Virus Viral Weekly (Edition #1)
Last night I ran a trial balloon by the Birds to gauge interest in a “digest”-style update in lieu of Minutes from our currently suspended Birds meetings.
Several responded that yes, they would be interested.
So, what I’ve done, with the help of George Roberts and Andy for this particular edition, is compile some interesting pieces related to the evolving COVID-19 situation. I’d like to invite any Bird who sees interesting things – particularly things that won’t date quickly – or that are updated regularly to please throw them my way via paul@paulboucher.com.
Just a few quick guiding principles to this. First this, which I’ve copied and pasted from a Globe and Mail contributor named André Picard:
“National unity, in word and in deed, has never been more important. And given our common enemy, the corona virus, it has presumably never been easier.”
- In practice, it means I’ll endeavour to keep negative politics out of these dispatches.
- I’ll also post only items that I can verify or substantiate/corroborate from two reputable sources wherever possible.
- Finally, I’ll try to post links to relatively short pieces but the issue by its nature sometimes demands a few more words.
- Any Birds-business specific information is also welcome.
For example, from Brett Bain :
“Vicki and I got home last night (Tuesday) so now in a self-isolation mode! You could have shot a cannon through Phoenix airport! Our flight was full of returning Canadians, some not happy about having to break their winter escape. Thank God for Nexus though as there were 4 international flights all landed within a few minutes of each other so customs was a zoo.”
Ross Mikkelsen and Barbecues Galore have issued several tweets in the past few days relating to their business hours and how they welcome your business online. Their brick and mortar locations are open 12 pm Monday to Sunday for the immediate future. They’re also engaging potential customers (and suppliers smartly) with tweets like this:
Don’t settle for your 3-ingredient fettuccine Alfredo everyday of social distancing. Make yourself something on the grill – trust us, it’s better than eating at a restaurant (and it’ll make you quarantine space smell amazing). // @webergrillsca
Let’s continue with a welcome lighter note via Andy Lockhart before etching any other pixels:
I promise a choice selection of other light moments in a section at the end. For now though, via George Roberts and the New York Times, details on the report that finally moved the US to act more forcefully:
“….a startling new report on the virus from a team at Imperial College in London. The report, which warned that an uncontrolled spread of the disease could cause as many as 510,000 deaths in Britain, triggered a sudden shift in the government’s comparatively relaxed response to the virus.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/world/europe/coronavirus-imperial-college-johnson.html?referringSource=articleShare
American officials said the report, which projected up to 2.2 million deaths in the United States from such a spread, also influenced the White House to strengthen its measures to isolate members of the public.”
Next, a quick heads up from George Roberts that scammers are alive and well and taking advantage of the tension and paranoia created by the isolation for COVID 19. In this case, it came via a quick message from Dennis Little:
“…just got a call from Dennis Little, he has been hit up by the Phishers who pretend to be Apple and advise of a new charge for $29.00. D reacted by responding … but wised up when the app asked for his Credit card #. He has since changed his Apple UN and PW.”
We’ve heard almost as much about Italy as China in this story so far. This headline…
Coronavirus: Why it’s so deadly in Italy
…is from this story: https://medium.com/@andreasbackhausab/coronavirus-why-its-so-deadly-in-italy-c4200a15a7bf
The mathemetician who created the rich online Math resource The Khan Academy voices this video that explains how challenging it is to estimate ACTUAL Covid 19 cases in your area. It’s 12 minutes long, is guaranteed to make your head hurt a bit, but is fascinating, and sobering in its conclusion.
Another sobering piece, this time via podcast, again suggested by George Roberts . His note accompanying this was:
I trust The New York Times and Michael Barbaro: Unsugar-coated state of the virus in the State of New York. Ouch. Bleak. Gov AC sees the peak coming in 45 days. And NY is not going to be able to handle the onslaught.
Listen to Gov. Andrew Cuomo: ‘It’s Making Sure We Live Through This.’ from The Daily in Podcasts.
If clicking on the image above didn’t work, this link should: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-daily/id1200361736?i=1000468762963
As you might have heard, the Federal and provincial governments have issued stimulus plans, many of them to help tide over small businesses through this period. Paul Boucher’s accountant, Clayton Achen of Achen Henderson, has a blog, which they promise to continually update, listing the various resources. You can find that resource here:
There is never a shortage of “contrarian” opinion in situations like this, but finding intelligent, fact-based contrarian opinions is another thing entirely. This appears to be one of those instances. The author claims simply that we’re making far-reaching and consequential decisions without good information.
This is one is self-explanatory:
You’d likely heard that school was cancelled in Alberta, in all likelihood until September. What you might not have seen is how hard school and teaching staff worked to make sure kids get their stuff back from schools, in some cases to be able to continue learning remotely. For example, this school in Riverbend a friend of ours works at.
Regarding travel, this, from an Air Canada pilot-friend of mine who landed in Vancouver today:
Alright – and now a few laughs. This first one is what they’d call NSFW (Not Safe For Work), but since you’re working from home, as long as young children aren’t around, you should be good. Much swearing for comedic effect.
If dogs make you laugh….this:
You might or might not know country singer Rosanne Cash, but she posted a very funny tweet, which resulted in just as many funny responses. See it below:
Final word for this week:
