(*)
>> Adrienne: GOOD EVENING, I'M
ADRIENNE ARSENAULT.
>>> TONIGHT, THE NORTHERN
ALBERTA FLOODS LEAVES ONE DEAD
AND THOUSANDS DISPLACED.
>> IT'S WILD.
I NEVER THOUGHT THAT I'D EVER
SEE IT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO
HAPPEN NEXT.
>> Adrienne: IN THE MIDDLE OF
THE PANDEMIC, ALBERTA LIFTS SOME
PHYSICAL DISTANCING TO SAVE
WHAT'S LEFT.
>> Andrew: I'M ANDREW CHANG.
ALSO TONIGHT NEW HOPE FOR A
CORONAVIRUS TREATMENT.
>> REMDESIVIR HAS A CLEAR CUT
SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE EFFECT.
>> Andrew: THE DRUG SHOWING
STRONG RESULTS IN THE U.S. AND
WHY IT'S NOT EASY TO GET IN
CANADA.
>> I'M ONLY GOING TO THE GROCERY
STORE AND BACK.
>> Andrew: CANADIANS ARE
DRIVING A WHOLE LOT LESS, SO WHY
IS IT SO HARD TO GET AN
INSURANCE REBATE.
>> Adrienne: SENIORS HAVE BEEN
HARDEST HIT IN THIS PANDEMIC.
TONIGHT WE'RE ANSWERING THEIR
QUESTIONS.
>> WHY IS ONTARIO SO SLOW TO
TEST ALL SENIORS AND CARE
WORKERS?
>> AM AM I AT INCREASED RISK FOR
COVID-19?
>> Adrienne: OUR DOCTORS ARE
STANDING BY.
THIS IS "THE NATIONAL."
(*)
>>> WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH SOME
BREAKING NEWS.
AN INTERNATIONAL SEARCH EFFORT
IS UNDERWAY THIS
HOUR FOR A CANADIAN MILITARY
HELICOPTER THAT DISAPPEARED OFF
THE COAST OF GREECE.
THE HELICOPTER IS A CH-148
CYCLONE SERVING IN THE NATO
JOINT TASK FORCE, "OPERATION
REASSURANCE.
IT REPORTEDLY WENT DOWN ABOUT 80
KILOMETRES OFF THE GREEK ISLAND
OF CEPHALONIA IN THE
MEDITERRANEAN SEA.
DAVID COMMON HAS BEEN FOLLOWING
THE DEVELOPMENTS TONIGHT.
DAVID?
>> Reporter: WELL, ADRIENNE,
EVEN AS THE WORLD SHELTERS FROM
COVID-19, MILITARY OPERATIONS
HAVE CONTINUED ABROAD.
AND TONIGHT GREEK MEDIA SAY THAT
A CANADIAN HELICOPTER WITH SIX
PEOPLE ON BOARD HAS GONE DOWN IN
THE SEA DURING A ROUTINE
OPERATION.
AND AT LEAST ONE BODY TRAGICALLY
HAS BEEN FOUND.
HELICOPTER OPERATIONS AT SEA ARE
ALWAYS RISKY, BUT CANADA'S
RELATIVELY NEW CYCLONE
HELICOPTERS ARE CONSIDERED SOME
OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD.
OFF THE COAST OF GREECE ONE HAS
BEEN BUSY FLYING FROM THE
FRIGATE HMCS FREDERICTON, PART
OF AN INTERNATIONAL NATO
OPERATION TO COUNTER RUSSIAN
INFLUENCE AND AGGRESSION IN
EASTERN EUROPE.
RUSSIAN SUBMARINE ACTIVITY IS
PICKED UP IN THE REGION AND THE
HELICOPTER IS KEY TO TRACKING
THEM.
>> THE IDEA THERE IS THAT
BASICALLY IT JUST KIND OF
MULTIPLIES THE IMPACT THAT OUR
WARSHIP HAS TO FIND ANOTHER
SUBMARINE AND IT CAN DO SO
MORE EFFECTIVELY AND AT A
FURTHER DISTANCE.
