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Lorraine Yury's doctor recommended she temporarily stop working her job with child and family services during the COVID outbreak, due to her underlying health issues. But two of her family members with asthma still have to go into work.
With their safety in mind, she has begun crafting homemade masks.
Lorraine has plenty of sewing experience, and now with some free time on her hands, is making protective homemade face masks for her family and friends. After doing some research, she decided to start producing double-sided, 100% cotton masks.
Health Canada are warning that handmade face masks have their limitations; they may not provide complete protection against virus-sized particles, and may provide a false sense of security.
However there are some encouraging signs that homemade masks can serve as an effective reminder to keep you from touching your face. They’re also becoming more popular with the public as the medical-grade masks used in hospitals are running in short supply.
This follows news out of the United States, where the CDC is recommending Americans wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
Lorraine plans to keep sewing her masks, and hopes to donate some to people in our community that are at a high risk developing severe complications if they were to contract COVID-19.
For more advice and resources on how to best protect yourself and your community, visit the Government of Canada COVID-19 website.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
A company with roots in the Parkland is donating one million masks to front-line medical care professionals all over North America.
Norwex, a Norweigan company with an office located in Dauphin, has secured one million masks for distribution through non-profit groups like DonatePPE.org. Donate PPE will handle the distribution of masks across North America to get them into the areas where they are needed the most. A portion of the donated masks will be made available to Canadian organizations.
Norwex has also tested their microfibre and will be producing a Personal Use Mask that is expected to be available for purchase later this month.
For more information, you can check out this Youtube video.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Today we are learning about 12 additional cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba.
The province now has a total of 194 lab-confirmed and probable cases. There are 10 people in hospital because of the virus, with 6 in intensive care, and 2 deaths.
There are 14 healthcare workers in Manitoba that have tested positive for COVID-19. According to chief nursing officer for Shared Health, Lanette Siragusa, no healthcare workers in the Prairie Mountain Health Region have tested positive.
COVID tests at the Betel Home in Gilmi have revealed no residents have contracted the virus. There was some concern earlier this week when at least one staff member at the Betel Home tested positive.
Going forward, isolation centres are being established; one of the first is at a hotel in Winnipeg. It will start accepting people over the weekend, in order to provide a dedicated space where confirmed cases can safely self-isolate. Isolation centres will use enhanced cleaning and disinfecting practices, and practice all social and physical distancing guidelines.
The Manitoba government has decided to postpone the remaining dates for making campground reservations. More information is available at www.gov.mb.ca/sd/parks/.
You are reminded to remain close to home during this time and limit travel, even within the province, to essential trips only.
Any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) at 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required.
For more information and to access the online screening tool for COVID-19, click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Wasagaming RCMP are looking for a man accused of several charges, including sexual assault.
23-year-old Thomas Desmond Bird is wanted on several warrants for charges including sexual assault with a weapon, sexual interference, forcible confinement, and more.
Police say he may be in the areas of Rolling Rover First Nation or Erickson.
Anyone with information is asked to call Wasagaming RCMP at 204-848-2442.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Brandon University recognizes that students have been forced into a very difficult situation, and have decided to offer a safety net heading into the exam period.
Instead of traditional letter grades, BU students will now be able to chose to convert grades into a “Pass” or “No Credit” grading system.
The “Pass” option allows students to be able to move on in their program, without worrying about an adverse impact to their GPA.
Students who opt for the “No Credit” option will not earn a course credit, but will prevent their failing grade from having a negative impact on their GPA.
The University says this is a difficult time to assess academic merit, and that many students are also facing unforeseen challenges like childcare or job loss, so the University is adding this option to reduce stress for students.
Students will be given their standard letter grade upon completion of their coursework, then will have to apply for grade conversion no later than May 20, 2020.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
During these unprecedented times, teachers will have to find ways to continue providing their students with meaningful learning opportunities. Mountain View Teachers' Association President Chance Henderson says teachers are up to the challenge.
“Obviously we’d prefer to be in classroom with our students, but we’re working diligently to make this experience is positive and meaningful for our students.”
With students out of class indefinitely, many local teachers will be exploring online options to deliver learning.
Henderson says one of the challenges we face in the Parkland is access. Some students don’t have access to reliable internet, or even technology (computers, tablets, iPads). He says teachers will essentially have to do double-duty, preparing content for online learning, and also more traditional content such as learning packages.
When asked if he’s noticed any teachers going above and beyond during these uncertain times, the Teachers' Association president said there’s too many to name.
