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The Blog

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

While we apparently have a number of premiers who think they can negotiate with the virus and kow-tow to the ignorant, the numbers of cases and deaths are telling the real story.

On Saturday, Canada reported 82 deaths and 5,746 new cases.
On Sunday, those numbers were 56 and 5,468.
Likely all under-counts because some jurisdictions don't report on weekends.

Canada has now surpassed 12,000 COVID-19 deaths, and has over 370,000 cases. Both rates are accelerating with less than 4 weeks until Christmas. The virus incubation period is typically 2-3 weeks. The R0 value nationally (averaged) appears to be around 1.04. In Alberta, it's currently above 1.1. In the plague provinces, a serious increase in restrictions now is likely our last hope at curbing the numbers before we create another super-spreader event around Christmas family gatherings. I'm finding it hard to be optimistic about that.

COVID-19 News Items

Beyond the numbers: Who is dying of COVID in Canada, and how?
https://nationalpost.com/health/beyond-the-numbers-who-is-dying-of-covid-in-canada-and-how

Winnipeg boy under 10 dies from COVID-19, province's youngest death linked to illness
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-boy-covid-19-death-1.5820609

Quebec hits a new record one-day high for COVID-19 infections at 1,480
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/covid-19-quebec-nov-28-1.5820580

Alberta sets new one-day record, active cases of COVID-19 top 14,931 with 5 more deaths reported
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-covid-coronavirus-november-28-1.5820663

Health-care capacity dwindling, top doctor warns, with 344 new COVID-19 cases, 14 more deaths in Manitoba.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-covid-19-update-1.5819112

The stark shift from good luck over the summer to bad outcomes appearing in the plague provinces as the inevitable second wave gets started is getting international attention.
'A precarious point': Covid cases surge in Canada's Prairies after relaxed approach
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/27/canada-prairies-coronavirus-alberta-saskatchewan-manitoba

Coronavirus: Sweden shifts COVID-19 strategy as second wave surges
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNB-WJzMlmM (3 minute video)

Expanded outbreaks force surgery cancellations at London, Ont.'s University Hospital
https://www.ctvnews.ca/london/article/expanded-outbreaks-force-surgery-cancellations-at-london-onts-university-hospital/

At A Sports Event With 50,000 Fans, I Didn't Have A Worry In The World
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/covid-australia-canada-sports-events_ca_5fc12003c5b68ca87f83d930

Calling out the Doug Ford Disinformation machine

Delays, conflicts and confusion hampered Ontario's COVID-19 response: auditor general
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-covid-19-lab-testing-case-management-auditor-report-1.5814949

Where are people catching COVID-19? Community transmission still a puzzle in Ontario
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/11/28/where-are-people-catching-covid-19-community-transmission-still-a-puzzle-in-ontario.html

Ontario in 'precarious situation,' health officials say, as new modelling shows slower COVID-19 growth
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/covid-19-coronavirus-ontario-november-26-projections-1.5817182

Mississauga-based company produces rapid COVID-19 test
https://www.insauga.com/mississauga-based-company-produces-rapid-covid-19-test

Rapid tests are a game changer, Doug Ford says. Public Health Ontario’s head of microbiology has a very different view.
[dead link: https://outline.com/D3Rk4x] https://outline.com/D3Rk4x

Doctors, engineers call on Ontario to address airborne spread of COVID-19
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ontario-doctors-engineers-letter-province-aerosols-covid-19-1.5816459

;-) Imagine if in London during the Blitz there had been a
     whole bunch of people going
     "I'll turn on my my lights if I feel like it!"

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly, but that day is getting closer.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

What can I say? In Canada, the COVID-19 situation is bad and getting worse. The plague province premiers continue to ignore actual expert medical advice, even from their own staff, while pretending to do so. Let's paint a picture of how this goes for residents of Ontario.

In the past couple of days, Canada has blown past 360,000 COVID-19 cases, and we're in sight of 12,000 deaths. Things are deteriorating by the day. Given the general (non-)response in the provinces from Quebec west, I see no reason to believe the putative, unenforced restrictions will have the desired reduction in new case counts. Stores are closed in Toronto; no problem, just drive to Vaughan to get your retail addiction fix.

5,631 and 5,967 COVID-19 cases in Canada on Thursday and Friday.
Ontario set new records. 1,855 cases on Friday.
89 and 95 deaths on those 2 days.

What Canadians need to know about COVID-19 before gathering over the holidays
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/coronavirus-canada-covid-19-holidays-1.5820111

Protect yourselves. Most of the premiers are not prepared to put your health first. COVID sucks. Deal with it until you can get vaccinated. IMO, front-liners first. They're facing this up close and personal daily. We need them to deal with outbreaks and keeping logistics operating for the rest of us. They're in a position to be spreaders.

PPE

A new venture in Ottawa to produce medical and non-medical grade face masks, including a number of patterns.
Ships anywhere in Canada.
[dead site: https://viralclean.ca/]

Thunder Bay company involved in production of a new N95 mask
https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/thunder-bay-company-involved-in-production-of-a-new-n95-mask-2867317

Made-in-Alberta tent protects health-care workers from COVID-19 aerosols
https://globalnews.ca/news/7455386/made-in-alberta-tent-covid-aerosol-protection/

Inside the Chaotic, Cutthroat Gray Market for N95 Masks
[dead link: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/magazine/n95-masks-market-covid.html] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/magazine/n95-masks-market-covid.html

UK sourced PPE from factories secretly using North Korean slave labour
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/nov/20/uk-sourced-ppe-from-factories-secretly-using-north-korean-slave-labour

UK's 'chaotic' PPE procurement cost billions extra
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/25/uks-chaotic-ppe-procurement-cost-billions-extra

Over 50 First Nations supplied with PPE by Indigenous-owned company
https://globalnews.ca/news/7477479/over-50-first-nations-supplied-with-ppe-by-indigenous-owned-company/

Yes, it's possible to recycle our face masks
https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/health/2020/11/23/yes-it039s-possible-to-recycle-our-face-masks

COVID-19: Alberta researcher recognized with innovation award for salt mask
[dead link: https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/covid-19-alberta-researcher-recognized-with-innovation-award-for-salt-mask/ar-BB1bjGEZ] https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/covid-19-alberta-researcher-recognized-with-innovation-award-for-salt-mask/ar-BB1bjGEZ

Face shields not 'a guaranteed alternative' to masks to block virus: Japanese scientists
https://mainichi.jp/articles/20201121/p2a/00m/0na/004000c

;-) My advice is to never listen to any advice,
     not even this one. (Do your own research.)

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly, but that day is getting closer.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

On Tuesday, Canada reported 4,889 new cases, with 5,022 on Wedndesday. 97 and 92 deaths for the 2 days respectively. 58,524 active cases.

The world will likely reach over 61 million cases today (undercounting). World-wide, another new one-day record for COVID-19 deaths reported: 12,025.

American exceptionalism continues to drive its response to the pandemic, reaching over 13 million cases now. 181,124 additional cases yesterday, which is now a typical number for the past fortnight. Death counts for the past two days were 2,216 and 2,304. Let's hope they can start rolling out vaccines with needles in arms next month.

Remember, your mission is to avoid getting infected (and spreading) until you can get a vaccination. Until then, you know what reduces virus spread - so just do it.

'This is a tragic milestone': Alberta reaches 500 COVID-19 deaths, counts 1265 new cases.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/this-is-a-tragic-milestone-alberta-reaches-500-covid-19-deaths-counts-1265-new-cases/

COVID-19 News Items

Just as I was planning to remind you to ensure you keep the humidity in your living spaces between 40 and 60% relative humidity, along comes this news item. I haven't verified it yet.
Use an ultrasonic humidifier? Tap water could be polluting the air in your home.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7481219/humidifier-distilled-water-particulate-matter-tap-water/

As we're spending more time indoors due to weather and that other thing that's happening, we should take extra care now with our indoor air quality. It's a real issue for many, and a lot of us don't even recognize the hazards in our indoor air.
Related: http://restco.ca/Research_House_for_the_Environmentally_Hypersensitve.shtml

(If there is interest out there, it's possible I could get a couple of experts to contribute to this topic here.)

Indoor air is the pandemic's ultimate enabler, experts say
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/covid-19-air-airborne-spread-1.5813187

So, I'll repeat some things I have said before.

If you are in an environment where a lot of different people pass through (e.g. a school classroom), configure to ensure there are direct from outdoors air changes, and install equipment which can trap (filters) or kill the airborne virus (e.g. UV-C lighting - noting conditions for safe use).

Fever, loss of taste or smell among telltale COVID-19 symptoms in Canadian kids
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/covid-19-children-symptoms-cmaj-1.5814702

Take personal precautions appropriate to the airborne virus if spending time indoors with those outside your household bubble. (This was the key point of the face-shield plus wrap-around curtain I put together. Can be worn with a mask, if you so desire. https://econogics.com/c4c/) It's going to be a long winter. Dress for the weather and the virus.

Dr. David Williams is called out—and Doug Ford doubles down on him
https://www.macleans.ca/society/health/coronavirus-in-canada-these-charts-show-how-our-fight-to-flatten-the-curve-is-going/
Too many of our elected leaders have made the pandemic a political issue. Take care of yourself.

The first COVID-19 mantra is still: Stay Home. That's predicated on the assumption that everyone has a safe living space they can call home. That's not universally true in Canada. Clearly, long-term care housing has not been a safe space for many, and it's also clear that there is a growing homelessness problem in Canada, made worse by increased spacing requirements in shelters due to COVID-19.

10 ways to provide adequate housing in the COVID-19 era
https://theconversation.com/10-ways-to-provide-adequate-housing-in-the-covid-19-era-149678
My worry, based on experience, is that we will respond by creating poor housing as a knee-jerk response to the immediate issue, instead of good housing, and will have to replace it - at an additional cost a decade from now. As we face the reality of climate change, we know we need to create more energy efficient structures, independent of fossil carbon fuels in the construction process (e.g. concrete) and over the operational life of the structure (e.g. high standards for insulation, efficiency, air quality, robustness). Let's take a breath, think about the dual objectives (good housing, climate change mitigation) from a systems perspective over at least 6 decades going forward, and then start building the housing of the future, starting in 2021.

;-) I've learned ...
     That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
     ~ Mickey Rooney

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly, but that day is getting closer.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

As I feared, the Monday numbers brought more unpleasant reality. The new cases count for November 22nd (Sunday) was revised from 4,792 to 6,131, making a new record for COVID-19 cases in Canada in a single day. 66 additional deaths for Nov. 23rd. Just to highlight where we're going based on current 'keep everything open' mentality, look at the graph for Alberta as of Nov. 22.

It's up to each of us to do what we can to avoid getting infected until the vaccines become available.

I applaud the governments in NL and PE for closing their participation in the Atlantic Bubble for now. IMO, controlling virus spread by managing at regional levels seems to work, based on world-wide experience to date.

The world is closing in on 60 million cases reported officially (known to be an under-count), and has exceeded 1.4 million deaths related to COVID-19.

The U.S. reported 172,300 new cases on Monday, and 972 deaths, a surprising and dramatic decline from just 3 days earlier (1,993). Almost 5 million active cases.

Climate Change

Methane Hits Record High in Atmosphere as Fossil Fuel Companies Diverge https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/methane-hits-record-high-in-atmosphere-as-fossil-fuel-companies-diverge/

Bill lays groundwork for possible court enforcement of climate law, says Amos https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/11/20/news/bill-groundwork-court-enforcement-climate-law-will-amos

There's no point in holding the government accountable, and it hasn't worked so far. What would the penalty be? Fines? Paid by taxpayers to who? The government? Simply not good enough.

By comparison, California, which believes climate change is a real thing, is targeting fossil carbon energy consumption with real incentives to green the grid and shift to zero-emissions transportation. One example, the total incentive to buy an electric car in California is now US$14,500.

How ‘net-zero’ and ‘passive’ houses can cut carbon emissions — and energy bills
https://theconversation.com/how-net-zero-and-passive-houses-can-cut-carbon-emissions-and-energy-bills-148587

Just north of the oilsands, the largest remote solar farm in Canada is about to power up
https://thenarwhal.ca/oilsands-solar-farm-fort-chipewyan/

Southern Alberta witnessing ‘unprecedented’ surge in renewable energy projects
https://globalnews.ca/news/7466530/southern-alberta-witnessing-unprecedented-surge-in-renewable-energy-projects/

Invenergy Samson Solar Energy Center Poised to Be Largest in U.S.
https://solarindustrymag.com/invenergys-samson-solar-energy-center-poised-to-be-largest-in-the-u-s
1,310 MW. In Texas.

SSE plans to triple renewable energy production by 2030
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/18/sse-plans-to-triple-renewable-energy-production-by-2030

A Tornado Was Just Confirmed In Ontario & It's Unusual For This Time Of Year
https://www.narcity.com/en-ca/news/tornadoes-in-ontario-one-was-confirmed-in-georgetown-its-unusual-for-this-time-of-year

The Inevitability Of Renewable Energy: Convincing Skeptics
https://cleantechnica.com/2020/11/18/the-inevitability-of-renewable-energy-convincing-skeptics/

Australia's Ambitious $16 Billion Solar Project Will Be The World's Biggest
https://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Australias-Ambitious-16-Billion-Solar-Project-Will-Be-The-Worlds-Biggest.html

We can't fight climate change in Canada with old ideas
https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/pellerin-we-cant-fight-climate-change-in-canada-with-old-ideas

Ottawa’s latest climate plan bets on expensive and unproven carbon capture technologies
https://theconversation.com/ottawas-latest-climate-plan-bets-on-expensive-and-unproven-carbon-capture-technologies-150527

;-) I remember being able to get up without making sound effects.

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly, but that day is getting closer.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

As daylight broke this morning, I was greeted by an endless white blanket over the ground, as if we had been given a clean sheet to start again. It was a lovely, if brief, illusion.

There was a car to clear and driveway to open so our essential worker could get to work for 7. That reality was compounded by the realization that the lovely, clean covering of white was 10 cm (4 inches) of what we affectionately call 'heart attack snow' locally. Turns to slush in a snowthrower, and to a wall of ice if pushed and compacted with a plow.

So, some of today will be about using a shovel in short sessions, spaced between other less physical activities (like writing this post). Let's all keep ourselves out of the emergency departments this winter.

Today's numbers will be under-counts due to lack of reporting on weekends. The Monday numbers will likely be another unpleasant dose of reality.

Nov. 21st and 22nd numbers took us past the 330,000 cases mark in Canada with 4,992 and 4,792 reported respectively. 72 and 49 deaths. The active case count is now 54,999. Remember, 'recovered' includes the long-haulers who went home and those with new long-term health conditions. All the curves show an accelerating trend line in the wrong direction.

COVID-19 News Items

I'm leading with this item today because it marks the complete course reversal for Canada's former main mass media drumbeat for 'keep everything open' and the 'Swedish model'.
NP View: Our shared responsibility to fight COVID
https://nationalpost.com/opinion/np-view-our-shared-responsibility-to-fight-covid

Our governments have failed to protect us – and now we are paying the price
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-our-governments-have-failed-to-protect-us-and-now-we-are-paying-the/

It appears the more conservative Canadian mainstream media have finally registered the pandemic is real and serious. Possibly even some of the plague province premiers. IMO, a true measure of the failure of leadership that so many had to become sick, and some die, before the necessary actions are being undertaken.

Manitoba, Nunavut go into lockdown to battle coronavirus — why haven’t other provinces?
https://globalnews.ca/news/7469511/canada-provinces-territories-lockdown-coronavirus/

Alberta logs record-high 1,336 COVID-19 cases; One per cent of Albertans have now tested positive
https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/more-than-one-per-cent-of-albertans-have-tested-positive-for-covid-19

'We're not even at the peak yet': Doctor warns of pandemic burnout as 2nd wave grows
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thehouse/pandemic-covid-coronavirus-icu-alberta-1.5809999

Health Canada grants emergency-use authorization to Eli Lilly's COVID-19 antibody treatment
https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/article/health-canada-grants-emergency-use-authorization-to-eli-lillys-covid-19-antibody-treatment/

At home and abroad, examples of how seniors can stay safe from COVID-19 without isolation
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/at-home-and-abroad-examples-of-how-seniors-can-stay-safe-from-covid-19-without-isolation-1.5198973

Little Things Therapists Recommend Doing For Your Mental Health Every Day
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/mental-health-covid-tips_ca_5f8dfbf9c5b69daf5e15d22a

Face masks cut disease spread in the lab, but have less impact in the community. We need to know why.
https://theconversation.com/face-masks-cut-disease-spread-in-the-lab-but-have-less-impact-in-the-community-we-need-to-know-why-147912

U.S. could begin COVID-19 vaccine rollout by mid-December, top health official says
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/covid19-vaccination-us-december-1.5812032

AstraZeneca starts new COVID-19 prevention trials of antibody cocktail
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/astrazeneca-antibody-cocktail-1.5811763

The coronavirus is airborne indoors, but we're still scrubbing surfaces
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/11/21/world/science-health-world/coronavirus-surfaces/

;-) https://youtu.be/_DwlnT3WxrI
     (A coronavirus parody 3 minutes 48 seconds)

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly, but that day is getting closer.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

4,965 new cases on Friday in Canada, with 69 more deaths.

In the U.S, 204,179 (new record) new cases and 1,999 deaths.
(From Quebec west, the current U.S. per capita rates are what Canada is looking at this coming winter, unless restrictive measures are real and followed / enforced. That's what worked in Melbourne, Australia. More barking by plague province premiers without real bite won't do the job. The people who are self-isolating voluntarily aren't the problem. New measures have to impact those with high contact rates.)

Worldwide 662,956 new cases and 11,137 deaths, both new single day records. (Over 11,000 deaths a day from a single disease seems serious to me, but clearly not to many world leaders.)

Fortress Fossil Fuels Highlights/Gaslights

UK aviation CEOs write to Prime Minister calling for aviation decarbonisation to be at heart of green economic recovery
https://biofuels-news.com/news/uk-aviation-ceos-write-to-prime-minister-calling-for-aviation-decarbonisation-to-be-at-heart-of-green-economic-recovery/

Canada's clean-energy gazelles are outperforming fossil fuels
https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/november-2020/canadas-clean-energy-gazelles-are-outperforming-fossil-fuels/

UK confirms plans to move up ban on ICE cars to 2030
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1130315_uk-confirms-plans-to-move-up-ban-on-ice-cars-to-2030 That brings an end to the potential for drop-in biofuels as an option, pretty much clearing the field except for electric and the mirage of hydrogen for the next decade.

Ramana and Schacherl: Why the Liberals' nuclear power plan is a pipe dream
https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/ramana-and-schacherl-why-the-liberals-nuclear-power-plan-is-a-pipe-dream
(I wrote about small modular reactors (SMRs) in my book. Fundamental problems specific to SMRs have not been resolved, based on my reading and an upublished review I received recently. It is virtually impossible that any of these technologies can be viable and production ready in a time-frame to be helpful, even if they do bring the baggage of other uranium fission problems which have not been solved in 70 years.)

Westcoast Energy fined $40,000 for pipeline blast near Prince George, B.C.
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/11/15/news/westcoast-energy-fined-40000-blast-prince-george-bc-pipeline

Experts: Whitmer has upper hand in Line 5 case, but May shutdown is uncertain
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/experts-whitmer-has-upper-hand-line-5-case-may-shutdown-uncertain

The Oil Spill Dilemma [Russia]
https://theowp.org/the-oil-spill-dilemma/

[U.S.] Interior slashes Arctic oil spill regulations
https://www.eenews.net/stories/1063718947

Oil Spills and Human Health: Contributions of the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2019GH000217
If you're pressed for time and find the paper TLDR, jump to section 9 Discussion.

