Discussions

This is the third part of an ongoing thread on the COVID-19 pandemic and verified facts relating to impacts on the community. This second thread was started after the initial thread reached a length where it was becoming harder to browse and running slower than I’d like.  
 
You can access and review the first thread any time at:    
https://ebrandon.ca/messagethread.aspx?message_id=1049926&cat_id=3    
and the second thread any time at:  
https://ebrandon.ca/messagethread.aspx?message_id=1050659&cat_id=14  
 
***********************    
   
This thread should NOT be seen as a substitute for direction or advice from health authorities, physicians and levels of government. Relevant links are included below for details from each of the province, country and WHO.    
   
Government of Manitoba page relating to the virus, including details on the number of tests conducted in the province:    
https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/coronavirus/    
   
Government of Canada page relating to the virus, with updates, advice, information on how to be prepared and information on prevention, symptoms and treatment:    
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html    
   
World Health Organization page on the virus    
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019    
   
I will be using this as a place to post relevant updates that I come into awareness of. I’d invite others to do the same. In an effort to ensure that folks’ replies are factual, if posting a fact and claiming it as such, you are asked to wherever possible &#105:nclude a link to a reputable source which may &#105:nclude one of the above, a reputable media outlet or the website or social media account of local entities being discussed.    
   
I should be clear that this isn’t a place for conspiracy theories or a place to get into an online battle over information from proper authorities. This thread should not be seen as one’s sole place for local information on the virus and no guarantees are made as far as accuracy of information within.    
   
Thanks for your understanding and cooperation

Two more local restaurants finding a way to make it work...  
 
Hansel and Gretels Schnitzel House is adding a takeout window on the South side of their building. Not quite open yet with opening date and new takeout menu coming soon as per:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2464921463609671&id=172618332840007
 
Prairie Firehouse is offering delivery packs/meal kits. They do the work, you cook it. Online ordering now started for deliveries beginning next week. More info on their website at:  
https://prairiefirehouse.com

The province announced during today's update of a COVID-19-related death of a woman in her 60s in the Prairie Mountain Health region. I'd like to express most sincere condolences to family and those who knew the victim of the virus in our region. 
 
As part of today's media briefing, two new COVID-19 cases have been announced in the province as well as two previous probables having been ruled out, leaving the provincial total at 246 cases.  
 
On the case count, 12 are shown in Prairie Mountain Health (11 confirmed and 1 probable). This is an increase of one case in this region compared to yesterday.  
 
Today's full bulletin can be read at:  
https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/?archive=&item=47541

An assortment of updates....  
 
Applebees. Opens back up tomorrow (Thursday, April 16) for takeout and delivery. Reduced from normal hours are 3-9pm.  

Blue Hills Bakery. Latest single say pickup openi is Friday, April 17. https://www.facebook.com/342199332640737/posts/1292074984319829/?d=n&substory_index=0
 
Boston Pizza. For takeout and delivery, South location hours are now 11am-11pm. North Hill location hours remain 11am-10pm.  
 
Burger King. I see sign continues to say open for drive thru. Not clear over what hours.  
 
Khans Foods. New Pakistani and Middle Eastern restaurant currently offering takeout and delivery. Tues-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri 11am-1pm & 4pm-9pm, Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 5pm-9pm, Mon closed.  
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Restaurant/Khan-Foods-101632318038621/
 
Subway. Hour changes for various locations in the city:  
Victoria & 8th: 7am-10pm Mon-Fri, 9am-9pm Sat, 9am-8pm Sun  
18th & Park: 11am-11pm Sun-Thurs, 11am-12pm Fri, Sat  
North Hill Highway #1: 11am-10pm daily  
Corral Centre: 11am-8pm Mon-Wed, 11am-9pm Thurs, Fri, 11am-7pm Sat, Sun  
Victoria Ave West: 11am-9pm daily
Shoppers Mall food court: remains closed

An interesting comparison at the link below by Winnipeg MLA and former Manitoba Liberal leader Dr Jon Girrard in plotting Manitoba’s COVID-19 cases vs South Dakota. South Dakota is one of USA’s fastest growing hot spots for cases with a doubling time of about 4 days and is one of the holdout states that has yet to make physical distancing mandatory. Quite the stark difference from Manitoba where we of course have distancing widely in place and have seen some signs in recent days that those measures may be having some effect on case prevalence so far:  
https://jongerrardsreport.blogspot.com/2020/04/comparison-between-manitoba-and-south.html

An assortment of updates...  
 
