(*)
>> Ian: GOOD EVENING, I'M IAN
HANOMANSING.
>>> TONIGHT, PAINFUL DETAILS
COMING OUT OF A QUÉBEC CARE HOME
STRUCK BY CORONAVIRUS.
>> I'M REALLY SORRY FOR ALL OF
THE FAMILIES THAT LOST FAMILY
MEMBERS THERE.
THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED,
NEVER.
IT'S GROSS, IT'S DISGUSTING.
>> Ian: FAMILIES ARE DESPERATE
FOR ANSWERS AFTER REPORTS OF
ILLNESS, APPARENT NEGLECT, AND
DEATH.
>> WE ARE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE
750,000 N95 MASKS.
>> Ian: WHILE MOST PROVINCES
FEAR SHORTAGES OF MASKS,
GLOVES AND VENTILATORS, ALBERTA
HAS PLENTY.
SO WHAT IS THAT PROVINCE DOING
DIFFERENTLY?
>>> HOW MANY A-SYMPTOMATIC
INFECTED PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE?
OUR DOCTORS WILL ANSWER THAT
QUESTION AND MORE.
>>> PLUS, FROM HELPING OUT WITH
CHILD CARE TO GROCERIES.
CANADIANS ARE SHOWING THEIR TRUE
COLOURS.
>> AND IF I CAN GET OUT TO
SUPPORT SOMEONE JUST A LITTLE
BIT, IT'S SOMETHING THAT I FEEL
THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO DO.
>> Ian: THIS IS "THE NATIONAL."
(*)
>>> THE CARE AND THE COMMITMENT
OF CANADIANS TO PUBLIC HEALTH
EFFORTS AND EACH OTHER ARE
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE FIGHT
AGAINST COVID-19.
WE'LL HEAR ABOUT SOME OF THAT
SUCCESS TONIGHT.
BUT THE DISEASE HAS ALSO EXPOSED
FLAWS IN SYSTEMS AND
INSTITUTIONS.
CONCERN ABOUT THIS LONG-TERM
CARE HOME IN THE MONTRÉAL SUBURB
HAS BEEN GROWING FOR DAYS.
REPORTS OF HORRIFYING CONDITIONS
AND RESIDENTS DYING IN NUMBERS
FAR BEYOND AN EARLIER TALLY OF
TWO.
THEN THIS WEEKEND QUÉBEC
OFFICIALS SAY THEY LEARNED MORE.
>> THE OWNER OF THIS RESIDENCE
REFUSED TO GIVE US ACCESS TO THE
FILE OF THE PATIENTS.
AND IT'S ONLY LAST NIGHT AT
8:00 p.m. THAT WE LEARNED THAT
THE NUMBER OF DEATHS SINCE MARCH
13 WAS 31.
>> Ian: THE PREMIER SAID THAT IT
APPEARED TO BE A CASE OF, QUOTE
"MAJOR NEGLIGENCE."
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE HERRON
SENIORS' RESIDENCE IS UNDER
POLICE INVESTIGATION.
JAELA BERNSTIEN BRINGS US THE
HARROWING STORIES FROM INSIDE.
>> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS
SPENT THE NIGHT AT THIS SENIORS'
HOME, GATHERING SURVEILLANCE
FOOTAGE, PHOTOS AND DOCUMENTS.
OUT ON THE FRONT LAWN, SOME HAVE
LEFT FLOWERS TO SHOW
THEIR SUPPORT.
>> I'M REALLY SORRY FOR ALL OF
THE FAMILIES THAT LOST FAMILY
MEMBERS THERE.
THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED,
NEVER.
IT'S GROSS, IT'S DISGUSTING.
>> Reporter: THIS SOCIAL
WORKER CAME TO VOLUNTEER AND
DESCRIBED WHAT SHE SAW.
>> [Speaking French]
>> Reporter: "I SAW A MAN DEAD
IN HIS BED," SHE SAYS, "I
BROUGHT HIM BREAKFAST AND SAW
THAT HE WAS DEAD."
WRITTEN IN FRENCH ON THE
SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE
RESIDENCE ARE THE WORDS "CE SERA
BIEN", IN
FRENCH MEANING, "IT WILL BE
OKAY."
BUT THOSE WHO HAVE FAMILY
MEMBERS
INSIDE OF THE RESIDENCE SAY THAT
THINGS HAVE NOT BEEN OKAY AND
THEY WANT ANSWERS.
THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED
TO THEIR LOVED ONES.
>> ON MONDAY I CALLED ALL
MORNING.
I WAS WORKING FROM HOME.
MY SISTER WAS OFF WORK SHE WAS
CALLING AND TEXTING ME AND I
CAN'T GET ANYBODY.
AND WE JUST STARTED, YOU KNOW,
HEARING BAD THINGS.
AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE GOING
THROUGH THE SAME THING,
EXPERIENCING THE SAME
DIFFICULTIES THAT WE WERE.
>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT THE
NEXT TIME THAT HE HEARD FROM THE
RESIDENTS HE LEARNED THAT HIS
FATHER HAD PASSED AWAY.
AUTHORITIES SAY THAT OF THE 31
PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED HERE, AT
LEAST FIVE WERE LINKED TO
COVID-19.
AFTER LEARNING OF STAFFING
SHORTAGES, THE REGIONAL HEALTH
AGENCY INTERVENED, TAKING OVER.
NURSES SAID THEY FOUND SOME
PEOPLE LEFT SITTING IN THEIR
DIRTY DIAPERS AND SOILED BEDS
FOR DAYS.
THIS MONTRÉAL POLICE
SPOKESPERSON SAYS THAT THEIR
INVESTIGATION COULD TAKE WEEKS
OR MONTHS.
>> WE ARE AWARE THAT PEOPLE ARE
WAITING FOR ANSWERS.
WE'RE WORKING AS QUICKLY AS WE
CAN.
BUT, HOWEVER, WE MUST NOT SKIP
ANYTHING, SO WE HAVE TO BE VERY
THOROUGH.
SO WE'LL HAVE TO TAKE WHATEVER
TIME IT TAKES.
>> Reporter: THE RESIDENCE IS
RUN BY KATASA GROUP.
IN A STATEMENT, THE COMPANY
OFFERED ITS CONDOLENCES
AND ESSENTIALLY BLAMED THE
SITUATION ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH
AGENCY.
SAYING, "SINCE THE BEGINNING OF
THIS CRISIS THE EMPLOYEES OF
CHSLD HERRON HAVE MADE
EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS BUT THEIR
DEMANDS FOR HELP HAVE NOT BEEN
HEART."
THE PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY
RESPONDED THAT IT IS WORKING TO
ENSURE THE
SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THE
RESIDENTS AND THAT THE FACILITY
OWNERS DID NOT COOPERATE FULL
WHEN IT INTERVENED TO OFFER ITS
SUPPORT.
JAELA BERNSTIEN, CBC NEWS,
DORVAL, QUÉBEC.
>> Ian: WE'RE HEARING TONIGHT OF
ANOTHER DEVASTATING OUTBREAK AT
A SENIORS' HOME, THIS ONE IN
ONTARIO.
THE CHARTWELL GIBSON LONG-TERM
CARE HOME IN
TORONTO CONFIRMED FIVE RESIDENTS
ARE DEAD AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED
WITH COVID-19.
22 OTHER RESIDENTS HAVE TESTED
POSITIVE, ALONG WITH ONE STAFF
MEMBER.
THE HOME SAYS THAT IT'S
REMAINING VIGILANT IN TRYING TO
CONTROL THE OUTBREAK, INCLUDING
SCREENING EMPLOYEES.
AS A RESULT OF THESE OUTBREAKS,
OTTAWA HAS ISSUED NEW GUIDELINES
FOR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES,
BUT ADVOCATES ARGUE THAT
COVID-19 IS JUST EXPOSING CRACKS
IN A SYSTEM THAT HAD BEEN
OVERLOOKED FOR YEARS.
ASHLEY BURKE EXPLAINS.
>> The Hon. Chyrstia Freeland:
THESE ARE INCREDIBLY HORRIFIC
REPORTS THAT WE'VE ALL BEEN
SEEING, REALLY HEARTWRENCHING
SITUATIONS.
>> Reporter: CANADIAN
OFFICIALS SAY THAT PEOPLE LIVING
AND WORKING IN LONG-TERM CARE
HOMES DESERVE BETTER.
>> THE PROVINCES ARE ALL VERY
SEIZED WITH THIS ISSUE AND IT'S
BOTH FROM A GUIDANCE AND
INFECTION CONTROL PROSPECTIVE
BUT ALSO SUPPORT FROM EMPLOYMENT
PROSPECTIVES.
