at least until April 5
 CLOSED • Downtown Transit Terminal building will be closed
• Customer service can still be reached at contactbt@burlington.ca, 905-639-0550 or on Twitter @BurlONTransit.
• Transit users can now only board and exit the bus from the rear doors. This is to help social distancing between transit riders and transit drivers. Customers with mobility devices can still board and exit through the front doors
• All Burlington transit vehicles will be sprayed with a long-term disinfectant
• Halton Provincial Offences Act Courthouse is closed to the public, this closure includes access for stakeholders, defendants, public and enforcement agencies. Essential services will continue to be carried out and an Intake Court Protocol has been put in place
• Building inspections will be limited and will focus on emergency inspections (vehicle impacts, fire damage, unsafe buildings), footings/foundations, site servicing, exterior (garages, decks, sheds, etc.) so as to ensure social distancing
• For inquiries related to active applications, please reconnect via email with the Building & Bylaw representative who is handling your file
• All sports field permits are suspended until further notice. Pick up games are highly discouraged in keeping with public health messaging about social distancing.
• Garbage pickup in parks is suspended. Residents are asked to take whatever you carry into a park; you also carry out including taking pet waste home for disposal with regular household waste
The best thing residents can do to protect themselves and the community, is stay home.
This situation is evolving every hour and we are continually monitoring. The City of Burlington will continue to keep you informed.
For further information and updates, the City has launched the webpage Burlington.ca/coronavirus.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said: “The health and safety of our entire community is a top priority and that includes our city staff delivering front line services. The City’s decision to scale back to providing essential services helps slow down the spread of COVID-19 and helps increase the safety of the public and our staff working from home, as well as those staff who continue to provide our critical services.
That’s why we’re closing city hall, offering free transit for the time being, discouraging gatherings in parks and taking more steps.
The Mayor’s Office is working remotely, and we’ll be focusing our attention on COVID-19 related matters, so there may be a delay in our response to any non-urgent communications. I thank you for being patient. The situation is changing daily, and sometimes even hourly, and we’re prepared and flexible to respond. I’ve been getting a lot of messages of support from the community directly and on social media, so please continue to look out for one another and follow the expert medical advice.Burlingtonians are strong and we will get through this.”
City manager Tim Commisso has been putting in 15 to 16 hour days. Tim Commisso, Burlington City Manager Tim Commisso, who is putting in 15 and 16 hour days said: “We have the ability to offer many of our services online so working remotely is a vital step towards protecting staff and limiting face-to-face exposure to slow the virus’ progression. I would like to commend staff for being flexible and dedicated to continuing to provide excellent services to the best of their abilities.”
By Staff
March 18th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 Effective immediately, to further assist in preventing transmission of COVID-19, all Halton Regional Police Service locations are closed for non-emergencies until further notice. We acknowledge that this will cause an inconvenience, but it is paramount that we all do our part at this time to ensure our collective health and safety.
For collision reporting, individuals can continue to attend our 20 Division location at (95 Oak Walk Drive, Oakville) to make a report between the hours of 10am and 6pm, seven-days-a-week. Those individuals can expect to be asked a series of screening questions related to COVID-19 to ensure the safety of our members.
 REDUCTION IN SERVICES
In-person record check services are suspended until further notice. Online record checks remain available here: https://www.haltonpolice.ca/about/courtsrecords/policerecordchecks.php. The members of our Records Bureau will work effectively to ensure minimal disruptions to the delivery of your record checks in light of these circumstances.
Until further notice, Freedom of Information Requests are to be made via mail only. Freedom of Information Release (in-person pick-up) is suspended until further notice.
Non-criminal fingerprinting is suspended until further notice.
IN AN EMERGENCY
If you have an emergency, please dial 9-1-1. It is an emergency if someone’s immediate health, safety, or property is in immediate danger or there is a crime in progress. For non-emergencies, dial 905-825-4777.
Keep six feet between you and the people around you. Behaving this way is vital ONLINE REPORTING
To use our online reporting system:
• The incident must have occurred within Halton Region.
• The value of the property lost or stolen must not exceed $5,000.
• You must have a valid email address.
• The incident does not involve lost or stolen licence plates or stolen passports.
• There is no suspect information (e.g., name, licence plate, photo). If you have a suspect, (e.g., name, licence plate, photo) contact Police at 905-825-4777.
For more information on COVID-19, please visit the Region of Halton’s website: halton.ca/COVID19
By Staff
March 18th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Decisions are being made in the community that give us some sense as to what we might be in for as we struggle to deal with COVID19.
 Most of the “ribbers” may decide to just give up on this season due to COVID19 The chief medical officer of health for Ontario has recommending the immediate suspension of all large events and public gatherings due to COVID-19.
The Oakville Family Ribfest was not scheduled until the end of June 2020 – more than 90 days away.
 A crowd like this isn’t going to be permitted this summer. No word yet from the Sound of Music on what their plans are. The Rotary Club of Oakville Trafalgar, announced today that the event will be postponed until June of 2021
The health and safety of all the families in our community are our top priority. Strong measures are required to manage the transmission of this virus and the timeline required to eliminate the risk of COVID-19 in Ontario will be prolonged so we believe it is prudent to take this preventative action.
There is much that we do not know about this virus – the biggest over-riding concern may well be how much we have to adapt to cope.
No word on the Burlington Ribfest or the Sound of Music.
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