With most stores closed, all entertainment closed, most restaurants doing takeout only, many businesses sending their workers to work from home and others encouraged to stay at home, Cobourg is in virtual lockdown. I ventured out today (it was a glorious day!) and looked at what’s happening Downtown, at the Mall and at No-Frills. The first thing you notice is that there’s no problem getting parking anywhere – although it’s free on municipal meters and parking lots. The next thing is that since stores and banks are limiting the number who can be inside at one time, there are orderly queues outside. One example was a bit strange: Staples looked closed but on closer inspection they had a sign that said – use the other door – a limit of 10 inside store at one time.
The main entrance to the Mall has a sign that says they are only open noon to 6:00 pm and then you can only go to Pearle vision (closed Sunday). Other businesses and the Cinema are closed except Metro (7 am to 8 pm) and Scotia Bank (week-days 9:30 to 3:00) which can be accessed at the West entrance. Like other supermarkets in Cobourg, Metro dedicates the first hour to seniors and those living with disabilities. The LCBO had a line outside and seemed busy with a busy parking area unlike the rest of the mall’s parking which was practically deserted.
Parking lots in shopping plazas were also close to empty but then most stores are closed although several organized a process of “order by phone then pick up at the store”. The status of many restaurants and food stores is given at the Covid-19 in Cobourg page (link below) but it’s best to check it out yourself by phone or online.
Pedestrian traffic Downtown was light despite the perfect weather.
Despite the Covid-19 crisis, Police are still busy with regular arrests being made. So it seems the virus has not yet made a dent in criminal activity. On the hot issue of the recent shooting, Chief Paul VandeGraaf told me that they have now determined that the shooting took place outside Cobourg and the OPP will be in charge of the investigation. Paul also said that the victim has now been transferred to Sunnybrook and the car involved has been recovered just outside Cobourg.
Cobourg Town Council meetings in the immediate future (e.g. the one scheduled for April 6) will be held using videoconferencing technology although some the Town’s decisions about the Covid-19 virus will be made by the ECG (Emergency Control Group) who meet daily by “virtual conferencing”. In response to my questions about their accountability, Mayor John Henderson told me that the ECG team includes representatives of each department within the Town of Cobourg, Northumberland County and the HKPR District Health Unit and, as well as Mayor Henderson, includes Fire Chief Mike Vilneff (Community Emergency Management Coordinator), Interim CAO Ian Davey, Communications Manager Ashley Purdy, Town Clerk Brent Larmer, Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf and Emergency Planner Shannon Murphy. They made statements on videos here.
County Council will hold a special meeting on Monday, March 30, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. via teleconference (that’s phone only, no video) to approve urgent bylaw changes. These include procedures for teleconferencing and suspending the requirement for garbage bag tags effective Wednesday, April 1, 2020 until Friday, May 29, 2020. The County says that “Members of the public and media are invited to call 1-647-374-4685 and enter the meeting identification number 641 181 080 when prompted. The line will open 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting.”
Below are some photos of Cobourg late morning 27 March, 2020.
Links
- Covid-19 in Cobourg – page is regularly updated.
- Government benefits re Covid-19
- Shooting Victim at Hospital – 24 March 2020
Print Article:
I went to Shoppers Saturday morning. There was a respectful line-up in accordance with current regulations. I put on my face mask. Very orderly as I’ve come to expect from Canadians. No clustering. No browsing. Just efficiency by staff and customers. I approached the cashier and there was a Plexiglas shield. Paid, went outside. During my 10 minutes I took note that I was the only one wearing a mask.
It is a shame that Ontario does not have a supply of face masks for its civilians. I would recommend listening to this South Korean virus expert explain the value of face masks to stem human-to-human transmission. It is an Achilles heel for infection. https://youtu.be/gAk7aX5hksU
Why are face masks not being distributed to all the residents of Legion Village, to protect staff, protect residents from each other?
Hey Wally, where was you N95 mask made? It wasn’t made “you know where”, was it? 😉
Do you trust it? What are the guidelines for reusing one of those masks?
Is anyone aware of local online efforts to assist the supply chain that is helping Feed Ontario distribute food boxes to vulnerable populations?