Hurricanes Led To Steepest Fall In Gulf Of Mexico Oil Production Since 2008 [irony alert]
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Hurricanes-Led-To-Steepest-Fall-In-Gulf-Of-Mexico-Oil-Production-Since-2008.html

New Oil Spill In Mauritius Near To Bird Sanctuary Linked To Sunken Japanese Ship Wakashio
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nishandegnarain/2020/11/18/new-oil-spill-in-mauritius-near-to-bird-sanctuary-linked-to-sunken-japanese-ship-wakashio/

Middle East Oil Producers Are Drowning In Debt
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Middle-East-Oil-Producers-Are-Drowning-In-Debt.html

The EV Revolution Is Threatening Long-Term Oil Demand Growth
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/The-EV-Revolution-Is-Threatening-Long-Term-Oil-Demand-Growth.html
In short, falling battery prices are about to make electric cars competitive with oil burners on sticker price, while providing much lower ongoing operating costs (fuel, maintenance, insurance) and bring significant health benefits from cleaner air and water.

;-) Instead of LOL, why don't you try LOLWKASF?
     Laughing out loud while keeping a straight face.

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

Thursday (Nov. 19) brought reports of 4,645 new COVID-19 cases and 79 deaths. This is not under control.

New restrictions now likely won't affect the trajectory of new cases for a couple of weeks, or the rising death toll for 4-6 weeks, which is mid- to late December.

The U.S. moved past the 12 million mark for confirmed cases, with 192,196 new cases, a single day record. 2,065 deaths in a single day set a new daily record for the second wave of the pandemic for the U.S.

The world reported 650,442 new cases and 10,776 additional deaths, setting yet another single day record.

Yes, the pandemic is a real thing. No, it isn't the flu. Stop looking for loopholes, pretending that changing health guidance to reflect new knowledge is a government conspiracy to control your freedom, and recognize this is a real, world-wide, health emergency.

COVID-19 News Items

Canada could see 60,000 coronavirus cases a day under worst-case scenario: sources
https://globalnews.ca/news/7473830/coronavirus-new-modelling-canada

Want to save the economy? Start by vanquishing COVID-19
https://theconversation.com/want-to-save-the-economy-start-by-vanquishing-covid-19-150114

Manitoba bans in-store sales of non-essential items, visitors to homes with some exceptions
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-bans-visitors-sale-nonessential-items-1.5808235

B.C. brings in sweeping new measures to control COVID-19, including mandatory masks
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-brings-in-sweeping-new-measures-to-control-covid-19-including-mandatory-masks-1.5808617
Provinces are starting to take the pandemic seriously. We're going to take a lot of damage as a result of the delays for what was clearly inevitable before Thanksgiving.

‘Tired to the bone’: Hospitals overwhelmed with virus cases
https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-tennessee-coronavirus-pandemic-74a1f0dc3634917a5dc13408455cd895
We can go here in Canada (and right now it looks like we are), or we can practice good hygiene and follow good health guidance - as a society - and hold out until next spring / summer when it appears likely we will have vaccines in quantity to raise immunity levels in our population. Our political leaders have waited too long, the new cases curves are exponential already. They failed us. Will we also fail us? And the front-liners we are putting at risk?

Long-term care fiasco a warning about private ownership
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2020/11/18/long-term-care-fiasco-a-warning-about-private-ownership.html
Profit-based services don't work when the service recipient is not the paying party. It always creates a space for the service provider to cut corners or otherwise game the system to increase their financial gain.

The third wave: The shortage of health-care workers because they are too burnt out or sick themselves
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-third-wave-the-shortage-of-health-care-workers-because-they-are-too-burnt-out-or-sick-themselves
Step 1: Reduce the workload for front-line health workers (hospitals, long-term care, community care, home-care, doctor's offices and clinics, pharmacies ...) by reducing cases by reducing transmission. The lives saved and illnesses avoided could be you, or someone you know.
Step 2: Ensure the workers have the PPE and other equipment they need to reduce their risk of becoming sick and better care for their patients.
Step 3: Hang in there for a few more months until the vaccines will be available, without going crazy.

To truly understand the pandemic, you need to think about this number (and it’s not R0)
https://www.zmescience.com/other/pieces/dispersion-factor-k-pandemic-20112020/

Researchers identify features that could make someone a virus super-spreader
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-features-virus-super-spreader.html

AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine shows promise in elderly, trial results expected by Christmas
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/astrazeneca-elderly-1.5807853
That's the third COVID-19 vaccine candidate to release good news this week. More important than ever to keep yourself safe from the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus for a few more months.

‘We need it now’: Experts say at-home coronavirus tests critical to fight 2nd wave
https://globalnews.ca/news/7469571/coronavirus-canada-rapid-at-home-tests/

14 things we thought were true before 2020
https://macleans.ca/society/14-things-we-thought-were-true-before-2020/

The pandemic has proven that kids are not as resilient as we think
https://www.macleans.ca/society/the-pandemic-has-proven-that-kids-are-not-as-resilient-as-we-think/

‘It’s not Diwali, it’s precarious employment and less health care resources.’ South Asian medical experts on Brampton’s rising COVID-19 cases
https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ts/opinion/contributors/2020/11/19/its-not-diwali-its-precarious-employment-and-less-health-care-resources-south-asian-medical-experts-on-bramptons-rising-covid-19-cases.html

COVID-19 outbreaks declared at 6 oilsands sites
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/fort-mcmurray-oilsands-outbreaks-1.5807705

;-) “The cure for boredom is curiosity.
     There is no cure for curiosity.”
     – Dorothy Parker

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

100 deaths reported in Canada yesterday related to COVID-19 - a new high-water mark for the second wave. Deaths is the lagging indicator, so given the curve for new cases, it's going to get worse. Another 4,641 cases yesterday, and up to 51,602 active cases.

The U.S. reported 173,768 new cases yesterday and 1,964 deaths related to COVID-19. Their next super-spreader event starts next week. December will be a COVID catastrophe there.

Climate Change

For $25K, you can publish climate denial in The Washington Post
https://heated.world/p/for-25k-you-can-publish-climate-denial
The science is settled, the evidence is all around us, and corporate media can still be bought. For the deniers, this is a victory. It causes uncertainty, and that paralyzes forward action.

Young activists win right to sue Ontario’s Ford government over climate policy
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/11/13/news/young-activists-win-right-sue-ontarios-ford-government-over-climate-policy

Seen on a protest event sign: "If the climate was a bank, you would have saved it already"

‘Hypocrites and greenwash’: Greta Thunberg blasts leaders over climate crisis
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/09/hypocrites-and-greenwash-greta-thunberg-climate-crisis

Transition to net zero emissions is 'the greatest commercial opportunity of our age,' Mark Carney tells financial sector
https://financialpost.com/news/fp-street/carney-calls-net-zero-greenhouse-ambition-greatest-commercial-opportunity

Report links Maine’s post-pandemic economic recovery to clean energy efforts
https://www.pressherald.com/2020/11/09/report-links-maines-post-pandemic-economic-recovery-to-clean-energy-efforts/

Canada not on track to hit 1st electric vehicle target by 2025
https://globalnews.ca/news/7448683/canada-electric-car-target/

Energy expert says rail is a better bet than hydrogen fuel
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/430181/energy-expert-says-rail-is-a-better-bet-than-hydrogen-fuel

U.S. Energy Related CO2 Emissions Drop
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/US-Energy-Related-CO2-Emissions-Drop.html
The major contributor was shifting primary fuel mix, not COVID.

New Technology Claims to Pinpoint Even Small Methane Leaks From Space
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/climate/methane-leaks-satellite-space.html
Note: Canadian firm at the heart of this.
https://www.ghgsat.com/ghgsat-in-the-media/

Ending greenhouse gas emissions may not stop global warming: study
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-greenhouse-gas-emissions-global.html
So, which path to take? Party like it's 2020, or actually take a serious shot at reducing GHG emissions, reducing waste heat production, reduce solar gain, and do it sooner than later? At this stage, any politician talking about climate change mitigation measures that go beyond their current term in office need to be laughed out of office, because we know that's simply stall tactics now.

Any hope of keeping Earth habitable now requires sucking carbon back out of the atmosphere, a new study found
https://www.businessinsider.com/climate-change-too-late-carbon-capture-needed-2020-11

EU #Fail — Parliament Doesn’t Exclude Fossil Fuels From Recovery Fund
https://cleantechnica.com/2020/11/16/eu-fail-parliament-doesnt-exclude-fossil-fuels-from-recovery-fund/

;-) I put the 'pro' in procrastinate.

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

4,276 new COVID-19 cases in Canada on Tuesday. 59 additional deaths. Active cases count at 51,230.

157,261 new cases in the U.S. with 1,615 deaths.

Sweden reported 3,726 new cases on Tuesday, and 2 additional deaths (a significant drop from the previous month's trend), while Finland reported 228 new cases on Tuesday, and no additional deaths.

Taking the pandemic seriously matters.

COVID-19 News Items

As with other countries, flu season down 98 per cent so far in Canada this year
https://www.cp24.com/news/canada-says-flu-season-exceptionally-low-so-far-public-health-agency-1.5191996
Flu cases in Canada 'exceptionally low' so far, public health says
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/flu-season-2020-canada-public-health-1.5804673

No, Mouthwash Will Not Save You From the Coronavirus
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/21/health/covid-mouthwash.html

Alberta reveals its COVID-19 app has been used to trace only 20 cases over 6 months
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-covid-app-abtracetogether-apple-ios-functionality-issues-1.5799537

COVID-19 vaccine update: Pfizer may be the frontrunner, but Canada has hedged its bets
https://theconversation.com/covid-19-vaccine-update-pfizer-may-be-the-frontrunner-but-canada-has-hedged-its-bets-149962

2nd coronavirus vaccine shows early success in US tests
https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/article/modernas-coronavirus-vaccine-is-945-per-cent-effective-according-to-company-data/

Immunity to the Coronavirus May Last Years, New Data Hint
ttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/health/coronavirus-immunity.html

All of Switzerland’s intensive care beds are full
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/17/world/covid-19-coronavirus#all-of-switzerlands-intensive-care-beds-are-full

Where social distancing comes naturally: Finland keeps coronavirus in check
https://messaging-custom-newsletters.nytimes.com/template/oakv2?&uri=nyt%3A%2F%2Fnewsletter%2F89f57bcc-0d88-570c-a545-2dcd625b182c

The American right’s doomed love affair with Sweden
https://messaging-custom-newsletters.nytimes.com/template/oakv2?&uri=nyt%3A%2F%2Fnewsletter%2F89f57bcc-0d88-570c-a545-2dcd625b182c

Alberta economists say avoiding a lockdown comes with other costs
https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/alberta-economists-say-avoiding-a-lockdown-comes-with-other-costs
We know that consumer spending relies heavily on confidence, and rising case counts don't help that.

