CANADA.
LONDON - “The London, Ont. man who came up with a potential low-cost solution to Ontario's critical shortage of ventilators is making his design for a pandemic ventilator freely available to anyone through an open source website. Retired respiratory therapist John Strupat said he made the decision after failing to get any kind of serious consideration to make the life-saving device from federal governments in Canada or the United States.”
“In less than a week, more than 450 licensed psychotherapists, psychologists and social workers in Ontario signed up to provide free telephone therapy sessions to healthcare workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
VANCOUVER - “First Vancouver community centre opens to protect homeless from COVID-19…The Coal Harbour community centre in downtown Vancouver has become the first centre in the city to be used to house homeless people who have been packed in to shelters during the pandemic and unable to distance themselves from others.”
OTTAWA - “Robin Morash didn’t wait for a call. Two years after retiring from The Ottawa Hospital as an advance practice nurse working with cancer patients, she put up her hand to volunteer in the fight against novel coronavirus. “Once a nurse, always a nurse. To be on the outside and not be able to help is kind of hard,” she said…”
“…to beat the boredom in places where full lockdown measures are not yet imposed, one idea to keep kids occupied as they go for walks with their family has sprung up and gone viral. It’s unclear who exactly started the “Going on a bear hunt” game, but the simple idea to go searching for plush teddy bears in the windows of homes has taken off… “
SASKATOON - “COVID-19: Saskatoon salon donates masks to hospitals as need for supplies grows…Koski gave the masks to Kia Frey, a friend and nurse at St. Paul’s Hospital who is currently on leave. Before going on leave, she worked on the unit designated for COVID-19 patients.”
B. C. - “British Columbia will spend $5 billion to help individuals, businesses and services endure the economic stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic, Premier John Horgan said Monday. "There has to be hope as we get through these challenging times,"…The government's plan will see $2.8 billion spent on people and services, and $2.2 billion on businesses and economic recovery after the pandemic.”
B.C. - “All B.C. distillers are now authorized to make hand sanitizer, Attorney General David Eby announced Sunday. In a press release, Eby said the move came amid “unprecedented times.” The blanket allowance means distillers will be able to either create hand sanitizer themselves or donating “excess alcohol” to third parties who will manufacture the in-demand item…”
“Canadians concerned they may have symptoms of COVID-19 can now get advice from the federal government without having to leave the house or spend time on hold. An online self-assessment tool was launched Saturday by the federal government. Anyone using the tool is asked a series of questions about themselves. Depending on what symptoms users report, they are advised to either visit an emergency room, call telehealth, self-isolate at home or do nothing…It also includes links to provincial and territorial resources on COVID-19.”
“Loblaw to increase frontline worker pay due to coronavirus: union…UFCW said they have negotiated a $2 increase in hourly pay for all frontline employees across the country.”
OTTAWA - “Ottawa Good Samaritan gives away free hand sanitizer to honour brother's legacy…Jordan Harding sourced nearly 5 L of hand sanitizer that he is putting in 50 mL bottles that he's giving away to people especially vulnerable to COVID-19. 'It does feel good to be able to help people,' he says.”
TORONTO - “A company founded by two University of Toronto researchers will be manufacturing a portable ventilator that could help Canadian patients with COVID-19. The portable intensive care unit, operated by battery power, has a ventilator and can perform vital signs monitoring, among other features.”
TORONTO - “As COVID-19 battle escalates, University of Toronto students offer busy health-care workers help on the home front…the organizers had signed up over 240 volunteers and have received requests for help from more than 130 health-care workers.”
TORONTO - “A popular Canadian rock band is offering free music lessons on Instagram for people in self-isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic…“There was a kid in Ottawa who was in engineering at school there … I guided him through the song and he figured it out within less than a couple of minutes,” he said. “To see that happen right in front of my eyes it’s pretty cool.”
TORONTO - “Spirit of York, which operates out of the Distillery District, is working to combat the hand sanitizer shortage by using the alcohol from its facilities to produce an alcohol based hand sanitizer solution.”
“Heeding calls from the public, a number of major grocers have added extra hours for the elderly and other vulnerable community members to shop while people continue to empty store shelves during the chaos that the novel coronavirus pandemic has presented.”
HAMILTON - “Hamilton animal shelter cleared out after dozens of local families adopt, foster during COVID-19 pandemic”
“Harvey’s & Swiss Chalet is supporting front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning today and until Friday, March 27th, all Canadian Government Healthcare workers and First Responders (Police, Fire, Paramedics) will receive 50% off their orders when ordering take-out or drive-thru.”
OTTAWA - “The COVID-19 Community Care Ottawa Facebook page has grown to more than 3,600 members since it was created on Friday and has become a meeting place connecting those in need with those who can help. It’s one of several so-called “caremongering” pages that have sprung up in recent days as communities struggle to cope with the pandemic.”
“The coronavirus pandemic has inspired kind Canadians to organize 'caremongering' groups offering help to seniors and those most at risk amid the outbreak. At least 35 such groups across the country are rallying as an antidote to the fear brought on by worrisome headlines and the drastic measures meant to limit the spread of COVID-19.”