LIFE IN THE TIME OF CORONA (Sequel to "Love in the Time of Cholera")

Last Friday afternoon, I felt that my life has slipped into becoming a Stephen King novel.

My City has shut down and my province's courts, tribunals and many other public services have also shut down.  I received a phone call from our local library to inform me that a weekly course that I have been taking has been postponed until after the pandemic.  Other monthly meetings I usually have were also cancelled by email by the organizers as a case of "abundant caution".

On Wednesday, March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this novel corona virus a pandemic.  There is not so much panic in the streets, as there may be in other circumstances, but it seems to be panic in the grocery stores.  In particular, people are buying up huge hoards of toilet paper, which is puzzling, as this virus is not supposed to cause diarrhea.  Empty shelves, panic buying and re-selling on Kijiji has become a thing.  People are coughing all over their adversaries, saying they have the corona virus, now called COVID-19, as it is a specific corona virus.

There is not a lot known about this COVID-19, even as I try to research it online.  All I know is this has become an invisible enemy that nobody seems to know how to fight.  Today, Premier Doug Ford declared a State of Emergency in our Province.  This means that movement of people and goods now comes under the order and control of authorities, as opposed to the free market.  Most governments are now trying to damage the economy and people's lifestyles as minimally as possible, as completely closing off commerce would be impossible and would result in shortages of food, supplies and so forth.  We also know the economy must continue to function at some level or things will crash.

On Saturday night, I knew that soon bars, pubs and other premises would soon be shut down, so we went to our favourite neighbourhood bar, played some pool and enjoyed libations of the hour.  This virus is ensuring that most of us will not be able to get together to do that type of thing in awhile.  That is okay, as I had that opportunity to get this out of my system before today's announcement.  Ontario's Medical Office of Health, David Williams, has hinted that there has been some "community spread" of this virus, which means that the chances of anybody in our population of catching it has substantially increased.  Prior to this, the pandemic was largely affecting those who have traveled and those who live and/or work closely together.

Some companies are allowing or requiring their staff to work from home, when possible.  Others are operating at skeletal staff, or like us, they are operating in an amended way to still ensure service is available, while attempting to function more online as we go.  I would love to work from home, but I am not even set up for that.  If we have to close up shop, Trudeau is offering a package apparently to help people and small business endure this crisis financially.  On Friday, I posted our response and reassurance on our website as to how we are dealing with pandemic.  People are calling, some are okay to come in, most are not, which is okay as we set up a service by telephone/Zoom protocol.

I am hoping to rest for a bit during this pandemic, but I don't want to lose money.  Most of us are losing money.  There is a special forum set up for legal professionals online to discuss how to respond to this thing, how to still make money and where to seek help if we lose money.  People are once again coming together.  It is interesting how people come together when it is a crisis, but in 'normal times, everybody is at each other as cut throats.  Prior to this virus taking front seat, the talk of our profession was the slowness of the Landlord and Tenant Board (and other tribunals) due to a lack of new adjudicators to have hearings, etc.  Now, things are ground to a halt.  There are not even any evictions allowed during this crisis ... (and we in the profession can see how this can be abused).

I am fearing the upcoming trip to the grocery store this Saturday.  All the restaurants have shut down (although some are offering take out or delivery) and I am unsure where I am going to shop.  I am also unsure if there will be enough stock of the things I usually need to purchase.  A couple of friends online are petrified if public transit and taxi service shuts down.  I would be too, as I don't have another way to travel.  Given my tongue in cheek attempt at humour, the Internet has a very substantial supply of entertainment for people quarantined or who are self-isolated and need to feel a little cheered up.  One wonders what happens to people, but I do know that things are going exactly like Stephen King anticipated in his books.

The news media is having a hard time transmitting correct information about this virus.  People are worried about catching it and dying, or somebody else catching it and dying.  However, given my usual intellectual approach to research and common sense, I can say the following:

1.  Only a small percentage of people are at risk for serious illness.  Most are over 70 or those who have other health issues that compromise their immunity.

2.  Community spread is the tipping point for calling a state of emergency.  This is when the risk for an average person substantially goes up, as it is no longer just those who travel or those close to them.

3.  A pandemic is getting worse when its doubling rates get closer and closer together.  This is the curve public health officials are speaking of.  The isolation, the closings, etc. are an attempt to increase the periods of time between doubling and to reduce the doubling effect altogether.  A pandemic is known to get better when the number of new cases decreases substantially over time.

4.  Even though the vast majority of people impacted by this virus will only have mild symptoms, not enough about this is known as to how it is spread and who can develop serious illness.  Without a vaccine like there is for flu seasons, there is little anybody can do to otherwise to protect those who are vulnerable from getting ill.