>> Reporter: THESE FACILITIES
ARE PROVINCIALLY REGULATED.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS
BROUGHT IN NEW GUIDELINES TO
PREVENT THE FURTHER SPREAD OF
COVID-19.
THEY INCLUDE RESTRICTING
VOLUNTEERS AND VISITORS, STAFF
WEARING MASKS, AND LIMITING
WORKERS TO ONE FACILITY.
BUT THE PANDEMIC IS EXPOSING
BIGGER PROBLEMS.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE A
SYSTEM THAT ACROSS THE COUNTRY
HAS BEEN GROSSLY UNDERFUNDED AND
A SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T EVEN GIVE
ITS OWN WORKERS, FOR EXAMPLE,
FULL-TIME WAGES AND BENEFITS.
>> MANY OF THEM HAVE TO WORK IN
MULTIPLE WORK SITES IN ORDER TO3
ITS OWN WORKERS, FOR EXAMPLE,
FULL-TIME WAGES AND BENEFITS.
>> MANY OF THEM HAVE TO WORK IN
MULTIPLE WORK SITES IN ORDER TO
MAKE A FULL-TIME LIVING.
>> Reporter: THIS UNION
PRESIDENT REPRESENTS 120,000
FRONTLINE HEALTH CARE WORKERS
ACROSS CANADA.
SHE SAYS THAT MANY PERSONAL
SUPPORT WORKERS ONLY MAKE
$20,000 TO $30,000 A YEAR.
>> WE'RE SEEING LEVELS OF CARE
OR NUMBERS OF PERSONAL SUPPORT
WORKERS -- ONE TO EVERY 42
RESIDENTS INSIDE OF A NURSING
HOME.
THAT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO
TAKE CARE OF.
>> Reporter: CANADA'S CHIEF
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH SAYS
THAT BETTER PROTECTION AND CARE
FOR BOTH STAFF AND RESIDENTS OF
LONG-TERM CARE HOMES COULD
BECOME ONE OF THE LEGACIES OF
THIS PANDEMIC.
ALREADY SOME PROVINCES,
INCLUDING B.C., HAVE BANNED
PEOPLE FROM WORKING AT MORE THAN
ONE FACILITY AT A TIME.
ALL IN AN EFFORT TO STOP THE
SPREAD OF THE VIRUS.
ASHLEY BURKE, CBC NEWS, OTTAWA.
>> Ian: THERE ARE ALSO FEARS
ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON INSIDE OF
CANADA'S JAILS AND PRISONS.
A LOCKDOWN IS IN PLACE AT
MISSION INSTITUTION IN B.C.'S
FRASER VALLEY.
AS BRIAR STEWART EXPLAINS, IT'S
WHERE AT LEAST 35 INMATES AND
FIVE GUARDS HAVE TESTED POSITIVE
FOR COVID-19.
>> I WORRY ABOUT IT.
>> Reporter: TRACY NORMAN'S
BROTHER, DEAN ROBERTS, HAS BEEN
IN THE MISSION INSTITUTION FOR
MORE THAN 25 YEARS.
ON WEDNESDAY SHE WAS TOLD THAT
HE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL.
SINCE THEN SHE HASN'T BEEN ABLE
TO FIND OUT ANYTHING ABOUT HIS
CONDITION.
>> IT'S SO FRUSTRATING.
AND, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE SAY, WELL,
HE'S AN INMATE AND HE DOESN'T
HAVE ANY PRIVILEGES OR WHATEVER.
BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M NOT AN
INMATE AND HE'S MY BROTHER.
AND I WANT TO KNOW HOW HE'S
DOING.
>> Reporter: THERE ARE LARGE
OUTBREAKS OF COVID-19 AT
CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES IN
ONTARIO AND IN QUÉBEC.
BUT MISSION, B.C., HAS THE
HIGHEST NUMBER OF CASES AMONG
INMATES.
FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAY THEY'VE
STEPPED UP CLEANING AND HEALTH
CHECK-UPS.
INMATES ARE ALSO HAVING MEALS IN
THEIR CELLS.
OFFICIALS ARE ALSO CONSIDERING
RELEASING SOME OF THE OFFENDERS.
>> WE ARE FOCUSED ON THOSE
INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE LOW RISK,
THAT ARE MEDICALLY COMPROMISED
AND ARE VULNERABLE.
AND WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THAT
PROCESS RIGHT NOW TO IDENTIFY
THOSE THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE
FOR RELEASE.
>> Reporter: KATHLEEN HILL'S
30-YEAR-OLD SON WAS RECENTLY
TRANSFERRED TO THE MEDIUM
SECURITY FACILITY IN MISSION.
SHE HASN'T HEARD FROM HIM AND
SAID THAT SHE'S UP ALL NIGHT
WORRIED.
>> NOT SLEEPING, OF COURSE, NOT
SLEEPING.
WONDERING -- OF COURSE I'M GOING
TO BE WONDERING IF HE'S SICK.
>> Reporter: FEDERAL OFFICIALS
SAY THEY CAN'T HAND OUT ANY
HEALTH INFORMATION DUE TO
PRIVACY LAWS, ADDING THE
INMATES ARE STILL ALLOWED TO
MAKE A PHONE CALL EVERY DAY.
BUT ADVOCATES SAY THAT IT'S BEEN
VERY DIFFICULT TO GET
INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONDITIONS
INSIDE OF THE FACILITY.
>> WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE CARE
ABOUT PRISONERS' HUMAN RIGHTS
AND SAFETY, IF COVID-19 SPREADS
THROUGH THE PRISON -- STAFF ARE
GOING IN AND OUT OF THE PRISON,
AND IT'S GOING TO INFECT PEOPLE
IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> Reporter: BECAUSE THE
OUTBREAK SPREADING IN THE
INSTITUTION COULD CERTAINLY MOVE
BEYOND THE PRISON WALLS.
BRIAR STEWART, CBC NEWS,
VANCOUVER.
>> Ian: CANADA NOW HAS MORE THAN
24,000 CONFIRMED CASES.
AND COVID-19 HAS BEEN LINKED TO
764 DEATHS IN THE COUNTRY.
BUT THE PICTURE IS FAR FROM
HOPELESS.
FOR MORE THAN A WEEK NOW THE
RATE OF NEW CASES IN CANADA HAS
BEEN RELATIVELY FLAT.
THAT IS STILL UP TO 1,600 NEW
CONFIRMED INFECTIONS A DAY.
AND THAT RATE COULD
ACCELERATE AGAIN AT ANY TIME.
ONTARIO AND QUÉBEC HAVE THE
MAJORITY OF CANADA'S CASES, THE
THIRD LARGEST OUTBREAK IS IN
ALBERTA.
BUT AS CAROLYN DUNN SHOWS US,
SHE SHOWS US HOW THAT PROVINCE
LEADS THE COUNTRY, EVEN THE
WORLD, IN COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS.
>> Reporter: WHILE SEVERAL
CANADIAN PROVINCES ARE RUNNING
OUT OF LIFE-SAVING MEDICAL
EQUIPMENT, ALBERTA HAS PLENTY.
AND IT'S SHARING.
>> I FOR ONE WILL NOT SIT HERE
ON -- WITH NINE MASSIVE
WAREHOUSES OF EQUIPMENT THAT IS
FULL IF WE SEE A FEW DAYS FROM
NOW THAT OUR FELLOW CANADIANS
OVERWHELMED IN POTENTIALLY IN
THEIR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM BECAUSE
OF A SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES.
>> Reporter: TO ONTARIO,
250,000 N95 VENTILATOR MASKS.
2.5 MILLION SURGICAL MASKS.
15 MILLION GLOVES.
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF GOOGLES.
AND 50 COVETED VENTILATORS.
>> TO QUÉBEC, 250,000 MASKS, TWO
MILLION SURGICAL MASKS AND
15 MILLION GLOVES.
AND TO B.C., 250,000 MASKS.
THIS MAN HAS BECOME AN UNLIKELY
HERO OF THE STORY.
HE AND HIS PROCUREMENT TEAM WITH
ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES SAW THE
PANDEMIC COMING AND STARTED
GOBBLING UP MEDICAL SUPPLIES IN
DECEMBER.
THEY BEGAN USING LONG HEALTH
CONNECTIONS TO FIND SUPPLIERS IN
CHINA, EVEN AS THE VIRUS WAS
TAKING GRIP THERE.
PROFESSOR ANN SNOWDON STUDIES
HEALTH SUPPLY CHAINS AND HAS
RANKED ALBERTA AS A GLOBAL
LEADER.
>> ALBERTA HAS ONE OF THE MOST
HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED AND
DIGITIZED SUPPLY CHAIN
INFRASTRUCTURES THAT I CAN FIND
IN THE WORLD.
