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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.

1,660 new COVID-19 cases reported in Canada on Tuesday. 13 deaths. The latter number appears to be starting to ramp up, as expected of a lagging indicator. We still don't track the status of the 'recovered'.

The world will reach 34,000,000 cases today, based on widespread under-counting.

Protect yourself, then protect others. Clearly, we have a significant and impactful portion of the population that don't care about your well-being. Like they used to say in the pre-flight safety instructions, if you can remember when flying seemed like a normal event, in the event the masks drop from the ceiling, first put yours on before helping others. In the COVID-19 context, stay home, maintain physical distancing, wash your hands with soap frequently, don't touch your face, avoid touching common-area surfaces, disinfect surfaces to kill viruses. If you HAVE to go out into a public space with people outside your social bubble, wear face covering protection. Cloth masks MAY help reduce virus spread, but they don't protect the wearer well (especially the eyes) and lead to more face touching. (In my opinion, a face-shield and mask is better, and a face-shield with curtain and mask is better still.)

Climate Change

Leaders to UN: If virus doesn't kill us, climate change will.
[dead link: https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/leaders-to-un-if-virus-doesn-t-kill-us-climate-change-will-1.5122074]

Nuclear power no solution to climate change
https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/gibbons-nuclear-power-no-solution-to-climate-change

Covid-19 gave the world a chance to fix the climate crisis. We're about to waste it.
https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/09/world/climate-covid-money-intl/

‘We’ve overrun the planet’ - Attenborough
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/science-environment-54319449

Canada's peatlands are tinderboxes that are more likely to ignite in a warming world
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-canadas-peatlands-are-tinderboxes-that-are-more-likely-to-ignite-in-a/

Wild maple tree species face growing threat of extinction, report finds
https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/wild-maple-tree-species-face-growing-threat-of-extinction-report-finds-1.5122285

Environmental groups say Liberals fall short on GHG targets after accepting Ontario climate plan
https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/environmental-groups-say-liberals-hollow-on-environment-after-accepting-ontario-climate-plan

Teens protest for climate justice in front of federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson's B.C. office
https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/teens-protest-for-climate-justice-in-front-of-federal-environment-minister-jonathan-wilkinsons-bc-office/

Environmental leaders on post-COVID Canada: Greener future, or new climate denialism?
[dead link: https://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/greening-news/2020/09/environmental-leaders-post-covid-canada-greener-future-or-new] https://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/greening-news/2020/09/environmental-leaders-post-covid-canada-greener-future-or-new

Big Oil Reality Check: New paper finds ‘failure across the board’ in oil industry climate plans
https://yubanet.com/enviro/big-oil-reality-check-new-paper-finds-failure-across-the-board-in-oil-industry-climate-plans/

Elon Musk: “The US Is Moving Toward Sustainable Energy”
https://cleantechnica.com/2020/09/27/elon-musk-the-us-is-moving-toward-sustainable-energy/

Trudeau doubles down on 32 years of failed climate policies
https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/goldstein-trudeau-doubles-down-on-32-years-of-failed-climate-policies

Federal Court to decide whether young activists can sue Ottawa over climate policy
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/09/29/news/federal-court-decide-whether-young-activists-can-sue-ottawa-over-climate-policy

;-) Politicians are people who, when they see light at the
     end of the tunnel, go out and buy some more tunnel.
     - Nikhil Saluja

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.

The mainstream media lit up with COVID-19 stories again in Canada, as it becomes clear that ON, QC, BC and AB are seeing new spikes in COVID-19 cases. About 2-3 weeks after schools re-opened. Who would have thought that bursting the summer's social bubbles could have led to this outcome? Pretty much everyone. And now it's here.

With the weekend reporting effect captured again, on Monday, Canada reported a staggering 2,146 new COVID-19 cases.

That's the second highest daily count since the pandemic began. Active cases are also rising quickly, now at 13,416. Deaths are still lagging, but more hospitals are expressing concerns about capacity.
Ontario Hospitals Are Begging Ford To Send The GTA & Ottawa Back Into Stage 2
https://www.narcity.com/news/ca/on/toronto/ontario-hospitals-are-begging-ford-to-send-the-gta-ottawa-back-into-stage-2

In the U.S., COVID-19 deaths will blow past 210,000 before the first 2020 Presidential Debate tonight.

On the world stage, we surpassed 1,000,000 dead from COVID-19.

COVID-19 News Items

Exactly How Far Should You Distance From Others to Avoid Covid-19?
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/exactly-how-far-should-you-distance-others-avoid-covid-19-180975870/

Coronavirus: meet the Ontario researchers responsible for 3 world-firsts
https://globalnews.ca/news/7324016/coronavirus-dream-team-researchers-london-ontario-canada/

Is it possible that Ontario's bungling of COVID-19 testing is an attempt to open the door to privatized health care? It's not as though the Ontario government didn't know the second wave was coming, or that re-opening schools before community spread was solidly under control would spike the number of COVID-19 cases. Is this why Ontario testing centres can't even roll out an effective online appointment booking system? Lab tests which take a week to provide results aren't particularly helpful in letting people know if they should be isolating or not, or with contact tracing.

Ontario says it won't cap testing, despite memo ordering reductions
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/province-reducing-testing-in-ottawa-eastern-ontario-as-cases-and-demand-spike-memo-says

Amid surge in COVID-19 transmission, physicians warn Ontario's testing, tracing plans fall short
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-testing-second-wave-1.5742320

As COVID-19 Cases Skyrocket, Canadian Docs Say Don't Pay for Private Tests
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/3azg4j/as-covid-19-cases-skyrocket-canadian-docs-say-dont-pay-for-private-tests

Toronto Public Health calls social bubble ineffective as COVID-19 cases spike
https://www.680news.com/2020/09/28/toronto-public-health-de-villa-social-bubble-covid-city-restaurants-bar/

Canada failed to protect elderly in 1st wave of COVID-19 — will the same mistakes be made again?
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/covid-long-term-care-canada-1.5739798

How Quebec went from COVID-19 success story to hot spot in 30 days
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-covid-19-lockdown-second-wave-1.5742427

How Quebec's bungled messaging is hampering the anti-virus effort
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/mixed-messages-quebec-covid-19-1.5739739

How right-wing extremists, libertarians and evangelicals built Quebec's movement against COVID-19 restrictions
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-anti-mask-movement-qanon-covid-19-1.5737040

Nova Scotia company waiting on Health Canada approval for rapid antigen test for COVID-19
https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/nova-scotia-company-waiting-on-health-canada-approval-for-rapid-antigen-test-for-covid-19-1.5123937

I wouldn't bother posting this commentary, except for the fact that it comes from historical cheerleader for Doug Ford and François Legault (Ontario and Quebec premiers) and the too-early 're-opening of the economy'.
"Ontario and Quebec appear to be doing their best to make the second wave of COVID-19 worse than the first. Ontario announced 700 new cases today, the highest daily total the province has recorded, while Quebec notched 896 cases on Sunday. An elementary school in Toronto has been shut down for a week after three teachers and a student tested positive, and things like the "car takeover" of an Ontario beach town certainly won't help contain the spread."
If the leaders of the 're-open the economy now' movement are finally coming to grips with the idea that without a few surviving producers and consumers, there won't be an economy, perhaps we can get to a coherent strategy and messaging for citizens. For now, don't expect it to come from the Ontario and Quebec governments. Big window here for the federal government to fill the information and guidance void with a coherent, consistent, reality-based COVID-19 strategy. Might even include some real information on how we are on-shoring PPE production to the quantity levels we need and quality levels we can rely upon. Or how the environment is the basis for our economy, so a 'green recovery' is not only their plan, but the only logical path forward.

Wearing a mask may reduce how sick you get from coronavirus
https://globalnews.ca/news/7355360/face-masks-coronavirus-severity-research/
I note that virtually every item I read about positive attributes of mask wearing includes the word 'MAY', as in may reduce transmission, may reduce symptoms, may be effective.

Tomorrow is Orange Shirt Day.

;-) Quarantine day 6: Went to this restaurant called The Kitchen.
     You have to gather all the ingredients and make your own meal.
     I have no clue how this place is still in business. (Twitter post)

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.

Some days, I just wish I was wrong. Unfortunately, this is one of those days. Time to think of a COVID-19-chic rename for Thanksgiving. While you may have to forgo a big in-person family gathering this year, give a thought to those who are working - especially in front-line critical health care - this 'Thinksgiving' Day. They'll be busy.

Remember that the numbers below are undoubtedly low due to non-reporting on weekends in some jurisdictions.

On Saturday, Canada reported 1,215 new cases and 7 COVID-19 related deaths. On Sunday, the numbers were 1,454 and 6 respectively. Deaths are a lagging indicator, and get worse fast when critical and ICU care are overwhelmed - which happens on a facility by facility basis.

Once again, we're seeing outbreaks in long-term care facilities - still understaffed, and now in hospitals. Follow the health guidance measures and stay away from risk zones. The life you save may be your own, or that of a close friend or family member you won't be infecting.

The U.S. hit 7,000,000 confirmed cases on schedule yesterday, and we know that due to interference, that is an under-count.

COVID-19 News Items

Surgical, N95 masks block most particles, homemade cloth masks release their own
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-09-surgical-n95-masks-block-particles.html

Comprehensive nursing home inspections caught up to 5 times more violations. Why did Ontario cut them?
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/long-term-care-inspections-violations-1.5737081
Next question: why isn't Ontario re-instating those inspections?

Health Canada Approves Portable Human COVID-19 Testing Device that Delivers Results in 90 Minutes
https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/health-canada-approves-portable-human-covid-19-testing-device-that-delivers-results-in-90-minutes-873864114.html

Virus Cases Surged in Young Adults. The Elderly Were Hit Next.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/24/health/coronavirus-young-adults.html

We looked at every confirmed COVID-19 case in Canada. Here's what we found.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/public-health-agency-of-canada-covid-19-statistics-1.5733069

Coronavirus numbers are surging in Canada. But who’s getting sick and why?
https://globalnews.ca/news/7350503/coronavirus-cases-surging-canada-why/

'Everyone is exhausted and burnt': ER nurse at Lakeshore General quits over staff shortage.
https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/everyone-is-exhausted-and-burnt-er-nurse-at-lakeshore-general-quits-over-staff-shortage-1.5117272

Ontario Hospitals To Lay Off Over 100 Nurses Despite Staff Shortages
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/ontario-nurses-layoffs-covid_ca_5f6ba514c5b674713cc6c252
As we're expecting the 'second wave' of the COVID-19 pandemic in the next few weeks. What could go wrong?

Two more units at Foothills Medical Centre declared to have outbreaks; 50 cases confirmed at hospital.
https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/two-more-units-at-foothills-medical-centre-declared-to-have-outbreaks-50-cases-confirmed-at-hospital

SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence in Brazil: results from two successive nationwide serological household surveys.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30387-9/fulltext

Johnson & Johnson begins final phase of single-shot COVID-19 vaccine study
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/johnson-johnson-beginning-final-study-covid-19-vaccine-1.5735136

Perley Rideau program could help to reduce hallway medicine: study
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/perley-rideau-program-could-help-to-reduce-hallway-medicine-study

We need more testing, and we need to make it rational to access it. Online booking would help, but it has to work well, not create more frustration. Standing outside in lines for hours is not going to be a viable solution as temperatures dive come November - just a month away. Long lines of people seeking testing is likely to put more people at risk. Putting people in long lines in cars is going to increase local air pollution as engines idle to keep the cabins warm. Working long-hours at a drive-through assessment clinic will be a real treat when temperatures are below freezing. Time to get smart on testing.

COVID-19 test booking site like playing 'lottery,' say frustrated parents
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/cheo-hospital-booking-1.5739826

A little engineering, a lot of customer service: What it will take to fix COVID-19 test lineups.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/covid-19-test-lineups-fix-1.5736992

Or, testing centres could just use a proven, secure online booking service developed by a Canadian company based in Ottawa (already in use at multiple sites in BC e.g. https://fraserhealth.secureform.ca/index.php). For more information on the product, see https://www.commforms.ca.

;-) Little Johnny's mother had three children. The first child was
     named April. The second child was named May.
     What was the third child's name?
     Johnny.

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.