5. Some people view this kind of thing as the end of the world.  I lived through several of these kinds of things:  the October Crisis, stagflation, several recessions, the Cold War, September 11th, SARS, the 2008 Crash, among other events until now.  The world has not ended and we are all going to be just fine.

6. This doesn't mean there is not a lot we can learn from these things.  Unfortunately, the human race tends to be persistently ignorant and panic tends to be drawn from us when these things happen.  We also tend to keep our eyes glued to screens as we watch these things happen.  I remember when September 11th happened, people everywhere were watching the news all day long, even in places where television is not normally watched.  That was creepy.   

7. It takes time for our politicians and public officials to properly respond to these events.  Many may be dismayed at the closures, the economic shutdowns and the isolation, but if you look at how Italy, Iran, China, etc. are doing, you should be glad we are taking these steps now.  Those other countries only started recently, after far too many died.

8. Our government probably has to spend a ton of money now to ensure there are preparations for a spike in the use of our health care facilities, as well as assistance to individuals and businesses impacted by the pandemic.  Many are not able to afford time out of work without pay and businesses that are losing money either due to isolation or reductions in business are concerned about staying alive.

9.  The amazing thing now is that unlike prior to the pandemic, it seems like Doug Ford and his like Premiers across Canada are now finding value in working with the federal government.  Both levels of government are now attempting to ensure protection in their respective areas for our citizens.  I hope this cooperative federalism continues after the pandemic is resolved.

10. At this time, nobody know when this pandemic will let up, or whether a warmer climate will kill the virus.  For myself, I am probably amazed but not surprised by the reaction of humans to this very pandemic.

Your thoughts?  Share your experiences?

DEAR PREMIER FORD ... ONTARIO CANNOT AFFORD YOU!

On the weekend of February 21 - 22, 2020, you stood cocooned with your supporters in the Scotiabank Convention Centre for a "policy convention" inviting your supporters and other select individuals.  Media were specifically disallowed from the convention, nor were any observers from other political parties, as is the norm in actual democratic countries.  You spoke from your throne like you still speak for "the people".  Again, I ask you, "What people?"

In the meantime, thousands and thousands of "the people" gathered en masse outside in the cold February winter to give you a message that your policies are not working for the people of Ontario.  Education workers walked out en masse.  Health care workers are getting laid off en masse, right after you promised us you would stop 'hallway medicine".  Many small business owners were also in that crowd, as they are bright enough to know that when our government attacks people at the bottom, their businesses will soon pay for it.  I noticed in the past several months several business closures in my region, particularly those sensitive to local economic fluctuations.  Ontario "open for business", my ass!

When all people can get are low-wage, part-time jobs, they are not going to be spending their money at local restaurants, clothing shops, gaming shops, the pool hall, the dry-cleaner, the bookstores or the pub.  They will certainly be getting less haircuts, manicures and probably will be re-using some of their old accessories.  Many of these people are also paying 35, 45, 60, 70 percent or more of their monthly income on housing alone.  These people cannot "go shopping", Mr. Ford as they have no money to shop with!  Did you know that we have a housing crisis, Mr. Ford?  I presume not because you are well housed and pampered, probably assuming everybody else in Ontario is living the same charmed life that you do.  Every summer, your family has put on Fordfest and invited all your well-to-do supporters to gather for free beer and burgers at your mother's backyard, while using security to keep out "the people" that do not benefit from your policies.

Somebody ordered security to chase the media out of your policy convention that cold February day.  Why was this done, Mr. Ford?  What were you afraid of?  Do the people of Ontario not have a right to know what cuts you are planning next for them?  I don't know why you don't resign, Mr. Ford, because so far your government has been one unmitigated disaster after another.  Hallway medicine is up, mental health supports have been cut with longer wait lists, housing lists are longer and rents are way up, where even middle class families cannot afford decent housing.  When it touches the middle class, can you at least act then, Mr. Ford?  Or do we have to wait until it hits you, your family and your wealthy friends first, before any of us other minions get relief?

Even your attempt at making one dollar beer failed, as well as your attempt at changing the colour and makeup of Ontario's license plates.  Sometimes, Mr. Ford, it is better just to leave enough alone.  We don't need partisan coloured plates anyways.  Or was this all one big distraction from what you are really planning to do to Ontarians?  What further cuts do you have in mind?  What other services normally delivered by public services will now be handed over for profit to your friends, donors and lobbyists?  It is so easy to get your friends to do things, so when your own policies fall flat, you can always point to the private company you gave the work to and blame them, right?  It is so easy to cut, cut and then cut some more, but not so easy to actually lead a diverse democracy such as the one we have here in Ontario.

