caretaker

I agree, but fineing them is a bit after the fact. Perhaps all essential services with over x number of employees should be required to do symptom checks of everyone before admitting them to the building for their shift. The digital laser thermometers are $20 on sale (I got mine from Princess Auto) and it would be easier and cheaper than closing the plant for 2 weeks. You can't just replace all those trained employees overnight. I know taking someone's temp isn't a perfect method, but until test kits run like water, it's at least something.

scrubbedexpat091

I think its closed at this point due to so many being ill, probably the only way to keep it contained. The meat plant in Alberta is really bad it appears.

I wouldn't be surprised if the workers were pressured by management, some of these companies are very shady on a good day.

caretaker

I think the article said the poultry plant was facing a 2 week shut down. Employer pressure might be more prevalent in the smaller companies in or near large population centers (where they can be easily replaced) but I think in the big packing plants like Cargill in Alberta they are more likely to have responsible policies. Ever since the tainted meat scandals they know they're being watched, but in rural Alberta it's probably going to take longer to find replacement staff. The knock-on effect is because plants either have to operate fewer shifts, or close while they find and train staff, or wait for their infected people to recover, the news warns of an impending meat shortage, customers start panic buying, and actually cause a temporary shortage where none existed.

Piff Poff

My Grandad lost his battle against Covid 19 night before last. My Uncle was able to be with him for the last hours. My Uncle has now gone home to his spare room to isolate from his wife and daughter as he is now considered to be a risk. I Can't imagine not having the support of your nearest and dearest when you lose a parent.

Grandad had been taken in to hospital with suspected pneumonia, tested negative for Corona and then subsequently sent home a couple of days later. He was then re admitted and re tested to show positive. Can't help but think we would still have him had he not gone to hospital the 1st time. He had a good run, 94 years old.

I don't understand how this disease is so rampant in some places but in Red Deer we are down to one active case out of a total of 34 cases all together. From what I see out and about, people are not really social distancing so I would have expected to see numbers in the 100s. I'm back to work on Friday.

Danny B

Sorry to hear about your Grandad, like you say, 94 is a long life.

I think the problem with COVID is that once it gets into a community, it runs rampant until it cannot spread anymore. We have also been lucky where I live, people working from home and social distancing has really helped. All it would take though is someone from that Alberta oil camp that got hit to stop off in Kamloops on their drive home and pass it to a cashier, then she passes it to someone and then it takes off.

I have no doubt that Texas and Georgia re-opening for business next week will be the worst decision ever made.

Piff Poff

like you say from what we hear is once it's in the community it goes rampant, doesn't seem to have been the case in Red Deer. I think the highest amount of active cases have been less then 20, we are down to one. Something is just 'off' in my mind there. Once we seated getting it, I thought there would be dozens if not hundreds of cases being reported.

Paul_Shepherd

I couldn't believe when I saw that on the news last night! all these people protesting about rights and freedoms.....protesting about what?? Not getting or passing the virus around? have they listened to themselves?? The US is the worst hit country in the world, with no sign of it slowing and they want to re-open half of it! God help that country!!

Partially discharged

Don't worry they have got the smartest leader running the country. According to him he is a stable genius and everybody loves him and he has better ratings for his press conferences than Monday Night Football or the Bachelor so it's all good. Nothing to worry about here, let's move along everybody.

He is a critter amongst a cabal of critters.

sharkus

For those absolute idiots who want things re-opened now, I really do hope they get covid and have the full experience of it, just so they can possibly understand why the lockdowns and other things were in place, and why, when there is another lockdown due to the massive resurgence of the virus because of the removal of the lockdown, that it was put in place. I do feel for those, who I hope are in the majority, are ok with the lockdown (if not ok, at least understand the reason why it is happening). This isn't some worldwide collusion of governments to do something controlling to their populations, this is a very, very real pandemic, it's not a hoax. Again, if you believe that, go visit an ICU with corona patients and get infected and enjoy yourself.

It's somewhat the same with the people who are visiting friends and families, are they just that self-absorbed, or are they really that foolish to thing it's all fine and they don't need to obey the stay at home rules?

I'm sure it has been mentioned before, but perhaps some Darwinism might come into play and rid us of these foolish people.

Nand

Really sorry for your loss Piff Poff. I hope the cases continue to be low in Red Deer until the darn disease dries up.

Paul_Shepherd

Can't even blame him for this ridiculousness! Its the individual state governors pushing this....however there has been no push back or condemnation from the white house, Donald is too busy getting new bills passed to "Keep America Great" and hopefully strengthen his re-election chances, I mean as long a he gets re-elected to desparatetly holds on the power, who cares if the states Georgia, Texas and South Carolina spiral out of control.

I do hope the Canada US border remains closed, if those kind of stupid actions are going to continue. I am sure I am over reacting though as one misguided Georgia resident commented on the new last night, "This is not a pandemic its a panicdemic" - yeah sure mate, because you are an infectious disease specialist aren't you.. cloud cuckoo land.

Almost Canadian

I suspect that the vast majority of those that want restrictions ended, are those that are requesting it for economic reasons. It's fine agreeing to stay at home if one's income is still being paid in full. It's another if one's income has been reduced to zero, or to an extent where one can't meet one's day to day expenses.

From a Canadian perspective, if the plan was to place restrictions that ensured the healthcare system was not overwhelmed, the restrictions in most of Canada appear to be far too restrictive as the healthcare systems are nowhere near full capacity and, therefore, it can be reasonably argued that the restrictions could be lifted somewhat.

Piff Poff

Thank you

MillieF

Oh PP I am so sorry, what a horrible situation this is. I didn’t have a great start in life, and wasn’t close to my parents, but having had a child that has rocked my world has made me cherish every single day, my family is everything. I am thinking of you.

Jerseygirl

very sorry to read about your grandad. My condolences to you and your family.