Back to school: When sniffles mean COVID-19 tests, self-isolation; how families are coping
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/families-cope-with-rocky-school-start-when-sniffles-could-mean-covid-19-tests-self-isolation-1.5110699

1st elementary school in Ontario closes after students, staff test positive for COVID-19
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/monsignor-paul-baxter-closure-1.5731705

Demand for substitute teachers up 20% at Calgary public schools in first 15 days of class
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-board-education-cbe-sonia-tyhonchuk-christopher-1.5730646

Educational assistants face unique risks, uncertainty as school year begins
https://rabble.ca/news/2020/09/educational-assistants-face-unique-risks-uncertainty-school-year-begins

Ontario reports 18 additional COVID-19 cases in publicly funded schools for a total of 90
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/09/21/ontario-reports-18-additional-covid-19-cases-in-publicly-funded-schools.html

Boards pivot to Plan B as outbreaks close schools
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/covid19-schools-remote-online-learning-1.5732789

TDSB postpones start of some online classes as e-learning demand surges
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-school-board-postpones-start-of-some-online-classes-1.5733215

TDSB turning to supply teachers as it rushes to hire for online classes
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-tdsb-turning-to-supply-teachers-as-it-rushes-to-hire-for-online/

Sacrifices vs. safety: Why some families are keeping their kids home from school
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/back-to-school-covid-multigenerational-households-1.5726777

Reopening Colleges Likely Fueled Covid-19 Significantly, Study Finds
Research suggests in-person classes led to thousands of additional cases each day in the U.S.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/reopening-colleges-likely-fueled-covid-19-significantly-study-finds-11600776001

COVID-19 outbreaks declared at four Ottawa schools, 48 schools with confirmed cases of novel coronavirus
https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/covid-19-outbreaks-declared-at-four-ottawa-schools-48-schools-with-confirmed-cases-of-novel-coronavirus-1.5116867

Ontario's back-to-school plan is 'morally unconscionable,' teachers tell labour board
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2020/09/22/ontarios-back-to-school-plan-is-morally-unconscionable-teachers-tell-labour-board.html

Toronto adult day school teachers didn't know if they were returning to work until one business day before school started
https://rabble.ca/news/2020/09/toronto-adult-day-school-teachers-didnt-know-if-they-were-returning-work-until-one

Retired Ontario Teachers Asked To Come Back To Work Amid Pandemic
[dead link: https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/ontario-retired-teachers-asked-to-come-back_ca_5f6d2385c5b6cdc24c167558] https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/ontario-retired-teachers-asked-to-come-back_ca_5f6d2385c5b6cdc24c167558
It's an interesting strategy. Presumably retired teachers are not typically in the under-40 category, and likely fit the demographic for what many consider a 'vulnerable population' (over 50 years old), so putting them into classrooms where they'll be exposed to dozens of second-hand bubbles in the rushed-to-reopen schools which are now reporting more and more COVID-19 outbreaks (to be expected) strikes me as a bit misaligned with the objective of keeping people out of hospitals or suffering long-term consequences from infections.

Parents left scrambling for COVID-19 testing as common cold symptoms disrupt schools, daycares
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-why-parents-now-dread-the-common-cold/

Teacher shortage in Ottawa: Unqualified staff, closing schools, cancelled classes possible
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/teacher-shortage-in-ottawa-unqualified-staff-closing-schools-cancelled-classes-possible

Bus runs to three elementary schools cancelled 'effective immediately'
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/bus-runs-to-three-elementary-schools-cancelled-effective-immediately

;-) https://economicsociologydotorg.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/existential-risk-dinosaur.jpg

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 reported 1,341 new confirmed cases on Thursday, and 6 more deaths. This as Canada's most populous provinces are restricting who is now eligible for testing, and long outdoor line-ups add an additional barrier to testing, and there is increasing evidence of 'asymptomatic' transmission among those under 40 years of age. This does not bode well.

"The pandemic is a clear test of international cooperation, a test we have essentially failed."
- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres - Sept. 24, 2020

PPE

Almonte hospital workers file grievance to access N95 masks
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/almonte-hospital-workers-file-grievance-to-access-n95-masks

Ottawa, Manitoba announce $400K for Western Canada's first PPE testing facility
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-canada-government-ppe-testing-facility-1.5710276

Labour calls for inquiry into purchase of 50m unusable face masks
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/06/fifty-million-face-masks-bought-government-cannot-be-used-nhs

That Face Shield Doesn't Really Work. And More Science Journal News.
https://thetyee.ca/News/2020/09/08/Science-Journals-Face-Shields/

Local firm Atmis readies for production of Windsor-made PPE
https://windsorstar.com/news/local-firm-atmis-readies-for-production-of-windsor-made-ppe

There are economic opportunities hiding within COVID.
Startup Soars Providing In-Home Health Care, Testing in Time of Covid
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-09/startup-soars-providing-in-home-health-care-testing-in-time-of-covid

Saliva test could fill COVID-19 assessment gaps: Ottawa study
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/saliva-test-could-fill-covid-19-assessment-gaps-ottawa-study

Indigenous Services moving goalposts on First Nations PPE stockpile proposal, says chief.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/first-nations-ppe-proposal-1.5721249

Canadian forestry invents biodegradable mask filter, aims for full mask by Christmas.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/article/canadian-forestry-invents-biodegradable-mask-filter-aims-for-full-mask-by-christmas/

N95 masks are still in hot demand. 3M is trying to answer the call
https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/16/success/3m-ceo-n95-masks-boss-files/index.html

The N95 shortage America can't seem to fix
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/local/news/n-95-shortage-covid/

BC business partners will make millions of N95 masks in Canada
https://www.citynews1130.com/video/2020/09/19/b-c-business-partners-will-make-millions-of-n95-masks-in-canada/

Guelph company close to bringing 15 minute saliva-based COVID test to market
https://www.guelphtoday.com/following-up/guelph-company-close-to-bringing-15-minute-saliva-based-covid-test-to-market-2718836

These brothers are picking up littered face masks around their neighborhood
https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/01/world/uk-brothers-pick-up-littered-face-masks-trnd/index.html

My logic problem with disposable masks

Our health officials have provided widespread guidance that if you cannot stay isolated, or maintain appropriate physical distancing, then wearing a mask (cloth or disposable - N95 still scarce enough they want to reserve those for hospital staff) MAY help reduce community virus spread from the wearer to others. In general, credible health officials acknowledge the cloth masks don't offer much protection for the wearer (e.g. no eye protection). So, people wear the mask because there is some appreciable risk that they may be asymptomatic and spreading the virus without knowing it. (If someone knows they have the virus, they should be in quarantine or voluntary isolation.)

Given there is this appreciable risk someone could be carrying the virus, then presumably there is an appreciable risk that the mask they are wearing will be contaminated with the virus. Based on that assumption, shouldn't we be disposing of the used mask as biohazard waste? But, no one is providing such waste containers for home use, at work places, in public spaces, or a path for moving this waste to appropriate facilities.

Why aren't we completing the disposal chain of potentially contaminated PPE used outside of health facilities as part of the strategy to reduce community spread and emphasize the risk presented by the pandemic?

;-) Everything is cancelled for summer and fall.
     May as well put up the the Christmas tree and call it a year!

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.

"In our four biggest provinces, the second wave isn’t just starting, it’s already underway."
"We’re on the brink of a fall that could be much worse than the spring."
"We can't change today's numbers or even tomorrow's. Those were already decided by what we did or didn't do, two weeks ago. But, what we can change is where we are in October and into the winter."
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (September 23rd, 2020)

As if to underline the seriousness of the current situation, neither PC leader Erin O'Toole nor BQ leader Yves-François Blanchette could appear in person at Parliament to give their rebuttals to the Throne Speech, as both are in isolation after positive tests for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

1,090 new cases reported and 9 additional deaths on Wednesday.

From the U.S., I think this story is more important than reciting more mind-numbing numbers.
Fauci to a Meddling HHS Official: ‘Take a Hike’
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/09/fauci-caputo-alexander-cdc-fda/616436/

COVID-19 News Items

EDITORIAL: The second wave reflects our collective stupidity
https://ottawasun.com/opinion/editorial-the-second-wave-reflects-our-collective-stupidity

It looked like Toronto had a chance to beat the pandemic in August. We blew it.
https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/opinion-story/10205668-it-looked-like-toronto-had-a-chance-to-beat-the-pandemic-in-august-we-blew-it/

Matt Gurney: Why is Ontario only figuring out testing now?
https://nationalpost.com/opinion/matt-gurney-why-is-ontario-only-figuring-out-testing-now

Why saliva testing for COVID-19 in Canada won't be ending the long lineups any time soon
Research into technologies to enhance nasal, throat swabs ongoing amid barriers https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/saliva-testing-reopening-covid-19-1.5727732

Long-term care: 'We said we would never let this happen again'
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/we-said-we-would-never-let-this-happen-again

Long-term care operators call on Ontario government to address severe staffing shortage

Ontario not acting on calls to improve infection control in long-term care facilities as COVID-19 second wave looms
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-not-acting-on-calls-to-improve-infection-control-in-long-term/

Problems in Ontario long-term care homes need fixing now, PSWs and unions tell province
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/unions-personal-support-workers-fix-long-term-care-homes-problems-ontario-1.5733437

Hospital ordered to take over management of two Ottawa long-term care homes
https://www.ottawamatters.com/local-news/hospital-ordered-to-take-over-management-of-two-ottawa-long-term-care-homes-2735092

Code Orange: Guelph General calls on other hospitals for help as it reaches full capacity
https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/code-orange-guelph-general-calls-on-other-hospitals-for-help-as-it-reaches-full-capacity-2736538

Single plane passenger infected 15 others with Covid-19, CDC says
[dead link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/single-plane-passenger-infected-15-others-with-covid-19-cdc-says/ar-BB19gPXY] https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/single-plane-passenger-infected-15-others-with-covid-19-cdc-says/ar-BB19gPXY

For one Natrona County couple, the coronavirus is no hoax. And they want you to know.
https://trib.com/news/local/casper/for-one-natrona-county-couple-the-coronavirus-is-no-hoax-and-they-want-you-to/article_42cc22cc-21cd-5087-b459-de90304636d4.html

Australia’s ‘extreme’ 2nd lockdown curbed coronavirus — here’s what it took
https://globalnews.ca/news/7347955/australia-coronavirus-lockdown-canada/

CDC Removes Guidance About Airborne Virus Spread From Website
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-21/cdc-removes-guidance-about-airborne-virus-spread-from-website

U.K. PM Boris Johnson reimposes restrictions as COVID-19 cases surge
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/johnson-slams-brakes-uk-reopening-covid-surge-1.5733612

Trump’s Vaccine Czar Refuses to Give Up Stock in Drug Company Involved in His Government Role
https://www.propublica.org/article/trumps-vaccine-czar-refuses-to-give-up-stock-in-drug-company-involved-in-his-government-role
Well, I think we can guess which company is going to win the U.S. COVID-19 vaccine sweepstakes.

;-) Give a man a fish and you will feed him for the day.
     Teach a man to fish and he’s going to spend a
     fortune on gear he’ll only be using twice a year.

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.

Russia has recently released some startling numbers: over 1 million confirmed cases and over 19,000 deaths to date, and daily new case counts are accelerating.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/09/22/coronavirus-in-russia-the-latest-news-sept-22-a69117

In the western nations, Belgium has the highest per capita death rate at 858 per million. That's almost 0.1% of the entire population of the country, and 9.6% of the number of confirmed cases.

Meanwhile, another global crisis is also accelerating in severity, and responses there seem to be feeble and underwhelming as well.