Long-term care minister accused of trying to 'scapegoat' local health officials
https://www.kitchenertoday.com/local-news/long-term-care-minister-accused-of-trying-to-scapegoat-local-health-officials-2883279
Mixed messaging is also leading to confusion and loss of confidence in government managing of the pandemic and whether or not the health care system can accommodate surging case numbers.

COVID-19: LHSC has highest patient count since June – and it'll likely get worse, doctors predict
https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/covid-19-patient-count-at-lhsc-reaches-highest-level-since-june

‘Patients will die’: Doctors warn hospitals bursting as coronavirus cases soar
https://globalnews.ca/news/7464926/coronavirus-canada-hospital-capacity/

;-) Things that make me wonder how our species survives.
     What bright designer thought that putting the screw that holds an
     eyeglass lens in from the bottom side, so that when it works loose
     it falls to the ground instead of the screw head being held in the
     top of the frame?

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of [dead link: https://decrypt.co/?p=47940] content to entertain you.

Canada moved past 300,000 cases on Monday, adding a new record 6,115 COVID-19 cases. 74 addtional deaths did move Canada past 11,000 deaths from the pandemic. There are now over 50,000 active cases. Multiple jurisdictions are now reporting hospitals at capacity. Broadly, the plague province premiers now appear to be awakening to the fact that their 'plans' for preparing for the second wave have been abysmal failures. Expect to see 'COVID Christmas' become part of the lexicon in weeks to come.

For those that think this is just the flu, we actually track influenza cases nationally in Canada.
You can find the reports here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/flu-influenza/influenza-surveillance/weekly-reports-2019-2020-season.html
For September 20 to October 3, 2020: "no influenza activity was reported across Canada".
On October 3rd, Canada had over 16,000 active cases of COVID-19.

The U.S. reported over 160,000 new cases on Monday, and now has over 4.25 million active cases.

A second vaccine candidate (Moderna) was announced to have encouraging results in their testing. There are at least 5 more candidates in trials.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to avoid contracting the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus until at least next May, when seasonal factors should lead to a subsidence and at least one vaccine should be close to initial distribution. I'm marking the Victoria Day holiday as my target - May 24. 27 weeks from yesterday. Good time to plan some projects that need some time, and get the snow tires on.

(Digital) Deception

There is no Sen. Rob Donaldson, so posts of his speech about Barrett are fake
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/10/31/fact-check-posts-sen-rob-donaldson-speech-barrett-fake/6074161002/

Zoom lied to users about end-to-end encryption for years, FTC says
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/11/zoom-lied-to-users-about-end-to-end-encryption-for-years-ftc-says/

Misinformation peddlers started early on Election Day
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/03/us/election-day#misinformation-peddlers-started-early-on-election-day

U.S. seizes over $1 billion in bitcoin tied to 'Silk Road'
https://ca.reuters.com/article/idUSL1N2HR26N
If you are tempted to invest in Bitcoin, remember the core business that supports it. Dark transactions like those noted in this article and ransomware attacks.

Saint John, N.B. shuts IT systems after ‘significant cyber attack’
[dead site: https://www.itworldcanada.com/article/saint-john-n-b-shuts-it-systems-after-significant-cyber-attack/438315]

If ransomware doesn’t kill you, the downtime will, says Datto report
https://channeldailynews.com/news/if-ransomware-doesnt-kill-you-the-downtime-will-says-datto-report/72504

Hackers Exploiting Major Zero-Day Kernel Vulnerability in Windows 7 and 10, Says Google
https://www.ibtimes.sg/hackers-exploiting-major-zero-day-kernel-vulnerability-windows-7-10-says-google-52965

Hacker is selling 34 million user records stolen from 17 companies
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/hacker-is-selling-34-million-user-records-stolen-from-17-companies/

Meet the hackers who earn millions for saving the web. How bug bounties are changing everything about security
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/meet-the-hackers-who-earn-millions-for-saving-the-web-how-bug-bounties-are-changing-everything-about-security/

If facts, data and evidence matter to you, and you have a few spare dollars, consider a contribution to the Internet Archive or Wikipedia or Snopes, which have been bastions against the tide of disinformation.

;-) Here’s what your email address says about your computer skills:
     Own domain (e.g., @econogics.com): You’re skilled and capable.
     @gmail.com: When the Internet stops working, you try rebooting the
     router before calling a family member for help.
     @hotmail.com: You still think that MySpace is hip.
     @yahoo.com: You send e-mail chain letters saying that Bill Gates
     will eat your hard drive unless you forward this message to
     everyone you know.
     @aol.com: You phone friends to tell them about a neat website,
     then say into the receiver, “OK, go to … h … t … t … p … colon
     … slash … slash … w … w … w … dot …”

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

Canadian data provided on Sundays is typically under-reported, as not all jurisdictions report.

4,146 new COVID-19 cases reported on Sunday, and Canada will likely move past 300,000 total cases today. 62 additional deaths yesterday, and Canada will likely move past 11,000 in total today. 49,723 active cases.

The world's official count will likely exceed 55 million total cases today. It's an under-count.

The U.S. reported 139,084 new COVID cases on Sunday, and 648 deaths. Well over 4 million active cases.

COVID-19 News Items

'It's time for the hammer' to get second wave under control: Dr. Sharkawy
https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/article/its-time-for-the-hammer-to-get-second-wave-under-control-dr-sharkawy/

Are businesses worth more than human lives? In Doug Ford's Ontario, the answer is yes.
https://www.muskokaregion.com/news-story/10266823-heather-mallick-are-businesses-worth-more-than-human-lives-in-doug-ford-s-ontario-the-answer-is-yes/

Premier asks Ontarians to limit trips outside of the home as COVID-19 cases rise
https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/premier-asks-ontarians-to-limit-trips-outside-of-the-home-as-covid-19-cases-rise-1.5189978
We have now proved that asking people to act in the community interest is not working. The people who were prepared to do that started back in March and April. They're not the problem in terms of causing transmission.

Back in the spring, this is what our governments said they would avoid:
Residents crying out from thirst and a guard reduced to tears: a daughter's account inside Maples care home
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-maples-long-term-care-home-1.5802215

Quebec injects additional $100 million into home-care services
https://montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/quebec-injects-additional-100-million-into-home-care-services

Long-term care workers’ exhaustion leading to greater pandemic risks, Quebec officials say
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-long-term-care-workers-exhaustion-leading-to-greater-pandemic-risks/

COVID-19 crackdowns: Fines are fine but bring on the ‘norm entrepreneurs’
https://theconversation.com/covid-19-crackdowns-fines-are-fine-but-bring-on-the-norm-entrepreneurs-146977

'Fires are burning': Federal officials plead with Canadians to help control growth of COVID-19
https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/fires-are-burning-federal-officials-plead-with-canadians-to-help-control-growth-of-covid-19
Perhaps 10,000 cases a day in Canada would get the attention of the premiers from Quebec west, but I doubt it. If we can figure out how to immunize Canadians against COVID-19 as effectively as those six provincial governments have become immune to data, evidence and science, we'd be done.

In all six of those provinces, this past week I have seen stories about large numbers of health care professionals calling on their provincial governments to get serious about suppressing virus transmission as we are entering the 'second wave' soon, and case numbers are rising exponentially again.

Where exactly are Canadians catching COVID-19? Authorities are not totally sure
https://nationalpost.com/health/where-exactly-are-canadians-catching-covid-19-authorities-are-not-totally-sure
Understanding spread requires contact tracing, which has now been abandoned by Ontario and Alberta formally, and is simply overwhelmed in QC, MB, SK and BC because they chose not to train up volunteers over the summer.

The feds had actually created the inventory of 50,000 volunteers for contact tracing work, but nobody made use of that resource.

You're on your own. For most of us, a vaccine is at least a year away, if that soon. None have completed trials yet. It takes time to ramp up production, and if the flu shot this year is any indication, we have a lot of work to do to create an effective distribution and needles-in-arms implementation.

The spread and number of cases is not uniform across the country. Understand the situation in your area and protect yourself accordingly. Unfortunately, concentrated control of the broad-coverage media (TV, radio, newspapers) does not lend itself to the granular reporting needed. Provinces have created maps of their restrictions by zone. The catch is, how do we use that information to reduce virus spread? We know that guidance restrictions aren't working, and 'leadership' isn't prepared to implement hard restrictions (enforcement).

So, for now, follow the guidance from senior health officials like Dr. Tam and locally. Do what you can to avoid getting infected from now until the proved effective vaccine(s) appears and is in widespread use.

;-) Dance like nobody is watching, because they are not,
     they are all checking their phones.

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

Despite non-reporting in some Canadian jurisdictions on weekends, Canada added 4,741 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday and 60 deaths. 45,844 active cases.

Ontario set yet another new record for reported cases in one day: 1,581 - beating out Quebec which also set a one-day record with 1,448. Ontario reports record high 1,581 COVID-19 cases and 20 new deaths on Saturday
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-covid-19-nov-14-1.5802292
Quebec Broke Its Record Today For The Highest One-Day Increase Of New COVID-19 Cases https://www.mtlblog.com/en-ca/news/montreal/covid19-quebec-broke-its-record-today-for-the-highest-oneday-increase-of-new-cases
Also 25 additional deaths. Quebec reported 48.5% of outbreaks are in workplaces, and 29% in schools.

But, still not time to take the pandemic seriously based on statements by either Premier. One wonders what it would take to make the pandemic real to the plague province premiers. There are widespread comments that people are confused by the provinces continuing to change the thresholds and restrictions associated with the various colour codes in their monitoring systems.

