Rehired workers may have to cancel and repay their CERB payments. Here's how. Welcome to the Maclean's daily newsletter. As the coronavirus disrupts life in Canada, and Canadians get used to the notion of "social distancing" and "flattening the curve," Maclean's has expanded this newsletter to include everything you need to know about the global pandemic. You'll still find our best stories of the day at the bottom of the newsletter, but we'll also catch you up on news and notes from around the world.
“It was only a matter of time before our territory had a confirmed case, and unfortunately today is that day” — Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut’s chief public health officer on April 30, when the territory recorded its first case of COVID-19.
More than 53,000 Canadians have been infected with COVID-19, while more than 3,100 people have died. Worldwide, 3.3 million have contracted the virus and 230,000 have died from it. The desperate struggle to buy personal protective equipment for frontline health workers is an ongoing worldwide phenomenon. The Globe and Mail delves into one example: “At the height of Ontario’s shortage of personal protective equipment, and with the province a week away from running out of N95 respirator masks, the government struck a deal to buy 100 million of them—only to see it evaporate.” The COVID-19 support bills landing on the desks of government finance departments are dripping in red ink. Yves Giroux, the parliamentary budget officer, estimates the federal government is spending around $146 billion in support measures. That amount, along with a decline in GDP and resultant drop in tax revenues as well as plunging oil prices, will drive the federal deficit up to around $250 billion. “Outside you go, says Bonnie Henry. Not so fast, says David Williams.” In an era of fast changing advice, the suggestions on how and when to get fresh air are perhaps the most confusing. This CBC article breaks down all the recommendations, including the contradictory ones from B.C.’s and Ontario’s chief public health officers. “As the novel coronavirus pandemic sends lots of people out to their yard to see what they can grow, a lot of first-timers are making the same mistake: They’re listening to experts.” explains Tamar Haspel of the Washington Post. “I’m the perfect person to tell you what someone with no experience can pull off. The key to successful gardening is projects that have high success rates and cost less than their store-bought versions.” If growing food isn’t for you, how about perusing the bookshelves of famous people? With more and more people popping up on Zoom, Skype and other video offerings, the New York Times book review section couldn’t resist looking at what they have on their shelves. What pure joy looks like in the intensive care unit of a major hospital in Toronto: Dr. Chris Yarnell posted a video of medical staff celebrating a patient who no longer needs to be intubated. "COVID is tough but we are always happy to have a bit of success for our patients," he tweeted. —Patricia Treble As of the latest update, this is the number of confirmed cases in Canada. We're updating this chart every day.
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