Alan Skeoch

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  • DAY 6 COVID 19 PANDEMIC MARCH 18, 2020

    DAY 6   COVID  19 PANDEMIC    MARCH 18, 2020


    alan skeoch

    1) One week ago our curling team celebrated a victory with
    our opposition team.   We bought the beer for them and
    then laughed and horsed  around amicably as always.
    Now a week later our season has ended…  And we are
    alone.  And  everything around us is suddenly different. 

    2) Today PM Trudeau held a conference with the press on his doorstep
    in which he mentioned a long list of steps taken to prevent  a) the COVID 19 virus
    from spreading.  Most significant was THE CLOSING OF THE US/CANADIAN BORDER
    …except for trade…we depend on trade for much of our food chain so trucks will
    keep rolling.   b)  supports for people in distress financially…even homeless
    c) supports for businesses facing bankruptcy

    Trudeau spoke clearly and firmly with lots of specifics.  A real confidence builder.
    The government is prepared to inject billions of dollars.  The term ‘billion’ is now
    used often.   In the USA some similar supports are occurring only the term being
    used  is ‘trillion’ .  This situation is grim.  

    3)  USA IS  facing 20% unemployment … same as the Great Depression of 1930’s
     
    4)  One very sobering fact  … we are dependent on
    the USA for much of our food supply chain.  Where did the asparagus Marjorie served originate…
    and the oranges…and the lettuce…ad infinitum.   I believe our rolled oats are made
    here in Canada but am unsure.    Where does the Kellogg company manufacture bran
    flakes, corn flakes, etc.?  The big factory in Ontario was closed down a couple of
    years ago.   So what?  So closing the American border …total closing … is not an option.

    5)  Marjorie went to bed at 1 p.m. today….cold symptoms,  She got up at around 8 am.,
    looked after Woody our dog, peeled apples and made an apple pie and then, around noon
    she had  a bath and went to bed, sniffles and maybe a slight temperature.  Me?  I took a
    drink of Nyquill (sp.) and another pill of some kind. Did not wake up until 10 a.m.  Sun
    blasting light through the window.
    Marjorie gave me a nice lemon drink about 1 a.m.  I slept like a baby.  She did not.

    6)  Disquieting to learn that hospital ships have been moved into position in New  York and
    on the west coast . The American infected population rises above 6,000…not enough hospital
    beds.  Some  terrible choices may happen…i.e.who gets the ventilator?

    7) Deputy PM Freeland “I want to make t his absolutely clear, we have had very
    positive and collaborative discussions with the US government”  “full agreement”
    “we are in this together” “long history of good relations”.  Very positive news conference
    in Canada.   Similar news conference in US is getting much better.  Dr. Dryx (sp.) spoke
    well.   I was also  pleased with VP,s comments … he seems to be rising to the occasion.
    Trump seems very tired …big responsibility under a lot of criticism…turning to his experts
    more often which is good….but still needs to create more confidence.   Gap between
    what he says and what is real…i.e. respirators supply in US.   I really wish I could believe
    what he says.   Maybe he will help resolve things.

    8) LOST IN PARADISE’

    “Are you awake?”
    “yes, What’s the matter?”
    “We have to get out of here…the kids are worried:”
    “Go back to sleep, I have booked seats on Air Canada for March 30.”
    “Risky.  Hope they don’t cancel like West jet did.”
    “Me too…Let’s go boating.”
    “Look, a manatee…and those big jumping manta rays…right out of the water.”
    “Tough choice to leave.”
    “Tougher to stay…suppose you miss the anchor post with that hammer…hit your knee…need a  hospital.
    “We will try to fly.”

     Advice to Patricia and Dave while Lost in Paradise

    My good friend Russ was reading about your Lost in Paradise entry and advised
    you should stay put.   

    Not sure what I would do.  But I send this comment for
    your amusement.  Our son Andy and friend KeithM. took off to tour the world years ago.
    They were 17 or 18 and  like Voltaire’s Candide wanted to understand the world around them.
    They bought wrecked cars in the US…$100 cars that would go.  One of them had no
    side windows.  Police stopped them of  course in Arizona…”best you guys get out 
    of this state fast.”.  They drove the wreck to California where a friend of mine installed
    wooden windows…did not help much.  How can you see if a police car is behind you
    with no side windows.  Now here is a thought.   Dave is very handy I know so I have asked 
    Andy where he dumped that car and will advise when I know.  If found in a California 
    wrecking yard I have offered $50 which you can pay me later.

    No joke:
    My brother Eric has a good friend and  his wife stuck in Costa Rica. Their dream holiday
    turned into a nightmare.  No flights right now. No joke.  How can they get back home…look
    at a map.  

    So many others. One Canadian girl in Spain, alone it seemed, could not complete her
    interview without bursting into tears.  

    I guess I should not make light of the crisis.

    9) Canadian dollar has dropped to below 69 cents.