They weren't alone. The plague provinces in general had a record-setting day.
Five provinces break COVID-19 records as new measures take effect.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/article/five-provinces-break-covid-19-records-as-new-measures-take-effect/

Alberta records more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases as province loses track of transmission.
https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/alberta-government-doesnt-know-infection-origin-for-five-in-six-new-covid-19-cases

Manitoba hospital so overwhelmed it is treating COVID patients in their cars.

How do you prevent a green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada? Prevent any recovery at all.

The U.S. reported 157,253 new cases, and 1,260 COVID-19 deaths on Saturday.

Vietnam reported 3 new cases on Nov. 14th, and no deaths since September 3rd.

Fortress Fossil Fuels Highlights/Gaslights

Michigan Governor Seeks Shutdown of Great Lakes Oil Pipeline
https://news.wttw.com/2020/11/13/michigan-governor-seeks-shutdown-great-lakes-oil-pipeline

Wintry weather prompts Husky to suspend cleanup work at site of northern Alberta pipeline leak

Don't worry about Biden — 'Canada's oilpatch doesn't need Keystone XL anymore:' Eric Nuttall
https://financialpost.com/commodities/energy/dont-worry-about-biden-canadas-oilpatch-doesnt-need-keystone-xl-anymore-eric-nuttall

Blue wave or not, a green wave is sweeping the Canadian oilpatch
https://financialpost.com/commodities/blue-wave-or-not-a-green-wave-is-sweeping-the-canadian-oilpatch
Let's have a look at the context for the timing of this Enbridge announcement. Recently, it became clear that the U.S. will have a new President in January, and will be rejoining the Paris Accord. Divestment from fossil fuels is gathering momentum, and being cut off from big investment funds (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is becoming a growing risk for capital-intensive sectors like oil and natural gas, and especially pipeline construction.

As I have said for many years, the profit-driven oil and gas industry doesn't respond to guidelines or even legislation unless it has stiff, enforced penalties, and will drag its feet for decades on those initiatives. However, if you make a direct attack on the cash flow, they'll come about in less than 90 days.

Alberta town on the verge of collapse due to aging oil wells
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/alberta-town-on-the-verge-of-collapse-due-to-aging-oil-wells/

Alberta farmers file what may be first class-action lawsuit over unpaid oil leases
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-farmers-alphabow-energy-reneg-lease-deal-class-action-lawsuit-1.5797483

Alberta government called out for their disinfo hit piece
A Target of Alberta's 'War Room' Fires Back https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2020/11/09/Target-Alberta-War-Room-Fires-Back/

Coal Consumption In U.S. Electricity Sector Plunges 30%
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Coal-Consumption-In-US-Electricity-Sector-Plunges-30.html

Captain’s Noon Reports Crucial Missing Evidence For Mauritius Oil Spill Ship
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nishandegnarain/2020/11/06/captains-noon-reports-crucial-missing-evidence-for-mauritius-oil-spill-ship/

Why The Oil Industry’s $400 Billion Bet On Plastics Could Backfire
https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottcarpenter/2020/09/05/why-the-oil-industrys-400-billion-bet-on-plastics-could-backfire/

Ghost Rigs Could Become The New Normal In Offshore Oil
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Ghost-Rigs-Could-Become-The-New-Normal-In-Offshore-Oil.html

IEA cuts oil demand outlook as vaccines won't rescue market soon
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/iea-cuts-oil-demand-outlook-as-vaccines-won-t-rescue-market-soon-1.1521349

Barclays finances more fossil fuel firms despite green vow: NGOs
[dead link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2017907/barclays-finances-more-fossil-fuel-firms-despite-green-vow-ngos] https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2017907/barclays-finances-more-fossil-fuel-firms-despite-green-vow-ngos

When Will Electricity Companies Finally Quit Natural Gas?
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/12/opinion/solar-wind-natural-gas-climate-change.html

;-) Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.
     Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.
     ~ Groucho Marx

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of [dead link: https://simpleflying.com/japan-airlines-san-francisco-bio-fuel/] content to entertain you.

On Friday, Canada reported another 4,741 new COVID-19 cases, pretty much all in the six plague provinces. 60 additonal deaths, and active cases now 45,844 - more than 10,000 above the peak of the first wave.

183,625 new cases in the U.S. yesterday set a new one-day record - again. 1,397 deaths. Those numbers took the U.S. past 2 milestones: more than 11 million confirmed cases and 250,000 deaths.

The world also set a new daily record for daily new cases at 656,533, and just missed a new deaths record at 9,951. The world record for cases in a day is 10,161, which was set the day before.

On November 13, Australia reported 4 new cases and zero deaths related to COVID-19.
The Main Street Terrace long-term care home in Toronto reported 50 active cases and 7 COVID-related deaths on the same day.
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/11/13/seven-deaths-at-main-street-terrace-long-term-care-home-as-criticism-of-provinces-covid-19-response-grows.html

Eventually, elected 'leadership' in the six plague provinces will take the pandemic seriously, but still, not yet.
The lives of elderly people should not be accepted as the cost of doing business, said Dr. Nathan Stall
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/bias-lack-of-action-setting-stage-for-a-second-disaster-in-long-term-care-experts

Fortress Fossil Fuels Highlights/Gaslights

Civil liberties group takes RCMP to court over delayed response to alleged spying complaint
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/bccla-lawsuit-rcmp-watchdog-report-delay-1.5797285
The allegation is that the RCMP infiltrated 'activist' groups, and relayed information to "other government bodies and private sector actors", including the Northern Gateway pipeline proponents (e.g. Enbridge).

Varcoe: Time for straight talk on Alberta's Keystone XL investment
https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/varcoe-time-for-straight-talk-on-albertas-keystone-xl-investment

Canada, Saudi Arabia 'Worst Performers' In Report On Fossil Fuel Support
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/canada-saudi-arabia-fossil-fuels_ca_5fac8d84c5b635e9de9eb559
As I have said before, governments in Canada not only can't stop themselves handing out subsidies to the oil and gas industry, they can't even create a complete catalogue of the subsidies they provide now.

Opposition runs high against Quebec natural gas project rest of Canada hears little about
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/11/11/opinion/pushback-quebec-natural-gas-project-canada-fracking-energy

Cleaning Up LNG Becomes EU Target in Blow to U.S. Shippers
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-05/cleaning-up-lng-becomes-a-target-of-eu-in-blow-to-u-s-shippers

Why the IMO’s draft Arctic HFO regulation will not protect the Arctic, and how to fix it
https://splash247.com/why-the-imos-draft-arctic-hfo-regulation-will-not-protect-the-arctic-and-how-to-fix-it/

Alberta Strikes Methane Emissions Deal With Federal Government
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Alberta-Strikes-Methane-Emissions-Deal-With-Federal-Government.html
So, in practical terms, no methane emissions regulation in Alberta.

Study finds climate-changing methane emissions from oilpatch twice as high as thought
https://www.castanet.net/news/Canada/316128/Study-finds-climate-changing-methane-emissions-from-oilpatch-twice-as-high-as-thought
Not a surprise to those who have been paying attention to Alberta / oil industry antics. Fortunately for the natural gas sector, the Canadian federal government abdicated its role in monitoring recently, so the Alberta government will be able to say whatever the industry wants without fear of federal government contradiction.

Almost half of thermal coal firms set to defy climate pledge – report
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/12/thermal-coal-firms-climate-pledge-report-paris-goals

;-) “Laughing at our mistakes can lengthen our own life.
     Laughing at someone else’s can shorten it.”
     – Cullen Hightower

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

NC=New Cases; D=(daily) Deaths; AC=Active Cases
Canada: NC: 5,515; D: 83; AC: 45,034 (the 5xxx new cases number is not a typo)
U.S. NC:.161,451; D:.1,190; AC: 3,897,231
World: NC: 643,042; D: 9,669; AC: 14,615,273
New Zealand: NC: 3; D: 0; AC: 53

COVID-19 News Items

Mysterious 'gene within a gene' found in the coronavirus
https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-mysterious-gene-inside-gene-discovered.html
These quotes from the article:
"The two genes are unrelated and encode entirely different proteins," Nelson says. "This means that knowledge about SARS-CoV ORF3b should not be applied to SARS-CoV-2 ORF3d", and
"But we predict this gene is relatively unlikely to be detected by a T-cell response, in contrast to the antibody response. And maybe that has something to do with how the gene was able to arise."

'Amazing technology': New Spartan CEO says Ottawa firm on verge of market breakthrough
[dead link: https://www.obj.ca/article/techopia/amazing-technology-new-spartan-ceo-says-ottawa-firm-verge-market-breakthrough] https://www.obj.ca/article/techopia/amazing-technology-new-spartan-ceo-says-ottawa-firm-verge-market-breakthrough

The U.S. reported over 150,000 new coronavirus cases Thursday, an alarming record coming just over a week after the country’s first 100,000-case day
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/12/world/covid-19-coronavirus-updates

What Ontario's new modelling for the COVID-19 second wave can — and can't — tell us
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-covid-19-cases-modelling-peak-wave-december-1.5798357

Ontario could see 3000 to 6500 new COVID-19 cases per day by mid-December, new modelling suggests
https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/ontario-could-see-more-than-9000-new-covid-19-cases-per-day-by-end-of-year-new-modelling/

Ontario rejected its own public health agency's advice when it launched its colour-coded plan for COVID-19 restrictions
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/11/11/ontario-rejected-its-own-public-health-agencys-advice-when-it-launched-its-colour-coded-plan-for-covid-19-restrictions.html

Kaplan-Myrth: Doctors aren't 'armchair quarterbacks,' Premier Ford
[dead link: https://www.theobserver.ca/opinion/kaplan-myrth-doctors-arent-armchair-quarterbacks-premier-ford/wcm/d603d39b-e9f7-4db8-9b61-c44734158cf8] https://www.theobserver.ca/opinion/kaplan-myrth-doctors-arent-armchair-quarterbacks-premier-ford/wcm/d603d39b-e9f7-4db8-9b61-c44734158cf8

As I read the Premier's comments over the past couple of days, they're almost ready to think about doing something serious about the pandemic soon, they're watching the numbers closely, after all.

About those numbers - see the graph below of new cases reported by day from Sept. 1 to Nov. 10.

From 133 to 1,575 in under 10 weeks, with the 'second wave' yet to come. Flu season typically begins in late November or early December.