“In France and across Europe, affluent city dwellers have been decamping epicenters of the crisis to their second homes, where proximity to the sea or the mountains lessens the discomfort of confinement and a decent internet link permits remote work.
But they also bring fears that they will spread the virus to regions with few hospitals to handle a surge in the sick, putting at greater risk local residents who tend to be older and have limited incomes.” Guardian
Is this happening across Northumberland County too?
They are heading to muskoka
I did hear that Mr Weston has decamped to his farm in Grafton
Mr. Weston, like in Galen Weston? Where did you hear that news? Source?
Yeah that Weston whose family has a fortune of $13 billion.
Two years ago, spokespeople for Loblaw Companies Ltd. and its parent company, George Weston Ltd., admitted to a scheme to increase the price of bread. This is a big deal: Loblaw is the country’s primary grocer, with over 2,000 stores, including No Frills, Shoppers Drug Mart (which carries bread among its other overpriced groceries), T&T, Fortinos and others.
But he is probably in Ireland or Florida.
“But he is probably in Ireland or Florida.”
Where did you hear that news? Source?
Frenchy: “Where did you hear that news? Source?”
Curmudgeon: crickets, crickets
Frenchy: “Where did you hear that news? Source?”
Ben: crickets, crickets
“On Sunday, Tam sternly advised Canadians against retreating to any “rural properties” they might own. “These places have less capacity to manage COVID-19,” she told reporters in Ottawa. That makes sense, as do concerns about straining off-season supply chains. If the cottage is good enough for Sophie Grégoire Trudeau and the kids, who beetled off to Harrington Lake on Sunday, some people might conclude it’s good enough for them.”
#Do as I say, not as I do.
#Leadership.
A great deal of the comments lean towards money. Why is that the priority now? Workers have to provide for their families whether children, parents, relations. Running discussion views about taking salaries away/ reducing salaries/ laying workers off is in my view simply wrong. If someone’s employer is able to provide full pay then good for them. And don’t start with taxpayers are paying etc. It is a none issue.
Well said!
The issue is equality of treatment. Non-essential private sector employees will have to depend on personal savings, credit cards and EI payments. We’re all in this together. Why should teachers and other non-essential public employees get special treatment?
Also retirees without a govt. defined benefit pensions rely mostly
on stock market Rifs and Lifs for their incomes and theses have just been hit with a 30% to 35% reduction in value. And these people and their taxes help pay for govt.benefits and salaries.
Ken….Actually this seems to be your issue and a few others. Somehow you and a few others are going to feel better picking and choosing who you think offers more value than others.if they dont offer value you want to lay them off?
Informed, all working employees should get their usual wages or maybe even more due to danger or stress. Non-working public sector employees should be treated EXACTLY the same as any other employee who cannot work because of COVID-19. Why is a teacher more deserving than a barber? There is no justification for two classes of workers. We must help everyone equally!
I dont think i personnally alluded to a different class of people more deserving or not. You and a few others seem to want to lay off some Town employees that you feel are not deserving of an income.You and a few others have even had your picks as to who you think should be let go in the interest in “balancing the scale”. Surely this cant be the priority right now.
Probably not our greatest problem this week but consider:
Both teachers and barbers are being forced to stay home because of COVID. The barber gets $2000/month and the teacher gets $8000/month. The teachers haven’t missed a cheque. The barber will get a meagre payment “soon”. Both are paid for by the same taxpayers. This creates two classes of workers. What is your justification for the inequity?
Probably something to do with the teachers still working under a collective agreement.
Ford could have laid all the teachers off and then renegotiated the new collective agreement, giving them the 2% that they want.
We already have the highest paid teachers anywhere. Ford could have locked the teachers out and paid them nothing during the current situation.
Why, they are still getting paid
Ken…Im not one to justify any of those remarks but i do need a haircut😬
I wish that I had enough on top to cut!
The public/private equality issue was a topic in the Sun Newspaper today:
https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/lilley-covid-19-crisis-reveals-divide-over-whos-paid-while-at-home
It sounds like the EI benefits for private sector workers may be delayed.
The only employers who are able to provide full pay and not lay anyone off are governments.
