I picked up my kids stuff from school today. Since the schools aren't re-opening anymore this year they organized a collection. It was an elaborate process. First book a 15 minute time slot through an app that didn't work right since they forgot to send the event code so you couldn't complete it This morning we got the code, so we immediately booked the next time slot to beat the rush (if any) and off to school.
Only 1 person allowed to show up.
Arrive, wash hands #1, then put face mask on.
Follow the lines to the gym entrance around at the back of the school.
No parents there yet (not the only one missing the code lol) so inside, wash hands #2.
I wasn't on the printed out list (booked just 15 minutes earlier) but no problem, explained the event code was missing, they'll resend the email.
There were at least half a dozen people there, all face masks, stuff in plastic bags spread out behind collection tables.
They put the 2 bags with all the things from our kids on a table, picked it up, wash hands #3 on exit through the other door.
Walk around the school again along the other side, stuff in the trunk, wash hands #4, take off mask put away, wash hands #5.
One other person arrived (there's 3 days to collect, big school, gonna be busy later)
Arrive home, wash hands #6, leave the stuff in the trunk for a couple days just to be sure.
Maybe school will start earlier next year (August was mentioned) but it's all still very much up in the air.
Meanwhile Trudeau wants to coordinate a global recovery plan. (How about you first get this thing under control in Canada)
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/trudeau-positions-canada-as-champion-of-co-ordinated-global-recovery-plan-1.4966870
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will continue today to make the case for a co-ordinated global response to cushion the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world's poorest countries. He'll be among the leaders and heads of state to deliver remarks during a virtual summit of the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS). Among other things, he is expected to promise that Canada will partner with developing countries, which stand to be the hardest hit by the pandemic, and help to rally the world behind measures like debt relief to help them survive the crisis.
Nothing wrong with that, things will get worse :(
Without a global co-ordinated recovery plan, the UN estimates the pandemic could slash nearly US$8.5 trillion from the world economy over the next two years, forcing 34.3 million people into extreme poverty this year and potentially 130 million more over the course of the decade.
However, let's try to keep as many people alive first. It feels a bit odd to now start planning ahead after botching the initial response domestically.
Sweden is starting to realize maybe
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/scientist-admits-sweden-could-have-battled-virus-better-1.4967014
Sweden's chief epidemiologist showed contrition Wednesday as criticism mounted over the Scandinavian country's hotly debated method of fighting the coronavirus, which has resulted in one of the highest death rates per capita in the world.
Sweden has stood out among European nations and the world for the way it has handled the pandemic, not shutting down the country or the economy like others but relying on citizens' sense of civic duty. Swedish authorities have advised people to practice social distancing, but schools, bars and restaurants have been kept open the entire time. Only gatherings of more than 50 people have been banned.
"I think there is potential for improvement in what we have done in Sweden, quite clearly," Anders Tegnell of the Public Health Agency told Swedish radio.
Sweden currently stands at 4468 reported deaths, adding 56 daily. Currently 9th in Europe for reported deaths closing in on the Netherlands. Norway in comparison managed to keep it down to 237 deaths, Finland 320 and Denmark 580.
The moves recommended by Tegnell have made Sweden a bit of a local pariah and didn't spare the Swedish economy. More than 76,000 people have been made redundant since the outbreak began and unemployment, which now stands at 7.9%, is expected to climb higher. Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson has said Sweden's economy, which relies heavily on exports, will shrink 7% in 2020 and the Scandinavian country was headed for "a very deep economic crisis."
Last week, neighbouring Norway and Denmark said they were dropping mutual border controls but would keep Sweden out of a Nordic "travel bubble." Danes said they will reopen the border next month to residents of neighbouring Germany, as well as to Norway and Iceland, as it accelerates the easing of its coronavirus lockdown. However, Denmark, which has a bridge that goes directly to Sweden, has postponed a decision on whether to reopen to Swedish visitors until after the summer.
Last edited by SvennoJ - on 03 June 2020
Essay Pro