“I think it would be impossible to highlight just one. Every single teacher is putting in an exceptional effort to deliver meaningful learning opportunities to students during this challenging time.”
As for a timeline, we hope to have an idea of what these online learning platforms will look like in the coming week.
Henderson says he’s confident teachers will work to find solutions during this time.
“Teachers are professionals”, Henderson said, “we’re up to the challenge.”
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The province will spend more than $100 million to accelerate how fast Manitoba can get essential medical supplies, equipment, hotel capacity and other critical needs.
Today Premier Brian Pallister announced new steps to secure faster and smarter healthcare.
“Our government is creating a special 100 million dollar procurement fund. This fund will help businesses tool up their operations. Some have already approached this challenge, and we thank them for that. This will help others do the same to tool up their operations, and workforces to manufacture essential medical supplies and equipment like gowns, masks, and face shields.”
Pallister says the three focuses of the government are (1) faster and smarter healthcare equipment procurement, (2) extra support and tax relief for businesses and homeowners, and (3) increasing shelter capacity for our most vulnerable.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Manitoba Public Health Officials have announced 15 new cases of COVID-19.
The total number of cases in the province is now 182. Nine people are ins hospital, 6 are in intensive care. There have been two deaths in Manitoba related to COVID-19.
In the Prairie Mountain Health region, there is a total of 12 cases.
PMH says there were 16 people tested yesterday at the drive-thru screening site in Dauphin. A total of 39 people have been tested for COVID-19 at this location. When you include the testing sites in Brandon, there have been a total of 278 people tested in PMH Region.
Chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin has indicated that anyone who’s had close, prolonged contact with someone who has tested positive will be contacted by public health.
Specific information, such as the location of a positive case, will only be officially released if public health believe that it would help people better address their public health risk.
Any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) at 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required.
For more information and to access the online screening tool for COVID-19, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba has decided to cancel the 2020 Manitoba Summer Fair in Brandon.
This is due to the coronavirus and the provincially mandated regulations for public health and safety.
After having to cancel the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, the board decided cancelling the Manitoba Summer Fair is the most fiscally and socially responsible action they could take.
The summer and winter fairs generate a combined 18 million dollars and create hundreds of jobs, including first-time opportunities for youth.
Ron Kristjansson, General Manager, says they will do everything in their power to continue to bring high quality community events for years to come and continue to be an integral part of the community as they have been for 138 years.
"We are committed to producing the events our community needs, but when the time is right."
The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba will continue to monitor the COVID situation and will update the public on the status of future events.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
At a time when everyone is practicing social distancing, so many people have unfortunately lost contact with their family. Not because they want to, but some don't have the technology to stay in touch.
Having the ability to go online can be the saviour during this time for those who want to keep in touch with their family. Phone calls, of course, are one way, but with a computer, you can do a skype call and many other options that would allow you to see your family or friends that you haven't been able to.
Tech Manitoba understands this is a challenging time and they're ready to help Manitobans. The company is giving away 200 desktop computers which include a mouse and a keyboard. They will be giving them away to those who need them. So if you know someone who has been out of touch with their family and a desktop could help, you can nominate them.
These computers will be refurbished as they've been donated by fellow Manitobans.
"We're trying to get these computers into the hands of people who are feeling very isolated and left out," said Margaux Miller, Program Director of Tech Manitoba. "Staying in touch with people on voice calls is great, but adding the component of visual is even better. We want to help those that want to do that but they don't have the ability to do so right now."
Anyone in the province is eligible for this. If you want to nominate someone or perhaps even yourself, you can head to nominate. In your submission, you need to explain why that person or family is deserving. You can also call 431-478-0165 and leave a message.
In the first 24 hours of opening up the nominations, there were more than 100. Miller adds that continues to grow every single day.
And if you're not great on computers, that's okay because there will be a full booklet that will provide you with the basic knowledge needed.
The deadline to nominate someone is April 10 at 11:59:59 p.m.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Trudeau announced that the federal government is sending $100 million to organizations that feed people who can't afford to feed themselves, such as food banks and the Salvation Army.
He adds that the federal government has partnered with Amazon to use its distribution network to send medical supplies to meet provincial needs.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's confident there will be no disruptions in the supply chain.
Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu says the global market for personal protective equipment is growing more competitive, leading to inflated prices.
She says our country will focus on what is needed, while keeping a close eye on the cost.
Here in Manitoba, the government is calling for the donation of essential medical supplies.
A list of needed items can be found here.
For more information on donating, you can call (toll-free) 1-833-408-0101 or visit Manitoba.ca/covid19.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
