23rd Edition Covid-19 Update

Good evening,

Below you will find today’s updates on the COVID-19 situation.  My team and I are monitoring the situation closely and sharing information here in our daily newsletter, on our COVID-19 Information Hub, on Facebook, and on Twitter. Our goal is to help you have the latest facts at your fingertips during this challenging time. As always, please reach out if you need anything. 

NEW TODAY:

• Reminder: Canadians receiving the CERB must reapply to continue receiving benefits
• Funding to help small businesses in rural areas
• Don't be nervous to visit the ER
• Tips for looking after your mental health
• Resources for those pregnant and parenting during COVID-19
• Shopping, meal planning, and food access
• Ottawa Long-Term Care Homes – update
• Free daycare for more essential workers
• iPads for students in low-income families
• Virtual Canada Day on Parliament Hill
   

Reminder: Canadians receiving the CERB must reapply to continue receiving benefits

• If you applied for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) for the first four weeks it was available, you’ll need to reapply to continue receiving payments.
• The CERB offers $2,000 every four weeks, up to a maximum of 16 weeks.
• The first four-week period ran from March 15 until April 11, and the second four-week period started April 12.
• If you are reapplying for the benefit, or applying for the first time, you can do so online through your Canada Revenue Agency account or over the phone through the CRA's automated service.
• There is a detailed webpage explaining the different ways Canadians can register for the benefit.
• Earlier this week, the Prime Minister announced more flexible eligibility for the CERB, including those working reduced hours.

Funding to help small businesses in rural areas

• Today Prime Minister Trudeau announced $962 million in new funding to Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and Community Futures Network.
• The money is specifically meant to support rural businesses and those which may not have existing relationships with financial institutions.
• RDAs are federal agencies under Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
• Community Futures Network is a group of federal agencies placed across Canada that provide small business services in rural communities.
• We’ll share more details when we have them, specifically - how the funding to RDAs and the Community Futures Network will be deployed.

Don't be nervous to visit the E.R.

• The Ottawa Hospital is telling people not to be nervous about visiting the emergency department if they need emergency care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The message is: if your symptoms would have brought you to the ER pre-COVID-19, still go to the ER now.
• More information here.

Tips for looking after your mental health

• Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health is urging residents to look after their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• It is completely natural to feel stressed and overwhelmed during these times.
• For many of us, cabin fever is creeping in. You may have noticed yourself feeling more irritable, restless, unmotivated, having difficulty focusing, feeling more tired than normal, and having unhealthy eating habits.
• Dr. Etches says people in need of mental health assistance should contact the Distress Centre of Ottawa, click on the Ottawa Public Health website, or visit the emergency room.
• The Centre for Addictions and Mental Health also offers suggestions for coping strategies here.
• CTV published an article with tips for managing cabin fever.

Resources for Those Pregnant and Parenting During COVID-19

• Parents: finding ways to keep children connected with family, learning new skills, and staying active is important. We know it can be challenging.
• Ottawa Public Health has a helpful Resources for Parents During COVID-19 here.

Shopping, meal planning, and food access

• It goes without saying that "How to Shop For Your Family During a Pandemic" was not covered in Home Economics.
• Don't fret! Ottawa Public Health has created a website to help you with meal planning, shopping, and cooking during COVID-19.
• Visit http://OttawaPublicHealth.ca/GroceryCOVID19 for more information.

Ottawa Long-Term Care Homes - Update

• Ottawa Public Health shared an update today on their work with Long-Term Care Homes to keep residents safe.
• Long-Term Care ‘strike teams’ have been assembled in Ottawa. This means nurses and inspectors have been assigned to facilities to provide support and manage outbreaks.  
• Ottawa Public Health is implementing the Government of Ontario’s COVID-19 Action Plan for Protecting Long-Term Care Homes to keep residents in long-term care homes safe.
• Ontario’s Action Plan has a three-pronged approach:

1. Aggressive testing, screening, and surveillance
2. Managing outbreaks and spread of the disease
3. Growing Ontario’s long-term care workforce

Free daycare for more essential workers

• Today the Provincial government expanded the list of essential workers eligible to access free emergency child care.

• Ottawa’s three emergency child care centres for essential workers are located here:

  • Esther By Child Care Centre (1550 Caldwell Avenue) – Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 5:45 pm
  • Centre Éducatif Tournesol (194 McArthur Road) – Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 5:45 pm
  • Dr. Ernest Couture Child Care Centre (2185 Riverside Drive) – Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 8 pm
• Ottawa Public Health still recommends that children remain at home if possible.
• Eligible families can apply here.
• Official news release

iPads for students in low-income families

• Premier Doug Ford says the province has partnered with Apple and Rogers to deliver 21,000 iPads to students in low income families.
• The iPads will come with free wireless data and pre-loaded learning materials so that students can access the learn-at-home online portal. 
• Official news release

Virtual Canada Day on Parliament Hill

• You are being invited to celebrate Canada’s 153rd birthday virtually this year.
• The in-person festivities in Ottawa and Gatineau on July 1 will be cancelled due to COVID-19.
• In a statement today, the Minister of Canadian Heritage said the government has “decided to celebrate Canada Day differently this year, in a way that will allow us to come together virtually to share our pride in being Canadian.”
• Details on the virtual Canada Day celebrations will be announced soon.