>> Reporter: THAT MEANS
ALBERTA IS EVEN NOW RECEIVING
GIANT SHIPMENTS OF POLITICAL
-- MEDICAL SUPPLIES IT HAD THE
FORESIGHT TO
ORDER BEFORE PANIC STRUCK.
AND IT HAS PLEDGED TO SHARE WITH
OTHER PROVINCES WHAT IT DOESN'T
NEED.
CAROLYN DUNN, CBC NEWS, CALGARY.
>> Ian: MEANWHILE A WAY OF
MAKING THOSE CRUCIAL N95 MASKS
LAST A LITTLE LONGER IS BEING
EXPLORED IF IT CAN BE SAFELY
DONE.
SALIMAH SHIVJI TAKES A CLOSER
LOOK.
>> Reporter: IT'S A WORRY IN
EVERY HOSPITAL, WITH MANY
RATIONING THEIR SUPPLIES.
>> WE BURN THEM OUT BY USING
THEM WILLY-NILLY FOR EVERY
PATIENT IN THE EMERGENCY
DEPARTMENT.
THAT MEANS THAT WE'RE GOING TO
CONDEMN SOME OF OUR
PHYSICIANS AND NURSES TO
IMMINENT RISK OF HARM.
>> Reporter: THE PROBLEM --
THE N95 MEDICAL MASKS AREN'T
DESIGNED TO BE REUSED.
BUT WITH THE GLOBAL SCRAMBLE FOR
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT,
HOSPITALS HERE ARE NOW BEING
TOLD TO STORE THEIR USED MASKS
TO USE WHEN BRAND-NEW
STERILIZATION METHODS CATCH UP
TO A VIRUS SPREADING SO FAST.
>> IT'S ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT AND I THINK
WORTHWHILE LINES OF PURSUIT FOR
P.P.E. RIGHT NOW.
>> Reporter: THIS OTTAWA
HOSPITAL STARTED RESEARCHING
WAYS TO STERILIZE N95 MASKS LAST
MONTH.
>> WE HAD A TEAM OF PEOPLE
WORKING ON THIS ALMOST AROUND
THE CLOCK FOR LIKE TWO WEEKS.
WE'RE BASICALLY GOING TO SCREEN
A THOUSAND POSSIBLE STUDIES IN
THE COURSE OF A DAY.
>> Reporter: THEY'RE PLANNING
TO GO WITH SPECIAL U.V. LIGHTS
THAT KILL THE VIRUS BUT DON'T
DAMAGE THE MASK'S FILTER.
RESEARCH ALSO SHOWS A PROCESS
USING HYDROGEN
PEROXIDE VAPOURS MIGHT WORK.
OR INTENSE HEAT ACTING LIKE A
PRESSURE COOKER FOR MASKS.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS
EXAMINING THE RESEARCH AND IT'S
IN TALKS WITH THE COMPANIES THAT
USE GAMA RADIATION TO
STERILIZE SINGLE-USE MEDICAL
DEVICES, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT
IF IT'S POSSIBLE TO ADAPT THE
TECHNOLOGY FOR N95 MASKS.
BUT ALL OF THIS HINGES ON HEALTH
CANADA'S APPROVAL.
QUÉBEC ISN'T WAITING.
IT ALREADY SENT ADVICE TO ITS
HOSPITALS, TELLING THEM TO
STERILIZE MASKS USING ANOTHER
METHOD FAST-TRACKED IN THE U.S.
BECAUSE OF COVID-19.
ONTARIO'S PREMIER IS SOUNDING A
LITTLE MORE CAUTIOUS.
>> IT'S BACK-UP.
WE HAVE TO HAVE EVERY OPTION
POSSIBLE OUT THERE.
BUT RIGHT NOW WE AREN'T AT THAT
POINT.
>> Reporter: NOT AT THAT POINT
YET.
HEALTH CANADA SAYS THAT THEY'RE
WORKING URGENTLY ON THIS AND
IT'S WILLING TO FAST TRACK
APPROVAL THAT WOULD NORMALLY
TAKE MONTHS.
SALIMAH SHIVJI, CBC NEWS,
OTTAWA.
>> Ian: ANITA BATHE IS FOLLOWING
STORIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR
US TONIGHT, STARTING HERE IN
B.C. WHERE A
MAN IS APOLOGIZING FOR SOME
BIZARRE CONDUCT.
>> Reporter: IAN, HE'S FACED A
LOT OF BACKLASH AND IT'S ALL
OVER THIS VIDEO.
TAKE A LOOK.
IT APPEARS TO SHOW HIM SPITTING
ON THE BUTTONS IN A VANCOUVER
CONDO ELEVATOR.
A RESIDENT OF THE BUILDING
TWEETED THE FOOTAGE, ACCUSING
HIM OF
ENDANGERING EVERYONE IN THE
BUILDING.
TODAY THE MAN, WHO WE ARE NOT
NAMING, RELEASED A STATEMENT
THROUGH HIS LAWYER.
HE SAYS THAT IT HAPPENED IN A
MOMENTARY FIT OF ANGER BECAUSE
OF AN ONGOING DISPUTE WITH THE
CONDO BOARD.
IT IS DIFFICULT TO EXPRESS HOW
HORRIFIED I FEEL, ESPECIALLY
GIVEN THE PANDEMIC.
I HAVE NO CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS
AND NO HEALTH ISSUES.
I HAVE BEEN KEEPING MY DISTANCE
FROM OTHERS AS REQUIRED.
ALL I CAN DO IS EXPRESS HOW
SORRY I AM THAT THIS HAPPENED
AND TO ASSURE NOTHING LIKE THIS
WILL EVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
AND TURNING TO THE EAST COAST,
TWO NEW CASES OF COVID IN NEW
BRUNSWICK WITH TWO MORE PEOPLE
HOSPITALIZED.
NOVA SCOTIA IS REPORTING 17 NEW
CASES TODAY,
ALONG WITH A WARNING FOR PEOPLE
IN HALIFAX ABOUT A POTENTIAL
EXPOSURE AT G STREET PIZZA ON
APRIL 4 AND 6.
PUBLIC HEALTH IS CONTACTING
ANYONE WHO MAY HAVE BEEN IN
CONTACT WITH AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAD
TESTED POSITIVE.
FINALLY TONIGHT, A WINNIPEG
MEDICAL TEAM HAS DESIGNED A NEW
MASK FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS.
IT COULD HELP TO REPLACE THE N95
MASKS THAT PROVINCES HAVE BEEN
RUNNING OUT OF.
THE MASK IS REUSABLE AND IT IS
JUST AS EFFECTIVE AS
COMMERCIALLY
PRODUCED N95 MASKS.
IAN?
>> Ian: THANKS, ANITA.
>>> IN THE TIME OF COVID-19, A
HOLIDAY WEEKEND POSES
FRESH CHALLENGES, ESPECIALLY
WHEN TYPICALLY THIS INCLUDES
RELIGIOUS SERVICES, FAMILY
GATHERINGS, AND SPRING WEATHER.
BUT AS TALIA RICCI EXPLAINS, IN
SOME PLACES POLICE AND HEALTH
OFFICIALS WERE READY TO
REINFORCE THE RULES.
(*)
* HALLELUJAH 
>> Reporter: OLD TRADITIONS
ARE THRIVING IN BRAND-NEW WAYS.
>> HISTORICALLY PANDEMICS HAVE
FORCED HUMANS TO BREAK WITH THE
PAST AND TO IMAGINE THEIR WORLD
ANEW.
(*)
>> Reporter: EASTER SUNDAY
SERVICES WERE ATTENDED
VIRTUALLY.
>> THE DAY OF RESURRECTION...
>> LOOKING FOR EASTER EGGS.
>> Reporter: CHOCOLATE TREATS
WERE HUNTED WITH THE HELP OF
DRONES.
AND BAKED GOODS WERE PURCHASED
WITH PHYSICAL DISTANCING IN
MIND.
>> PEOPLE LINED UP AT STORES AND
SPACED OUT SIX FEET APART.
AND PEOPLE TAKING THEIR TURN,
HONOURING THAT.
>> Reporter: FOR THOSE WHO
AREN'T, OFFICERS HAVE BEEN OUT
ON HORSES, BIKES AND ON FOOT
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, REMINDING
THE PUBLIC OF THE RULES.
>> SO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DOING
IS MOVING
TOWARDS A ZERO TOLERANCE WITH
SOME COMMON SENSE.
>> Reporter: POLICE ALSO SAY
THAT WEATHER PLAYS A ROLE.
PEOPLE TEND TO BREAK PHYSICAL
DISTANCING RULES MORE WHEN IT'S
WARMER OUTSIDE.
IN TORONTO, 2,500 WARNINGS AND
MORE
THAN 50 TICKETS HAVE BEEN HANDED
OUT OVER THE LAST WEEK.
IN QUÉBEC, HUNDREDS OF TICKETS
HAVE BEEN ISSUED.