Climate Change

Ottawa signs off on Doug Ford’s industrial carbon pricing plan, even though it’s ‘weaker’
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/09/21/news/ottawa-signs-doug-fords-industrial-carbon-pricing-plan-even-though-its-weaker

Scientists find new way climate change can ruin life as we know it
https://www.haaretz.com/science-and-health/.premium-scientists-find-new-way-climate-change-can-ruin-life-as-we-know-it-1.9151516

Air quality in New Westminster, B.C., worse than New Delhi as pier fire adds to wildfire smoke
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/air-quality-fire-respiratory-issues-bc-1.5726740

Talking it through: Guide for local government staff on climate adaptation
https://www.fcm.ca/en/resources/mcip/talking-it-through-guide-local-government-staff-climate-adaptation

A big chunk of Greenland's ice cap breaks off as Arctic shifts to new climate regime
https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/greenland-ice-cap-1.5723009

United In Science 2020 Report: Climate Change Has Not Stopped For COVID19
https://cleantechnica.com/2020/09/13/united-in-science-2020-report-climate-change-has-not-stopped-for-covid19/

Wildfire smoke smothering B.C. stark indicator of climate change, researchers say
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/09/15/news/wildfire-smoke-smothering-bc-stark-indicator-climate-change-researchers-say

How Fertilizer Is Making Climate Change Worse
[dead link: https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/fertilizer-making-climate-change-worse-080042674.html] https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/fertilizer-making-climate-change-worse-080042674.html

Investor group targets 161 top polluting companies to fight climate change or lose $47T in investment cash.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/climate-change-investing-1.5723193

Google says its carbon footprint is now zero
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-54141899

A new book calls on Canadians to mobilize for the climate crisis like World War II
https://www.macleans.ca/culture/books/a-new-book-calls-on-canadians-to-mobilize-for-the-climate-crisis-like-world-war-ii/

Should Canada treat climate crisis like a war?
https://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2020/09/should-canada-treat-climate-crisis-war
At least this article calls out who the offenders are, and the willing collaborators.

Frost advisory issued for Ottawa as forecast calls for coldest Sept. 18 in history
https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/frost-advisory-issued-for-ottawa-as-forecast-calls-for-coldest-sept-18-in-history-1.5108534

Underwater and on fire: How climate change is magnifying extreme weather in the U.S.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7345977/climate-change-magnifying-extreme-weather-us/

Why Coal Country Now Says Climate Change Is A Threat And What It Plans To Do About It https://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2020/09/18/why-coal-country-now-says-climate-change-is-a-threat-and-what-it-plans-to-do-about-it/#5fb470a017df

The tipping points at the heart of the climate crisis https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/sep/19/the-tipping-points-at-the-heart-of-the-climate-crisis

Price Is No Longer an Obstacle to Clean Power
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/price-no-longer-obstacle-clean-103009472.html
I have said for years that renewables would supplant fossil fuels when renewables were the lower cost option. We have now reached not just that point, but where renewables (notably solar or wind, with storage) are winning auctions against subsidized coal, diesel and natural gas - because once the system is built, the fuel is free for renewables like hydro, wind and solar. But our governments are determined to keep subsidizing the dinosaurs like nuclear, coal and natural gas, costs borne by taxpayers and ratepayers.

Like COVID-19, we know the basic, simple measures to turn the climate change situation around from deadly to survivable. In both cases we have deniers and disinformation, but the fundamental question is why we as individuals aren't willing to make the small changes which can help, even when they improve our quality of life and save us money in the short to medium term. For that one, I don't have an answer.

;-) In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it
     was in summer when we complained about the heat?

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.

Monday brought the news I feared with the weekend effect creating a new reported increase in COVID-19 cases in Canada of 1,766. The trend line is ramping up hard through September. Some health officials are acknowledging the second wave is underway in Canada - months before flu season typically hits. Hospital officials note that ICU beds are starting to fill again. When we overwhelm the critical care capacity in specific areas, death rates will climb.

I get tired of saying it, but the best defence against COVID-19 for the next couple of years will remain protecting yourself from being infected, which seems like a good idea in any case. If you don't get the virus, you can't spread it to others. And that's the key to stopping community spread. If we can stop transmission in an area for longer than the incubation period, we can focus on the - apparently still rare - long-haulers and effectively eradicate the spread in geographic zones. Much as the Canadian Atlantic provinces have managed to do this summer. That may lower demand for testing, which seems to be routinely overwhelmed in Quebec and Ontario.

I note that Ottawa Public Health put up a portable testing facility at the Ottawa elementary school that has been shut down due to an outbreak. I hope when they are finished there, they will move this facility from school to school while now open to get a handle on the actual case load in the schools, especially seeking the 'asymptomatic' carriers. (I had suggested this before the schools opened.)

Digital Deception

Right-Wing conspiracists linked Antifa to the wildfires. Then Russian media gave them a boost.
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/09/16/news/right-wing-conspiracists-linked-antifa-wildfires-then-russian-media-gave-them-boost

Facebook gives in to pressure on climate-change myths — including that antifa started deadly wildfires in western states — with new ‘science-based’ hub.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/facebook-gives-in-to-pressure-on-climate-change-myths-including-that-antifa-started-deadly-wildfires-with-new-science-based-hub-2020-09-15
In my opinion, that a major multi-national business needs to be forced to acknowledge the very existence of facts and truth says all we need to know about it's justification to continue to exist. That it's business model is based on destroying reputable news sources, and it's recognition of facts is consigned to a separate box (the 'science hub') just nails the case shut.

Facebook suspends, then reinstates hundreds of accounts linked to anti-Coastal GasLink event
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/09/21/news/facebook-suspends-then-reinstates-hundreds-accounts-linked-anti-coastal-gaslink

Ah, Facebook. It continues to make 'mistakes' with a predictable pattern: disrupt protest activities and campaigns at one big swoop just ahead of critical times for those movements, and then manage to reinstate service again in a haphazard manner over an extended period of time. Similar happening in Mauritius in the wake of the Wakashio oil spill. Never seems to affect paying corporate or government users.

For Facebook's massive profits, you are the product.

Class-action lawsuit alleges Google has turned Canadians' electronics into tracking devices
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/09/08/news/class-action-lawsuit-alleges-google-has-turned-canadians-electronics-tracking
So why wouldn't we give them our data via the COVID-19 tracking app?

Ontario nurses’ governing body hit by ransomware attack
[dead site: https://www.itworldcanada.com/article/ontario-nurses-governing-body-hit-by-ransomware-attack/435884]
Just in case you were under the impression that the ransomware criminals were some kind of Robin Hood types that targeted the rich and passed over those serving society.

Ransomware attack at German hospital leads to death of patient
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ransomware-attack-at-german-hospital-leads-to-death-of-patient/

SFU ransomware attack exposed data from 250,000 accounts, documents show
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/sfu-ransomware-attack-1.5732027

Netwalker ransomware hits Pakistan's largest private power utility
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/netwalker-ransomware-hits-pakistans-largest-private-power-utility/

Please don't support ransomware criminals. Protect your digital equipment, make regular backups, don't pay ransoms.

Android security: Six more apps containing Joker malware removed from the Google Play Store.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/android-security-six-more-apps-containing-joker-malware-removed-from-the-google-play-store/

Your email threads are now being hijacked by the QBot Trojan
https://www.zdnet.com/article/your-email-threads-are-now-being-hijacked-by-qbot-trojan/

Montrealers charged with hacking three major Canadian companies
[dead site: https://www.itworldcanada.com/article/montrealers-charged-with-hacking-three-major-canadian-companies/435537]

Connected toys, kettles and sports gear are sneaking on to enterprise networks
[dead site: https://www.itworldcanada.com/article/connected-toys-kettles-and-sports-gear-are-sneaking-on-to-enterprise-networks/435828]

Cybercriminals Are Using Legit Cloud Monitoring Tools As Backdoor
https://thehackernews.com/2020/09/cloud-monitoring.html

New Raccoon Attack Could Let Attackers Break SSL/TLS Encryption
https://thehackernews.com/2020/09/raccoon-ssl-tls-encryption.html

One-third of enterprise devices could be vulnerable to networking stack bugs: Report
[dead site: https://www.itworldcanada.com/article/one-third-of-enterprise-devices-could-be-vulnerable-to-networking-stack-bugs-report/435701]

Blind spots expose grid assets to cyberattacks
https://www.smart-energy.com/industry-sectors/cybersecurity/ot-networks-across-power-generation-increasingly-vulnerable-to-cyberattacks/

Suspicious activity found on 48,000 CRA accounts after cyberattacks: treasury board
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cyber-attack-cra-1.5729230

Basic security measures could have reduced losses from cyber attacks, says insurance provider
[dead site: https://www.itworldcanada.com/article/basic-security-measures-could-have-reduced-losses-from-cyber-attacks-says-insurer/435633]

Privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo is growing fast
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/technology/privacy-focused-search-engine-duckduckgo-is-growing-fast/

Top 10 antivirus software options for security-conscious users
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/top-10-antivirus-software-options-for-security-conscious-users/

The High Stakes of Quantum Computing
https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2020/08/the-high-stakes-of-quantum-computing/
Is quantum computing the end of data security provided by current encryption methods?

;-) The definition of a perfectionist:
     someone who wants to go from point A to point A+.
     —David Bez

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.

As of yesterday (Sunday), Canada has reported a total of 143,649 confirmed cases of COVID-19, up from 142,774 on Friday - a jump of 875 in 2 days, and likely under-reporting due to the weekend effect. The trend line for Canada is again exponentially rising. 12 additional deaths in the same 2 days of reporting.

The U.S. (also under-reporting) has surpassed 204,000 deaths and 7 million cases.

Since early July, the world has consistently averaged over 5,000 deaths a day due to COVID-19, and those figures include countries which are consistently under-reporting, which seems to be a form of deliberate deception which is growing along with the numbers.

Fortress Fossil Fuels Highlights/Gaslights

This item is longer than most. Please try to find the time to read it.
Five Glaring Issues With The Oil Spill Response In Mauritius Today
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nishandegnarain/2020/09/18/five-glaring-issues-with-the-oil-spill-response-in-mauritius-today/#5c2f25d95d7b

Would The Use Of Chemical Dispersants In Mauritius Oil Spill Be Considered An Ecocide?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nishandegnarain/2020/09/13/would-the-use-of-chemical-dispersants-in-mauritius-oil-spill-be-considered-an-ecocide/#475febca5a6d

125 Square Kilometers Of Mauritius Lagoons Off-Limits Due To Oil Spill Pollution In Fish
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nishandegnarain/2020/09/17/125-square-kilometers-of-mauritius-lagoons-off-limits-due-to-oil-spill-pollution-in-fish/#474c1b8b6179

Oil Companies Are Profiting From Illegal Spills. And California Lets Them.
https://www.propublica.org/article/oil-companies-are-profiting-from-illegal-spills-and-california-lets-them

What did we learn from the Deepwater Horizon disaster?
https://cen.acs.org/safety/industrial-safety/learn-Deepwater-Horizon-disaster/98/i35

"The dispersants also affected the crews that helped clean up the spill. According to surveys of spill-cleanup workers, many who had been exposed to dispersants showed symptoms related to the chemicals, such as skin irritation and respiratory problems, several years after the spill. More than half the exposed workers experienced skin irritation; about a quarter reported a cough or burning eyes or both (Environ. Health Perspect. 2017, DOI: 10.1289/EHP1677). A whistleblower report published by the Government Accountability Project in April 2020 documents ongoing health problems in response workers.

"For the general population, dispersants probably didn’t have a big effect, says Xiaoping Pan, an environmental toxicologist at East Carolina University. “But to the ocean organisms, the use of dispersants is devastating.”

Creating a population of oil spill clean up workers in the past decade who now have respiratory problems seems unhelpful as we move deeper and deeper into the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dispersants from the Corexit family are the only spill treating agent and water polishing agent currently approved by the Canadian government for use on oil spills (including bitumen and dilbit) on water. There is no testing protocol available from the Canadian government for bioremediants the last time I asked.

How the oil industry made us doubt climate change
https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-53640382

Weak oil demand forecasts leave economists wondering if Trans Mountain makes sense
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/09/18/news/weak-oil-demand-forecasts-leave-economists-wondering-if-trans-mountain-makes-sense

How Scotland’s Green Hydrogen Plan Crushes Fossil Hydrogen Dream
https://cleantechnica.com/2020/09/16/how-scotlands-green-hydrogen-plan-crushes-fossil-hydrogen-dream/
No matter the primary energy source, the conversion losses (entropy) related to creating green hydrogen, storing it, transporting it and using it leave it in the dust compared to off-the-shelf battery technologies.