How about your major pilot project your government is testing in three parts of Ontario to help get unemployed and social assistance recipients into jobs?  Your Minister complained that what was being done now is not working.  Well, let me suggest that this pilot project is nothing new and will not work either.  It has been tried before many times and failed every time - yes, every time!  One wonders what your party's connections are with the successful applicants who were picked to run these programs.  What were your promises to these companies, Mr. Ford? Your government claims less than 1% of people leave the social assistance rolls for a job?  Perhaps, you should be looking at some of those 800 rules that your government has chosen to keep and add to as the source of the problem, as opposed to the work of employment services agencies.  

These rules discourage people from working too much.  Perhaps, you should try these same 800 rules on your corporate friends first to see if they find it to be an "incentive".  Call it a pilot project, Mr. Ford.  See which billionaire squawks first about not being able to invest when anything they receive is clawed back after the first $200 they get every month.  Is your goal only to get people off assistance and into low-paid, precarious work?  That is NOT going to keep them off the rolls ... they will be right back on assistance within a month.  Count on it!  This is what happened in Australia.

"Pay for success" has been tried here even in Ontario under ODSP employment supports and has been discontinued because it was not working: not working for the recipient, not working for the provider, not working for ODSP.  Why is that?  Did you bother to ask?  It is because the only incentive that providers have so they can keep their lights on is to push people into the first available jobs out there, whether that job is only for a day, a week, a month, part-time or full-time or contract or temporary?  This certainly will not result in matching the needs of employers for qualified workers with the needs of job seekers with qualifications.

Should the system change?  Of course, it should!  But it should be changed to the better, so that people are not just continuing to scramble to survive, as opposed to bettering themselves.  You tossed THAT pilot project aside, which was working for nominal period it was allowed to run for.  People involved with the basic income were attending school, getting better jobs, starting businesses, etc.  Is this not what you want people to do?  However, that all stopped with the cessation of that pilot project and people were thrown back to the 800 rules.  Your proposal is only going to push more people into the scramble for survival, for which many unfortunately will fail (e.g. die).  Further, in order for a system like you are proposing to work, there has to be an abundance of well-paid jobs for every level of ability and qualification.  People will get off and stay off assistance if they got one of those jobs, but even you (and all of your Ministers that have worked on this file) cannot even tell us where these jobs are going to come from!  Further, many people are on ODSP because they cannot work.  Most of the others have significant limits on what they can do.   

Are employers going to magically overnight develop an enlightened attitude and want to hire persons with a range of disabilities, accommodate them and pay them well?  If that is the case, then I want you to give ME and anybody else who wants one a job that pays at least $80,000 a year and does not discriminate against us.  You may say you can't do that, so how do you expect your friends with literally no ties to the selected communities and an interest only in profit (through the private pilots) to do the same?  My experience is that employers will not hire anybody they have to accommodate in any way.  Are you going to ask people already on ODSP to participate in this circus, which I can tell you right now will give you the same results (with less than 1% leaving the rolls).  Remember what they say about the definition of insanity.  You can try the same concept over and over again and expect different results.  How much money do you expect to waste on this project before your government would have to call it quits, like you did with the license plates, the education cuts, etc.?

I can already tell you people in my part of Ontario are not getting any more money in their pockets than they had before you got elected, yet they are spending more and more out of their pockets on everything, ranging from government services, to health care (due to cuts) and auto insurance (another behemoth you promised to reduce, but is actually going up 10%).  I know I can't afford you.  Neither can the man I spoke to on the bus on the way home tonight.  This man is a trained auto mechanic, but he can't find a job anywhere.  After being forced to live on Ontario Works for many years with many spells of homelessness in between, he was finally put onto ODSP, where he is just a tad better off, but not by much.  Most of my friends can't afford you either.  I have a friend who just got her PHd and she is not working either.

I am asking you to wake up to the reality of the province you want to lead.  That means talking to "the people", not just those who are bamboozled by your bullshit.  Talk to people who are experts in policy, program design, economics, health care and other things, as well as people with lived experience being kicked around and attacked by governments over the generations.  If you want to find out what you need to do to help people get off social assistance, talk to somebody on social assistance.  If you want to find out what is wrong with health care, talk to people who use the health care system on a regular basis.  If you want to find out what children with autism need, talk to their families, as well as adults living on the spectrum.  When consultation and inclusion is lost on our government, our very essence of democracy is thrown out the window.

** For my readers, please copy this and send to as many of your friends, media sources, social media sites, MPPs and others, over the next few weeks of budget talk and follow-up **