'Distancing and hand hygiene might not be enough': B.C. doctor weighs in on new COVID-19 guidelines
https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/distancing-and-hand-hygiene-might-not-be-enough-bc-doctor-weighs-in-on-new-covid-19-guidelines/

Province Launching Recruitment Program to Support Long-Term Care Sector
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/59108/province-launching-recruitment-program-to-support-long-term-care-sector
You think this is the program the Ontario government was talking about in April?

Will Thanksgiving Be a COVID-19 Disaster? In Canada, the Answer Was 'Yes'
https://time.com/5910635/thanksgiving-covid-19/

Volunteers in Pfizer vaccine trial report feeling like they had 'severe hangover' after injection
[dead link: https://canoe.com/news/world/volunteers-in-pfizer-vaccine-trial-report-feeling-like-they-had-severe-hangover-after-injection]

WHO frustrated by member nations' handling of pandemic, leaked recordings show
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/who-pandemic-private-recordings-1.5798561

A Canadian Restaurant Revealed Why It's Better For Them If You Don't Use Uber Eats
https://www.narcity.com/en-ca/news/uber-eats-other-delivery-apps-called-out-by-canadian-restaurant-for-cutting-into-profits

City of Hamilton to release names of COVID rule-breaking businesses https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/2020/11/11/city-of-hamilton-to-release-names-of-covid-rule-breaking-businesses.html
Perhaps this will allow consumers who care about the pandemic and their personal risk to make informed decisions on which local businesses they want to support.

Whales, dolphins and seals are 'highly susceptible' to coronavirus infection
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8937423/Whales-dolphins-seals-highly-susceptible-coronavirus-infection.html

Vitamin D and Omega-3 supplements help the elderly avoid Covid-19 infection
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8938339/Vitamin-D-Omega-3-supplements-help-elderly-avoid-Covid-19-infection.html
Well, that's not confusing at all given this story earlier in the British Medical Journal:
Evidence does not support vitamin D for reducing respiratory infections, reviews conclude
https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m2629
Personally, I'll keep taking my Vitamin D and Omega-3 supplements, which have other benefits.

;-) Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.
     ~ Don Marquis

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

Tuesday, Canada reported 4,302 new COVID-19 cases, 68 deaths and 41,126 active cases.
Wednesday, Canada reported 4,024, 53 and 43,177.

If yesterday you remembered, today you should think.

This is when we are supposed to have pushed these numbers down to prepare for the flu season / second wave.

Based on the headlines since March, no surprise that Quebec has the most COVID cases per capita at 1.3% of the total population, but the next few positions in that list might surprise you. 2nd - Alberta, 3rd - Manitoba, 4th - Ontario, 5th - British Columbia, and barely behind, Saskatchewan rounds out the bad news half-dozen.

The problem with being a 'populist' premier is that you have no mandate to step up and act like an adult when that is what is required. If you campaigned on giving everyone all the candy, the voters won't like it if you take their candy away. Readers, if you live in QC, ON, MB, SK, AB or BC, beating COVID-19 is up to you personally - your government has not geared up to do the job.

The 'twindemic' is a real risk. Ontario did not bother to obtain enough flu vaccine doses for its seniors or vulnerable populations. It did not make any serious effort to staff up its long-term care homes or community health services or acute care (hospital) resources. Alberta has declared war on its doctors, nurses and PSWs, and given up on contact tracing - not enough people trained to do the job. Manitoba is going to something RED in their unique and changing rules for what can and cannot open because they are getting hammered by outbreaks after refusing to heed data and evidence and keeping everything open for too long. SK doctors have sent an open letter to their premier demanding a real response to the accelerating rise in COVID-19 cases there. Too many similar stories to include here.

In Canada, as of today's numbers, you have more than a 4% chance of dying if you COVID-19 catches you.

Nearly one in five Covid patients later diagnosed with mental illness – study
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/10/nearly-one-in-five-covid-patients-later-diagnosed-with-mental-illness-study

‘I began to lose hope’: the people living with post-Covid psychiatric disorders
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/10/i-began-to-lose-hope-the-people-living-with-post-covid-psychiatric-disorders

This means if you survive, you have a 20% chance of psychiatric disorders - if you can get diagnosed.

Persistent fatigue following SARS-CoV-2 infection is common and independent of severity of initial infection
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.07.29.20164293v1
Per this study, over half of COVID-19 survivors suffer long-term fatigue.

WHO: What we know about Long-term effects of COVID-19
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/risk-comms-updates/update-36-long-term-symptoms.pdf
Pay particular attention to slides 8-13.

We know there are long-term health effects on other organs (kidneys, heart, liver, etc.), but we don't have enough time in with COVID-19 to have good statistical data yet. We know the numbers are non-trivial.

Nine in ten recovered COVID-19 patients experience side-effects, study shows
https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-southkorea-study/nine-in-ten-recovered-covid-19-patients-experience-side-effects-study-idUKL4N2GQ1Z2

Think about the risks associated with contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and think about the actions you take to protect yourself from it, or in many cases, not protect yourself and others.

COVID-19 News Items

Results not independently reviewed, and testing not yet complete, likely still 2 years away from full distribution if everything continues to go right.
COVID-19 vaccine is 90-percent effective: Pfizer and BioNTech.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/9/covid-19-vaccine-is-90-effective-pfizer-and-biontech

I found this story unsettling. If you owned the winner in the COVID-19 vaccine race, would you sell your stocks the day of your good news announcement, or would you be holding on until the serious money from world-wide sales started to roll in a few months from now?

Or given the sales may have been pre-planned, is it just a coincidence that the news - which normally would not be released at this stage in testing - broke the same day?
Pfizer executives sold shares on day when positive vaccine news came out
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/pfizer-stock-sale-1.5798089

;-) “A failure is like fertilizer; it stinks to be sure,
     but it makes things grow faster in the future.”
     – Denis Waitley

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Canadian war graves at National Vimy Memorial. Image: Dennis Gruending
3,598 dead, 7,004 wounded on the British/Canadian side. Unknown on the German side.
Wikipedia entry for the Battle of Vimy Ridge

Universal face shield use significantly reduces SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCP
https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20201028/universal-face-shield-use-significantly-reduces-sarscov2-infections-among-hcps

U of Guelph team tests produce decontamination technology on hospital gowns
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/decontaminate-hospital-gowns-1.5788587

PPE Use Protects Us Against Coronavirus, but It's Harming the Oceans
https://earth911.com/eco-watch/ppe-use-protects-us-against-coronavirus-but-its-harming-the-oceans/

AHS signs agreement with Calgary company to provide Alberta medical staff with face masks
https://globalnews.ca/news/7384225/calgary-orpyx-medical-alberta-ahs-face-masks/

Low-cost measurement of face mask efficacy for filtering expelled droplets during speech
https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/36/eabd3083.full

Dollarama recalls bogus hand sanitizer
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/dollarama-hand-sanitizer-1.5771504

An Ontario company is producing face masks just for guys with beards
https://www.blogto.com/fashion_style/2020/10/face-mask-beards-ontario-company/

Why a Canadian toy maker is joining the mask-making business
https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/why-a-canadian-toy-maker-is-joining-the-mask-making-business-1.5159528

N.B. company uses sale of face shields to support World Health Organization fund
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-bbi-shields-1.5776369

First reusable, environmentally friendly N99 mask manufactured and distributed in Canada
https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/first-reusable-environmentally-friendly-n99-mask-manufactured-and-distributed-in-canada-844808123.html

;-) “As long as people will accept crap, it will be
     financially profitable to dispense it.”
     – Dick Cavett

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

On Saturday, Canada reported 4,246 new cases, followed by 4.058 on Sunday. As not all jurisdictions in Canada report on weekends, expect these numbers to be higher today. With active cases leaping to 38,586 on Sunday, Canada has blown past the highest count in the first wave, and still accelerating. Additional deaths at 54 and 32 for the two days, surpassing the 10,522 mark.

The world reported over 600,000 new cases each of the two days. 7,437 and 5,841 deaths.

Today, the U.S. President-Elect is expected to name his COVID-19 response panel. 127,167 and 102,726 cases reported on the 2 days of the weekend. With 72 days left until inauguration, and the trend-line still rising, expect over 7 million additional cases by then, about 2% of the entire population. The new federal government will inherit the aftermath of the Christmas holiday super-spreader event.

COVID-19 News Items

In case you thought most of Canada were managing the COVID-19 pandemic in their provinces ...
Canada sets new COVID-19 record with 4,248 cases reported in one day
[dead link: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/canada-sets-new-covid-19-record-with-4-248-cases-reported-in-one-day-1.5179943]

COVID-19: Quebec reports 1,234 new cases and 29 more deaths
https://globalnews.ca/news/7448954/covid-19-quebec-coronavirus-nov-7/

COVID-19 testing numbers plunge below maximum capacity in Ontario
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-covid-19-testing-numbers-plunge-below-maximum-capacity-in-ontario/

'Super-spreader' get together of 20 yr olds in Niagara now responsible for over 40 cases of COVID
https://www.iheartradio.ca/610cktb/news/super-spreader-get-together-of-20-yr-olds-in-niagara-now-responsible-for-over-40-cases-of-covid-1.13914034

Saturday's new COVID-19 case count in Ottawa double Friday's number
https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/saturdays-new-covid-19-case-count-in-ottawa-double-fridays-number/

271 new COVID-19 cases, 7 deaths in Manitoba Saturday
https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/271-new-covid-19-cases-7-deaths-in-manitoba-saturday-1.5179271

116 new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, 2 new deaths reported
https://globalnews.ca/news/7449217/coronavirus-cases-deaths-saskatchewan-nov-7-covid-19/

Alberta smashes single-day COVID-19 record with 919 new cases; gargle testing put on hold
https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/alberta-announces-new-covid-19-cases

Alberta abandons contact tracing. Will Fraser Health be next?
https://www.tricitynews.com/news/alberta-abandons-contact-tracing-will-fraser-health-be-next-1.24234870

BC actually had to report cases on a Saturday, not the usual ...
B.C. announces regional restrictions, 567 new COVID-19 cases including three in Island Health
https://www.cheknews.ca/bc-covid-19-nov-7-716950/

Less than 7 weeks to Christmas ...
Will COVID-19 kill Christmas?
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/covid-19-christmas-santa-claus-economy-holidays-1.5792969

Health-care workers in Gatineau protest forced full-time and schedule changes
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/health-care-workers-in-gatineau-protest-forced-full-time-and-schedule-changes

Ontario's new tiered lockdown system slammed by experts who warn it's 'scientifically illiterate'
https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/ontarios-new-tiered-lockdown-system-slammed-by-experts-who-warn-its-scientifically-illiterate/

Eventually provincial government leaders from Quebec west will take the pandemic seriously. But, still, not yet. It would be heartening to see real action, instead of roll-calls of articles like those above.