This Billionaire Governor’s Coal Company Might Get a Big Break From His Own Regulators
West Virginia environmental regulators are proposing fine reductions for water pollution violations from a coal company owned by Gov. Jim Justice, even after the company promised to clean up its mines.
https://www.propublica.org/article/this-billionaire-governors-coal-company-might-get-a-big-break-from-his-own-regulators

The US Oil and Gas Industry's Methane Problem Is Catching up With It
[dead link: https://www.desmogblog.com/2020/09/16/methane-emissions-us-oil-natural-gas-lose-appeal] https://www.desmogblog.com/2020/09/16/methane-emissions-us-oil-natural-gas-lose-appeal

In Peru, self-reporting of oil spills by companies leaves an unknown toll
https://news.mongabay.com/2020/09/in-peru-self-reporting-of-oil-spills-by-companies-leaves-an-unknown-toll/

The Latest Threat For China's Natural Gas Demand
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Natural-Gas/The-Latest-Threat-For-Chinas-Natural-Gas-Demand.html

Having Killed Coal, US Energy Dept. Aims Energy Storage Dart At Gas & Oil
https://cleantechnica.com/2020/09/18/having-killed-coal-us-energy-dept-aims-energy-storage-dart-at-gas-oil/

Crude oil industry is starting to hear echoes of coal's demise
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-column-russell-oil-outlook/column-crude-oil-industry-is-starting-to-hear-echoes-of-coals-demise-idUKKBN26816S

;-) One for the aviation buffs:
     The weird and wonderful Flying-V made a successful first flight
     The plane, designed in the Netherlands, was affected by Dutch roll.
     (No, I didn't make that up.
     https://arstechnica.com/cars/2020/09/the-weird-and-wonderful-flying-v-made-a-successful-first-flight/ )

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.

Over 1,000 new cases in Canada for the second day in a row, and we know there are areas where people are giving up on getting tested due to long wait times. (We can fix the wait times standing in line, even without more capacity - see yesterday's entry.) But we do need to increase testing capacity, reduce turn-around time on results, improve accuracy, and step up on contact tracing as case counts mount.

The U.S. will likely pass the 7,000,000 mark for COVID-19 cases tomorrow, about 2% of the entire U.S. population. Over 50,000 new cases yesterday alone.

While it's natural for us to focus on the situation close to home, remember this is a global pandemic. If your idea of normal includes re-opening borders for personal travel to see friends and family, we have a long way to go before that will be on the table again. Accept it and act to bring the pandemic under control. It's an overwhelming problem with small solutions for now.

The world added more than 315,000 cases yesterday and over 5,500 new deaths related to COVID-19.

I can understand 'pandemic fatigue'. But I can't submit to it, because pretending COVID-19 isn't out there waiting to pounce is the recipe for additional disaster. It's easy to be overwhelmed by the unending drumbeat of bad news (like I seem to lead off with every day here), lose motivation and give up. The heroes in this struggle with SARS-CoV-2 are those that keep slogging on, day after day, to reduce virus transmission and help others at work, in the community, and at home.

‘Pandemic fatigue’ leads to resurgence of coronavirus in Europe where cases hit fresh records in France and Spain
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/18/pandemic-fatigue-leads-to-resurgence-of-coronavirus-in-europe-where-france-and-spain-hit-records.html

Schools Re-opening

‘We’re playing pandemic roulette with our children.’ After all the province’s promises, parents shocked to see some class sizes are bigger than ever.
https://www.toronto.com/news-story/10202552--we-re-playing-pandemic-roulette-with-our-children-after-all-the-province-s-promises-parents-shocked-to-see-some-class-sizes-are-bigger-than-ever/

COVID-19 cases confirmed at 15 Ottawa elementary and secondary schools.
https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/covid-19-cases-confirmed-at-15-ottawa-elementary-and-secondary-schools-1.5108922

OCDSB custodians 'run ragged,' union official says.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/covid-19-school-re-opening-not-enough-custodians-clean-surfaces-union-1.5723004

School custodians strive to keep COVID out. But here's what they do when there's an outbreak.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/school-custodians-cleaning-covid-1.5725399

'I don't need this job. Fix it.' School bus drivers question safety.
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/i-dont-need-this-job-fix-it-school-bus-drivers-question-safety

Teacher came to work with symptoms, masks not worn before COVID-19 outbreak that shut down school.
https://www.insideottawavalley.com/news-story/10202371-teacher-came-to-work-with-symptoms-masks-not-worn-before-covid-19-outbreak-that-shut-down-pembroke-school/

How wearing a mask at school can impact a child's development.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/article/how-wearing-a-mask-at-school-can-impact-a-childs-development/

Kids, masks & back-to-school FAQs: Are cloth masks best to protect against COVID-19? How often should masks be washed?
https://theconversation.com/kids-masks-and-back-to-school-faqs-are-cloth-masks-best-to-protect-against-covid-19-how-often-should-masks-be-washed-146059

Sorry to burst your COVID-19 'social bubble' but even small gatherings are getting riskier
Experts question merits of social circles amid rising case counts, return to school
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/covid-social-bubbles-1.5727136

How a handful of students caused Western University's COVID-19 outbreak https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/western-university-students-outbreak-1.5728015

;-) A propos of nothing in particular, this came my way recently:
     CockWomble (noun)
     A person, usually male, prone to making outrageously stupid
     statements and/or inappropriate behaviour while generally
     having a very high opinion of their own wisdom/importance.
          Now, see if you can use it in a sentence.

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.

This is getting old, fast. Canada reported 1,120 new COVID-19 cases yesterday (another increase) and 7 more deaths. So we have reached 9,200 deaths and over 140,000 cases. The scoring here is like golf - the lowest count wins.

The U.S. under-count is now over 202,000 deaths and 6.8 million cases. With over 40,000 new cases a day, the U.S. is actually doing better now than in July. Sigh.

The world is on track to hit a million deaths from COVID-19 before the end of September. Again, the global numbers are under-counts.

COVID-19 News Items

You may have heard that there are issues with capacity for COVID-19 testing in Ontario ( and elsewhere), as well as long waits as organizing has not yet kept up with demand. (Not all of us have the option of heading over to the dedicated testing site for Parliamentarians and their families when Ontario's lack of organization and capacity leaves people in line for hours, which is going to get a lot less appealing when the temperatures get wintry.)

Here's a possible solution for the long line-ups from an Ottawa company, now being used in BC and elsewhere (but apparently not in Ontario). I had the opportunity to introduce this product to some health care agencies a couple of years back, and it has been well received. (This solution has to implemented by the organization providing the service.)

CommForms has entered the gap in COVID-19 logistics, and now provides secure, multi-lingual online forms for booking COVID-19 test appointments - no more line-ups required. The forms include:
+ Booking forms for COVID-19 Assessment Centres
+ COVID-19 Health Screener
+ COVID-19 Consent Form
in addition to the existing portfolio of forms for home and community care agencies, dental clinics, nursing services and more.

I'll also say that CommForms is a nimble company with a solid platform, so they can respond to new requirements quickly.

In my opinion, worth a look. https://www.commforms.ca/

Improve COVID-19 testing logistics, eliminate the need for line-ups and support a local Canadian business during the pandemic. If you know any organization that could use this sort of superior online presence to improve services and reduce waiting times, share widely.

Transmissions detected between masked people: Richmond health officer
https://www.richmond-news.com/news/transmissions-detected-between-masked-people-richmond-health-officer-1.24204263
Masks are not a 100% solution; they're not enough to create protection to stop transmission. Many health authorities have bet on masks, and infection rates are rising. You should be smarter; don't rely on masks. Reduce interactions, maintain physical distancing (2-3 metres), frequent handwashing, don't touch your face, use better protection devices.

Outdoor transmission of COVID-19 has happened in B.C., says Dr. Henry.
https://www.citynews1130.com/2020/09/15/outdoor-transmission-of-covid-19-has-happened-in-b-c-says-dr-henry/

What we know about Ontario's September surge in COVID-19 infections
New case numbers are rising steeply and public health officials can't trace where many got infected https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/covid-19-ontario-cases-data-1.5726687
Perhaps Ontario should have been investing in more tracing capacity during the months before the second wave starts, if it hasn't already.

I have already written about how people can log their out-of-home travels without digital intrusion on their lives, so they can have a good record in case they learn afterwards they are infected or have been exposed. http://www.econogics.com/blog_2020_April.htm#2020.04.09

Case of Ontario man who ignored COVID-19 quarantine order shows challenges of crucial contact tracing
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/case-of-ontario-man-who-ignored-covid-19-quarantine-order-shows-challenges-of-crucial-contact-tracing

Ontario slashes gathering limits in three COVID-19 hotspots. Here are the new rules
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-slashes-gathering-limits-in-three-covid-19-hotspots-here-are-the-new-rules-1.5108575

America Needs to Lock Down Again
The Only Way to Slow the Coronavirus Until the Arrival of a Vaccine
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2020-09-16/coronavirus-america-needs-lock-down-again

For some COVID-19 patients, the first symptom is not a cough, but a stroke.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/article/for-some-covid-19-patients-the-first-symptom-is-not-a-cough-but-a-stroke/

It's easy to point the finger at parties — but younger Canadians spread COVID-19 in all kinds of settings
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/young-canadians-covid-parties-1.5724789

Canada’s largest private retirement home operator wants to stop quarantining new residents — but experts say that could put seniors at risk
https://www.thestar.com/business/2020/09/15/canadas-largest-private-retirement-home-operator-wants-to-stop-quarantining-new-residents-but-experts-say-that-could-put-seniors-at-risk.html

Hospital employee feels 'worthless' after error forces 200 workers to return pandemic pay
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/hospital-employees-pay-back-pandemic-pay-after-error-1.5723659

A vaccine may not be the simple solution we are hoping for
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-a-vaccine-may-not-be-the-simple-solution-we-are-hoping-for/

Why a vaccine can provide better immunity than an actual infection
https://theconversation.com/why-a-vaccine-can-provide-better-immunity-than-an-actual-infection-145476

'This is NOT a blip': COVID-19 cases are accelerating in Canada. Should we be worried?
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/this-is-not-a-blip-covid-19-cases-are-accelerating-in-canada-should-we-be-worried/wcm/2e26fdd9-5985-40c2-8c0b-3cf7f73597f3/

If you are math/statistics-averse, don't worry too much about the steps to get to the total, just recognize that getting to 260,000 infections had to start from just one.
U.S. biker rally may have led to 260,000 new COVID-19 cases: study
https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/article/us-biker-rally-may-have-led-to-260000-new-covid-19-cases-study/

Here's the latest good reason to wear a face mask
https://nationalpost.com/opinion/colby-cosh-heres-the-latest-good-reason-to-wear-a-face-mask
(Unless you have a better option, like staying home, physical distancing, better face covering protection.)

Public health lessons learned from biases in coronavirus mortality overestimation
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/disaster-medicine-and-public-health-preparedness/article/public-health-lessons-learned-from-biases-in-coronavirus-mortality-overestimation/7ACD87D8FD2237285EB667BB28DCC6E9#

Support for Atlantic bubble remains strong even as some question its constitutionality
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/atlantic-bubble-covid-19-pandemic-borders-1.5718807

Because the icon for the COVID-19 pandemic is clearly toilet paper
Petalo, not Charmin: Virus brings Mexican toilet paper to US.
[dead link: https://news.yahoo.com/pandemic-brings-toilet-paper-mexico-141200441.html] https://news.yahoo.com/pandemic-brings-toilet-paper-mexico-141200441.html
Perhaps the U.S. will impose punitive tariffs on TP.

;-) If two's company, and three's a crowd, what are four and five?
     Nine.

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.

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.

The trend lines are troubling. Canada reported 944 new COVID-19 cases yesterday (up from 793 the day before), and 5 more deaths. With the bursting bubbles which will come from schools re-opening, I fear we are starting the second wave in Canada before fall and flu season even get into gear.

The world has now passed through 30,000,000 cases, which is without doubt an undercount as some countries clearly are not reporting fully for political / propaganda reasons.

And the U.S., ravaged by fire on the west and Hurricane Sally in the south-east has reported more than 200,000 deaths and over 2 million infected but not recovered out of the over 6.8 million cases reported.

Fortress Fossil Fuels Highlights/Gaslights

Donald Trump’s fossil fuel agenda gets pushback from U.S. federal judges
https://globalnews.ca/news/7337581/trump-fossil-fuel-pipelines-court/

BP And Shell Take A Stand Against Gas Flaring In Texas
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Natural-Gas/BP-And-Shell-Take-A-Stand-Against-Gas-Flaring-In-Texas.html
Of course, reducing the demand for oil from Texas would also reduce the practice of flaring natural gas.

