I thought I was going to blog about something different this week, but... more things have happened in Toronto since two weeks ago relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. I'm kinda glad more is being done, since not everybody seems to be taking this pandemic seriously... At the same time, I'm not particularly happy that it had to get to this point. Also, I'm not happy with the thought that this pandemic could last for months...
Again, if I miss listing anything, my apologies.
- "Non-essential" businesses are closed. Any businesses that could work remotely are still open, though.
- Public gatherings of 5 or more are not allowed.
- All city-led events, festivals, permits, conferences, and cultural programs until June 30 have been cancelled. When I first heard about this, I thought the FLOW concert (June 3rd) and International Fan Festival Toronto (IFFT) (June 19-21) were cancelled, but they're not city-led. The public gathering restriction will get them, though, if the pandemic is still going on by then.
- Outdoor recreational amenities, beaches, playgrounds, and sports facilities are closed. I honestly think this could have been avoided if everybody was taking this practicing social distancing seriously.
- Those violating the social distancing (now termed physical distancing) can now get fined. Why did it have to get to this point?
For myself, I'm still at home, going outside only to throw out trash (and the trash bin is right next to my home).
This past week, I spent almost all my spare time cleaning my room, and I think I am done with it for now! I have a nice empty spot where I can prance about. The floor isn't 50% bare so my New Year's resolution isn't done yet, but it's getting there. I am feeling very, very proud of myself! Now I can spend the next few weeks or months crumpling to the floor as I try to exercise after many years of not exercising.
Also, I received a package this week -- my last package for a long while: Persona 5 Royal. I'm super excited to play it but I'll hold off for a little while. Call me a cheat if you want, but I'd rather play it with a couple guides for certain elements. Just like in the original Persona 5 game, I hope the grim reaper can get sick for another easy trophy (if that trophy is also in Persona 5 Royal).
That's it for this blog. Thanks for reading!
If anybody would like me to blog about something else, feel free to leave suggestions in the Comments or to send a message via the Contact Form.
Next week, there will be no blog. Next weekend will be a long weekend (Good Friday is April 10th), and I want to spend all that time... possibly not on a computer. Maybe I'll binge-watch some shows or try to finish more of my video games or work on more of my New Year's resolutions.
Stay safe, take care, and until next time! :)
Showing posts with label COVID-19 in Toronto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label COVID-19 in Toronto. Show all posts
Sunday, 5 April 2020
Sunday, 22 March 2020
BLOG (PERSONAL) -- What's Going on in Toronto (Journal #2)
Well, here are more things that have been happening in Toronto during the COVID-19 pandemic. We're not on lock down yet... but it already feels like one... but that could be because I've stayed home almost everyday this week. Again, this is more for myself, so this may not be very interesting for you.
Again, if I miss listing anything, my apologies.
- Since Monday, Canadian borders were closed to everybody except for Canadian citizens, trading / exporting of goods, diplomats, and US citizens. One day later, I believe Canadian borders were closed to US citizens.
- Monday night, restaurants and bars would be closed, only offering take-out or delivery. This was passed just before St. Patrick's Day, which I thought was good timing. I really hope the small businesses will survive through this, though! For sure this has already resulted in some being laid off...
- Public gatherings of 50 or more are not allowed.
- On Wednesday, a "$27 billion aid package and up to $55 billion in tax deferrals" was laid out. Initially, I didn't know what that meant, but it seemed to include support for various situations. More info about it could be read here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/economic-aid-package-coronavirus-1.5501037
- Practicing social distance is encouraged, but not enforced.
- Some internet providers are waiving data overage fees to accommodate those working from home, which is really nice.
For myself, I've been working from home since last Friday. Over the weekend, I bought a second monitor so I could do my work a bit more efficiently. Unfortunately, my desk space is pretty tight so the monitors are set up a little weirdly (I might show a pic of it in later weeks).
I left the house on Monday to buy a lotto ticket. The closest kiosk to me was closed due to the pandemic so I travelled downtown. When I did find an open kiosk, I bought my ticket. For lotto tickets in Canada, you can buy tickets for up to 26 weeks' worth of future draws. I was very amused at the kiosk person's reaction when she scanned in my ticket (which was marked for 26 weeks) and the total ticket cost came out to over $200. Now I'm set for pretty much the next six months. If I don't win anything between now and then... hahaha...
After that Monday, I don't really intend to leave the house anymore except to throw out garbage, but I will be expecting a package in about two weeks (Persona 5 Royal, squeeeee! <3 <3 <3). Fingers crossed it won't be delayed.