Canadian Tire. For anyone not aware, the Brandon store has been offering a curbside pickup service. When I used a couple days ago, you found your item on their website and then emailed the store a list of what you wanted along with your phone number. They give you a phone call for credit card payment and then you pull into one of designated pickup spots in front of the store and phone in to have order brought out. 
 
Toymasters. Have launched a website that will serve as a real game changer for their contactless pickup service. Until now one has had to look at social media pics or phone to learn about stock/pricing which of course is still also an option. They have said they’re regularly adding items. Link is https://www.toymastersmb.ca  
 
Greenhouses/Garden Centres are now allowed to open, via Province announcement yesterday. Social distancing measures must be in place. With planting season coming up, haven’t confirmed openings or hours but watch for local greenhouses to open in consistency with this (Alternative and Green Spot has been taking orders remotely and doing pickups/deliveries). Will update when known.  
 
Furniture, Appliance and Electronic stores. UPDATE: After the Province clarified on Friday that these stores may remain open with social distancing measures in place. This includes Leon's, Kullberg's and The Brick who will be open this afternoon (assume others as well, check with your store of choice for hours). 
 
As far as events, another cancellation as Brandon Pride has cancelled 2020 events:  
https://www.brandonsun.com/local/Brandon-Pride-cancels-2020-events-569699061.html

At Friday’s media briefing the province announced zero additional cases in Manitoba. The provincial total remains at 250 between confirmed and probable cases.  
 
Further to yesterday’s announcement of public health order changes, it has been said that:  
“Appliance stores and furniture stores that sell appliances may remain open to the public, providing social distancing measures are in place.”  
 
My understanding is that stores that had closed in response to yesterday’s announcement will be open once again this afternoon.  
 
Today’s full bulletin can be read at:  
https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/?archive=&item=47558

For greenhouses/garden centres…  
 
Alternative Choice Garden Centre is now open after yesterday’s announcement with customers to practice social distancing. Signage and foot markings are in place. They’ve added a handful of new greenhouses making for that much more space. Open Monday-Sunday over normal hours.  
 
Green Spot is currently making updates to their space to prepare for proper traffic flow and making progress. They will be opening starting on Wednesday and will be keeping April hours of 10am-5pm before expanding those hours further in May. Remain available until that time through the pickup and delivery options they’ve had in place.

The Province is reporting 3 new cases in Manitoba at today’s briefing, for a provincial total of 253. 
 
Prairie Mountain Health is showing as now having 13 confirmed cases, 1 more than yesterday.  
 
Today’s full bulletin can be read at:  
https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=47560

For those interested in adjoining regions, I see that today North Dakota is reporting by far their biggest single-day increase in cases yet with 90. State total is at 528. The link below is regularly updated including a by-county breakdown of case counts as well as nature of case for the state and by-county (community transfer, household acquired, travel):  
https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases  
 
It's in the news today that the Canada-US border closure to non-essential travel has been extended for 30 more days:  
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/canada-u-s-border-restrictions-extended-for-another-30-days-pm-1.4902106  
 
Saskatchewan reported six new cases today for a total of 313:  
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/cases-and-risk-of-covid-19-in-saskatchewan

A Brandon Sun story on a Souris couple who tested positive for the virus after returning home from a trip to Nashville in mid-March. Both have since recovered and have only recently returned from self-isolation at home after experiencing some of the virus' more serious symptoms. Thank you to both for telling their story, it really adds another layer of understanding to the local response to the virus and why it needs to taken as seriously as it is:  
https://www.brandonsun.com/local/Couple-recovers-from-COVID-19-569777921.html

A few updates to pass along this morning...  
 