Abandoned Gas Wells Are Left to Spew Methane for Eternity
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-09-17/abandoned-gas-wells-are-left-to-spew-methane-for-eternity
Puts new meaning and urgency into the reluctant 'action' industry and government are taking on proper clean-up and remediation of abandoned and orphaned wells.

South Korea Will Close Half Its Coal-Fired Fleet
https://www.powermag.com/south-korea-will-close-half-its-coal-fired-fleet/

Oil Tanker Industry Is In An Ocean Of Trouble
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Oil-Tanker-Industry-Is-In-An-Ocean-Of-Trouble.html

Why we still can’t stop oil spills from damaging the environment
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/Why-We-Still-Can-t-Stop-Oil-Spills-From-15559278.php
I'll call this article an industry-friendly synopsis of a response.
A more salient and short response would be: they're not trying. The Macondo post-explosion and fire science experiment proved that dispersants are not an effective oil spill removal tool, even under ideal conditions. So it's amusing that the article dismisses bioremediants for not being uniformly effective on different kinds of oils and under different climate conditions, which is also true of dispersants.

There is definitely at least one effective technology for 'mopping up' the oil, more accurately called mechanical recovery, not based on vacuuming up massive amounts of water to get the slight film of oil on the surface after spreading for a few hours. The oil industry, and it's subsidiaries in the oil clean-up theatre business are terrified of innovation being brought to bear on their messes, in case they might have to pick up the bill themselves.

http://www.restco.ca/Oil_Spill_Response.shtml
https://www.restco.ca/RESTCo%20BSEE%20White%20Paper%20of%204%20Sep%202020-3.pdf
https://www.econogics.com/ROSCUE/Products.shtml

Hurricane Laura's Aftermath: Miles of Oil Sheen in Louisiana's Wetlands
https://www.resilience.org/stories/2020-09-10/hurricane-lauras-aftermath-miles-of-oil-sheen-in-louisianas-wetlands/

Nornickel says it collected more than 90% of fuel leaked by Arctic spill to rivers
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-pollution-nornickel/nornickel-says-it-collected-more-than-90-of-fuel-leaked-by-arctic-spill-to-rivers-idUSKBN26223V
Seems unlikely to me. By now, I would have expected more than 10% of a diesel spill to have evaporated, so there shouldn't be 90% left to recover.

Oil industry paints grimmer picture of pandemic's harm to demand
https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-oil-appec-vitol/oil-industry-paints-grimmer-picture-of-pandemics-harm-to-demand-idUKKBN2650DX

Why Poland is finally giving up its dirty coal habit
https://electrek.co/2020/09/10/why-poland-is-finally-giving-up-its-dirty-coal-habit/
Spoiler: it's the money.

Oil Major BP Makes First Ever Move In Offshore Wind Energy
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Oil-Major-BP-Makes-First-Ever-Move-In-Offshore-Wind-Energy.html
Uh-huh. The money.

Trans Mountain races to the finish line as two other pipeline projects near completion
https://financialpost.com/commodities/energy/trans-mountain-races-to-the-finish-line-as-two-other-pipeline-projects-near-completion
Taxpayer money.

Alberta's Jason Kenney says Energy East pipeline remains a possibility
[dead link: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta/video-albertas-jason-kenney-says-energy-east-pipeline-remains-a-possibility/] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta/video-albertas-jason-kenney-says-energy-east-pipeline-remains-a-possibility/
Sounds like more taxpayer money.

This 'Bitumen Boondoggle' is costing Alberta taxpayers billions
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-bitumen-sturgeon-refinery-nwrp-1.5718044
Still more taxpayer money.

Mercedes-Benz fined $1.5 billion for emissions cheating.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mercedes-benz-emissions-cheating-1-5-billion-fine-daimler/
Canada didn't go after VW for its cheating, while in the U.S. the settlement funded the installation of a network of high- capacity electric vehicle chargers (Electrify America). I wonder if the Canadian federal government could make a settlement with MB to help fund the 'green recovery'. Perhaps $200 million?

;-) Considering all the lint you get in your dryer, if you kept
    drying your clothes would they eventually just disappear?
     (My socks already seem to disappear in the dryer, one at a time.)

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.

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.

“So to sum up: The West is burning; the Arctic is melting; the National Hurricane Center is tracking eight major systems; and the WHO reports the largest single-day increase of coronavirus cases globally.”
- Christian Davenport of the Washington Post as quoted in Politico
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2020/09/15/inside-the-house-dem-leadership-talks-490327

Back on the ranch (Canada), where our political leadership is still mouthing the words, but where actions show they are still in climate change denial and continue to bumble through the COVID-19 global pandemic, 793 new COVID-19 cases were reported with 9 additional deaths.

In the 'war on COVID', COVID is winning.

Schools Re-opening

Former teacher creates morbid display on front lawn protesting back-to-school plan.
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/former-teacher-creates-morbid-display-on-front-lawn-protesting-back-to-school-plan-1.5099728

No masks, no distancing: Schools in Denmark defy COVID-19 — with success so far
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/denmark-schools-covid-19-pandemic-1.5720508

Student ridership on school buses sees significant decline, as drivers quit over COVID-19 concerns
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/windsor-essex-bus-ridership-decline-drivers-quitting-1.5723514

Masks and class sizes are weak points as schools reopen, Sick Kids study suggests

Parents are split on preference to send their children back to school during the pandemic
https://abacusdata.ca/return-to-class-parents/

Jelly Beans

(thanks to RA for planting this seed in my mind)

How do you communicate the dull statistics of COVID-19 to those not really math-enthused (let alone statistics)? I'm taking some liberties with some numbers because credible data just doesn't exist for some the categories below, but I think anecdotes support my rough ball-park numbers.

Suppose I put a bowl of jelly beans in front of you, and you really, really like jelly beans. There are 100 jelly beans in the bowl. 7 are black. 13 are red. 20 are yellow. The remaining 60 are green. That represents the proportions of outcomes for Canadians who contract the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus: 7 die; 13 have long recoveries or significant long-term new health impacts; 20 have milder long-term health effects or serious effects that manifest months after the initial infection; and, 60 have no significant long-term health effects evident within six months of infection.

Before you take a jelly bean, here's the trick: the colour coding does not correspond to the consequences. In short, if you take a jelly bean of ANY colour, there is a 7% chance it will kill you within days. A 33% chance you will suffer some long-term health effect. A 60% chance that you will return to reasonable version of your previous state of health for at least six months - that's the best known outcome.

How many jelly beans from the bowl will you eat?
How does that map to your actual behaviour to avoid becoming infected?

(Because my art skills are non-existent, I took the first jelly bean for the figure from clipartbest.com.)

;-) Another of life's mysteries:
     How do those dead bugs get into those closed light fixtures?

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.

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 of September 14, Canada has reported 138,010 cases of COVID-19, with 9,179 deaths. That's an increase of 1,351 new cases in a single day and 8 additional deaths. The day before, those numbers were 518 and 1. Some of that may be a weekend non-reporting artifact, but the trend is still clear and disturbing.

COVID-19 News Items

Why the acceleration in new COVID-19 cases in Canada is concerning
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/covid19-r-sept-canada-1.5723612

Ontario's R number is now 1.3, which means that for 100 current COVID-19 cases, those infected now will cause an additional 130 cases. We want this number to be less than 1, not greater than 1. The idea that each 'generation' of cases (2-3 week incubation and transmission period) is 30% higher than the previous 'generation' is terrifying.

The 'Atlantic bubble' has held off COVID-19, but is it worth the cost to civil liberties?
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-atlantic-bubble-has-held-off-covid-19-but-is-it-worth-the-cost/wcm/4d8398a5-b2d8-4cb8-ae84-880b457a5ce2/

We are on this knife-edge trying to keep our balance': Health officials raise alarm about growing COVID-19 numbers.
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/we-are-on-this-knife-edge-trying-to-keep-our-balance-health-officials-raise-alarm-about-growing-covid-19-numbers

‘We’re family — we didn’t think we could get this disease from each other’: Toronto officials highlight COVID infection stories as case count rises.
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/09/14/were-family-we-didnt-think-we-could-get-this-disease-from-each-other-toronto-officials-highlight-covid-infection-stories-as-case-count-rises.html
Their 'bubble' becomes your 'extended bubble'. School re-openings means families with kids in school are expanding their 'bubbles' exponentially.

Review of Scientific Data Regarding Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings (CDC)
[dead link: https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/isolation/scientific-review.html]
After a lot of research, seems to come down to: keep your distance, wash your hands, clean surfaces and items, wear protective gear to protect the wearer. Infectious patients are put in isolation, not given a mask and sent on their way.

I have written before that avoiding the infection is a much better approach than contracting the disease and recovering from it. This article provides a concise sense of the possible outcomes from surviving a brush with SARS-CoV-2.
Why the Pandemic Will Be a Long, Long Haul
https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2020/09/09/Pandemic-Long-Haul/

Now's no time for complacency, COVID-19 'long-hauler' warns
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/covid-19-ottawa-long-haulers-story-1.5721008

It's also worth noting that as the data comes in, there is NO evidence of long-term immunity for those who have survived their first round with COVID. Re-infections have now been documented, less than six months after initial recovery.

Few Canadian blood donors had coronavirus antibodies as of May: study
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/few-canadian-blood-donors-had-coronavirus-antibodies-as-of-may-study-1.5096530

To my mind, it's clear that 're-opening' in much of Canada (Atlantic provinces and northern territories appearing to be the exception) has led to complacency, and now we're seeing the impacts of the change in mind-set during August. The basics - before we came to rely on cloth masks - were working to keep community transmission at manageable levels. Continuing to rely on the proper behaviour of others is not a safe option, so I'll recommend again the face-shield and curtain device to protect you from the possible infection by others when you can't avoid close contact (less than 2-3 metres) with others you don't know. Your call.

We’re chasing the virus again. But Premier Doug Ford doesn’t seem to be in a rush
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2020/09/14/were-chasing-the-virus-again-but-premier-doug-ford-doesnt-seem-to-be-in-a-rush.html

Sleep apnea patients at greater risk of developing COVID-19 complications, study finds
https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/article/sleep-apnea-patients-at-greater-risk-of-developing-covid-19-complications-study-finds/

Not enough Covid-19 vaccine for all until 2024, says biggest producer
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/health-pharma/not-enough-covid-19-vaccine-for-all-until-2024-says-biggest-producer-1.4354384

Surge in cases means Ontario won’t change COVID-19 restrictions for at least a month
https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/10175563-surge-in-cases-means-ontario-won-t-change-covid-19-restrictions-for-at-least-a-month/

Canada spent $147M on a public health surveillance system that isn't being used during COVID pandemic
https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/canada-spent-147m-on-a-public-health-surveillance-system-that-isnt-being-used-during-covid-pandemic

Here's who's eligible for a COVID-19 antibody test in Ontario
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/09/11/heres-whos-eligible-for-a-covid-19-antibody-test-in-ontario.html

;-) Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator
     with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.

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 of Sunday, Canada has reported 9,171 COVID-19 deaths from 136,659 confirmed cases. Our national death rate has fallen to 6.7% courtesy of a summer where we took health measures seriously and dramatically lowered the transmission rate. Deaths is a lagging indicator, and with transmission rates rising again, expect this number to increase again through the fall and winter.

Globally, we could reach 30 million cases today, and will likely exceed 930,000 deaths from COVID-19. The world-wide death rate from those infected is about 4%.