Canadian-made rapid test for COVID-19 can be transported without refrigeration
https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/article/canadian-made-rapid-test-for-covid-19-can-be-transported-without-refrigeration/

How businesses and schools are dealing with airborne COVID-19 and preparing for a winter indoors
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/covid-ventilation-virus-transmission-1.5779916

;-) Dear Math, please grow up and solve your own problems,
     I'm tired of solving them for you.

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Second Opinion
Why COVID-19 cases are surging across Canada and what needs to be done
http://newsletters.cbc.ca/q/17SeGtSzNiPrRDX985lrDm/wv

You can't negotiate with a virus. We can be smarter than a virus.

You can't have a prosperous economy if a large proportion of your population is
sick or dying.

;-) The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
    ~ Albert Einstein

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

4,471 new COVID-19 cases in Canada on Friday set a new record for a single day (excluding one count that included weekend catch-up).

Active cases count is now within spitting distance of the highest number we reached in May, but this time still rising like a rocket.

55 additional deaths solidifies that rising trend-line.

The U.S. set yet another new single day reported cases record with 132,540. Staggering, yet numbing. Remember, deaths is a lagging number.

Over 3.4 million active cases, and an additional 1,248 deaths yesterday.

Clearly, our elected leaders are heading in the wrong direction, but no serious measures beyond trying to jawbone the virus into submission in the provinces from Quebec west. It's time for our elected officials to grasp that they cannot negotiate with a virus. For the rest of us, we're on our own.

COVID-19 News Items

'The single biggest mistake of the pandemic.' Ontario's sudden shift in pandemic strategy rattles medical community
https://www.yorkregion.com/opinion-story/10240288-bruce-arthur-the-single-biggest-mistake-of-the-pandemic-ontario-s-sudden-shift-in-pandemic-strategy-rattles-medical-community/

Aerosol spread of coronavirus underscores importance of avoiding ‘three Cs’: Tam
https://globalnews.ca/news/7446865/aerosol-transmission-canada-tam/

Top doc reports 800 new cases in Alta., says spread is outpacing province's contact-tracing ability
[dead link: https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/mobile/top-doc-reports-800-new-cases-in-alta-says-spread-is-outpacing-province-s-contact-tracing-ability-1.5176727]

B.C. records shocking 589 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours
https://globalnews.ca/news/7447827/bc-coronavirus-update-november-6/

Doug Ford's pandemic pledge to hire thousands of nursing-home workers criticized as short on details
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2020/11/06/doug-fords-pandemic-pledge-to-hire-thousands-of-nursing-home-workers-criticized-as-short-on-details.html/
It takes time to train people for work in heath care. As there is no sign the Ontario government took any real steps in that direction since March, it's hard to imagine where these trained personnel are going to come from in the midst of a global pandemic as a second wave is just beginning, and which will thin those ranks in the weeks and months ahead.

By trusting in its scientists, Australia is down to zero new COVID-19 cases
https://nationalpost.com/news/world/by-trusting-in-their-scientists-australia-is-down-to-zero-new-covid-19-cases

Climate Change

A Global Breakdown of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/a-global-breakdown-of-greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-sector/
This article is worth the time if just for the graphic. Context for a 'think globally, act locally' approach.

The Car Giants That Knew About Climate Change 50 Years Ago
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/The-Car-Giants-That-Knew-About-Climate-Change-50-Years-Ago.html

This just in from the Canadian government division of the U.S. oil and gas industry ....
O’Regan says he will ‘monitor’ methane rules. Critics say it’s time to strengthen them.
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/10/30/news/seamus-oregan-monitor-methane-rules-critics/
Sorry Seamus, the data is already in, and we know fugitive emissions are a huge problem. Even a 40% reduction target a decade or more from now isn't good enough.

On the horizon: the end of oil and the beginnings of a low-carbon planet
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/01/end-of-oil-and-beginnings-of-a-low-carbon-planet

Climate change creating new challenges for cranberry producers
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/climate-change-challenges-cranberries-1.5787221

Cutting Greenhouse Gases From Food Production Is Urgent, Scientists Say
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/05/climate/climate-change-food-production.html

This chicken farming operation switched of the grid and onto solar + storage - to save money. Saving the climate was a free bonus.
Australia's largest chicken farm switches on solar+storage system.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2020/11/03/australias-largest-chicken-farm-switches-on-solarstorage-system/

;-) To me, "drink responsibly" means don't spill it.

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

With 3,635 new COVID-19 cases, Canada moved past 250,000 cases yesterday. 50 additional deaths.

The world surpassed 49 million cases yesterday, and will likely cross the 1.25 million mark for deaths today.

Australia reported zero new cases yesterday, and no deaths since October 29th. An amazing turnaround from early September! Wow, well done!!

This from a conservative government which recognized you can't have a fully functioning economy while the pandemic rages and chose to embrace data, evidence and science, rather than imagining that we can negotiate with a virus to find some comfortable middle-ground compromise.

118,319 new cases set yet another daily record for COVID-19 cases in the U.S. Most likely, the U.S. will exceed 10,000,000 cumulative cases today - over 3% of the total population and rising fast.

About 2.5% of those infected in the U.S. die. About 64% recover, so presumably about 1/3 are left in some kind of long-haul limbo, currently over 3 million in that category.

Fortress Fossil Fuels Highlights/Gaslights

Canadian governments just can't figure out how to stop giving taxpayer money to the dying oil industry.
Minister O’Regan launches $750 million fund for oil and gas companies to reduce methane emissions
https://boereport.com/2020/10/29/minister-oregan-launches-750-million-fund-for-oil-and-gas-companies-to-reduce-methane-emissions/

Alberta defies Trudeau with grant offers to petrochemical firms
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/alberta-defies-trudeau-with-grant-offers-to-petrochemical-firms-1.1515510

U.K. Spending 32 Times More On Fossil Fuels Than Renewables: New Report
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrvetter/2020/10/29/uk-spending-32-times-more-on-fossil-fuels-than-renewables-new-report/

But when people and businesses are spending their own money, it goes differently.
Renewable Energy Surges Even In Fossil Fuel Friendly Red States
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2020/10/26/renewables-and-energy-storage-are-surging-in-red-states/

'Zombie' Oil Wells in Canada Are a Climate Threat
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/30/climate/oil-wells-leak-canada.html

ExxonMobil scraps LNG terminal plan
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2270413/exxonmobil-scraps-lng-terminal-plan

Aramco's Q3 Profit Slumps 45%
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Aramcos-Q3-Profit-Slumps-45.html

Venezuela's Oil Exports Continue To Plunge
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Venezuelas-Oil-Exports-Continue-To-Plunge.html

Is Wall Street Cutting Its Fossil Fuels Losses?

Shell to shut Louisiana refinery after failing to find a buyer
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/shell-to-shut-louisiana-refinery-after-failing-to-find-a-buyer-1.1518338

Equinor and BP Strike Oil Offshore Canada
https://www.rigzone.com/news/equinor_and_bp_strike_oil_offshore_canada-30-oct-2020-163714-article

From Billions To Millions Canada Offshore Oil Disappointment
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/From-Billions-To-Millions-Canada-Offshore-Oil-Disappointment.html

Political strategist & lobbyist each plead guilty in federal public corruption racketeering conspiracy involving more than $60 million
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/political-strategist-lobbyist-each-plead-guilty-federal-public-corruption-racketeering

;-) “Most people would sooner die than think; in fact, they do so.”
     ~ Bertrand Russell

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

Yesterday, many were nursing their 'hangovers' from the U.S. election that never seems to end. Which is continuing into today, and may stretch into days ahead. Teachable moments in civics have been available, and wasted. The voting is over; the counting is not.

Speaking of interminable counts and missed teachable moments, the COVID-19 pandemic is also continuing. 2,768 new COVID-19 cases reported in Canada on Wednesday, with active cases up again to 31,725 and 52 more deaths. We'll likely reach 250,000 cases today (cumulative).

The U.S. blew up it's old one-day record by reporting 108,389 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, taking that total past 9.8 million. Over 1,200 new deaths, and that total will likely go past 240,000 today. Almost 3.3 million active cases.

Peru and Belgium have now exceeded 0.1% of their entire populations as COVID-19 fatalities. That's 1 for every 1000. (For comparison, the U.S. is at 0.0723% and Canada is at 0.0273%.)

The world is at 48.5 million cases and about 1.23 million deaths.
For the northern hemisphere, the second wave is coming.

COVID-19 News Items

In Sweden, a ‘very serious’ resurgence of coronavirus and a grim winter ahead
https://nationalpost.com/news/world/in-sweden-a-very-serious-resurgence-of-coronavirus-and-a-grim-winter-ahead

Alberta could have thousands of new COVID-19 cases a day on current trajectory, infectious disease expert says
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/lynora-saxinger-malgorzata-gasperowicz-tom-mcmillan-1.5785655

Ontario already had a losing strategy in fighting the pandemic. Doug Ford just made it a lot worse.
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2020/11/03/ontario-already-had-a-losing-strategy-in-fighting-the-pandemic-doug-ford-just-made-it-a-lot-worse.html

Matt Gurney: The scary thing about COVID — we may be in this for the long haul
https://nationalpost.com/opinion/matt-gurney-the-scary-thing-about-covid-we-may-be-in-this-for-the-long-haul

Clear messaging, safe options key to fighting COVID-19 fatigue
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/covid-19-fatigue-psychology-1.5789954

Why some people are superspreaders and how the body emits coronavirus
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/10/why-people-are-coronavirus-superspreaders-how-body-emits-infectious-particles/

Canada quietly updates COVID-19 guidelines on risk of airborne spread
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/coronavirus-canada-aerosol-transmission-covid-19-1.5789906
Ventilation matters, air filtering matters, eye protection matters.