- City of Brandon has advised that beginning today, a non-medical mask or face covering is required during check-in, security screening and boarding at the airport:  
https://twitter.com/CityBrandon/status/1252230573491453953
 
- 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery will be doing their regular driver training this week. Folks will see military trucks on the usual route on highways near Douglas, Brandon, Glenboro and Carberry from Tuesday through Friday. This is routine training of drivers that the base engages in and no cause for concern. 
 
- Lady of the Lake's retail location and restaurant continue to be closed, however have been posting item photos on their social media and conducting sales by curb side pickup and free delivery within Brandon:  
https://www.facebook.com/ladyofthelakebrandon/

 
- The Hansel and Gretels Schnitzel House has set a date of May 8 for the launch of their new pickup window and have posted info on a new takeout special they'll be offering:
https://www.facebook.com/Hansel-Gretels-Schnitzel-House-172618332840007/

In today’s update, the province is reporting one new case.. bringing the Manitoba total to 255 confirmed and probable cases. Prairie Mountain Health’s total remains at 13.  
 
Today’s full update can be read at:  
https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=47598

Today’s the day Green Spot opens back up. Note that as per link below, they’re limiting to 30 in the store at a time with social distancing in place. Also note that as part of managing traffic they’re asking people to phone ahead to book a time to shop:  

https://www.facebook.com/410010012405734/posts/3758792357527466/?d=n

Via the province’s daily update, two new cases reported today for a total of 257 confirmed and probable. Prairie Mountain Health continues to show 13 confirmed cases.  
 
The full April 22 bulletin can be seen at:  
https://manitoba.ca/covid19/updates/index.html

As per the link below, MPI will be issuing rebate cheques to policy holders as a result of less claims received of late. Amount said to be around 11% or an average of $140-160 per policy holder:  
https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/?archive=&item=47618

Via City of Brandon link below, Brandon Transit will resume fare collection on May 1 (one week from today). Rides have temporarily been at no charge during early stages of the pandemic response. As a result of plexiglass partitions being installed, riders on May 1 will also be able to resume boarding at the front of the bus where they will pay fare:
https://www.brandon.ca/public-notices-details?var=5911

Just a quick update on grocery hours, which have slowly been expanding over the past couple weeks ...  
 
Superstore is now 8am-10pm except of course Sundays where it’s 9-6. Early 7-8am hour for seniors and the vulnerable except Sunday.  
 
Walmart is 8am-9pm except Sundays where it’s 9-6. First hour from 7-8am on Mon-Sat for seniors and the vulnerable.  
 
Both Sobeys and Safeway are 8am-9pm with the 7-8am early hour for seniors and the vulnerable on all but Sunday. I understand that starting Monday, Sobeys West will be adding an hour until 10pm except of course Sunday.  
 
Heritage Coop has maintained regular hours of 8am-10pm Mon-Sat, 9am-6pm Sunday as well as having the early seniors/vulnerable hour from 7-8am on Mon-Sat.

The Province is reporting four new Covid-19 cases today for a total of 267. 14 confirmed are shown in total in the Prairie Mountain Health region, an increase of one over yesterday.  
 
Today’s full bulletin is posted at:  
https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=47625

A few updates to businesses...  
 
Smittys. Have re-opened Shoppers Mall location for takeout and delivery. 11am-7pm all seven days. Trans Canada Highway location is open 10am-6pm 7 days a week for takeout and delivery.  
 
Alberts Restaurant re-opens beginning Monday, April 27 for takeout and delivery. Hours will be 3-8pm.  
 
Bennys Restaurant new hours are Wed-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 4-7:30pm.  
 
Greet Spot as noted above is now open 10am-5pm and asking customers to call ahead to book shopping times. Starting this Friday, May 1 those hours will expand to 10-6.