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Fallen Angel by Alexandre Cabanel, 1847 (Wiki2.org.)
Sir Walter Scott
Marmion (1808)
Today’s update
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/the-latest-numbers-on-covid-19-in-canada/ar-BB12P3Sj
Yesterday, Canada had 31,642 cases of coronavirus
- Quebec had 16,798 confirmed cases (including 688 deaths, 3,068 resolved)
- Ontario: 9,525 confirmed (including 478 deaths, 4,556 resolved)
In other words, Quebec has more than half the Canadian cases.
Last weekend, Premier François Legault solicited the help of all physicians in the Province of Quebec, including specialists. Moreover, he has also called on Canada’s government to send qualified members of the Canadian armed forces. As requested by François Legault, the Quebec Premier, Canada is sending 150 medically qualified members the Canadian Armed Forces to relieve a truly overburdened Quebec.
A large number of cases of the novel coronavirus in Quebec are in nursing homes, or long-term care facilities, which is also the case, to a lesser extent, in other provinces. It is believed that Quebecers returning from their March-break may have brought in the coronavirus. Quebec’s March-break occurred earlier than in other provinces. Moreover, many Quebecers travel to Florida to escape Quebec’s harsh winter. Several, retired persons in particular, own a home, in Florida. This could explain, Quebec’s plight.
However, as is well know, the world did not act swiftly when China reported its outbreak of coronavirus. Chinese Dr Li Wenliang, the whistleblower, was reprimanded in early January by Huwan authorities. He died on 7 February 2020. This matter will probably be investigated. Delay in reporting a contagious illness in Huwan did not do anyone any good, in or outside China, but China is not altogether to blame. Quebec locked itself down on 23 March and President Trump of the United States favours an early return to work. The economy is suffering. This could prompt a second wave of the disease.
Delays
Quebec physicians are unionized, but broke directives given by their union. A pandemic is an extraordinary event. The sick require the intervention of doctors.
The first American case was a man who had travelled to Wuhan. He returned to Seattle on 15 January 2020 and fell ill a day after his return. On 17 January, the US CDC (Centers for Disease Control) had alerted the authorities. Yet, the surgeon general of the United States, Dr Jerome Adams, has stated that this week: “more than five times as many Americans died from covid-19 last week than were killed in the World War II raid.”
In the United States, the lockdown has been eased. The President wanted to reopen the entire country, but, in the end, the matter was left to the Governor of each state to decide. Contagion has been far more severe in the state of New York. New York City is densely populated.
Yesterday, there were 31,642 confirmed and 11 presumptive cases in Canada. The latest (late yesterday) are higher:
- Quebec: 16,798 confirmed (including 688 deaths, 3,068 resolved)
- Ontario: 9,525 confirmed (including 478 deaths, 4,556 resolved)
- Alberta: 2,158 confirmed (including 50 deaths, 914 resolved)
- British Columbia: 1,575 confirmed (including 78 deaths, 983 resolved)
- Nova Scotia: 606 confirmed (including 4 deaths, 177 resolved)
- Saskatchewan: 305 confirmed (including 4 deaths, 219 resolved)
- Newfoundland and Labrador: 256 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 176 resolves)
- Manitoba: 239 confirmed (including 5 deaths, 121 resolved)
- New Brunswick: 117 confirmed (including 80 resolved)
- Prince Edward Island: 26 confirmed (including 23 resolved)
- Repatriated Canadians: 13 confirmed
- Yukon: 8 confirmed (including 6 resolved)
- Northwest Territories: 5 confirmed (including 2 resolved)
- Nunavut: No confirmed cases
© Provided by The Canadian Press, was first published April 17, 2020.
Quebec has not announced an end of the lockdown. A partial and cautious return to work has been announced elsewhere.
Conclusion
When crises occur, political views seem no longer rigidly significant. As for an early and premature return to work, this may not be advisable. However, it may help the morale of persons whose income drops considerably or is terminated. But consider the cost: it could a person’s life and further contagion. Health care practices may also be revisited. One has the right to be treated and to live. Would that I could understand why Dr Li Wenliang was reprimanded. It doesn’t make any sense.
Nicola Porpora – “Alto Giove” – Philippe Jaroussky, countertenor
© Micheline Walker
18 April 2020
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