The COVID-19 Daily Podcast with Dave Trafford

This is DAY 16  of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Let’s start with some perspective, 9 months from today is BOXING DAY! How will our holiday family gatherings look 9 months from now? It may well have a lot to do with how we behave today. We know that our actions or inactions will be reflected in the COVID-19 cases and circumstances we face – three from now. What are you doing to help plank the curve?

Here’s what you need to know on Thursday, March 26th, 2020

While US President Donald Trump muses about deploying the military near the Canada-US border, Prime Minister Trudeau says it is now mandatory for those crossing the border into Canada to go directly into a 14-day quarantine.

Quebec grocery stores kick out returning snowbird not self-isolating despite mandatory COVID-19 quarantine

Trudeau is cautioning Canadians to be wary of a “text scam” aimed at exploiting people who are looking to apply for the new emergency aid benefit.

Ontario premier slams high-end Toronto grocery store for selling $30 Lysol wipes

There are five new cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, including a case that may be linked to a party. This brings the total number of cases in the province to 73.

Break-ins have quadrupled in Vancouver as stores shut for COVID-19

There are more than 75 thousand confirmed cases in the US and the death toll has reached more than 1000.

A record 3.3 million people filed claims for unemployment in the US last week as the Covid-19 pandemic shut down large parts of America’s economy

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The Prime Minister is prepared to fine, even jail, Canadians coming home from abroad who fail to go into isolation for 14 days.

Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s Officer of Health, held her daily briefing today – suggesting as tough as it’s been over the past couple of weeks, we should prepare for things to get tougher.

With that in mind…the Prime Minister says the G20 leaders have been engaged in a global discussion to coordinate efforts to cope with the COVID-19 outbreak.

The PM also detailed some of the initiatives passed by Parliament this week to help Canadians who are affected by the pandemic. That includes relief for workers who’ve been laid off or have to stay home. But so far, it doesn’t address the debt and interest payments Canadians are carrying on their credit cards.

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We’re into week three of this global pandemic and frustrations are increasing. It was evident today when Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford was asked about retailers that are price gouging consumers. Ford called out a high end grocery store – PUSATERIS – for charging $30 for Lysol wipes.

 In a statement, Pusateris called the issue a “mistake” and promised to issue full refunds to customers who purchased the product at the higher price point. 

“Our stores are facing immense pressure on all levels of operation,” CEO Frank Luchetta said in a statement. “As a result of this mounting pressure, critical elements were overlooked including the incorrect pricing of this product.

“This was our mistake, our error, our oversight and we apologize to everyone impacted.”

IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE OR A GOOD NEWS COMMUNITY STORY YOU WANT TO SHARE…send me an email. DAVE@DAVETRAFFORD.COM or connect with me on TWITTER @DaveTrafford.

DISCLAIMER:

THE VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN THIS PODCAST REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND PARTICIPANTS AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND BEST PRACTICES BY LEADING MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AS THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.