Climate Change

Climate change will ultimately cost humanity $100,000 per ton of carbon, scientists estimate
https://phys.org/news/2020-09-climate-ultimately-humanity-ton-carbon.html

The climate crisis could displace 1.2B people by 2050
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/09/14/news/climate-crisis-could-displace-12b-people-2050

56 Countries Gather Online In Their Quest To Fix Climate Change
https://cleantechnica.com/2020/08/08/56-countries-gather-online-in-their-quest-to-fix-climate-change/

'Staggering' 28 trillion tonnes of ice has vanished from Earth’s surface due to global warming
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/global-warming-ice-melting-28-trillion-155025127.html

Canadian company creates concrete from carbon dioxide in the air
https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/news/article/canadian-company-creates-concrete-from-carbon-dioxide-in-the-air-climate-change

These Canadian ice caps were estimated to melt by 2022 — they’re already gone
https://www.zmescience.com/science/canada-ice-caps-melted-8235234/

States Are Doing What Big Government Won’t to Stop Climate Change
https://www.thenation.com/article/environment/climate-covid-stimulus-states/

Climate explained: methane is short-lived in the atmosphere but leaves long-term damage
https://theconversation.com/climate-explained-methane-is-short-lived-in-the-atmosphere-but-leaves-long-term-damage-145040

CO2 makes trees live fast and die young: study
https://www.ctvnews.ca/climate-and-environment/co2-makes-trees-live-fast-and-die-young-study-1.5096232

Lifetime carbon emissions for EVs is much lower than previously suggested: Study highlights errors https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1129478_lifetime-carbon-emissions-for-evs-is-much-lower-than-previously-suggested-study-highlights-errors
The Eindhoven University of Technology study can be found at:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xblk4g7zeboa7v7/englisch_Studie EAuto versus Verbrenner_CO2.pdf

Greenhouse gases hit a new record high despite pandemic lockdowns, UN says
https://nationalpost.com/news/world/greenhouse-gases-hit-a-new-record-high-despite-pandemic-lockdowns-un-says

Greenhouse gas emissions around the world nearly back to pre-pandemic levels
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-pre-coronavirus-pandemic-levels/

3.2 BILLION people will have a shortage of drinking, study finds
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8715979/3-2-BILLION-people-shortage-drinking-water-2050-climate-change-experts-say.html

UN report: Covid crisis does little to slow climate change
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-54074733

Rise in sea level from ice melt in Greenland and Antarctica match worst-case scenario: study
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/rise-in-sea-level-caused-by-melting-ice-sheets-study-leeds-1.5716021

Massive holes appear in Siberian tundra with possible link to climate change
https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/massive-holes-appear-in-siberian-tundra-with-possible-link-to-climate-change-1.5095818

Meet the Canadian farmers fighting climate change
https://thenarwhal.ca/canadian-farmers-climate-change/

Young Innovators: U of S software helps predict floods and freshwater supplies
https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/young-innovators-u-of-s-software-helps-predict-floods-and-freshwater-supplies

;-) You matter.
       Unless you multiply yourself by the speed of light ...
       then you energy.

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.

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.

702 new cases reported Friday is another jump in the daily new cases rate, up 10% from the day before. No additional deaths reported, which is a novel event. My worry is that cases likely to occur due to the re-opening of schools likely won't appear for another couple of weeks. Around here, testing is a time-consuming process for the citizens, so I can only imagine some people are choosing to forgo the time penalty.

Schools Re-opening

Many provinces not investing enough to make schools safe
https://rabble.ca/news/2020/09/many-provinces-not-investing-enough-make-schools-safe
So here's my issue with statements by officials that re-opening schools will inevitably lead to more COVID-19 infections. In Canada, the death rate for those who have been confirmed to have the SARS-CoV-2 virus is 7%. So far, anecdotally, that number appears to be lower for those in their pre-teen years, but it's not zero, and they can be carriers. For me the implicit, but unaddressed, question for those officials is: what's the acceptable death toll amongst students and school staff from re-opening the schools? For those who will suffer debilitating health effects as part of their 'recovery'?

Don Martin: Bubbles collide in the classroom as the most daring educational experiment of our time begins
https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/don-martin-bubbles-collide-in-the-classroom-as-the-most-daring-educational-experiment-of-our-time-begins-1.5097868

Escalating conflict between Ontario government and teachers unions leaves schools in cloud of uncertainty
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/escalating-conflict-between-ontario-government-and-teachers-unions-leaves-schools-in-cloud-of-uncertainty-1.5706896

'We'll never be able to keep up': School custodians fear burnout, fatigue due to understaffing
https://rabble.ca/news/2020/09/well-never-be-able-keep-school-custodians-fear-burnout-fatigue-due-understaffing

Order saying Alberta schools won't have to enforce social distancing lands like a sucker punch
https://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/alberta-diary/2020/09/order-saying-alberta-schools-wont-have-enforce-social

Manitoba makes changes to the rules for masks on school buses
https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/article/manitoba-makes-changes-to-the-rules-for-masks-on-school-buses/

Dr. Peter Lin offers back-to-school tips for protecting children and families from COVID-19
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/dr-peter-lin-covid-19-back-to-school-1.5710943

Keep sick kids home from school even if they test negative for COVID-19, pediatricians warn parents
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/pediatricians-suggest-keeping-kids-home-experience-any-new-symptoms-1.5704384

What's missing from Canada's plans to get kids back to school safely
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/coronavirus-canada-schools-1.5679090

School bus policy a 'slap in the face' to parents without cars, says C.B.S. woman
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/school-bus-policy-sept-8-1.5715912

'Deeply horrified': Ottawa English boards are short by more than 100 bus drivers

Ontario Edcuation Minister has back to school concerns hit close to home
'IT'S SCARY': Some Ontario students begin return to class
https://torontosun.com/news/provincial/some-ontario-students-begin-return-to-class-today

School-specific provincial database shows nearly half of new cases in Ottawa schools
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/school-specific-provincial-database-shows-nearly-half-of-new-cases-in-ottawa-schools

Spike in Ontario teachers seeking medical exemptions from work amid COVID-19 pandemic
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/spike-in-ontario-teachers-seeking-medical-exemptions-from-work-amid-covid-19-pandemic-1.5716126

South Carolina 3rd grade teacher, 28, dies from COVID-19
https://apnews.com/4ee025ba6c4c19c024ce384503f23ef3

Online schooling? Don't forget to practise good cyber hygiene
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/09/11/news/online-schooling-dont-forget-practise-good-cyber-hygiene

;-) Treat your mask like underwear:
         1) Do not touch or adjust (especially in public)
         2) Do not borrow or lend
         3) Make sure it's tight but comfortable
         4) Make sure it's clean (daily or as needed)
         5) Wear the right side out
         6) If there's a hole in it, dispose of it
         7) If it's stained, dispose of it
         8) If it's damp, change it
     and, try not to get the two confused.

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.

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 630 new COVID-19 cases and 8 additional deaths reported in Canada on Thursday, we're clearly moving in the wrong direction. We will likely hit 135,000 total cases today. BC has started to reimpose health emergency restrictions and Ontario has halted any further lifting of restrictions for 4 weeks.

As Woodward's reporting shows that the U.S. President has been gaslighting Americans on COVID-19 for over six months now, the consequences show in the undoubtedly under-reported numbers. 6,588,825 officially confirmed cases; 196,345 deaths and only 3,880,706 'recovered'. Given the downside consequences of 'recovered', I wonder what limbo the other 2,511,774 are living with. I think it's going to be a very long time before the Canada-U.S. border re-opens to pre-COVID conditions.

While we battle the COVID-19 pandemic locally, let's remember it's a global pandemic, with over 28 million cases and over 900,000 deaths.

Fortress Fossil Fuels Highlights/Gaslights

Normally, I try not to dig in to day to day oil price swings, because that signal is manipulated by power players. I'm making an exception this time, as this may represent a pivotal shift. In the past couple of years the U.S. fracked oil industry has taken a beating, as they 'pumped into the glut', losing money on what they sold, but without any choice because once you start a fracked well, you have to keep it going, or lose it for good.

The Saudis have had a key advantage in that price-war game; they can ramp oil production up and down without damaging wells because they have have old-school, simple, conventional light oil wells. If the Saudis are pumping into the glut rather than holding back to increase world prices, there are two likely explanations.
1) politically (domestic), they can't afford to give up the revenue, and have become price-takers; or,
2) they recognize that the oil industry as a whole is moving to its shelf-life date due to competing (renewables) energy sources and the shift for transportation fuels from oil (gasoline, diesel, natural gas) to competitors (notably electric drive).

Oil prices are collapsing after Saudi Arabia sends ominous signal
https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/08/investing/oil-prices-drop-saudi-arabia/index.html
Oil prices dive to lowest since June in wake of souring demand outlook
https://financialpost.com/commodities/energy/oil-extends-drop-after-saudi-price-cuts-highlight-demand-concern

Aussie invention could save old coal stations by running them on zero-emissions 'Lego' blocks

States Are Closing Oil Rigs at an Alarming Rate
https://gizmodo.com/states-are-closing-oil-rigs-at-an-alarming-rate-1844989407

Jobs, billions at risk as Husky announces sweeping review of White Rose extension
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/white-rose-review-1.5716913

One of the Oldest LNG Deals is Unraveling
https://www.rigzone.com/news/wire/one_of_the_oldest_lng_deals_is_unraveling-10-sep-2020-163257-article/

New Diamond spills diesel oil as flames on board brought down
https://www.tradewindsnews.com/insurance/new-diamond-spills-diesel-oil-as-flames-on-board-brought-down/2-1-871555

'War on plastic' could strand oil industry's £300bn investment
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/04/war-on-plastic-could-strand-oil-industrys-300bn-investment

Oil Major Total, Carmaker PSA Set Up $6B EV Battery Venture
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Oil-Major-Total-Carmaker-PSA-Set-Up-6B-EV-Battery-Venture.html

If the demand for gasoline is down in 2020 relative to 2019, I wonder if this sort of story could be a contributing factor.

Last night, I paid my gasoline bill for 2020. It was $28.09 for about 24.5 litres, fill-up from 1/4 tank. The most recent previous refuel I did in my Smart Fortwo was in December 2019. With COVID-19 likely to peak in a second wave this fall, I fully expect this fill-up will easily get me through the rest of the year.

I'm out on errands and even longer trips quite frequently. We have 2 electric cars in our household, and to the extent it's practical, I time my trips for shipping products, groceries, hardware items, etc. for when I can use one of the 2 electric cars. For work, I mostly telecommute. (I was working from home before COVID-19 made it chic.) If my past decade of home-based work and long-ago shift to electric transportation is any indication of where the rest of the working world is headed, the current hard times for the oil industry are easier to understand.

Speaking of cars, if yours is sitting idle a lot, take the time this weekend to start it up, check the tire pressures, and drive it a bit to move the fluids around and scrape some rust off the brake surfaces.

;-) Why was six afraid of seven?
     Because seven ate nine.

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.

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, Canada reported 546 new COVID-19 cases and 2 deaths. The new cases trend line is troubling as a starting point for back to school and back to work driven by calendars rather than pandemic control.

COVID-19 News Items

COVID-19 antibody testing shows few healthy Canadians have had the virus.
https://www.blood.ca/en/stories/covid-19-antibody-testing-shows-few-healthy-canadians-have-had-virus
With a 7% death rate for those diagnosed with COVID-19 in Canada, not getting infected is your best possible health measure.

Enough people are not taking COVID-19 seriously that it is impacting the prevention measures taken by the majority. I see it in people who refuse to wear their masks properly. My wife reports daily that she has pharmacy customers who loudly call out that the pandemic is a hoax. The following stories are about Ottawa-Gatineau, but this could happen anywhere. Complacency and continuing spreading of disinformation are risk factors.

One cottage party infection spread to 40 people, Etches says; Ontario reports 149 new cases.
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/covid-19-one-cottage-party-infection-spread-to-40-people-etches-says-ontario-reports-149-new-cases

COVID-19 outbreak at Ottawa nursing home spreads to 28 residents, 3 staff https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/west-end-villa-covid-19-outbreak-1.5716347

'Dangerous territory': How Ottawa-Gatineau became a COVID-19 hot spot, and what to do now
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/covid-cases-gatineau-ottawa-1.5717796

OC Transpo to target 'hot spots' where fewer users follow mask protocols
https://www.ottawamatters.com/local-news/oc-transpo-to-target-hot-spots-where-fewer-users-follow-mask-protocols-2699633

Calls for more coronavirus testing sites as Ottawa's COVID-19 cases climb
[dead link: https://boom997.com/news/7324572/ottawa-coronavirus-update-sept-9/] https://boom997.com/news/7324572/ottawa-coronavirus-update-sept-9/

In my opinion, if you want to avoid catching the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and you have to spend any amount of time indoors with people outside your known-to-be-safe social bubbles, it's not enough to rely on the good will and competence of others - you have to take defensive measures as well to protect yourself.