A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS ARE IN
PARKS.
POLICE REMINDING THE PUBLIC THAT
CUTTING LOCKS OR REMOVING
BARRICADES IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
>> MOST OF THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN
COMPLIANT, HOWEVER, WE SEE SOME
CASES WHERE PEOPLE DON'T GET IT.
>> Reporter: BUT MANY HAVE
ADAPTED TO A NEW NORMAL.
EVEN ON THIS FIRST HOLIDAY
WEEKEND OF THE PANDEMIC.
IN VANCOUVER, PARISHONERS USED A
DRIVE-THRU FOR CONFESSIONS.
>> WHICH ALLOWS SOMEONE TO
REMAIN IN THEIR VEHICLE AND HAVE
THEIR CONFESSION HEARD AS THEY
TELL THE PRIEST THEIR SINS AND
THE PRIEST WILL ABSOLVE THEM AND
THEN THEY DRIVE AWAY.
>> Reporter: AS CANADIANS
CONTINUE FINDING CREATIVE WAYS
TO STAY APART AT A TIME WHEN
PEOPLE TYPICALLY COME TOGETHER.
>> HAPPY EASTER!
>> Reporter: TALIA RICCI, CBC
NEWS, TORONTO.
>> Ian: DONALD TRUMP HAD HOPED
THAT LIFE WOULD BE BACK TO
NORMAL BY TODAY.
INSTEAD, THE UNITED STATES HAS
HIT A DUBIOUS MILESTONE IN THIS
PANDEMIC.
AND SOME PEOPLE FEEL THAT HIS
ACTIONS, OR LACK OF THEM,
MAY HAVE BEEN PARTLY
RESPONSIBLE.
AMERICA ALREADY HAS THE MOST
KNOWN CASES IN THE WORLD, MORE
THAN HALF A MILLION.
NOW IT SURPASSED ITALY TO RANK
FIRST IN TOTAL DEATHS,
NEARLY 22,000.
PAUL HUNTER WITH A LOOK AT WHAT
DELAYED A PREVENTION STRATEGY.
>> Reporter: UNOCCUPIED FOR
THE MOMENT, IT'S THE LATEST
GIANT AD HOC MEDICAL CENTRE,
THIS ONE IN HOUSTON, WAITING AND
BRACING FOR YET MORE AMERICANS
TO BECOME INFECTED.
THIS AS THE U.S. HAS NOW BECOME
THE WORLD'S LEADING COUNTRY FOR
COVID-19 DEATHS.
MORE HERE THAN ANYWHERE ELSE.
>> President Donald Trump:
WE'RE GETTING RID OF THE PLAGUE.
IT'S A PLAGUE ON OUR COUNTRY
LIKE NOBODY HAS EVER SEEN.
>> Reporter: AND EVEN THOUGH
IN HIS ANNUAL EASTER SUNDAY
MESSAGE, DONALD TRUMP TODAY PUT
ON AN OPTIMISTIC FACE --
>> President Donald Trump:
WE'RE WINNING THE BATTLE.
WE'RE WINNING THE WAR.
WE HAVE A LOT TO BE THANKFUL
FOR.
HAPPY EASTER, EVERYBODY.
>> Reporter: IT CAME AMID
FRESH REPORTING SUGGESTING THAT
IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE VIRUS
TRUMP BUNGLED THE U.S. RESPONSE
TO IT.
CITING DOZENS OF SOURCES IN OR
CLOSE TO THE WHITE HOUSE, THE
"THE NEW YORK TIMES" AND THE
"WASHINGTON POST" REPORTED TODAY
THAT TRUMP WAS WARNED FORCEFULLY
OF THE THREAT OF CORONAVIRUS BUT
FAILED TO ACT QUICKLY.
SAY THE REPORTS, AT THE TIME HE
PAID MORE ATTENTION TO HIS
IMPEACHMENT TRIAL, HIS PROSPECTS
AT RE-ELECTION AND REGULATIONS
ON VAPING.
ADDING, WHEN INFECTIONS AND
DEATHS IN AMERICA SOARED, TRUMP
SEEMED BAFFLED, DESPITE THE
MULTIPLE WARNINGS.
>> YOU COULD HAVE SAVED LIVES --
>> Reporter: ANTHONY FAUCI,
LEAD SCIENTIST IN THE WHITE
HOUSE CORONAVIRUS TASK FORCE,
WAS
ASKED TODAY WHETHER EARLIER
GUIDANCE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE ON
PHYSICAL DISTANCING WOULD HAVE
SAVED AMERICAN LIVES.
>> OBVIOUSLY IF WE HAD RIGHT
FROM THE VERY BEGINNING SHUT
EVERYTHING DOWN IT MAY HAVE BEEN
A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.
BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF
PUSHBACK ABOUT SHUTTING THINGS
DOWN BACK THEN.
>> Reporter: MEANWHILE THERE'S
NOW INCREASING TALK OF A GRADUAL
REOPENING OF THE U.S. ECONOMY,
MAYBE BEGINNING NEXT MONTH.
SO SAY TRUMP'S MEDICAL ADVISORS,
THAT WOULD DEPEND ON HOW THE
VIRUS SPREADS OR STALLS IN THE
NEXT FEW WEEKS.
AND AS WELL CRUCIALLY HOW TRUMP
INTERPRETS THAT.
PAUL HUNTER, CBC NEWS,
WASHINGTON.
>> Ian: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER
BORIS JOHNSON WAS RELEASED FROM
A LONDON HOSPITAL TODAY.
HE'D BEEN THERE A WEEK, SOME IN
I.C.U. SUFFERING FROM COVID-19.
AND IN A VIDEO MESSAGE POSTED ON
TWITTER, HE GAVE A MAJOR SHOUT
OUT TO THE
COUNTRY'S HEALTH SERVICE.
>> WE WILL WIN BECAUSE OUR
N.H.S. IS THE BEATING HEART OF
THIS COUNTRY.
IT IS THE BEST OF THIS COUNTRY
AND IT IS UNCOMPARABLE, IT IS
POWERED BY LOVE.
>> Ian: JOHNSON WILL CONTINUE
HIS RECOVERY AT CHECKERS, THE
OFFICIAL COUNTRY RESIDENCE FOR
BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTERS.
>>> SOME WELCOME NEWS TODAY FOR
CANADA'S BATTERED ENERGY SECTOR.
THE OPEC CARTEL AND OTHER OIL
PRODUCERS HAVE REACHED A DEAL TO
CUT THE PRODUCTION BY ABOUT 10%.
IN A STATEMENT THE MINISTER OF
NATURAL RESOURCES SEAMUS O'REGAN
SAID, "THIS IS GOOD, WE WELCOME
ANY NEWS THAT BRINGS STABILITY
TO GLOBAL OIL MARKETS.
CANADA IS COMMITTED TO ACHIEVING
PRICE CERTAINTY AND ECONOMIC
STABILITY."
>>> WE'VE ALL BEEN TALKING ABOUT
THE STRESS AND STRAIN ON HEALTH
CARE WORKERS, BUT WE HAVEN'T HAD
A CHANCE TO SEE THEM IN ACTION,
UNTIL NOW.
"THE NATIONAL" GOT RARE ACCESS
TO THE E.R. AND I.C.U. AT
TORONTO'S HUMBER RIVER HOSPITAL,
BRINGING A CAMERA INSIDE FOR A
SPECIAL DOCUMENTARY REPORT
AIRING TOMORROW NIGHT.
ADRIENNE ARSENAULT WILL SHOW US
THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19
FOLLOWING A HEALTH CARE TEAM
THROUGH A FULL SHIFT, WITNESSING
THEIR CHALLENGES.
SHE FINDS SOME GOOD NEWS AND
ALSO SOME EXTRAORDINARILY TOUGH
MOMENTS.
>> HE CAME IN WITH A SHORTNESS
OF BREATH AND A
COVID FEVER.
>> Adrienne: ONE SHIFT IN ONE
HOSPITAL.
DOES THIS MAKE YOU NERVOUS?
>> YES.
IT'S VERY STRESSFUL.
I WOULD BE LYING IF I SAID I
WASN'T NERVOUS.
>> Adrienne: IN THE MIDDLE OF
ONE GLOBAL CRISIS.
HUMBER RIVER HOSPITAL IS AMONG
THE MOST PREPARED ON THE
CONTINENT, AND STILL THERE'S
FEAR.
SO THIS AMBULANCE COMING IN HERE
IS CARRYING A PATIENT WHO THEY
JUST ANNOUNCED THAT CODED EN
ROUTE.
SO IT'S AN 81-YEAR-OLD AND
EVERYONE HERE IS READY WITH
THEIR P.P.E. BECAUSE THEY JUST
DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO
FACE.
