Category: News 2020

DBIA Members meet to Strategize

John Draper

The Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) had a virtual meeting today to talk about how they could come together to get through the Covid-19 crisis.  Chaired by Adam Bureau, the meeting with as many as 33 participants lasted 75 minutes and covered a range of topics.  Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf reported that one officer was isolated at the Breakers  – perhaps that was what prompted the move to get the isolation trailers setup (see article – link below).  He also said that Police were patrolling downtown at night and noted that there had not been any increase in downtown break-ins.  Adam said that some stores were open for business – one example was Theresa Rickerby’s stores accepting phone, email, Facebook… Read complete articleDBIA Members meet to Strategize

Trailer Park used for Isolation Centre

John Draper

Cobourg Police and the Town of Cobourg have set up trailers in the otherwise closed Trailer park to be used for first-responders who need to be isolated as a result of Corvid-19.  As Chief VandeGraaf puts it: “The Isolation facility will provide a safe place for first responders to isolate and avoid putting their families at risk.”  The trailers are completely self-contained and are stocked with essential items to assist an individual that requires isolation. Fencing will be put up around the perimeter to keep the site private.  The isolation site will be available to first responders including police, firefighter, paramedics, and healthcare professionals, if they need to isolate.  The trailers were donated by Bob and Amy Verwey, owners of… Read complete articleTrailer Park used for Isolation Centre

Hefty fines possible for failing to self-isolate

John Draper

Most of us will have ventured out into the new world of social distancing and staying home but most of us are not infected nor mandated to self-isolate.  But Dr. Lynn Noseworthy, Medical Officer of Health for the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit says they have “heard from many people that there are others who have returned from travel or been confirmed to have COVID-19 and are seen outside of their home, shopping or visiting friends”.  Since this is a serious risk to the community, the HKPR District Health Unit today (April 14) issued a Class Section 22 Order with a penalty of up to $5,000 a day.  The order requires that anyone who has been diagnosed with… Read complete articleHefty fines possible for failing to self-isolate

Local Initiative for PPE Face Shields

John Draper

A group of Cobourg/Northumberland organizations have got together to produce PPE Face shields – that’s Personal Protection Equipment that looks like a welder’s face shield except it’s transparent.  You can figure them out from the photos below – the only photo of someone using one is the one below right – click to enlarge.  It seems the initiative started with 3D printing at Venture 13 but many others are helping.  There’s a GoFundMe initiative to raise money to help – if it’s oversubscribed, money will go to local Hospital Foundations (NHH and Campbellford) – see link below.  There’s also a web site coordinating the effort.  According to the organizers the design originated with the Czech company Prusa in consultation with… Read complete articleLocal Initiative for PPE Face Shields

When Will this End – Opinion

John Draper

A year or so ago, we had some interesting posts by Grahame Woods which were “opinion” and not reporting of news, and this post is in that category – not a neutral reporting of facts but instead an opinion on when the pandemic will end.  In following the news and participating in volunteer activities, I have come to some considered opinions about this new world we find ourselves in.  I think the big unanswered question is – When will it end?  No one can be sure of anything in the future let alone predicting the end of a pandemic but we don’t so much need to know when the pandemic will end, but instead when will we get back to “normal”? … Read complete articleWhen Will this End – Opinion

Transit Hours to be reduced

John Draper

Because of the Covid-19 Crisis, ridership on Cobourg’s Transit system has been substantially reduced and Town staff proposed that hours of operation be reduced “to further protect drivers and riders from being unnecessarily exposed and to discourage riders from using transit for purposes other than essential work, medical appointments, or pharmacy/grocery supplies. The proposed hours will meet the demand of those using transit to commute to work and when essential businesses are open.” At Council’s Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, new hours of operation were approved.  Transit will continue to be free, rear door entry only, passengers limited to 8 and 2 meter spacing required.  Similarly, the demand for Wheels has dropped so its service hours will also… Read complete articleTransit Hours to be reduced

Ed’s House Construction Update

John Draper

Many construction projects are considered essential and one of these is Ed’s House – the new Hospice centre just north of Cobourg.   The Community Care newsletter shared news of progress and included some photos.  They quoted the fact that Ed’s House is considered an essential project and said that “Precautions, including physical distancing and frequent hand washing, are being taken on-site to ensure the health and safety of all workers.”  For those who are not aware of what Ed’s House is, it’s a Hospice – that is, a place where the terminally ill can have dignified and competent care with pleasant surroundings.  Cobourg News blog reported on the highly successful fundraising – see links below.  The project team is still… Read complete articleEd’s House Construction Update

Council Discuss Impact of Covid-19

John Draper

Most of the topics at Monday night’s Committee of the Whole Council meeting were about changes in Cobourg brought about by the virus pandemic.  To start with, the agenda was expanded by three last minute additions. One was about cancelling yet another event and the other two were about the obviously large impact the pandemic has on the budget. Since the Waterfront Festival has been cancelled and the Highland Games were postponed to August, it was clear that the Canada Day Parade would also get cancelled – and that’s what happened.  Council action on the financial impact consisted of quick verbal reports from Department Directors on the status of their Capital projects plus an agreement to hold a Special Budget… Read complete articleCouncil Discuss Impact of Covid-19