Coronavirus – The Numbers

 

There are no new cases of the coronavirus being reported in the Kingston area by KFL&A Public Health.  It reported earlier this week that there are three confirmed cases and those people are in isolation.

The number of confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Canada has risen to 727.

Ontario has 214 confirmed cases.

 

Coronavirus – Kingston

 

Starting today…Kingston Transit is free.  It is asking passengers to get on and off buses through the back doors. Drivers will not be accepting cash fares or paper transfers and passengers will not be required to tap their transit passes.  People with accessibility issues can still use the front door.

 

The City is increasing the number of garbage bags you can put at the curb to four per week until at least April 5th to help people who are self-isolating or working at home.  No bag tags will be required.

 

The city has also announced there will be no restrictions for on-street residential parking to accommodate health care workers who are making daily commutes and residents who are working from home.  That means vehicles will not be ticketed on streets were parking isn’t allowed during certain hours.

 

Coronavirus – Help

 

More and more retail outlets and business are announcing they are closing, restricting access or cutting hours of business.  That means the fallout from the pandemic will have wide ranging economic impact right now and into the future.

Canada’s banks have announced they will allow customers to defer mortgage payments for six months.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced the federal government will deploy up to 82-billion dollars in direct spending and deferred taxes.

The package will increase Canada Child Benefit payments for families and G-S-T tax credits for low- and middle-income earners.  It will also provide a wage subsidy for small businesses, pause Canada Student Loan payments for six months and establish emergency benefits for people who don’t qualify for employment insurance.

Parliament will be recalled so MP’s and Senators can quickly pass the new financial measures.

 

Coronavirus – Ontario

 

The Ontario government will pass emergency legislation today to protect workers forced to stay home due to COVID-19.  It will apply to employees under investigation, supervision or treatment for COVID-19.

In the name of social distancing, there will only be 24 members in the house: 12 governing Progressive Conservatives, eight New Democrats, two Liberals, one Green and the Speaker.

 

Coronavirus – Food

 

You are being told again there will not be a shortage of food during the pandemic.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is urging consumers not to panic buy. President Keith Currie says there is no reason to hoard food.

Currie says Ontario’s food distribution system will continue stocking grocery store shelves and can handle the additional pressures put on it as a result of the current health crisis.