    10)  Bill P. sent me an amusing video titled  “On a street in Kelowna”….convincing, startling, professional, amusing

    11)  Closed borders means  that officers on the Mexican/USA border will have the task of escorting refugees back across
    to an uncertain future.  Could it happen here?  Borders are closing all around the world. A fact.  
    the border

  • COVID 19 DAY 5: MARCH 16, 2020

    Day 5,  COVID 19 PANDEMIC  

    March 17, 2020

    Canada…this morning 444 infected…now 7 p.m., 598 infected in Canada
    as expected…are we flattening the curve?
    Social Distancing … now a good thing  … a month ago the term had a negative ring.
    today it is  a term of hope.


    1)  We are not hoarders really but Marjorie did buy two gigantic  sacks of
    Quaker rolled oats a couple of months ago.  Great.  Years ago when I was
    a prospector rolled oats were a staple.  Initially we used  oats to make porridge…but
    that took time and work…so we then began to eat them raw with milk and brown sugar…then
    we ran out of canned and powdered milk so began to eat them raw with water and sugar.
    Sugar ran out.  So we ate taw rolled oats.  No problem. 

     Then, years later, I noticed a Skeoch recipe
    from my Aunt Greta’s old cook book dating back to the 1840’s which mentioned farm hands
    drinking something called  “Broze”

    “What is Broze, Aunt Greta?”
    “That was a  drink for the boys cutting hay and grain”
    A drink?”
    Yes.
    “How do you make it?”
    “Just put some raw rolled oats in with drinking water, maybe a little sugar…sometimes
    we cooked  it and let it cool.”

    Bottom line:  Seems  we can live on these two sacks  of rolled oats for a long time.

    2)  What a difference.   Today our Canadian cabinet led by deputy PM Freyland held a
    news  conference that was confidence building…serious, positive, personal, fact laden…
    Yesterday I  watched  the same kind of thing from Trump but his performance was the 
    reverse.   I was very unsettled after Trump spoke   I scanned the faces of those behind
    him and my opinion the faces evasive, troubled, scattered, unsure.  Our deputy PM
    has taken the reins with confidence … willing to share the stage with all.  Could Trump’s 
    vice President do the same?  Not too sure about that but maybe if thrust into first place…
    VP of US might be less adoring of Trump and more willing to see the real world.  Right now we
    just have Trump, a narcissist who cannot even read a teleprompter.  I noticed today that
    our leaders used their written scripts accurately and  were not afraid to look at their notes.
    These are tough times…not times in which to ‘wing it’.

    3)  Emergency Measures  Act  could be used if  need arises.   A very serious matter but 
    TO  be used carefully lest crisis clash with provinces.  Federal government has the power though
    I am confident that Quebec will  support such.  Not so confident about Alberta.  Ontario under
    Ford seems to going into line but i fear his use of politics.

    4)  Lost in Paradise:  A friend of ours, who I will only call Pat, is trapped at the south end
    of Florida where the beaches are warm and inviting…beaches where I would love to wander
    picking up flotsam and jetsam (and maybe a pair of  skates from Federal Express*) 
    *Movie titled CASTAWAY with
    Tom Hanks as a lonely survivor
    Hopefully Pat will send  me (us) notes from the beaches under the title Lost in Paradise.


    pictures sent by Patricia and Dave today, March 17, 2020   Lost in Paradise

    Patricia and Dave: Lost in Paradise
    Paraphrasing: “Wel, Dave, our flight home just went up in smoke…all flights cancelled.  Here
    we are Lost in Paradise..loving the sandy ‘no person’s land’ of South Florida.  Look, there is
    dolphin nosing around as the tide comes in.”
    “I guess we have to think about getting home sometime soon.  The boat is gassed up
    for storage.  The marina is in full operation right now but maybe not for long. What do
    you think of buying a used car and making a run for the Canadian border?”
    “Let’s not just yet.  right now we are in paradise.”

    3)  Today I broke a tooth.  Small thing in normal times.  Big thing now.  Dentists are in a dangerous 
    profession and have been advised to close shops.   My tooth break is minor but it focuses things.
    I have now been hived in the house for only 5 straight days but it seems like an eternity.  Marjorie
    has done a little shopping and  says Port Credit seems  deserted…shops closed.  But food not an issue…
    had half  a dozen Easter buns this morning..,,with honey from Russ V’s bees.  Why significant?  Because the bakers are baking.