The hospital is part of the province, no need for the Mayor of Cobourg to be involved
Use this link to find info in HKPR , only 6 case in Northumberland
https://www.hkpr.on.ca/covid-19-2/covid-19/#what_HKPR_is_doing
Thanks for sharing
“The risk to Canadians is considered high.”
This site only provides information that is either well-known already or totally vague about how well our hospital is prepared to cope with the high risk of infection – number of beds and availability of life-saving equipment.
The public is entitled to know.
Here the latest release from Hospital
https://nhh.ca/nhh-main-news/covid-19-information-at-march-27-2020-latest-message-to-our-community
That info is now old news – here’s the latest as of Sunday March 29th – Ontario reported 209 new cases of novel coronavirus on Sunday morning, marking the biggest single-day increase in cases since the pandemic began.
The total number of active cases in the province stands at 1,326.
In its latest bulletin, COVID-19 INFORMATION AT MARCH 27, 2020 – LATEST MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY, NHH is not forthcoming on actual testing, as opposed to screening, for the virus; the number of
intensive care (ICU) units, ventilators and respirators; nor the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff and patients.
Perhaps it’s about time that our Mayor step up to the plate and let the citizens of Cobourg know what’s going on in this regard. He could go on the local radio stations daily with an update for all with accurate stats on these important matters.
Passed time!
I wonder if the Mayor and council have thought of using the ‘Pro’ version of the ‘Zoom’ App for their upcoming council meetings, seeing as how they will be ‘video conferencing’? I am not that computer literate, but maybe this could also be streamed to the general public, so we might see what’s going on?
Just a thought! What do you think John?
At the last Council meeting, it was streamed via You-Tube and available to the public. Although there were glitches, it seemed to be a suitable method.
you would think that in a time that we need critical updates, that our local radio station (107.9) would have stepped up to the plate? news is one or two minutes early or one or two minutes late? then this morning (March 28) at 9.00 AM, NO NEWS at all! skipped rite to sports,then weather?
THANKS John & other bloggers for keeping us informed & up to date.
This is from a Toronto legal clinic and provides a thorough review of all the various relief programs.
https://us4.campaign-archive.com/?e=fc77940cca&u=095b12c98935ecaadd327bf90&id=2781534003
Thank you. This is the most comprehensive info I’ve found on CERB yet.
Many Cobourg businesses have been forced to close and the owners/employees have to rely on their savings and EI. The CCC, Victoria Hall, arenas and most other Town facilities are closed. Are non-essential town employees and their managers still being paid full salaries? Perhaps John can ask at the next ECG “press conference”.
If this is your most important concern at this time then perhaps thats the reason management is in charge and not the public
It’s a fair question to ask of all levels of government. Do you have something to hide? Would the answer be too embarrassing?
Odd rebuttal
We’re all in this together and everyone should be being treated equally. Do you disagree, Informed?
Ken….I most certainly agree but when some peoples agenda seems to impart some type of fairness by picking and choosing Town staff to be laid off at this point, I believe their priorities are out of sync. Will we all feel better putting even more families on EI to save 3 bucks on our taxes? Lots of discussion on garbage tags and free transit. Any discussion about how we can get Hospital staff more personal protective equipment?
We’re all dependent on our healthcare workers and we’ve got to help them however we can. I don’t own a factory for face masks nor do I have my basement filled with masks but how about another suggestion:
Provide exactly the same government support to both private sector workers and non-essential public sector employees. Give any savings as a bonus to our healthcare workers.
Would that be fair?
Personally i have no interest in differentiating between private or public sector workers to save money or provide any type of bonus. My opinion….priorities are to save lives right now as things get worse. Im hoping Town staff management are doing the same and not pestered by council or the public with issues that can be addressed once this pandemic is under control.
Perhaps I was unclear, Informed. My suggestion was
rather than to have some non-essential workers receive their usual salaries while others receive less than minimum wage. The bonus was for our essential healthcare workers. Danger pay.
Ive always found it strange that people would be more satisied in bringing wages of others down in the sense of fairness. Again…priorities please. Health care workers….supply of gloves…supply of goggles and faceshields…staff quarantine procedures to ensure there will be enough staff not infected to perform a duties …whatever they may be.