Britain will try to test everyone in Liverpool
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/03/world/covid-19-coronavirus-updates#britain-will-try-to-test-everyone-in-liverpool-and-other-news-from-around-the-worldBR> Until (and if) there is a vaccine, zone by zone eradication seems the best option to me, while becoming aware of reservoirs.

Nearly 10,000 mink dead from Covid-19 outbreak at Utah fur farms
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/11/utah-10000-minks-dead-from-coronavirus

Many of us aren’t washing our hands like we used to: germ expert
https://globalnews.ca/news/7432594/washing-hands/

Big contact tracing study shows role of kids and superspreaders in COVID-19 pandemic
https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/01/health/contact-tracing-children-superspreaders

Rapid method finds potent COVID-19 monoclonal antibody among a trillion possibilities
https://www.upmc.com/media/news/110220-dimitrov-mellors-ab1-pnas

What's the germiest surface in a supermarket? You might be surprised.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/marketplace/marketplace-supermarket-germs-1.5778492

This scientist made a Google Doc to educate the public about airborne coronavirus transmission
https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/10/02/1009235/this-scientist-made-a-google-doc-to-educate-the-public-about-airborne-coronavirus-transmission/

After Coming Down With Symptoms, Scientist Develops New Way to Test for COVID-19 Antibodies
https://scitechdaily.com/after-coming-down-with-symptoms-scientist-develops-new-way-to-test-for-covid-19-antibodies/

;-) I finally got eight hours of sleep.
     It took me three days, but whatever.

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

4,672 new cases reported in Canada yesterday. Despite continued low testing numbers, Ontario set another new record for one-day new cases at 1,050. Nationally, 71 additional deaths. 31,147 active cases, and rising rapidly towards the peak of the first wave (35,014), which had a less restrictive definition.

This data is not about having the situation under control. The mixed messaging from elected officials is killing people.

If we look at the number of cases per 100,000 population, Quebec still has the highest number (1,283), but number 2 is Alberta (685), then Ontario (540) and Manitoba (466). By comparison, Nunavut's number is 0. NWT is at 22, PEI is at 41, New Brunswick at 42, NL and YT both at 56. Choices were made, and case counts reflect this.

In the U.S., where COVID-19 wasn't the story for a change, 94,463 new cases and 1,199 additional deaths. And yesterday was likely a super-spreader event nationwide, not so much at the actual polls, but at partisan events to view results.

Fortress Fossil Fuels Highlights/Gaslights

Was Plastics Being Mixed With Oil In Mauritius Spill To Produce A Horror ‘Frankenstein Fuel’?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nishandegnarain/2020/11/03/was-plastics-being-mixed-with-oil-in-mauritius-spill-to-produce-a-horror-frankenstein-fuel/

Trans Mountain expansion may not be economically viable, says think tank report
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trans-mountain-pipeline-oilsands-1.5781073

The oil industry delivers another blow to the Alberta economy
Cenovus to cut up to 25% of combined workforce with Husky Energy after merger
Job cuts, mostly in Calgary, could affect 1,720 to 2,150 employees and contractors
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/husky-cenovus-jobs-cuts-layoffs-workforce-merger-calgary-oil-energy-1.5778474

How not to celebrate your industry consolidation merger and make new friends
Husky pipeline spills 900,000 litres of produced water in northwestern Alberta
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/husky-pipeline-spill-alberta-1.5780578
Per standard industry practice, "A spill of 500,000 litres was initially reported to the Alberta Energy Regulator, but Delaney said the amount was increased after an initial investigation." There is the standard statement that the leak is contained, and the area has been cordoned off "to keep animals away", and media.

Investors fear there'll be no bright post-Covid dawn for oil majors
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/oct/25/investors-fear-therell-be-no-bright-post-covid-dawn-for-oil-majors

North American Oil And Gas Bankruptcy Debt Has Hit An All-Time High
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/North-American-Oil-And-Gas-Bankruptcy-Debt-Has-Hit-An-All-Time-High.html

Drilling forecast calls for even fewer Canadian oil and gas wells in ‘bleak’ 2021
https://globalnews.ca/news/7430367/drilling-forecast-calls-for-even-fewer-canadian-oil-and-gas-wells-in-bleak-2021/

A Wave Of Stranded Oil Assets Is Coming To The U.S. Shale Patch
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/A-Wave-Of-Stranded-Oil-Assets-Is-Coming-To-The-US-Shale-Patch.html

Oil Sees Worst Month Since March
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Oil-Sees-Worst-Month-Since-March.html

The Green Hydrogen Problem That No One Is Talking About
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/The-Green-Hydrogen-Problem-That-No-One-Is-Talking-About.html

United Nations treaty to ban nuclear weapons to enter into force
https://globalnews.ca/news/7420162/nuclear-weapons-ban-treaty/

Doug Ford says he 'hates' it that hydro rates are gong up
https://globalnews.ca/video/7430732/doug-ford-says-he-hates-it-that-hydro-rates-are-gong-up
Doug Ford scraps carbon tax plan and sets up climate fight with Trudeau
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/03/doug-ford-scraps-carbon-tax-plan-and-sets-up-climate-fight-with-trudeau
Climate change: You've got cheap data, how about cheap power too?
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-54723147
Wheels coming off on Darlington rebuild project
[dead link: https://www.cleanairalliance.org/wheels/] https://www.cleanairalliance.org/wheels/
If Premier Ford had actually wanted cheaper electricity for Ontario ratepayers and taxpayers, all he had to do was choose it over the more expensive options (nuclear, natural gas). But he hasn't, multiple times.

Shell’s climate poll on Twitter backfires spectacularly.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/03/shells-climate-poll-on-twitter-backfires-spectacularly

;-) I run like the winded.

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

Warning: these posts are for 'adults'; people with the ability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and prepared to work for the greater good. If that isn't you, remember to wash your hands and face with soap regularly and don't touch anything. Stay home. The Internet has plenty of content to entertain you.

Canada moved past 240,000 cases of COVID-19 with 2,330 cases reported on Sunday and 3,422 reported on Monday. 43 and 29 deaths reported over the 2 days, which is back in the range we saw in June. Active cases now number over 30,000.

The Trump Election Infection Tour (I couldn't resist when I saw this phrase) is continuing to put up big numbers. Over 100,000 new cases on October 30th nationwide, and averaging well over 80,000 per day since. Today's big question is, will U.S. voters choose a virus to run the country for the next four years?

For contrast, New Zealand has seen a small uptick in cases in recent weeks, reporting 4 (four) new cases yesterday. No deaths since September 16th. What does that kind of pandemic control mean to the population? Consider this opinion piece from Massachusetts:
https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/20201031/opinionlewis-new-zealand-model-covid-19-response

Atlantic Canada and the northern territories have also managed pretty well compared to the provinces from Quebec going west, where there are reports of hospital ICU's nearing and exceeding capacity, and medical staff exhausted and pushed beyond reasonable demands, before the second wave starts for real. My conclusion, controlling COVID-19 is a choice by elected officials: which matters more? People or private sector profits?

(Digital) Deception

False video of Biden aims to make him look unfit for office. 1.1 million watched it
https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2020/11/02/joe-biden-manipulated-video-minnesota-orig.cnn-business/video/playlists/business-tech/

I got a monthly blurb from a computer anti-virus company recently.
It made 3 key points in this edition. I think they're worth passing along.
1) Keep your anti-virus software up to date to help prevent malware
     from accessing your device in the first place. Don't have one? Get one!
2) Don't click on suspicious links. Ever. Phishing attacks are still
     the most popular form of distributing malware and often have
     disastrous consequences.
3) Back up all your files and photos. That way, if you do find
     yourself a victim of ransomware, you can restore all your
     information.

This Windows 7 ‘Upgrade’ Steals Passwords—How To Really Get Windows 10 For Free.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2020/10/04/beware-this-dangerous-windows-7-upgrade-how-to-get-windows-10-for-free/

Liberal restraints won't fix surveillance capitalism
[dead link: https://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2020/10/liberal-restraints-wont-fix-surveillance-capitalism] https://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2020/10/liberal-restraints-wont-fix-surveillance-capitalism
(Small 'L' liberal, and I would use constraint in place of restraint.)

Blackbaud stays mum about ransomware attack that exposed personal information of Canadians
[dead site: https://www.itworldcanada.com/article/blackbaud-stays-mum-about-ransomware-attack-that-exposed-personal-information-of-canadians/436609]

Adblockers installed 300,000 times are malicious and should be removed now
If you have Chromium versions of Nano Adblocker or Nano Defender, pay attention.
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/10/popular-chromium-ad-blockers-caught-stealing-user-data-and-accessing-accounts/

Microsoft did some research. Now it's angry about what it found.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-did-some-research-now-its-angry-about-what-it-found/

Six Russian military officers indicted by U.S. grand jury for huge cyber attacks
[dead site: https://www.itworldcanada.com/article/six-russian-military-officers-indicted-by-u-s-grand-jury-for-huge-cyber-attacks/437264]

Why You Should Stop Using Your Facebook Messenger App
https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2020/10/25/why-apple-iphone-and-google-android-users-should-stop-using-facebook-messenger-apps/

Internet-enabled male chastity cage can be remotely locked by hackers
https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/6/21504019/internet-enabled-male-chastity-cage-cellmate-qiui-security-flaw-remotely-locked
Well, it might be one way to encourage more women to take up the electro-digital arts.

;-) If someone from the 1950s time traveled into the future and suddenly
     appeared today, what would be the most challenging thing to explain
     about modern life? One answer: “I possess a device in my pocket that
     is capable of accessing the entirety of information known to man.
     I use it to look at pictures of cats and get into arguments with strangers.”

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.
With thanks to those making the effort, every day, for us all.

For earlier entries, see earlier blog file.
For the current blog, see the Econogics Blog.

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