    4) Andrew:”We went for dinner last night and were the only people in the restaurant, then
    we went to see the movie  ‘1917′ and  were alone except for one other couple.”
    “Are you working?” (outdoor job)
    “yes,, we have seven jobs on.”
    “Dangerous…touch people?”
    “No one around.”

    next    Day 6,   March 18, 2020     

  • alan…day 4 correction

    CORRECTION…THE FIGURE WAS 313 NOT 3133…WITE AN ERROR…BLAME DAMN SMALL BIFOCALS WHICH MAKE PROOFING DIFFICULT
    ALAN

  • Day 4 covid-19 March 16, 2020

    Hi,


    COVID  19 VIRUS REPORT
    Day 4:  March 16, 2020

    alan skeoch


    1)  MacLean’s Insider reports Canada now has 3133 confirmed cases of Cod -19
    which seems to me to be expected but MacLean’s says “has not slowed down”.
    The plan is to slow down infections and thereby lower the statistical curve … hence
    reduce pressure on health care system.  A big spike in the curve will overpower 
    our ability to handle the epidemic and increase the death toll.   All death toll is among
    seniors with many in their eighties … Marjorie and I are in this category so we
    are taking things seriously.

    2) Airports are receiving panic flights of Canadians from abroad. That will soon end.
    Those who fail to get home will just have to “hunker down” in a foreign land.

    3) Justin Trudeau closed the Canadian border today…exceptions 1) Canadians returning
    “Come home right now, no guarantee if later.”  2) U.S citizens  (open border at present but
    that may change.


    4) Donald Trump finally admitted the situation is dire in the US.  He asked ALL Americans
    to isolate themselves in there homes except, of course, for hospital and vitapservices.
    Trump seemed shaken on TV…like he was not really in charge…seemed weak and evasive
    the political cartoon on the editorial page of the Star shows three images  of Trump
    “hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil”



    5) Our street is empty…and it is rush hour.

    6) Garbage and Leaf collection normal.  Marjorie outside rakkng rotten leaves…getting ready for spring.
    Water supply is not threatened it seems.  We was our hands 10 to 20 times a day…that’s a lot of water
    Sam phoned
    to say that Metro grocery chain store is now rationing certain things to prevent hoarding.

    7) What happens to our pensions?  the stock market has plummeted. The value of our pension
    depends on investment profits.  No profits now.  So what does that mean for our pensions?

    This is our street, Glenburnie Road, picture taken at 6 p.m.  No traffic…yet it is  rush hour.

    8)  We do not know one single person who has got Covid 19.   Yet everyone is in a state of subdued panic.

    9) Apparently my next  visit to the doctor will not be face to face.  It will be a virtual kind of thing…perhaps telephone or video.   Effort
    to keep Covid 19 from spreading.   Amazing how fast we have distanced ourselves from each other.  Brave New World.

  • alan…day 3

    Hi,
    ALAN SKEOCH COVID – 19 This is Day 3 (March 15, 2020)
    Hard to believe the world could change in an instant but it has. We are hived away waiting for the arrival of covid-19…must be one of the four horseman of the ————— (forgot how to spell the word).
    Having a coffee, looking out the window. Something nagging at my mind as I look out. Got it. No traffic. And all the world stood still.
    Store shelves empty according to TV. Focus of the empty shelves seems to be on one product…toilet paper. Curious. Laughable. Perhaps tragic.
    Gabriela sent an email saying she had registered us with Longo’s food delivery system where they bring food ordered and leave it on doorstep then take money from an account. No human contact.
    Gabriela also ordered Marjorie to cease going to the Salvation Army thrift store. “The things will be there when this is over.” We will see if Marjorie can resist the urge to thrift shop. Doubtful. I just made an odd mistake…instead of thrift I typed theft. I wonder if there will be a breakdown in law and order as this Pandemic spreads across the face of the earth?
    Gabriela made another sinister comment about young people should schools be closed (as Nolan’s school). “Parents will not know what to do so will leave kids with grandparents who are most susceptible to Covid-19. Perhaps a fatal decision. “If you are over 70, stay in your home. Make no human contact until he virus passes by.”…”You know Alan seems to have lung trouble…colds and coughs.” Hard for me to say this but that comment gives some idea as to how the world has suddenly changed. There is a bit of a silver lining in that people, i.e. Gabriela and others, seem to be worrying about each other more than usual.
    Trouble on the horizon however.
    In North America the gap between fact and fiction has narrowed even more. Who can remember President Trump’s last lie when he just continues to spin lie after lie. Makes any action he takes questionable just at the time we need firm and clear and informed leadership. My greatest fear is not Covid – 19. It is the possible re election of Trump. A certifiable narcissistic lunatic with the power to destroy society as we know it. .
    What will we do? Marjorie will cook. I will write stories and go to the farm alone…no human contact. We are in a prison of our own making. Not a bad prison. But this is only Day 3.
    Movie business will likely be in some kind of hiatus but we have heard nothing. Two movies on … one in North Bay and one at Scottsdale Farm. The need to entertain humanity may covert movie industry into a necessary service. Remember the term ‘bread and circuses’… Movies are really circuses designed to quell the the potential chaos of a world gone mad.
    alan skeoch
    P.S. How are we today? Just fine. A little antsy to get out but no problems yet. Yes, I have a cough but had that long before this recent terror event. Must avoid Covid – 19 if we can.