Why are you avoiding the issue of non-essential government workers? They have nothing to do with frontline healthcare workers. Stop deflecting the core issue. Are you part of the privileged class?
Teachers are receiving 100% of pay and benefits, as I’m sure all government employees are both unionized and non-unionized.
Meanwhile, everybody else can consider themselves second class citizens. Have our MPs and MPPs taken a pay cut to demonstrate a modicum of leadership, empathy and understanding?
Im not deflecting the core issue as i dont believe you know what that is at this time.
And you do? Please share your wisdom.
Public Health
Stop trying to deflect. The core issue in the debate over fairness has to do with the two class structure of government workers safe from loss of work, salary and benefits and pension plans that are guaranteed. All of which doesn’t exist for those in the private sector.
And while the focus right now is on containing community spread and treating those who have fallen ill, the issue down the road will be economic survival as the world faces the greatest Depression in history. When people, particularly in large urban cities run out of money and food, the other danger we need to be prepared for is civil disobedience and crime.
I dont disagree with your comments and you make some valid points however my original comments stemmed from what the role of the ECG is. I think their role at this time should be focused on the logistics involved in keeping its Town citizens safe
Agreed regarding their role but ECG deliberations must be public. Councillors and the public must be involved. We don’t need secret decisions by a cabal of the unelected.
You realize the “unelected” have upwards of 20 years experience with the Town in somes cases,right? Is there some hidden agenda im not privy to?
The unelected senior staff have a responsibility to recommend a policy or course of action. The job of an elected Council is to debate and approve, amend or defeat a staff proposal.
So far, the biggest mistake both have made is free transit. There simply is no way to sanitize the bus each time a passenger embarks or disembarks. This was a dangerous and irresponsible decision that will add to community spread and endangering lives.
Experience is useful but doesn’t guarantee good decisions. Why do you object to broadening the base of decision makers? Why must decisions be made in secret without public or even Council input?
Absolutely we need more/better supplies for our healthcare workers but I can’t make masks in my basement.
I hope that I’m wrong but I fear that almost all will soon be far worse off then we were last year. Is it fair to exempt non-essential public sector workers from the pain?
Of course not. Rich or poor…sick is sick
Please don’t be silly, Informed. Yes, COVID-19 will affect everyone’s health but private sector employees and retirees will be much worse off financially while non-essential public sector workers are unaffected. That isn’t fair.
All types of people will be affected Ken. Public sector workers that are financially doing better compared to the private sector will likely not feel much better of they lose a friend or family member because of Covid-19.
Informed, private sector workers who lose both their income AND a friend or family member because of COVID-19 will likely feel even worse.
Admit it: Full pay to non-essential public employees while giving a pittance to private sector employees is horribly unfair and should not be tolerated!
Ken, what would you deem as essential employees?
I’m flexible. Obviously health care workers are vital. Speaking only of Cobourg employees, I would include police, fire, water/sewer and portions of public works. I am sure that there others that are essential.
So of those municipal employees, would you keep all on the payroll or lay off half off each essential department?
Anyone not deemed essential should be laid off just as in the private sector.
Would you pay the essential employees danger pay having to work in this pandemic?
As I am sure you will agree that it must be quite stressful having to work through this
Danger pay should be considered depending on the job and the risks.
I’m thinking that having to deal with public on a daily basis during this pandemic actually constitutes receiving danger pay
Certainly our front line health care workers who are dealing directly with patients who have or are suspected to have COVID-19 and are putting their own lives at risk deserve additional hazard pay. This includes nurses, doctors, technicians and housekeeping staff.
Grocery store clerks then?
On that I would agree with you completely. But it has to be more than just higher pay. They also need protective gear to keep them as safe as possible.
Informed – Grocery Store clerks are receiving additional pay to serve in this time of crisis and threat to their well being.
If normal staffing is appropriate then the usual complement or perhaps even more is probably required. Why would we need fewer in an emergency? Management should justify same/more/less staff required and the ECG should make a final decision.
I would add the Municipal Clerk, CAO and Finance.
