Mark H.

18 flu deaths since September. https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/flu-deaths-in-manitoba-climb-as-latest-number-released-1.4812910 The first confirmed COVID 19 case in MB was only 3 weeks ago. Now that we have health care workers and the elderly in personal care homes testing positive for COVID 19, things will escalate quickly.

That's terrible. My uncle was a patient there a couple years ago - first rate medical facility.

Not the point - I’m just saying some pieces are already there for a more diversified economy.

Sheep are huge too - the market for lamb is growing every year and wool is making a come back. But as you say, people have to start thinking outside the oil box.

Agreed - there's not too much wrong with Alberta's Ag sector. In particular, they have an excellent climate (chinooks) for ranches and feedlots. No reason why Alberta can't be a 'steady as she goes' economy like Manitoba.

You can still play dead peoples’ music.

I need to go with your point of view. I want to be teaching face to face again sometime in April - this sucks.

Gotta teach these ministers how to use youtube, or maybe show them that it exists.

As Noeller said, watching old favourite shows: I don't know how many of you are from a rural background or are familiar with James Herriot's books - but they made an excellent TV series out of it - you will find the episodes on youtube "All Things Bright and Beautiful." Some others are: Doc Martin, Lark Rise to Candleford, & the early episodes of OTH. Audio books are a tremendous resource when your students are all at home. With public libraries closed, I've been busy scouring youtube for Audio books - currently checking out an excellent version of Tom Sawyer. The extra work involved when teaching remotely is significant - math is by far the most challenging - all the hands on stuff had to stay at school. Fingers crossed that we can get back to normal sometime in April (BC appears to be flattening the curve). In other news - I'm also revising an old script. And of course, playing with our 20 month old daughter.

Every communist government in history has turned into a dictatorship.

Good - the first PST cut didn't make sense - this one even less.

I guess we've been living with false assumptions - thought that was accomplished in the 16th century.

Things have now shifted for me. With 14 new cases in the province, we are closing our church, communal dining hall, and my classroom - just sent my students home with 2 days worth of work.

I had some students do their local history project on the story of the nuclear plant at Pinawa.

Is that right? So - why is Tokyo considering a lockdown? https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/03/24/national/tokyo-governor-urges-cooperation-avoid-city-lockdown/#.Xnqj6ohKg2w And - this article was published today - March 24th

As someone who lives and teaches in a Hutterite community, I got permission from the local school division to keep my class room open, as our community has been in voluntary isolation for two weeks now. Also still teaching my interactive television courses.

The day I became a serious Bomber fan. Matt Dunigan threw a 27 yard TD pass to Alfred Jackson on 3rd down, to erase a 5 point deficit on the last play of the game. I believe the year was ‘92, but I don’t remember who they were playing. I’ve been a diehard ever since.

Solid metaphor - maybe I’ll invite you to my ELA class sometime.

Don’t spend more than a couple of minutes listening to this. The 💩 that some people will believe is incredible.

Okay, I won't mince words here; cut it out, just flat out cut it out. This is not helpful and in the long run makes people more fearful and vulnerable, because they don't know what or who to believe.

No ashtrays though.

Or - if they weren't taking vitamin C and D to the point of diarrhea - it's their own fault.

Just today - an employee who works for a relative's company down in the States - his wife tested positive for COVID 19. They were not at all concerned about him still coming to work "it's just another virus."

Or - more deaths are caused by the flu, diabetes, and cancer - some even mention abortions. Together with clips of some quack, saying we just need high doses of vitamin C and D. This point of view is the one I find most frustrating.

Three responses to COVID 19 are happening: 1. This is all being blown out of proportion by (insert favourite scapegoat: media, liberals, scientists, etc) and people taking precautions are acting like wool producing mammals. 2. We're all going to die! Let's buy as much stuff as possible! Where's the hand sanitizer! 3. Let's stay calm, trust the science and be proactive The challenge: having dialogue with all three groups.