Coronavirus affecting food supplies in Ontario
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| Scarcity during the period of the Former Soviet Union |
I just took in my once per week grocery shopping endeavour here at the local grocery store. In one week, the province of Ontario in general, and the city of Kitchener has devolved into a shell of its former self (the City shuttered indoor recreation facilities, libraries, the Symphony, and city run camps.) Customer levels were much less than normal, though the biggest surprise was half empty shelves. No doubt, this hearkens back to the Former Soviet Union and line ups for food. However, there is produce, packaged and frozen goods available - just in reduced quantities. Customers are panic shopping, and hoarding products. Today, the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, declared the province of Ontario is in a state of emergency relating to the COViD-19 virus, that is wreaking havoc across the globe. I have a friend in Italy who is a professor and leaves her house once every ten days for groceries. In an email on the weekend, she reported that two people who lived 600 metres from her had died from the virus. I was in a panic for her and invited her here, but, too little too late as the Canadian government has now restricted entry to Canadian citizens, those with landed status, and Americans across our border. So, "Lia" prepares with gloves, mask, full clothing and makes her way out into the abyss in order to survive. I don't dread over her because she is very intelligent and strong. She will survive! And, as Italy has Europe's oldest population, many seniors over 75 are succumbing to the virus. The John Hopkin's graph COVid 19 Global Chart:Infections and Casualty Figures indicates that 2503 deaths have occurred in Italy compared to 3230 in China. Italy is poised to pass China this week in casualties- a horrific situation for Italian's to endure.
Recently, American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo referred to the virus as the "Wuhan Virus"and was scolded by a Chinese official in the press for the accusatory comment. In town here, people are losing patience- a young couple who live with me, particularly, the young woman, works at a Tim Horton's coffee shoppe and mused about a Canadian man who was with his young kids while a Chinese man was nearby, also, waiting for service. The Canadian man lost his composure yelling at the Chinese man - blaming China for the coronavirus debacle. Yes, China must show some humility and culpability, lest Chinese officials indicate weakness now,that can hurt them after the virus is under control and they resume its business as usual approach under President Xi Jinping. The guiding principle governing well developed democracies is transparency. The propaganda machine is in full bloom in China during this crisis. For now, Canadians have to remember that, more or less, we are known for cordiality and we need to demonstrate that across all folks facing this dilemma within our orbit and be conscientious and empathetic. And remember, Tim Horton's is only accepting Debit cards now and no personal coffee mugs.