>> I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW
WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO US
ALL EVERY DAY.
>> Adrienne: WORRIED FOR
THEMSELVES AND BROKENHEARTED FOR
PATIENTS BECAUSE COVID IS CRUEL.
PEOPLE ARE DYING WITH NO FAMILY
THERE.
>> WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING THAT
WE CAN FOR THE PEOPLE THAT YOU
LOVE, AND IT HURTS US THAT YOU
CAN'T BE HERE WITH THEM.
>> Adrienne: INSIDE THE FIGHT
AGAINST COVID.
THAT'S TOMORROW ON "THE
NATIONAL."
>> Ian: CRITICISM IS MOUNTING IN
FRANCE AFTER THE VIRUS KILLED
MORE THAN 14,000 PEOPLE.
MANY OF THEM IN LONG-TERM CARE
HOMES.
>> THE GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE TO
BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY'VE
DONE OR NOT DONE.
>> Ian: STILL AHEAD, WHAT CAN WE
LEARN FROM THE FRENCH EXAMPLES?
WE PUT MORE OF YOUR QUESTIONS TO
OUR EXPERTS.
NEXT, HOW MANY A-SYMPTOMATIC
PEOPLE COULD BE OUT THERE?
>>> AND CHICAGO'S MAYOR IS GOING
OUT OF HER WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT
PEOPLE GET THE MESSAGE.
>> AND I ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOW
AND I SAID, HEY, YOU'RE TOO
CLOSE.
>> Ian: WE'RE BACK RIGHT AFTER
THIS.
(*)
(*)
>> Ian: WELCOME BACK.
IT'S THAT TIME IN THE PROGRAMME
WHERE WE PUT YOUR QUESTIONS TO
OUR PANEL OF DOCTORS.
AND TONIGHT THERE ARE QUESTIONS
THAT SOME OF YOU TWEETED TO ME
AND PROVIDING THE ANSWERS IS
DR. MICHAEL CURRY, AN EMERGENCY
ROOM DOCTOR IN THE VANCOUVER
SUBURB OF DELTA.
AND IN EDMONTON, DR. LYNORA
SAXINGER, AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE
EXPERT.
AND, DR. SAXINGER, A FIRST
QUESTION TO YOU.
IS THERE A BALLPARK ESTIMATE OF
THE NUMBER OF A-SYMPTOMATIC
PEOPLE WALKING AROUND, GIVEN
ONLY THOSE PRESENTING SYMPTOMS
ARE BEING TESTED?
>> THIS IS ACTUALLY PRETTY MUCH
THE MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION
RIGHT NOW.
AND YOU CAN FIND DATA FROM
VARIOUS SOURCES THAT GIVES
NUMBERS ANYWHERE FROM 5% TO 80%.
THE MORE RELIABLE DATA LOOKS
LIKE IT'S PROBABLY 10% OR LESS.
BUT IT REALLY IS AN EVOLUTION,
BECAUSE ONE BIG ISSUE
IS THAT SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON'T
HAVE SYMPTOMS AT THE POINT OF
TESTING, BUT THEN THEY GO ON TO
HAVE
SYMPTOMS A SHORT TIME LATER.
SO PRE-SYMPTOMATIC AND
A-SYMPTOMATIC ARE NOT THE SAME
THING.
AND IT TELLS US HOW WE MIGHT DO
HEALTH MEASURES AND IF SCREENING
FOR SYMPTOMS IS REALLY AS USEFUL
AS WE THINK.
SO THE STORY IS STILL NOT CLEAR,
I'LL BE HONEST.
AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE CLEARER
SOON.
>> Ian: MORE TESTING.
WE'RE ALL EAGER TO SEE MORE
DATA FROM MORE TESTING.
DR. CURRY, NEXT QUESTION FOR
YOU.
HOW DO THE DOCTORS ANTICIPATE
THAT WE RETURN TO A NEW
NORMAL -- TEMPERATURE CHECKS IN
EVERY WORKPLACE UNTIL A VACCINE
IS FOUND?
>> WELL, I THINK THAT IT'S GOING
TO BE
A PHASED RETURN TO NORMAL.
BUT THERE'S TWO BIG VARIABLES
THAT
ARE GOING TO HAVE A BIG IMPACT
ON HOW WE DO THAT.
THE FIRST IS ANTIBODY TESTING.
THAT MAY LET US KNOW WHO HAS
BEEN
EXPOSED TO IT AND PRESUMABLY MAY
BE IMMUNE TO THE COVID
INFECTION.
THE OTHER ISSUE IS WHETHER A
VACCINE BECOMES AVAILABLE.
FOR NOW, IT WILL PROBABLY BE A
PHASED RETURN AS CASE NUMBERS
DWINDLE AND WE'RE ABLE TO TEST
AND IDENTIFY AND ISOLATE CASES.
BUT GOOD ANTIBODY TESTING SHOWS
IMMUNITY OR A VACCINE WOULD
CHANGE THOSE PLANS DRAMATICALLY.
>> Ian: ALL RIGHT.
DR. SAXINGER, IF YOU GET
SICK WITH COVID AND YOU RECOVER
AND THE SYMPTOMS RESOLVE, HOW
LONG AFTER THE SYMPTOMS GO AWAY
ARE YOU NO LONGER SHEDDING
VIRUS?
>> SO THIS IS A SUPER IMPORTANT
POINT WHICH IS THAT THE TESTS
THAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE MOST
ARE ACTUALLY TESTING A FRAGMENT
OF THE VIRUS, AND THOSE ARE
USUALLY THE SWABS.
THOSE CAN REMAIN POSITIVE FOR A
VERY LONG TIME.
AND THAT CAN SOUND KIND OF
SCARY.
IN THE PUBLICATIONS WHERE THEY
HAVE TAKEN THE STEP OF ALSO
LOOKING FOR VIRUS THEY CAN GROW
IN CULTURES, THE TIME IS MUCH
SHORTER.
SO IN ONE PARTICULARLY GOOD
STUDY, IT LOOKED LIKE IN A
MODERATELY SICK GROUP OF PEOPLE
THAT THE VIRUS COULD BE FOUND
OVER THE FIRST WEEK OR SO.
AND THEN OVER THE NEXT TWO
WEEKS, SO WEEKS TWO TO THREE OF
ILLNESS, WE SAW AN ANTIBODY
RESPONSE GOING UP.
AND WE STILL SAW THAT YOU COULD
STILL DETECT THAT FRAGMENT OF
THE VIRUS FOR A LONGER TIME.
MOSTLY WE THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE
GENERALLY MOST INFECTIOUS WITHIN
THE FIRST WEEK OF SYMPTOMS AND
THEN IT PROBABLY DECLINES AFTER
THAT.
>> Ian: ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE ABOUT
HALF A MINUTE LEFT.
SO LET ME ASK
YOU THIS QUESTION, DR. CURRY.
YOU ARE WORKING AT THE DELTA
EMERGENCY ROOM JUST OUTSIDE OF
VANCOUVER.
WHAT ARE YOU SEEING THESE DAYS
IN TERMS OF COVID-19?
>> SO OUR NUMBERS ARE ACTUALLY
DOWN IN TERMS OF PATIENTS
PRESENTING.
BUT WITH ALMOST EVERY PATIENT
COMING IN, COVID IS A
POSSIBILITY THAT WE HAVE TO
CONSIDER.
SO OUR VOLUMES ARE DOWN,
HOWEVER, THE COVID CASES ARE
COMING IN AND THEY'RE COMING IN
WITH VERY UNUSUAL PRESENTATIONS.
WE'VE GOT TO KEEP OUR GUARD
UP FOR EVERY PATIENT THAT COMES
IN.
>> Ian: AND DR. SAXINGER, CAN I
QUICKLY ASK YOU, WHAT'S THE
PROSPECTIVE FROM EDMONTON?
>> WE'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB
I THINK OF MAKING SURE THAT WE
HAVE CAPACITY FOR A POTENTIAL
SURGE IN CASES.
BUT WE REALLY HAVEN'T SEEN A
TRUE SURGE YET.
WE'RE SEEING INCREASING NUMBERS
AND PEOPLE COMING INTO THE
INTENSIVE CARE UNIT, BUT NOWHERE
NEAR THE CATASTROPHIC FEATURES
THAT YOU SEE IN THE HARD-HIT
AREAS.
SO IT FEELS EERILY QUIET AT THE
MOMENT, HONESTLY.
>> Ian: WELL, OF COURSE WE ALL
HOPE THAT WILL CONTINUE.
THANK YOU BOTH VERY MUCH THIS
EVENING.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU, IAN.
>> Ian: WE'LL KEEP ASKING YOUR
QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID-19 EACH
NIGHT ON "THE NATIONAL."