>> Reporter: IT WAS LIKELY
THIS HELICOPTER THAT WAS SEEN ON
A SHIP A MONTH AGO THAT TODAY IN
THE MEDITERRANEAN HAD SOMETHING
GO DEEPLY WRONG.
CONTACT WAS LOST, SAID THE
CANADIAN ARMED FORCES IN A
TWEET.
NATO ANNOUNCING A MULTI-SHIP AIR
SEARCH-AND-RESCUE OPERATION
BEING CONDUCTED.
THE CYCLONE IS DESIGNED TO FLOAT
ON RELATIVELY CALM SEAS.
TYPICALLY IT CARRIES A CREW OF
FOUR ALONG WITH LIFE RAFTS AND
SURVIVAL SUITS.
BUT IT CAN FIT MANY MORE.
AND IT CAN OPERATE FAR FROM ITS
MOTHER SHIP ALONE OVER THE OPEN
OCEAN.
>> THINKING ABOUT THE CREW, THE
MEDITERRANEAN IS A BETTER PLACE
TO GO DOWN THAN THE NORTH
ATLANTIC.
BUT A CRASH AT NIGHT TIME
DOESN'T MAKE A
SEARCH-AND-RESCUE SCENARIO EASY
TO PROSECUTE.
>> Reporter: YOU CAN BET THAT
EVERY AVAILABLE HELICOPTER,
AIRCRAFT AND SHIP IN THE AREA
FROM ALLIED NAVIES THAT ARE
PARTICIPATING IN THIS SEARCH.
IT'S A VERY CLOSE COMMUNITY.
BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THEY
KNOW.
AS THEY SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS,
THE CHANCES OF FINDING THEM GOES
DOWN WITH EVERY PASSING HOUR.
ADRIENNE?
>> Adrienne: ALL RIGHT, DAVID,
THANK YOU.
>> Andrew: TURNING NOW TO THE
SEVERE FLOODING DISASTER IN
NORTHERN ALBERTA.
SOME 13,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN
DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES IN FORT
McMURRAY AND LESS THAN AN HOUR
AWAY FORT McKAY FIRST NATION
IS MOURNING ONE OF ITS OWN.
TWO MEN FROM THE COMMUNITY RAN
INTO TROUBLE YESTERDAY NEAR
TRAPPING GROUNDS ABOUT 50
KILOMETRES NORTH OF FORT McKAY
ALONG THE ATHABASCA RIVER.
A STATEMENT FROM THE FORT
McKAY FIRST NATION SAID THEY
WERE AIRLIFTED TO A HOSPITAL BUT
THE OLDER OF THE TWO LATER DIED
OF HIS INJURIES.
NOW IN FORT McMURRAY THERE ARE
NO REPORTED DEATHS SO FAR BUT
THE SHEER SCALE OF THE DISASTER
IS STAGGERING.
RAFFY BOUDJIKANIAN TAKES US
THERE TONIGHT.
>> WE'VE GOT PADDLES -- HEY,
RAMSEY -- KEEP GOING.
>> Reporter: FOR JESSICA
RAYMOND IT'S ALL BEEN
OVERWHELMING.
>> I JUST FEEL THAT I'M NUMB
AT THIS POINT.
I THINK THAT I'VE HAD MY
EMOTIONS ALREADY.
BECAUSE AFTER I TALKED TO THE
INSURANCE ADJUSTOR AND I REALIZE
THAT I HAVE NO COVERAGE
WHATSOEVER.
>> Reporter: HER WEDDING WAS
ALREADY POSTPONED DUE TO THE
PANDEMIC, NOW SHE HAS A NEW
NIGHTMARE.
>> MY WEDDING DRESS IS SITTING
IN MY HOUSE.
I HAVE NO INSURANCE --
NOTHING -- BECAUSE I LIVE -- A
FLOODPLAIN AND THE
WATER LEVEL IS ABOVE MY GARAGE
DOOR.