About the line-up that happened outside an EBGames store to pick up Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Doom: Eternal... I'm not surprised. I can't comment on Doom: Eternal, but I know that Animal Crossing is still a really popular game, and one that could offer a lot of fun and escape during this rough time. If I had a Switch, I would have gotten the game as well, though I'd have it delivered, since I don't shop at EBGames that often anymore.
During my downtime (which hasn't been much since I'd been working a lot this week), I've been watching this old-ish TV show called Six Feet Under. So far, it's very good. Very morbid and quirky -- but very good. It makes me think about so many different things.
That's it for this blog. Thanks for reading!
If anybody would like me to blog about something else, feel free to leave suggestions in the Comments or to send a message via the Contact Form.
Stay safe, take care, and until next time! :)
Again, if I miss listing anything, my apologies.
- Since Monday, Canadian borders were closed to everybody except for Canadian citizens, trading / exporting of goods, diplomats, and US citizens. One day later, I believe Canadian borders were closed to US citizens.
- Monday night, restaurants and bars would be closed, only offering take-out or delivery. This was passed just before St. Patrick's Day, which I thought was good timing. I really hope the small businesses will survive through this, though! For sure this has already resulted in some being laid off...
- Public gatherings of 50 or more are not allowed.
- On Wednesday, a "$27 billion aid package and up to $55 billion in tax deferrals" was laid out. Initially, I didn't know what that meant, but it seemed to include support for various situations. More info about it could be read here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/economic-aid-package-coronavirus-1.5501037
- Practicing social distance is encouraged, but not enforced.
- Some internet providers are waiving data overage fees to accommodate those working from home, which is really nice.
For myself, I've been working from home since last Friday. Over the weekend, I bought a second monitor so I could do my work a bit more efficiently. Unfortunately, my desk space is pretty tight so the monitors are set up a little weirdly (I might show a pic of it in later weeks).
I left the house on Monday to buy a lotto ticket. The closest kiosk to me was closed due to the pandemic so I travelled downtown. When I did find an open kiosk, I bought my ticket. For lotto tickets in Canada, you can buy tickets for up to 26 weeks' worth of future draws. I was very amused at the kiosk person's reaction when she scanned in my ticket (which was marked for 26 weeks) and the total ticket cost came out to over $200. Now I'm set for pretty much the next six months. If I don't win anything between now and then... hahaha...
After that Monday, I don't really intend to leave the house anymore except to throw out garbage, but I will be expecting a package in about two weeks (Persona 5 Royal, squeeeee! <3 <3 <3). Fingers crossed it won't be delayed.
About the line-up that happened outside an EBGames store to pick up Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Doom: Eternal... I'm not surprised. I can't comment on Doom: Eternal, but I know that Animal Crossing is still a really popular game, and one that could offer a lot of fun and escape during this rough time. If I had a Switch, I would have gotten the game as well, though I'd have it delivered, since I don't shop at EBGames that often anymore.
During my downtime (which hasn't been much since I'd been working a lot this week), I've been watching this old-ish TV show called Six Feet Under. So far, it's very good. Very morbid and quirky -- but very good. It makes me think about so many different things.
That's it for this blog. Thanks for reading!
If anybody would like me to blog about something else, feel free to leave suggestions in the Comments or to send a message via the Contact Form.
Stay safe, take care, and until next time! :)
Sunday, 15 March 2020
BLOG (PERSONAL) -- What's Going on in Toronto (Journal #1)
Well, since my life is about to change somewhat and I want to remember this time more accurately than relying just on my memory, I figured I might as well keep a record of it.
Each week for a while, I'll be summarizing pretty much what's going on in Toronto during the COVID-19 pandemic -- any changes, thoughts, activities, whatever. This is more for myself than for anybody else, so this may not be very interesting for you, especially if you live in Toronto and already know about these things.
I think I mentioned this before, but my general, personal thoughts regarding COVID-19 are this: I do not see the COVID-19 pandemic ending anytime soon. Because the virus can spread while those infected are asymptomatic, there is no sure-fire way to keep yourself safe if you are outside in a crowded area.
I think one of the only ways the pandemic can end sooner, aside from various countries taking measures to limit spreading (lockdowns, event cancellations, etc.), is if the virus mutates into something that is easier to treat / develop a vaccine for. So... until the pandemic ends, I really hope that the mass panic that's been going on will eventually die down. We'll likely be in this for the long haul, so let's get through it together.
Anywho... so things that are happening in Toronto. Please note that this won't be crazy extensive. There's a good chance that I'll miss listing some things, so my apologies about that.