YOU CAN SEND THOSE QUESTIONS TO
US, MESSAGE US DIRECTLY ON
INSTAGRAM @CBCTHENATIONAL OR
SEND US AN EMAIL AT
COVID@CBC.CA.
>>> NEXT ON "THE NATIONAL," HOW
OTHER COUNTRIES ARE COPING WITH
COVID.
CRITICS SAY THAT FRANCE WASTED
TIME, DESPITE THE EXAMPLES OF
ITALY
AND SPAIN RIGHT NEXT DOOR, SO
WHAT CAN WE LEARN?
>>> FIRST, NEVER BEFORE HAS
KEEPING THINGS CLEAN BEEN SO
IMPORTANT.
SO HERE'S ANDREW WITH HIS LATEST
HOW-TO GUIDE ABOUT THE SAFEST
WAY TO USE THE LAUNDROMAT.
(*)
>> Andrew: EVEN IN A PANDEMIC
YOU'VE STILL GOT TO DO LAUNDRY
AND MAYBE YOU'RE RELYING ON A
SHARED WASHER AND DRYER.
SO WHAT'S THE RISK?
WELL, TWO THINGS THAT YOU HAVE
TO
CONSIDER -- THE INSIDE OF THE
MACHINE AND THE OUTSIDE.
AS FAR AS THE INSIDE GOES, THE
NICE THING ABOUT DOING LAUNDRY
IS THAT LITERALLY EVERY LOAD
THAT YOU DO YOU'RE WASHING THE
INSIDE OF THE MACHINE.
IT'S KIND OF LIKE WHEN YOU WASH
YOUR HANDS.
THE SOAP DISMANTLES THE VIRUS
AND WASHES IT DOWN THE DRAIN.
IN HERE, THE SAME THING.
>> WHEN IT COMES TO BEING IN THE
LAUNDRY ROOM, WHICH IS A
SHARED FACILITY, PRACTISE YOUR
SOCIAL DISTANCING, KEEP YOUR TWO
METRE DISTANCE.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE WASHING
YOUR HANDS EITHER WITH SOAP AND
WATER
BEFORE AND AFTER OR WITH THE
ALCOHOL DISINFECTANT.
>> Andrew: THAT'S ESPECIALLY
IMPORTANT SINCE DOING LAUNDRY
INVOLVES TOUCHING SO MANY
THINGS.
>> Ian: THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
MAY BE GLOBAL BUT THE IMPACT OF
THE
RESPONSE IS LOCAL.
>> THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE KNOW
WHAT CAN WORK.
>> Ian: EVERY WEEK "THE
NATIONAL" LOOKS AT THE
TECHNIQUES TRIED, FROM THE
CATASTROPHIC STUMBLES --
>> WE WERE THE FIRST SO WE WERE
UNPREPARED.
>> Ian: TO THE GAMBLES --
>> WE ARE STRUGGLING TO STAY
AHEAD OF THE COVID PANDEMIC.
>> Ian: AND THE FRAGILE
SUCCESSES.
AND TONIGHT WE LOOK AT FRANCE
WITH MORE THAN 133,000
CONFIRMED CASES, AND MORE THAN
14,000 DEATHS.
ITS OUTBREAK IS ONE OF THE
WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST LETHAL.
TERENCE McKENNA HAS THE LESSON
FROM FRANCE THAT THE CORONAVIRUS
CAN'T BE FOUGHT BY CONFIDENCE
ALONE.
(*)
>> Reporter: EMMANUEL MACRON
OPENED UP HIS OFFICIAL VISIT TO
ITALY ON FEBRUARY 26th WITH A
BIG KISS FOR PRIME MINISTER
GUISEPPE CONTE AND THEN A LITTLE
NOSE WIPE AND HE WAS OFF FOR
A 20-MINUTE ROUND OF
HANDSHAKING IN THE STREETS OF
NAPLES.
EVEN THOUGH THE ITALIAN
CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK WAS ALREADY
BIG NEWS THERE.
AND HERE HE IS IN PARIS ON MARCH
9, ON THE DAY THAT NEIGHBOURING
ITALY WAS LOCKED DOWN.
HE'S STROLLING WITH HIS WIFE
TELLING RESTAURANT PATRONS HE
WANTED TO "SEND A MESSAGE OF
CONFIDENCE TO THE FRENCH
ECONOMY."
IN RETROSPECT, NOT SUCH A GREAT
IDEA.
FRANCE IS NOW AMONG THE WORST
PERFORMING COUNTRIES AT HANDLING
THE OUTBREAK.
>> SO IN FRANCE, THE FRENCH
PRESIDENT IS LIKE A KING.
HE'S A REPUBLICAN KING.
>> Reporter: MATHIEU
MAGNAUDEIX IS ONE OF
FRANCE'S TOP INVESTIGATION
JOURNALISTS.
>> IT'S VERY CLEAR THAT THEY
DIDN'T GRASP HOW IMPORTANT THE
SITUATION WAS.
AND IT'S A FAILURE OF THE WHOLE
SYSTEM.
IT'S A FAILURE OF THE FRENCH
EXECUTIVE POWER AND ESPECIALLY
THE PRESIDENT.
>> Reporter: OCCASIONALLY THE
PRESIDENT WAS CHALLENGED LIKE ON
THIS EARLY VISIT TO A FRENCH
HOSPITAL.
>> [Speaking French]
>> Reporter: THE DOCTOR TOLD
HIM THAT THE PUBLIC HOSPITALS
WERE EFFECTIVELY ON FIRE LIKE
THE SAME AS NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL
AND NEEDED HIS IMMEDIATE
ATTENTION.
>> [Speaking French]
>> [Speaking French]
>> SO WE BASICALLY LOST TWO OR
THREE MONTHS, THREE VERY
IMPORTANT MONTHS, WHERE WE COULD
HAVE HELPED TO PREVENT THIS
PANDEMIC FROM GETTING BIGGER AND
BIGGER IN FRANCE.
SO THERE'S A LOT OF ANGER IN
FRANCE RIGHT NOW ABOUT WHAT OUR
GOVERNMENT HAS DONE.
>> Reporter: WELL, IT WASN'T
ALL THE GOVERNMENT'S FAULT.
WHEN MACRON FINALLY WENT ON TV
ON MARCH
12th TO ANNOUNCE THAT HE WAS
CLOSING SCHOOLS AND CALLING FOR
SOCIAL DISTANCING BECAUSE FRANCE
WAS NOW AT WAR WITH COVID-19,
THE VERY NEXT DAY THE PUBLIC
FLOODED INTO PARISIAN TERRACES
AND COURTYARDS TO ENJOY THE
SUNSHINE WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND
RELATIVES.
THEY SEEMED TO PAY NO ATTENTION
TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT FRANCE
COULD SHARE ITALY'S HORRIBLE
FATE.
>> [Speaking French]
>> Reporter: DR. KATHLEEN HILL
IS A
LEADING FRENCH EPIDEMIOLOGIST.
>> THERE WAS NO REASON THAT WE
WOULDN'T BE THE SAME AS EVERYONE
ELSE.
PEOPLE JUST HOPED FOR THE BEST
AND THEY TALKED ABOUT THE
ITALIAN SCENARIO AS IT WAS, YOU
KNOW, LIKE A WESTERN MOVIE MADE
BY
ITALIANS OR SOMETHING EXOTIC.
IT'S REALLY RIDICULOUS.
YOU KNOW, THE SAME CAUSES TEND
TO HAVE THE SAME CONSEQUENCES.
>> Reporter: SURE ENOUGH, THE
CONSEQUENCES HAVE ARRIVED.
THERE IS A TIDAL WAVE OF
COVID-19 PATIENTS OVERWHELMING
THE HOSPITALS.
ERIC MAURY IS AN INTENSIVE CARE
DOCTOR.
>> WE IN FRANCE HAVE AROUND
5,000 I.C.U. BEDS AND ACTUALLY
THERE IS MORE THAN 7,000
PATIENTS REQUIRING I.C.U.
SO WE ARE -- WE HAVE ACTUALLY
MORE THAN -- MORE PATIENTS THAN
FRANCE CAN TREAT IN I.C.U. BEDS.
>> Reporter: AS THE HOSPITALS
IN PARIS AND EASTERN FRANCE WERE
OVERWHELMED, THERE WAS A
MILITARY OPERATION TO TRANSPORT
PATIENTS TO LESS BUSY HOSPITALS
IN OTHER REGIONS AND IN OTHER
COUNTRIES.
>> SO THEY ASKED TO SEND THE
PATIENTS IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE
BY PLANE, BY TRAIN, TO THE
WESTERN PART OF
FRANCE, AND THEY SENT ALSO
PATIENTS IN GERMANY AND IN
SWITZERLAND AND LUXEMBOURG
BECAUSE IT WAS OVERWHELMED.