Community measures have not been fully successful, and the risk factors are rising as we send students back to school, share space on school buses and public transit as more people are returning to work places. Work place counter-measures are uneven and compliance falls entirely on the employer.

Wash your hands, properly, frequently and with soap. Hand sanitizer is a second-choice option. Stay home as much as you reasonably can. Maintain physical distancing when indoors with others. Wear barrier protection which is effective. Even a quality mask won't protect your eyes. Use a face-shield or goggles and a good mask. Wash or replace masks frequently, especially if exposed to others. The face-shield will reduce your face-touching, while protecting your eyes, nose and mouth.

For myself, I'm using my shield and curtain arrangement everywhere I enter an enclosed space open to others outside my bubble.
https://www.econogics.com/c4c/COVIDCurtain.htm

I have written before about the outsize impacts and underweight government response, respect and funding for long-term care facilities and the still largely invisible home and community based health care workers.

COVID-19 has taken 'heavy toll' on female immigrants working in health care, report says
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/female-immigrants-covid-19-protection-1.5717465

Perhaps this is a sign of a shift to a more rational approach, at least in BC.
B.C. to spend $1.6B, hire thousands of health-care workers for flu season
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-fall-pandemic-plan-1.5717466

We KNOW that home-based care is lower cost to the public purse with better outcomes for the person receiving care. We KNOW that regular contact enables preventive care, and preventive care is lower cost with better outcomes for people. Let's shift to providing better care at lower cost to those with chronic health issues, and make sure we support the paid and unpaid caregivers.

;-) Chemistry. It's like cooking.
     (Just don't lick the spoon.)

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.

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, back after the Labour Day weekend, Canada reported significant growth in the number of new cases, from 131,124 last week to 134,077. In 5 days, that's almost 3,000 more cases, or 600 per day. Fortunately, the death count rose by only 11 over that 5 day period. It's too early to see the impacts of school re-openings on a broad basis, but I expect it won't be pretty by the end of this month.

The world is quickly closing in on 28 million cases and has logged over 905,000 deaths.

COVID-19 News Items

Do you have 'Mask Mouth'?
https://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/article/mask-mouth

Low-cost measurement of face mask efficacy for filtering expelled droplets during speech
https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/36/eabd3083
Interesting conclusion: a 'gaiter mask' is worse than no mask for droplet transmission at speech emissions levels.

She blew the whistle to protect seniors at the Rosslyn. She paid a price.
https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/2020/09/02/she-blew-the-whistle-to-protect-seniors-at-the-rosslyn-she-paid-a-price.html
Consider this item if you believe the Ontario provincial government's first priority for long-term care homes was protecting the residents and staff and controlling spread into the community.

Suppose protecting these people had been a priority, on a par with preparing hospitals. Perhaps we would not have had stories about 80% of COVID-19 deaths in Canada were related to long-term care homes (residents, staff, visitors).
81% of COVID-19 deaths in Canada were in long-term care – nearly double OECD average
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-new-data-show-canada-ranks-among-worlds-worst-for-ltc-deaths/

If these people had not died, if our COVID death rate had been reduced by 80%, then our record in Canada would not be that 7% of those infected die, but only 1.4%. That would be amazing.

New Zealand's corresponding number is 1.3%.

Droplet Spread From Humans Doesn’t Always Follow Airflow – Important Implications for Spread of COVID-19
https://scitechdaily.com/droplet-spread-from-humans-doesnt-always-follow-airflow-important-implications-for-spread-of-covid-19/

B.C. is no longer a model for COVID-19 prevention — and getting back to that stage is no guarantee
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-covid-analysis-august-surge-1.5679225

Canada added 246,000 jobs in August, but employment still 1 million short of pre-COVID level
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-jobs-july-1.5712085
Looks like the 'checkmark' recovery I spoke of some time ago (https://econogics.com/blog_2020_July.htm#2020.07.11 - under Economy), especially as the rate of job / economic recovery inevitably slows a fter the early gains. Still, if we have recovered 2/3s of the jobs lost at the start of the pandemic from the bottom in April while keeping the infection rate under control, that's reassuring that we are largely on the right path for the current circumstances.

Getting back to where we were on employment will take time, and we need to adjust to the idea that a lot of us won't be doing the same jobs. More work in PPE production and supply, more work in bolstering front line health services, home-based health care and long-term health care options. More jobs in food preparation for take-out/pick-up and delivery, and fewer in restaurant dining rooms. More jobs in sectors where supply lines crossing our borders were taken hostage as we work to rebuild our economic independence and be less vulnerable to off-shore manufacturing.

There will likely be fewer jobs in the fossil fuel sector, as the oil and gas industry were aggressively shedding jobs in Canada before the pandemic via automation and off-shoring, and the pandemic has rocked demand world-wide. So far, that's not because there has been any significant move by governments to fund a 'green recovery' in Canada, but instead are shoveling money into fossil fuel industry supports, including building infrastructure paid for by taxpayers instead of industry. Ditto for clean-up of abandoned and orphaned oil wells. There appears to no appetite by the federal or Ontario governments to encourage the manufacture of electric vehicles here, or even key components for them.

Global Warming Could Cause Viruses to Evolve, Making Them Harder to Kill
https://scitechdaily.com/global-warming-could-cause-viruses-to-evolve-making-them-harder-to-kill/

;-) I'm not adding this year to my age.
     I didn't use it.

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.

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 Friday, Canada reported 631 new COVID-19 cases, which is continuing a concerning rise over the past couple of weeks. I believe that community level control is a prerequisite to bursting the social bubbles by re-opening schools broadly. This latest data says we are not there in a number of Canadian communities. 6 additional deaths, but remember this is the lagging indicator.

So, let me echo the concerns of many health experts: follow the COVID-19 preventive measures this long weekend so you don't contract the SARS-CoV-2 virus, or pass it along to anyone else.

World and U.S. figures continue to be depressing. Let's be smarter than that here.

Also depressing, the oil and gas industry continues to make headlines this past couple of days, generally for the wrong reasons. Sigh.

Fortress Fossil Fuels Highlights/Gaslights

Environmental watchdog report says Alberta oilsands tailings ponds are tainting groundwater
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/oilsands-tailings-groundwater-contamination-1.5711471
This isn't news, other than to Alberta's chief scientist. Alberta and the federal government have pointedly not done a serious job of monitoring the areas adjacent to the bitumen tailings ponds or the groundwater in the area, despite long-standing requests to do so by local First Nations and health workers. These tailings ponds are not lined to prevent leakage, and they are essentially packed piles of sand and dirt for the most part.

Another occasional concern is breaches of the pond walls at times of heavy rains, as the walls are just packed sand and dirt.

Arctic shipping study exposes flaws in planned fuel ban
https://www.euractiv.com/section/shipping/news/arctic-shipping-study-exposes-weaknesses-of-planned-fuel-ban/

More rural communities say tax break for oil and gas firms could doom small Alberta towns
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/larry-clarke-stettler-county-steve-wannstrom-starland-1.5677158

Canada has big plans to use hydrogen to cut emissions - and produce more oil
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-canada-hydrogen-idUSKBN25V1KL
Sigh. More reality-defying hype from the Canadian government division of OPEC+.
So hydrogen will be produced from natural gas, creating CO2 gas as a by-product. The CO2 will then be used to pressurize oil and gas wells to produce more fossil fuels and put more CO2 and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. (Note 'stored', not 'sequestered' in the article.) It's hard to imagine that inserting the energy-intensive step of making more hydrogen from natural gas as part of the 'well-to-wheels' energy analysis will pen out to being better, if the impacts of using the captured CO2 for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is taken into account. If that is left out, it's just cooking the books on energy and emissions numbers.

[In a self-serving plug, I recommend reading the award-winning book "The Emperor's New Hydrogen Economy", if you want a better understanding of the hydrogen hype and energy systems in general. Ebook available at: https://www.iuniverse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/126185-The-Emperor-s-New-Hydrogen-Economy

(WARNING: there appear to be a couple of websites offering a free download of the PDF of this book. I have not authorized anyone to provide this text for free. At best this is simply piracy and copyright violation, however, it is more likely an identity theft operation.)]

Global Shipping’s Moral Authority Plunges In Mauritius As Pope Intervenes In Wakashio Saga
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nishandegnarain/2020/09/03/global-shippings-moral-authority-plunges-in-mauritius-as-pope-intervenes-in-wakashio-saga/#20a54bd653a1

Mauritius oil spill: Was the government unprepared?
https://www.theafricareport.com/38866/mauritius-oil-spill-was-the-government-unprepared/

35 Days Of Mauritius Oil Spill Drama Seen Through The Lens Of 14 Local Photographers
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nishandegnarain/2020/08/28/35-days-of-mauritius-oil-spill-drama-seen-through-the-lens-of-14-local-photographers/#23ba951871bb

Mauritius Seeks Quick Backdoor Deal With Japan For $34 Million Over Wakashio Oil Spill
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nishandegnarain/2020/09/01/mauritius-seeks-quick-backdoor-deal-with-japan-for-34m-over-wakashio-oil-spill/#6088edcc7cf8

New Oil Spill Fear In Indian Ocean With Sri Lanka Supertanker Fire
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nishandegnarain/2020/09/03/new-oil-spill-fear-in-indian-ocean-with-sri-lanka-supertanker-fire/#7cc716e8235b

UPDATE 1-Algeria's Sonatrach says it controlled oil leaks
https://www.reuters.com/article/algeria-oil/update-1-algerias-sonatrach-says-it-controlled-oil-leaks-idUSL8N2G13XA

Oil products spill from sunken Delfi tanker occurs in Black Sea
https://112.international/society/oil-products-spill-from-sunken-delfi-tanker-occurs-in-black-sea-54448.html

A Decade After BP Oil Disaster, Gulf of Mexico Still Shows Scars
https://www.voanews.com/usa/decade-after-bp-oil-disaster-gulf-mexico-still-shows-scars

Fort Nelson's Gas Boom Went Bust. Who's Going to Clean Up?
https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2020/08/04/Who-Will-Clean-Fort-Nelson-Gas-Bust/

U.S. Shale Faces Another Round Of Bankruptcies
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/US-Shale-Faces-Another-Round-Of-Bankruptcies.htm

ExxonMobil Rips Up $30B Growth Plan
https://www.rigzone.com/news/wire/exxonmobil_rips_up_30b_growth_plan-03-aug-2020-162903-article/

BP halves dividend as Covid-19 turmoil pushes oil major to loss
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/energy-and-resources/bp-halves-dividend-as-covid-19-turmoil-pushes-oil-major-to-loss-1.4321618

;-) Clarke and Dawe - The US Oil Spill
     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClvLp4vXJ5I

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.

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 added 570 new COVID-19 cases yesterday. The smoothed trend line is definitely on a slow rise nationally as we move to opening schools in the most populous province. Data will be weak from here until at least next Wednesday due to long weekend (non-)reporting. 6 additional deaths.

The U.S. reports 1,094 new deaths yesterday, and health experts are warning about a new surge expected to result from this coming long weekend's social activities. Per current data, so far, the U.S. has killed 577 per million from COVID-19, and there is no sign of their pandemic abating. On the brighter side for the U.S., only about 3% of those infected die from COVID-19, while the corresponding figure in Canada is 7% (based on government reporting in both countries).

Fortress Fossil Fuels Highlights/Gaslights

Refugio Oil Spill: What Restoration Looks Like 5 Years Later
https://www.edhat.com/news/refugio-oil-spill-what-restoration-looks-like-5-years-later/
From the article:
"Many locals were shocked that official personnel were not working on the scene immediately to remove oil form [sic] the coastline. The U.S. Coast Guard, which was the Unified Command Initial Response Leader at the time, did not allow for its designated first responders to begin meaningful containment and cleanup efforts until the next morning. In part because of a lack of effective immediate response, ordinary citizens took it upon themselves to clean the oiled beaches and rescue wildlife, risking their own health. To fill the void that responsible agencies should have taken, local organizations stepped up as community liaisons and leaders."

This is why oil spill response plans have to include local first responders. They will always be on scene before distant regulators or bureaucratic national and international official spill response organizations, costing valuable response time.