Well, in the beginning (way back in January), there were only extra signage in the airport. Then there were some flight cancellations. Now, with March break starting tomorrow, major changes have started happening.
- All public schools will be closed for two weeks AFTER March break is over. For parents who work during the day and can't bring their kids to their workplace, what will they do?
- Various events are either getting cancelled or postponed. I know this is also happening all over the world (E3 getting cancelled, etc). Notable event cancellations / postponement (at least notable for me) are Toronto Comicon (cancelled), the One of a Kind Show (postponed), and the Hatsune Miku Expo 2020 USA & Canada tour (postponed).
- Closures to major public places, like the Toronto Public Library (all branches), Science Centre, ROM, AGO, Toronto Zoo, CN Tower for the next three weeks (or until further notice). For those on March break, what are they going to do?
- Reduced shopping hours for some major malls like Fairview and Eaton Centre, opening 11 AM and closing 7 PM (or earlier if it normally closes earlier).
All these closures, cancellations, and postponements feel so disheartening, but it's understandable. This is the start of what needs to happen to try limiting the virus spread.
For myself, a mandatory work-from-home policy will be implemented for the next three weeks, starting tomorrow. While I will relish not having to commute everyday (my main unknown variable for possibly catching COVID-19), I know I will miss seeing and interacting with some of my co-workers. Also, my home is not the optimal work environment since I currently only have one computer monitor (at work we use two monitors).
With the extra time I will save from not commuting to work, and with me prioritizing to stay at home during this time, I'm going to make the most of it and get farther with my New Year's Resolutions. I really want to clean my room...
That's it for this blog. Thanks for reading!
I really hope you all are faring okay, wherever you are. *virtual hug*
If anybody would like me to blog about something else, feel free to leave suggestions in the Comments or to send a message via the Contact Form.
Stay safe, and until next time! :)
Each week for a while, I'll be summarizing pretty much what's going on in Toronto during the COVID-19 pandemic -- any changes, thoughts, activities, whatever. This is more for myself than for anybody else, so this may not be very interesting for you, especially if you live in Toronto and already know about these things.
I think I mentioned this before, but my general, personal thoughts regarding COVID-19 are this: I do not see the COVID-19 pandemic ending anytime soon. Because the virus can spread while those infected are asymptomatic, there is no sure-fire way to keep yourself safe if you are outside in a crowded area.
I think one of the only ways the pandemic can end sooner, aside from various countries taking measures to limit spreading (lockdowns, event cancellations, etc.), is if the virus mutates into something that is easier to treat / develop a vaccine for. So... until the pandemic ends, I really hope that the mass panic that's been going on will eventually die down. We'll likely be in this for the long haul, so let's get through it together.
Anywho... so things that are happening in Toronto. Please note that this won't be crazy extensive. There's a good chance that I'll miss listing some things, so my apologies about that.
Well, in the beginning (way back in January), there were only extra signage in the airport. Then there were some flight cancellations. Now, with March break starting tomorrow, major changes have started happening.
- All public schools will be closed for two weeks AFTER March break is over. For parents who work during the day and can't bring their kids to their workplace, what will they do?
- Various events are either getting cancelled or postponed. I know this is also happening all over the world (E3 getting cancelled, etc). Notable event cancellations / postponement (at least notable for me) are Toronto Comicon (cancelled), the One of a Kind Show (postponed), and the Hatsune Miku Expo 2020 USA & Canada tour (postponed).
- Closures to major public places, like the Toronto Public Library (all branches), Science Centre, ROM, AGO, Toronto Zoo, CN Tower for the next three weeks (or until further notice). For those on March break, what are they going to do?
- Reduced shopping hours for some major malls like Fairview and Eaton Centre, opening 11 AM and closing 7 PM (or earlier if it normally closes earlier).
All these closures, cancellations, and postponements feel so disheartening, but it's understandable. This is the start of what needs to happen to try limiting the virus spread.
For myself, a mandatory work-from-home policy will be implemented for the next three weeks, starting tomorrow. While I will relish not having to commute everyday (my main unknown variable for possibly catching COVID-19), I know I will miss seeing and interacting with some of my co-workers. Also, my home is not the optimal work environment since I currently only have one computer monitor (at work we use two monitors).
With the extra time I will save from not commuting to work, and with me prioritizing to stay at home during this time, I'm going to make the most of it and get farther with my New Year's Resolutions. I really want to clean my room...
That's it for this blog. Thanks for reading!
I really hope you all are faring okay, wherever you are. *virtual hug*
If anybody would like me to blog about something else, feel free to leave suggestions in the Comments or to send a message via the Contact Form.
Stay safe, and until next time! :)
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