>> Reporter: THE COMPARISONS
TO OTHER COUNTRIES IS
ASTONISHING.
NEIGHBOURING GERMANY PERFORMED
FIVE TIMES PER CAPIT AT NUMBER
OF TESTS THAN FRANCE.
NOW FRANCE HAS SIX TIMES THE PER
CAPITA NUMBER OF GERMAN DEATHS
FROM COVID-19, 15 TIMES GREATER
THAN CANADA.
FRANCE CLAIMS TO HAVE A LOW
NUMBER OF CONFIRMED CASES.
EPIDEMIOLOGISTS DON'T BELIEVE
IT.
>> MY ESTIMATE IS THAT YOU HAVE
TO MULTIPLY THE PUBLISHED
FIGURES BY SOMETHING LIKE 50.
SO IT IS AN ENORMOUS, ENORMOUS
GAP.
>> Reporter: THERE WAS A
SCANDAL IN FRANCE WHEN IT
TURNED OUT THAT A MUCH DISCUSSED
STOCKPILE OF MASKS AND OTHER
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WAS FAR
SMALLER THAN PROMISED.
SO PRESIDENT MACRON TOURED A
MASS PRODUCTION LINE AND
PROMISED MORE WERE ON THE WAY.
INTENSIVE CARE DOCTORS SAY THEY
WILL REFUSE TO WORK WITHOUT
PROPER EQUIPMENT.
>> I WILL NOT SAY TO MY NURSES
AND TO MY RESIDENTS WHO SEE THE
PATIENTS IF WE HAVE NOT THE
PROTECTION TO TAKE CARE OF THE
PATIENTS.
IT'S OUT OF THE QUESTION.
>> Reporter: EVEN AS FRANCE IS
FLYING PATIENTS TO OTHER
COUNTRIES, THE GOVERNMENT IS
ANNOUNCING PLANS TO RETURN TO
NORMAL.
EXPERTS DOUBT THAT IS POSSIBLE
WITHOUT A MASSIVE INCREASE IN
TESTING.
>> SO HALF OF THIS ARE BY
INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT KNOW THAT
THEY ARE INFECTIOUS.
SO HOW -- AND THERE ARE MILLIONS
OF PEOPLE IN FRANCE WHO ARE
POSITIVE RIGHT NOW, SO HOW DO
YOU RELEASE THE QUARANTINE?
>> Reporter: LIKE CANADA,
FRANCE HAS A SHOCKINGLY HIGH
PROPORTION OF DEATHS IN NURSING
HOMES.
CURRENTLY PRESIDENT MACRON DID
NOT SEE THAT COMING EARLY ON
WHEN HE JOINED THE DINNER TABLE
AT A PARIS SENIORS' RESIDENCE
AND PAID NO ATTENTION TO SOCIAL
DISTANCING TO PROTECT THE
RESIDENTS.
TO MARK THE EASTER HOLIDAY,
PARIS' EASTER ARCHBISHOP MOUNTED
THE STAIRS AT THE BASILICA TO
PRONOUNCE A BLESSING ON THE
CITY.
BUT RESIDENTS ARE LIKELY PRAYING
THAT THE COUNTRY'S PERFORMANCE
DOES NOT GET EVEN WORSE THAN ITS
LAMENTABLE RECORD SO FAR.
TERENCE McKENNA, CBC NEWS,
TORONTO.
>> Ian: WE MAY BE PHYSICALLY
DISTANCING THESE DAYS, BUT MORE
THAN EVER IT SEEMS THAT PEOPLE
ARE REACHING OUT TO ONE ANOTHER.
>> OFFERING THESE FOR FREE JUST
SEEMS LIKE A NO-BRAINER.
>> Ian: NEXT, WHETHER IT'S
DONATING
TIME, EXPERTISE OR MONEY,
THERE'S PLENTY OF POSITIVITY OUT
THERE.
BUT FIRST, LIKE OTHER MAYORS
AROUND THE WORLD, LORI LIGHTFOOT
HAS THE SAME MESSAGE FOR HER
CITY.
>> PLEASE, PAY ATTENTION, STAY
HOME, SAVE LIVES.
>> Ian: BUT THE CHICAGO MAYOR
HAS EMBRACED CREATIVE WAYS TO
GET THAT MESSAGE OUT.
(*)
AND IT APPEARS THAT RESIDENTS
ARE LISTENING.
BECAUSE THE MAYOR SEEMS TO BE
POPPING UP EVERYWHERE.
AT CLOSED DOWN PARKS AND THE
WATERFRONT, ON FAMOUS
IMPRESSIONIST PAINTINGS AND IN
DIFFERENT NEIGHBOURHOODS.
BUT THIS WEEK SHE TOOK HER
MESSAGE ONE STEP FURTHER.
>> I ROLLED DOWN MY WINDOW AND
SAID, HEY, YOU'RE TOO CLOSE,
SEPARATE YOURSELF, SOCIAL
DISTANCING!
>> Ian: PERHAPS THE MOST DIRECT
WAY OF COMMUNICATING AND ONE
THAT THIS
MAYOR SAYS THAT SHE WON'T BE
AFRAID TO USE AGAIN.
HOWEVER, WE SHOULD NOTE THAT THE
MAYOR HERSELF WAS CRITICIZED
RECENTLY FOR GOING TO A HAIR
SALON.
* AMAZING GRACE 
>> Ian: RENOWNED OPERA SINGER
ANDREA BOCELLI'S VOICE RESONATED
THROUGH THE EMPTY STREETS OF
MILAN TODAY, BRINGING A MESSAGE
OF HOPE ON THIS EASTER SUNDAY.
AND HE WASN'T THE ONLY ONE USING
MUSIC TO COMFORT.
>> * AND JESUS STOOD BEFORE ME
WITH HIS ARMS HELD OPEN WIDE *
>> Ian: WHILE OTHERS LIKE THESE
FIREFIGHTERS IN WINNIPEG WENT
TO NEW HEIGHTS TO REACH ONE OF
THEIR OWN.
AND THEN THERE ARE THOSE WHO
LIFT SPIRITS BY DOING
ORDINARY THINGS FOR THOSE WHO
NEED THEM.
LIKE BABYSITTING FOR HEALTH CARE
WORKERS OR SHOPPING FOR
VULNERABLE SENIORS.
DAVID COMMON HAS MORE ON THOSE
WHO ARE DOING GOOD DEEDS.
>> WHAT I NEED TO GET TODAY ARE
THREE CUCUMBERS, ONE WHOLE RAW
CHICKEN --
>> Reporter: JASMINE SALI IS
ABOUT TO GRAB A WEEK'S WORTH OF
GROCERIES, SOMETHING THAT SHE'S
DOING TWICE A DAY.
>> THROUGH SOMETHING CALLED THE
FAMILY NEIGHBOURHOOD HOTLINE.
>> Reporter: THAT HOTLINE
CONNECTS VOLUNTEERS LIKE HER
WITH ISOLATED LOW-INCOME
SENIORS.
>> IF I CAN GET OUT TO SUPPORT
SOMEONE A LITTLE BIT, IT'S
SOMETHING THAT I FEEL THAT IS
REALLY IMPORTANT TO DO,
ESPECIALLY DURING THIS TIME.
>> Reporter: THE SENIORS STILL
PAY FOR THE GROCERIES BUT MANY
ARE HIGH RISK IF THEY VENTURE
OUTSIDE.
SO JASMINE HITS THE
STORE EVERY DAY FOR A DIFFERENT
PERSON.
THOUGH SHE KNOWS THAT INCREASES
THE RISK FOR HER.
>> WE'RE AVERAGING ABOUT 175
CALLS RIGHT NOW A DAY.
>> Reporter: JEN TAKES THE
CALLS ALONG WITH A TEAM FROM
OPEN LAB AND THE UNIVERSITY
HEALTH NETWORK.
>> I HAD A CALL FROM A
90-YEAR-OLD COUPLE WHO DON'T
SPEAK ENGLISH WHO HADN'T EATEN
IN TWO DAYS AND HAD NO IDEA HOW
TO ACCESS FOOD.
AND, YOU KNOW, WE HELPED TO GET
THEM CONNECTED WITH MEALS ON
WHEELS.
WE BROUGHT THEM GROCERIES.
I MEAN, THAT CALL REALLY STICKS
IN MY MIND.
>> Reporter: THERE ARE SIMILAR
EFFORTS POPPING UP, PART OF AN
ONLINE MOVEMENT CALLED
"CAREMONGERING," A
MADE-IN-CANADA TERM.
NELSON SADLER IS NOW A SIDELINED
SECOND YEAR MED STUDENT, ONE OF
500 NOW SIGNED UP TO ASSIST 250
FAMILIES OF FRONTLINE WORKERS.
