| LurkerJ said: Not surprised as I am in touch with a key-worker who tested positive when swapped and had symptoms months ago but no antibodies were found in their blood when they got tested recently. I wonder what this means for potential vaccines. On another note, at this point, I am shocked and appalled how the only choices we have as communities are still the binary: "lock yourselves and watch your economy burn" or "reopen and watch the vaccine ravage your communities". The situation is terrible in most countries around the world, and yet, no talks of COVID19 currency or debt forgiveness, basically the only way to alleviate the pressures of a lockdown and successfully bring the numbers down worldwide. The every man for themselves attitude has been disgusting to watch. |
Every country for themselves. It began with buying up masks and tests and no doubt vaccines will go the same route despite the best intentions.
Here beaches are closing again since too many people show up disregarding social distancing, which is bad for the economy again.
https://london.ctvnews.ca/sauble-beach-to-close-mayor-partially-blames-thousands-of-toronto-area-beachgoers-1.4995797
Employers get more time to (not) rehire employees
https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/feds-extend-window-of-time-for-employers-to-re-hire-staff-laid-off-due-to-covid-19-1.4996043
For employees who were laid off before March 31, their employers have six months or until December 30 to bring back their workers.
Good for employers, not good for the employees that won't get any vacation nor severance pay.
Someone got to pay the 'temporarily' laid off workers
https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/eight-more-weeks-of-cerb-to-cost-17-9-billion-budget-officer-says-1.4996021
The report this morning from budget officer Yves Giroux says that would bring the total cost of the benefit program for people who've lost all or nearly all their work to the COVID-19 pandemic to $71.3 billion. The CERB, now budgeted at $60 billion, has paid out $43.51 billion to 8.41 million people as of June 4 as demand surges past federal expectations.
Planned spending this year was $304 billion. $71 billion on top just for CERB. (Canada Emergency Response Benefit)
Then there is a large part of 70 billion in domestic tourism revenues lost and 16 billion from international travelers.
Restaurants are closing, fine dining can't survive on take out. Yet Supermarket profits are up 20% (while they want to scrap the $2 'hero' pay rise already) https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/hero-grocery-store-workers-should-get-properly-paid-pm-says-1.4991682 Cleaning products and garden centers are making record profits, as well as home entertainment and communication.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/business-is-booming-for-these-companies-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-1.4933907
Activision Blizzard (+21%), Electronic Arts (+12%), Nintendo (+41%), Clorox Company (+15%), Reckitt Benckiser (+14%), Peleton (+66%), Publix (+14%), Korgur (+30%), Beyond meat (+141%), 3M (+3%, +21% in healthcare segment), Wayfair (+20%), Overstock (+120%), Slack (+80%), Zoom (+120% stock price)
It's a mess and as usual some people get rich, many more struggle to stay afloat. International relief efforts are there
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/support-covid-19-international-relief-efforts/
Yet with the whole world burning and everyone uncertain about their own future. Depressing times.