'Orwellian': Coalition accused of planning to open green bank to fossil fuel investments
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/aug/28/orwellian-coalition-accused-of-planning-to-open-green-bank-to-fossil-fuel-investments
'The Morrison government has been accused of planning to open up the taxpayer-owned green bank to fossil fuels investments through a change that explicitly defines gas-fired power as a “low-emissions technology”.'

Asphalt roads make city air pollution worse in summer, study finds
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/02/asphalt-roads-make-city-air-pollution-worse-in-summer-study-finds

More Gas Pipelines Scrapped Than Put In Service In H1 2020
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/More-Gas-Pipelines-Scrapped-Than-Put-In-Service-In-H1-2020.html

Canada is way behind on pledge to cut methane emissions, analysis shows
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/09/03/news/canada-way-behind-pledge-cut-methane-emissions-analysis-shows

3 Dead In Mauritius As Wakashio Support Vessel Sinks In Coral Lagoon Towing Oil Barge
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nishandegnarain/2020/08/31/fear-of-second-major-oil-spill-in-mauritius-as-oil-barge-overturns/#502c71d17085

Exxon’s Imperial shuts oil-sands mine after pipeline spill
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/Canadian-Oil-Rises-After-Spill-Shuts-Diluent-15539784.php

Canadian Oil and Gas Spending Plummets 54%
https://financialtribune.com/articles/energy/105028/canadian-oil-and-gas-spending-plummets-54

Big Oil's Backers Are Jumping Ship — and That's Good for the Planet
https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2020/08/31/Big-Oil-Backers-Jumping-Ship/

The oil sands fundamentals are dire and stark – and Canada shouldn’t spend to revive a dying dream
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-the-oil-sands-fundamentals-are-dire-and-stark-and-canada-shouldnt/

Fossil Fuels Are So, So Screwed
https://cleantechnica.com/2020/08/17/fossil-fuels-are-so-so-screwed/

On the wrong track: Alberta loses $2.1B on crude-by-rail contracts
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-crude-by-rail-1.5706160

Fossil fuels given $3.1 trillion subsidies at 'staggering' twenty-times level of renewables
https://www.rechargenews.com/transition/fossil-fuels-given-3-1-trillion-subsidies-at-staggering-twenty-times-level-of-renewables/2-1-868319

;-) Some days the supply of curse words is insufficient to meet my demands.

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.

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 will likely roll past the 130,000 number for reported COVID-19 cases today (currently at 129,923, having added 498 yesterday). 3 additonal deaths brought that running total to 9,135.

For those still thinking Sweden has the right answer, their per capita death rate is higher than that of the United States. Both rank behind Belgium, Spain, Italy and Brazil on this negative indicator.

COVID-19 News Items

America Doesn’t Have a Coherent Strategy for Asymptomatic Testing. It Needs One. https://www.propublica.org/article/america-doesnt-have-a-coherent-strategy-for-asymptomatic-testing-it-needs-one
Not just America. We should be requiring testing of all students and adults at each school PRIOR to the re-openings.

The official coronavirus death rate is so much lower than reality.
[dead link: https://bgr.com/2020/08/13/coronavirus-death-toll-higher-than-reported-200-000/]

These promising coronavirus treatments are saving lives
Though no single drug is a “game-changer,” medications and improved standard care seem to be reducing death rates.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/08/these-promising-coronavirus-treatments-are-saving-lives-cvd/

Nevada lab confirms 1st coronavirus reinfection in the US
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/nevada-lab-confirms-1st-coronavirus-reinfection-us/story?id=72691353
Another re-infection case confirmed. Which means herd immunity can't work. It means that antibodies may only be effective for 3-4 months after a COVID-19 infection. It also means that a vaccine - if we develop one that works - will be complicated because it will need to address multiple strains.

In recent days, Africa reported it had eradicated wild polio virus from the continent. Perhaps that's the model we should be aiming for with COVID-19. Admittedly, COVID-19 may be a bigger challenge. For polio, we did eventually develop an effective vaccine.

Canada’s COVID Alert app is a case of tech-driven bad policy design
https://theconversation.com/canadas-covid-alert-app-is-a-case-of-tech-driven-bad-policy-design-144448
The article does not say if Ottawa Public Health is prepared to prevent a school from re-opening based on their findings as the visit the schools.

Health Canada changes course on COVID-19 testing at home
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/health-canada-covid-home-test-1.5707740

Canada to buy 76 million doses of Novavax's potential coronavirus vaccine
https://financialpost.com/news/fp-street/canada-to-buy-76-million-doses-of-novavaxs-potential-coronavirus-vaccine/wcm/3f12254f-d00e-4ea8-9e4b-48d2dbe8463d/

Finding COVID-19 answers in sewage
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/finding-covid-19-answers-in-sewage

'It never went away': What the 1918 flu can tell us about when life might return to 'normal'
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/09/01/1918-flu-pandemic-end/

Survey shows seniors have preference for home care
https://blackburnnews.com/midwestern-ontario/2020/09/01/survey-shows-seniors-preference-home-care/
Imagine if more seniors had been able to shelter effectively at home instead of being in long-term care homes at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. How many lives would have been saved?

Personal support workers are the backbone of health care but the bottom of the power structure
https://theconversation.com/personal-support-workers-are-the-backbone-of-health-care-but-the-bottom-of-the-power-structure-144648

;-) Pretty wild how we used to eat cake after someone had blown on it.
     Good times ...

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.

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 477 new cases of COVID-19 and 6 more deaths. The grind continues.

In the U.S., officials have now under-reported over 6.25 million COVID-19 cases and 188,907 deaths. That means 1.9% of the U.S. population are confirmed to have had the SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 0.06% of the total population have died from it. In under six months.

World-wide, almost 26 million cases reported, and over 860,000 deaths.

Digital Deception

If you're spending more time at home, working, isolating, caring for others, generally trying to keep your personal exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus to a minimum, how would you be impacted if your data communications and telephone service disappeared? Your electricity from the grid? Do you use an elevator regularly? Your water supply? Heating energy (such as natural gas)? What if the local hospital had its data network compromised during a local outbreak?

Those are all increasingly targets of cyberattacks, including ransomware. Like protecting those around you from COVID-19 by practising good hygiene, protecting your devices from cyberattacks of all kinds protects all of us.

For a visual representation of the level of sophisticated and organized criminal cyber activity, have a look at https://horizon.netscout.com/.

If your computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone or other 'smart' devices are connected to the Internet, even intermittently, make sure you have them secured. Use real passwords. Scan them for viruses and malware occasionally.

If you find the battery life on your smartphone, laptop or tablet is suddenly shorter and the device is often warm to the touch, scan it for malware which could be using up compute cycles and energy from the battery.

Bitcoin (and other cryptocurrencies) are the favoured currency of cyber criminals. Creating this currency uses a lot of electricity. That energy is creating increased demand for electricity, pushing up prices for all of us and causing us to use fossil fuels unnecessarily.

Bitcoin consumes more energy than Switzerland, according to new estimate
https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/4/20682109/bitcoin-energy-consumption-annual-calculation-cambridge-index-cbeci-country-comparison

Bitcoin using more electricity per transaction than a British household in two months https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2020/03/01/bitcoin-using-electricity-per-transaction-british-household/

Global power consumption by Bitcoin mining tops 7 GW, hashrates at 120 EH/s https://www.neowin.net/news/global-power-consumption-by-bitcoin-mining-tops-7-gw-hashrates-at-120-ehs/
Consider the level of compute power China is devoting to Bitcoin mining, and intuitively it suggests that China's continued use of coal-fired electrical generation could be connected.

Bitcoin Miner Is Scoring 700% Profits Selling Energy to Grid [dead link: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitcoin-miner-scoring-700-profits-110010796.html] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitcoin-miner-scoring-700-profits-110010796.html
A truly 'smart' grid would use this power at peak times as Layer 1 is doing, but buy lower-cost electricity at off peak times to charge up storage and electric vehicles to improve their overall return on investment.

How Long It Would Take A Hacker To Guess Your Password, Visualized [dead link: https://digg.com/2020/password-difficulty-hacking]

Password Fatigue
Yesterday I got a teaser from Firefox about using their password manager. It stated the average computer user has 130 different accounts and online resources using a password for at least part of their protection. Which is presumably why people re-use passwords across their various accounts. (Personally, I have more than 130. I know because I keep a list of user accounts and passwords off-line. Yes, it's tedious to keep up to date, especially as I do change many of those passwords on a rotation.)

Royal Bank among the top victims of cybersquatting, says report [dead site: https://www.itworldcanada.com/article/royal-bank-among-the-top-victims-of-cybersquatting-says-report/435254]

Brookfield Residential admits suffering a data security incident [dead site: https://www.itworldcanada.com/article/brookfield-admits-residential-unit-suffered-a-data-security-incident/434947]

;-) Do not use 'incorrect' as your computer password, even if your
     computer tells you: "Your password is incorrect".

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.

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 Monday, Canada reported 1,008 new COVID-19 cases. Even allowing for the weekend effect, that's a startling jump in new cases which have been grinding along around 400 per day since June. Consider that my critical condition for re-opening schools was control of community spread. Clearly, we still don't have a handle on that from Quebec to BC, but the schools are re-opening anyway, without solid plans or stated threshold metrics to trigger shutdowns or contingency plans. Why isn't eliminating COVID-19 an option on the menu?
Forget flattening the curve—what about eliminating COVID-19 entirely?
https://www.macleans.ca/society/health/eliminate-covid-19-canada-regionally/

Let's be blunt. If you live in Canada and you get the SARS-CoV-2 virus, there is more than 7 in 100 chance it will kill you. If you get the virus, based on rate of spread numbers, it is likely that you will spread it to at least one more person, giving them the same 7 in 100 chance of dying from COVID-19.

For the remaining 93 out of 100, recovering from a COVID-19 illness can take months, and you may end up with new long-term health issues related to multiple organs which can be affected by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

We now have evidence that being infected once does not confer immunity against being infected again by a different strain of the virus, and that antibodies don't seem to last more than a few weeks or months.

Schools Re-opening

If it's safe enough for teachers to be in classrooms, why isn't the Ontario Legislature requiring full sittings of all the elected MPPs for 5 hours a day, Monday to Friday? Surely, it's time for Ontario's elected representatives to get back to work full-time and figure out how to restore normalcy to the legislative and governing process, and end governing under emergency powers.

Ottawa Public Health going 'school-by-school' to check on COVID-19 set-up: Dr. Etches
https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/ottawa-public-health-going-school-by-school-to-check-on-covid-19-set-up-dr-etches-1.5062712"

Teachers' unions to file labour board complaint over Ontario's school reopening plan
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/lab-our-complaint-union-ontario-schools-1.5706429

The tone seems to be dramatically different in the NWT.
'It's great to see their faces': Relief, excitement for N.W.T. teachers returning to school
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nwt-teachers-back-to-school-1.5704022
Note: teachers are required to wear face-shields whenever they are inside the school building, and NWT has community spread under control before re-opening their schools.

U.S. coronavirus cases near 6 million as Midwest, schools face outbreaks
https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/u-s-coronavirus-cases-near-6-million-as-midwest-schools-face-outbreaks

Campus Contagion
"Take a look at the places where the coronavirus is spreading fastest in the U.S. relative to population, and you’ll see that many have something worrisome in common: Nearly half of the top 20 metropolitan areas where new cases per capita rose the most over the past two weeks are college towns, home to the reopened campuses of large public universities." https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/30/world/coronavirus-covid.html

Monitoring the Coronavirus Outbreak in Metro Areas Across the U.S. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/23/upshot/five-ways-to-monitor-coronavirus-outbreak-us.html

This article suggests that physical distancing guidelines are not sufficient under a range of typical circumstances. Contemplate this information in the context of typical school activities.
Current Physical Distancing Measures Are Based on 'Outdated Science', Say Researchers
https://www.sciencealert.com/more-scientists-agree-it-s-time-to-rethink-the-1-metre-rule-for-physical-distancing

;-) My wife says I have 2 faults.
     I don't listen, and something else ...

Spread knowledge, not the virus.
Stay well, stay safe, stay sane, stay home if you can.
We're not done yet. Not nearly.

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

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