Agreed. I wrote earlier that “I am sure that there others that are essential”.
Absolutely correct about paid employees I will even bet you there will be a lot of overtime from these people claiming additional hrs . from working at home .
The fact is there is a vast majority of self employed in Northumberland
Plumbers Lawyers , Beauticians , Realtors , Store owners Farmers and hired hands
that do not get paid and probably won’t the way the present sys. isn’t working
Not only that the Banks & our Govt. offices are not answering the phones .
so where is the Help ? Really
A quick update: Both Canadian Tire and Home Depot are now offering online ordering with curbside pickup. Alderville shops are temporarily closed pending a social distancing plan that is acceptable to the reserve’s leaders.
Alderville has many places still open
I haven’t visited but watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asQP7pPgej0&feature=emb_rel_end
People we know stated they went to every place in Alderville for cigarettes – they said all are closed so they ended up buying regular cigarettes – 2 cartons for over $200. They said Alderville price comparitively for their usual purchase $44. for two cartons.
About time they start paying for their medical services
But then Mark you get into selection of who is worthy? What about people obese through overeating, people who refuse to follow their medically necessary diets, what about people that became drug addicted through a medical prescription after severe injury, what about people that are very aware they have a genetic defect yet keep having children that assume the disease, how about people that once smoked and quit, how about people that drink too much? Your thoughts?
we are open at midtown computers.
table out front to put computer on if your bringing it in for repair, knock or some in.
one customer at a time. we clean your machine down and fill a service tag out for you.
if your looking for something new we have flyers you can look at or we can email them to you.
we are decently busy but the demand is probably from the online learning programs for children
I’m confused. What does the membership of the ECG have to do with the accountability of the group? Henderson appears to be the only semi-elected (acclaimed) member of the group. The other members are just town employees. Why are our Councillors not involved? How about representation for residents? How are they reporting their decisions to the public? What is the authority of this unelected group?
I was concerned about accountability but my specific question (to start with) was about who is in the group. Hence the response. But your questions are pertinent.
All residents deserve clarification ASAP. I believe Mr. Henderson made some comments at the last Council session about confidentiality of ECG meetings. Why are the meetings not public?
Because there is a state of emergency?
Even with a State of Emergency Council meetings are still public. The public is far more likely to cooperate/help if they can participate in making decisions.
I disagree. Things are changing daily. These measures are necessary so decisions can be made without debate.
I watched part of the last Council meeting on line and heard discussion about keeping Council informed and involved. The Town’s CAO Davey seemed to have a grounded and reasonable approach on how this is to be done. Given the challenges of this ever changing pandemic scenario, the implementation of the plan will also happen quickly. This is not about debate but about accountability and being informed. Members of Council are also front line. When citizens need help they will often reach out to a member of Council with whom they feel most comfortable.
I was also downtown this morning. There is an overall sadness that it’s early Spring and everyone is inside, but I do have to commend everyone in Cobourg for being so organized and also so kind. I visited the Royal Bank and the TD Bank – no problems whatever. Then to Shopper’s. The cashiers are not behind shields at Shopper’s so I worry about them, but the store wasn’t busy and I was able to find everything I needed, including yard bags. It’s time to start cleaning up our yards, everyone – it will get us outside! Thank you for this blog, John. And thank you to Cobourg. You will get no complaints from me. I just hope that all the small business owners can survive and that the Government will be there to help them, financially.
From a gardening expert I read that we should not rake up leaves in our flower bed nor clean them out yet as many butterflies and small insects which the birds need over winter there. Wait for warmer weather. please.
Shoppers had the Plexiglas up to protect its cashiers yesterday when I went. Everything was quite orderly. I was the only person wearing a face mask.
I was at Shoppers shortly after they opened in the morning. There were no plexiglass shields at that time. I’m glad to know they are, in fact, using them.
The plexiglass shields were up yesterday morning (Sunday) at cashier stations and hand sanitizer available at the entry door. Staff very courteous and friendly. People shopping inside also graciously, often with a smile, respecting the distancing rule. Definitely got the sense everyone knew we were all in this together and each did our part.
It is a beautiful day and thanks for the tour.
And thanks for the blog, very much.