TODAY BABYSITTING THE CHILDREN
OF A PAEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY
FELLOW AT SICK KIDS HOSPITAL.
>> THE BIG FOCUS RIGHT NOW IS
THAT WE NEED OUR HEALTH CARE
PROVIDERS WHO ARE ON THE FRONT
LINE TO BE ABLE TO FOCUS ON
THEIR JOB.
>> Reporter: THE HELPERS ARE
ASSIGNED TO ONE FAMILY, LIMIT
THEIR
CONTACTS WHEN THEY'RE NOT WITH
THEM, TO REDUCE ANY CHANCE OF
TRANSMISSION FOR THOSE THAT
THEY'RE HELPING LIKE DR. SELA.
>> I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT WE
WOULD
HAVE DONE, IT'S REALLY
LIFE-SAVING.
AND I REALLY HOPE
THAT SOMEDAY I CAN RETURN THIS
FAVOUR TO NELSON BECAUSE HE'S
REALLY SAVING US.
>> Reporter: MEANWHILE JASMINE
IS ABOUT TO MAKE HER LATEST
DROP.
>> HI, MY NAME IS JASMINE AND
I'M HERE FOR YOUR GROCERY
DELIVERY.
>> Reporter: DOWN COMES
DOREEN, CAREFUL TO AVOID PEOPLE.
>> I SUFFER FROM CHRONIC FATIGUE
AND
THIS IS LIKE A BLESSING.
IT IS A BLESSING.
SO I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
YOU KNOW, THEY GOT WHAT I NEED.
IT LIFTS ME UP.
>> Reporter: IN NORMAL TIMES
CITIES CAN BE ANONYMOUS AND
NEEDS AND VULNERABILITY
SOMETIMES HIDDEN.
NOW HELP IS EVER MORE IMPORTANT.
DAVID COMMON, CBC NEWS, TORONTO.
>> Ian: AND HERE'S ONE MORE GOOD
TURN.
SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN,
BARRIERS HAVE BEEN GOING UP
AROUND THE WORLD AT STORES AND
OTHER PLACES MEANT TO PROTECT
CLERKS AND CUSTOMERS ALIKE FROM
THE SPREAD OF COVID.
BUT NOT ALL STORES CAN GET THOSE
PLEXIGLAS SCREENS AND THAT'S
WHERE ROCHELLE LeBLANC COMES
IN.
SHE'S DONATING HER SERVICES TO
MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE PROTECTED
AS WELL.
(*)
>> THIS IS JUST SUCH AN AMAZING
OPPORTUNITY FOR LIKE INNOVATION
AND CREATIVITY.
BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO REALLY
NEED THE COMMUNITY TO STEP UP
AND TO FILL IN THE GAPS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IT'S A PLEASURE.
>> MY NAME IS ROCHELLE
LeBLANC.
I'M A DESIGNER AND I WORK OUT OF
PARKDALE, TORONTO, CANADA.
WE SAW THAT A LOT OF THE GROCERY
STORES WERE PUTTING UP PLEXIGLAS
GUARDS IN AN ATTEMPT TO CREATE A
BARRIER
BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE
WORKERS.
YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO DO THE PROPER
SOCIAL DISTANCING AT THE
CHECKOUT AND WE SAW A NEED FOR
THAT.
WE ARE BUILDING PROTECTIVE
GUARDS OR SCREENS FOR THE
SMALLER GROCERS AND THE
COMMUNITY CORNER SHOPS.
THERE WAS A GREAT IDEA TO MAKE
THE STUFF AVAILABLE TO THE
PUBLIC AND, YOU KNOW, ME SEEING
A NEED FOR IT IN THE COMMUNITY.
SO WE STARTED MANUFACTURING
SMALL VERSIONS THAT COULD JUST
BE PLACED ON THE COUNTER.
WHEN PEOPLE SEE LIKE A BARRIER
LIKE THAT, THEY UNDERSTAND THAT
THERE'S A PERSON THERE AND THEY
NEED TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE
MINDFUL OF THEIR PERSONAL SPACE,
IN THESE SPACES THAT DON'T
ALLOW FOR PERSONAL SPACE.
OFFERING THESE FOR FREE JUST
SEEMS LIKE A NO-BRAINER.
I WAS RECEIVING THE MATERIALS
FOR FREE AND WE WERE GETTING THE
DONATIONS FOR THE PLEXI, AND WE
WERE THROWING THEM TOGETHER.
AND WE HAVE COMPILED A LIST OF
PEOPLE WHO HAVE ASKED FOR THEM
AND WE WERE ESSENTIALLY JUST
DRIVING THERE TO DROP THEM OFF
AND IT WAS REALLY THAT SIMPLE.
I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT I
PROBABLY BENEFITED FROM THIS
PROCESS MORE THAN ANYBODY IN A
SENSE THAT, LIKE, I DID GET TO
KNOW MY NEIGHBOURS A LITTLE BIT
BETTER.
AND I DID, LIKE THROUGH THIS
ENTIRE THING THAT CAN FEEL VERY
OVERWHELMING AND DEPRESSING, I
WAS PART OF THE GOOD SIDE OF IT.
THE ECONOMIC SITUATION IS GOING
TO BE PROBABLY UNSTABLE, BUT I
THINK THAT THE MORE THAT WE TAKE
CARE OF THE PERSON NEXT TO US
AND ACROSS THE STREET, THE
BETTER OFF WE'RE GOING TO BE.
I THINK THAT IS THE ONE THING
THAT WE SHOULD BE CONCENTRATING
ON THE MOST.
>> Ian: NEXT, A 24-HOUR MARATHON
60 KILOMETRES LONG INSIDE OF A
ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT.
TAKE A WALK WITH ONE ONTARIO MAN
IN HIS 500-SQUARE-FOOT PLACE IN
OUR "MOMENT," WHICH IS NEXT.
>> Ian: 500-SQUARE FEET IS NOT A
LOT OF SPACE, BUT YET IT WAS ALL
THAT TORONTO'S DANIEL EHMAN
NEEDED TO DO A
24-HOUR WALK-A-THON FOR CHARITY.
IT ALL STARTED WITH A CHARIT CHALLENGE
FROM 12 YEARS AGO.
DANIEL HAD TOLD HIS FRIENDS THAT
HE COULD WALK FOR 24 HOURS
STRAIGHT BUT HE NEVER GOT AROUND
TO ACTUALLY DOING IT, UNTIL NOW.
AND THIS IS TONIGHT'S "MOMENT."
(*)
>> I STARTED REACHING OUT TO
FRIENDS, FAMILY AND TALKING TO
PEOPLE AND CONNECTED WITH THE
FOLKS AT THE CENTRE.
AND IT WENT FROM THERE.
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD ALL OF
THESE GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO WERE
KIND OF SUPPORTING ME AND I SET
UP A ZOOM CALL THAT I COULD HAVE
EVERYONE PARTICIPATE TO TALK ME
THROUGH IT AND TO KEEP ME GOING
THROUGHOUT THE TIME.
AND I KIND OF STARTED -- I
STARTED WALKING LAPS AROUND THE
APARTMENT, BASICALLY.
WHEN WE KIND OF CROSSED THE
FINISH LINE,
I HAD ALL OF THE PEOPLE ON ZOOM
CHEERING ME ON AND WE HAD
INSTAGRAM LIVE PEOPLE.
AND WE HAD PEOPLE WALK AROUND
SHARING INSTAGRAM LIVE WITH ME
AS I WALKED.
IT WAS JUST INCREDIBLE.
I KIND OF COLLAPSED AT THE END
AND LAID DOWN AND JUST KIND OF
TRYING TO ICE IT.
IT WAS JUST SUCH A REALLY GREAT
WAY TO
CONNECT WITH PEOPLE THAT I KNOW.
WHERE EVERYONE IS VERY FAR
APART,
BUT IT FELT THAT EVERYONE WAS
WALKING WITH ME.
>> Ian: SEEMS POINTLESS, DOESN'T
IT?
NO, I'M JUST KIDDING, IT'S NOT
POINTLESS AT ALL.
FIRST OF ALL, WHAT A FEAT, 24
HOURS OF WALKING.
AND HE'D TAKE A TWO-MINUTE BREAK
EVERY HOUR TO USE THE WASHROOM
OR CLEAR YOUR HEAD OR WHATEVER
YOU DO IN THOSE FEW MINUTES.
HE RAISED $4,000 FOR AN
ORGINISATION THROUGH PLEDGES
THAT HELPS HOMELESS PEOPLE.
AND, YOU KNOW, HE HAD SOMETHING
TO DO WHILE HE IS STUCK IN HIS
APARTMENT FOR 24 HOURS.
>>> THAT IS "THE NATIONAL" FOR
SUNDAY, APRIL 12th.
GOODNIGHT.
(*)
