Archives for August 14, 2020

Latest Figures from Health Canada

Dead 9015

Cases 121, 234

Canada’s chief public health officer says surges in new cases of COVID-19 are expected going forward.

Dr. Theresa Tam says as the country continues to reopen, the federal government is planning for a “reasonable worst-case scenario.”

That would mean a peak in cases this fall, followed by ongoing ups and downs, where the demand could temporarily exceed the capacity of the health-care system to cope.

Tam says continuing to build up that capacity, while encouraging people to follow best public health practices, is essential.

It suggests the number of cases by August 23 could be as high as 127,740 and the number of deaths as high as 9,115.

 

Let us go back to the beginning… 9 days from now..

The point in all of this – numbers, stats – indicating very little

New Enhanced Care coverage starts May 2021

VICTORIA – ICBC will embark on a new way of doing auto insurance in British Columbia, the largest transformation in its 40-year history.

The Enhanced Care coverage bill, expected to receive royal assent on Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, will save British Columbians on average 20% or about $400 on their auto insurance. It will also provide increased care and recovery benefits for people. It will increase from the current limit of $300,000 to a maximum of at least $7.5 million, providing the care people need for as long as they need it, should they be injured in a crash.

This is what experts from the medical, brain injury, spinal cord injury, physiotherapy, mental health, occupational therapy and insurance industries are saying about Enhanced Care coverage, which starts in May 2021:

Reaction:

Chuck Byrne, executive director and COO, Insurance Brokers Association of BC

“B.C.’s insurance brokers welcome the significant savings of about $400 on average that customers will see with Enhanced Care coverage, a much-needed reduction in auto-insurance premiums in the province. Those savings, coupled with the increased care benefits that people will receive, make Enhanced Care coverage a tremendous upgrade to auto insurance in B.C.”

Benjamin Graham, president and CEO, Manitoba Public Insurance

“In Manitoba, we’ve demonstrated how this type of no-fault insurance model offers strong benefits at premiums drivers can afford. At a time when many drivers across Canada are seeing their insurance bills increase, we’re planning to reduce our already low rates by an average of more than 10%, our largest reduction in three decades.”

 

Tour Guides

Life is like a journey. Do we need a tour guide for that?

Eleven years ago my wife and I spent nearly two weeks in the Mediterranean region for our 50th wedding anniversary. In Rome, and elsewhere, we followed a guide wherever (s)he went with our group. We trusted him when he said he’d make the day worthwhile for us. When she turned a corner we did not argue with her about whether this was the best way to go. If the way became rough or the climb steep we stuck with it. When he stopped to explain something, we wanted to be where we could hear every word. When some wanted to opt out of a more difficult part she’d graciously pick them up later. When we travelled streets we knew nothing about, we didn’t worry about where he was taking us. Back at the hotel we agreed that he had kept his promises. The journey was worth it.

Another Man once said, “Come, follow Me”. His promise is to make all of life worthwhile, not just one trip. The way may not always be pleasant, sometimes it could be difficult and painful but Jesus is worth trusting. He’ll give life purpose and wants to bring about the best for us.

Jesus is really worth following.

Following the road

on the sunny side, Henry Wiebe

Government continues to act on gas price transparency

VANCOUVER – B.C. drivers can look forward to more transparency and greater accountability when it comes to gasoline and diesel fuel prices.

The Province has brought in new mandatory reporting requirements for the wholesale market using the Fuel Price Transparency Act (FPTA) that was passed in fall 2019.

“For years, British Columbians have felt like they are getting gouged when they fill up at the pump. That’s why our government asked our independent energy watchdog to do an investigation into gas prices,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “The British Columbia Utilities Commission’s (BCUC) inquiry found a lack of competition and significant markups in the B.C. market, including a 13 cent per-litre premium being charged to drivers that industry was unable to explain. This results in British Columbians paying an extra $490 million per year.”

The regulations that come into effect on Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, target the wholesale market. Companies that import, purchase, store and distribute gasoline and diesel products intended for sale at retail stations will need to make regular reports starting for the month of October to the BCUC. This includes detailed information on fuel imports, storage capacity, bulk sales and wholesale prices.

“With the new rules we are bringing in today, oil and gas companies in the wholesale market will have to start making regular, mandatory reports to BCUC. We know that from the BCUC’s investigation into gas prices that four companies control around 90% of the wholesale market in southern B.C.,” Ralston said. “By pulling back the curtain, the action we are taking today will help ensure industry is held publicly accountable for unexplained markups and prices increases.”

Some time between July 15^th and August 13^th thieves stole the crusher cone fire pit from the McKinney Nordic Ski Club Site on McKinney Road. The crusher cone, kindly donated by McIntyre Aggregates, was primarily used during field trips of elementary school kids taking the learn to ski program. Crusher cones are pretty massive and typically weight about 500 lbs.

This theft is disheartening for the McKinney Nordic Ski Club, a small group of volunteers who maintain the ski and snow shoe trails on the road up to Mt Baldy. The site has seen a steady stream of theft and vandalism to the trail groomer, donation box and buildings. It is even impossible to stock toilet paper in the outhouse without having it stolen.

Submitted by Kim Staus,

President, McKinney Nordic Ski Club

COVID-19 Outbreak at Okanagan Correctional Centre

Three staff members of the Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC) in the Oliver area have tested positive for COVID-19. The individuals are in isolation at home and being supported by Interior Health as we perform contact tracing to identify anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19.

There is no evidence of community transmission, and we are closely monitoring the situation.

Based on the initial findings, the staff members were exposed to COVID-19 at an off-site two-day training session. All necessary infection control precautions are in place at OCC to protect people in custody.

OCC reports public visits to the institution have been restricted since March 12 and any new inmates who entered the facility are isolated for 14 days to prevent the introduction of COVID-19 into the institution.