Category: Personal

COVID Alert

August 3rd 2020

First and foremost, I feel this is a very important step to keeping this Corona-19 virus under control, and I hope everyone downloads this app, the only problem is that it isn’t available for all phones, with older smartphones being shutout at this point, and it is totally reliant on people volunteering to participle in the app. We have downloaded the app, and are urging everyone we know to do the same, we feel we would like to have as much information as early as possible of any chance of being infected, as we are around hundreds of people at the park, and while we use masks, and try to practice proper social distancing, we think being over cautious is the prudent way to go.

The following is taken from the website …

Together, let’s limit the spread of COVID-19 and prevent future outbreaks.

COVID Alert helps us break the cycle of infection. The app can let people know of possible exposures before any symptoms appear.

That way, we can take care of ourselves and protect our communities.

Your privacy is protected

COVID Alert does not use GPS or track your location.

It has no way of knowing:

  • Your location.
  • Your name or address.
  • Your phone’s contacts.
  • Your health information.
  • The health information of anyone you’re near.

Nobody will get any information about you or the time you were near them. Learn more about how COVID Alert protects your privacy.

How it works

  • The app uses Bluetooth to exchange random codes with nearby phones.
  • Every day, it checks a list of random codes from people who tell the app they tested positive.
  • If you’ve been near one of those codes in the past 14 days, you’ll get a notification.

Learn more about how it works.

Starting in Ontario

Ontario is the first province where people can use COVID Alert to report a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Other provinces

Even outside Ontario, it’s still helpful to download COVID Alert. That way, when people in your area are able to report a diagnosis, you’ll be notified if you were near them.

One part of public health

  • COVID Alert is just one part of the public health effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.
  • Follow all public health guidelines in your area.
  • Use the app for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • The app does not replace manual contact tracing by local public health authorities.
  • COVID Alert does not replace medical advice. If you get sick, contact your doctor or other healthcare provider.

Built in the open

The Government of Canada is building and continually improving the COVID Alert app in the open.

Is this the answer to all of our concerns, no, not even close, but is one more tool in our arsenal of tools to help protect us. And we will use every thing that is available to stay safe and well while still living our best life.

As always be careful, be safe and stay well!

The Civic Holiday

August 1st 2020

First and foremost, what the heck is a civic day holiday?

Description From Wikipedia:

Civic Holiday is the most widely used name for a public holiday celebrated in most of Canada on the first Monday in August, though it is officially known by that term only by the governments of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories where it is a territorial statutory holiday. The name “Civic” is in reference to municipalities (such as cities, towns, etc.) as this day is not legislatively mandated a public holiday across the country by the Canadian federal government and is often given a different, more specific name by some municipalities.

The holiday is known by a variety of names in other provinces and municipalities, including British Columbia Day in British Colombia, New Brunswick Day in New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan Day in Saskatchewan, where the day is a provincial statutory holiday across each province. The holiday is celebrated as Natal Day in Nova Scotia, in commemoration of the founding of the Halifax–Dartmouth area, and Terry Fox Day in Manitoba, in honour of the nationally renowned Manitoba born athlete. Despite its special designations in Nova Scotia and Manitoba, the day is not a statutory holiday in those provinces, nor in Prince Edward Island.

So it is very obvious that we Canadians just wanted a holiday, there was no particular reason other than a long weekend in the middle of the summer, and while not a federal mandated holiday is celebrated in most provinces under one name or another. It does mark the middle of the summer, leading into the dog days of August and before the return of school in early September. And this year the fact that we are going to have children return to school is a great sign that this pandemic is a little closer to being under control here in Ontario. Oh it still is infection a few people each day but we are talking less than 100 new cases per day, numbers that many American states would love to see. But masks are the new normal in enclosed buildings or larger groups where social distancing are not possible. Group sizes are increasing and there is obvious signs of pandemic fatigue, as we move further through the summer, we are seeing signs of stupidity rearing its ugly head. Tempers are running short, peoples patience, starting to show its nearing the breaking point. But if we try to remember this is all in the name of protecting not only ourselves but, those around us we will control this virus until a vaccine is produced and proven reliable.

There is not a lot to update as we work our way through the summer, our American friends to the south still seem to be mired in a pandemic nightmare. And we are looking at alternatives to avoid the United States if things don’t change in the near future the odds of the border opening are not good. So possible flying over the states to Mexico for the winter is an option, as air travel seems possible to places other than the U.S. at this time. But as I say these are just ideas, our hope is that the border does open, and travel will resume but there needs to be some leadership and soon to get it under control … just saying.

Please stay safe, be well, and avoid the stupid ones!