>> Reporter: LIKE EVERYWHERE
ELSE, FORT McMURRAY WAS
ALREADY DEALING WITH COVID-19
WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
THIS HOTEL SHUT DOWN DUE TO A
LACK OF BUSINESS AND NOW HOUSES
EVACUEES LIKE HENRY.
>> IT'S CHALLENGING.
I WANTED TO STAY BACK.
ONE AT A TIME.
YOU DON'T TOUCH THINGS AND WHEN
YOU GET IN YOUR ROOM YOU WANT TO
QUICKLY WASH.
>> Reporter: SOME OF THOSE
CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS HAVE
NOW BEEN LIFTED TO ALLOW PEOPLE
TO WORK TOGETHER TO SAVE WHAT
THEY CAN.
WHILE OTHERS WAIT FOR NEWS ON
THE HOMES THEY'VE HAD TO
ABANDON.
>> I HAVE MY BOOKS AND MY P.C.
FOR GOOGLE CLASSROOM AND STUFF.
AND I'M DOING REALLY WELL.
>> Reporter: TODAY FORT
McMURRAY'S MAYOR SAID THAT THE
NUMBER OF BUILDINGS AFFECTED IS
NOW HALF THAT OF THE 2016
WILDFIRE.
WHILE THE PREMIER IS HOPEFUL
THAT THE MASSIVE RAFT OF ICE
THAT CAUSED THE FLOODING IS
STARTING TO SHRINK.
>> WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEE THE
ICE JAMS ARE BEGINNING TO CLEAR
ON BOTH THE ATHABASCA AND THE
PEACE RIVERS AND THAT THE WATER
VOLUMES ARE STARTING TO GO DOWN.
>> Reporter: AND FORT
McMURRAY CONTINUES TO FACE IT
TOGETHER.
RAFFY BOUDJIKANIAN, CBC NEWS,
FORT McMURRAY.
>> Adrienne: THE FORT
McMURRAY DISASTER ONLY ADDS
MORE FINANCIAL STRESS TO A
PROVINCE STRUGGLING TO SELL ITS
OIL AND NOW DUE TO COVID-19
OUTBREAKS AT TWO MAJOR
PROCESSING PLANTS, STRUGGLING TO
SELL ITS MEAT.
>> Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau: WE'RE WATCHING WITH
INTEREST
AND CONCERN SOME OF THE ISSUES
FACING MEAT PRODUCERS AND THE
SUPPLY CHAIN ACROSS THE
AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY.
>> Adrienne: SO CANADIANS ARE
TIRED OF LINING UP FOR GROCERIES
THAT ONLY GET MORE EXPENSIVE.
AND THE MASSIVE COVID-19
OUTBREAK AT THE CARGILL MEAT
PROCESSING PLANT WON'T HELP.
ALLISON DEMPSTER LOOKS AT WHAT
THE PANDEMIC MEANS FOR CANADA'S
MEAT SUPPLY.
>> Reporter: USUALLY CALVING
SEASON IS A HOPEFUL TIME OF YEAR
FOR SHERRY COPATHORN-BARNS.
NOT THIS SPRING.
SHE'S WORRIED THAT THE MARKET
FOR HER CALVES ARE ABOUT TO DRY
UP.
>> OUR BUSINESS IS BASED ON
NATURAL CYCLES, THE ENVIRONMENT
AND WORKING WITH THE LAND.
SO WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO
SAY STOP CALVING COWS OR WE'RE
NOT GOING TO PLANT RIGHT NOW
BECAUSE WE'RE NOT SURE WHAT THE
MARKET WILL LOOK LIKE IN
OCTOBER.
>> Reporter: A BACKLOG OF
CATTLE IS BUILDING AS MEAT
PLANTS STRUGGLE WITH COVID-19
OUTBREAKS AMONG THEIR WORKERS.
THE CARGILL PLANT HAS BEEN
CLOSED FOR
A WEEK AND A HALF.
IT WILL START TO REOPEN WITH ONE
SHIFT NEXT WEEK BUT ONE OF ITS
MAJOR BUYERS, MCDONALD'S CANADA,
ANNOUNCED THEY'LL GET THEIR BEEF
FROM THE U.S. FOR THE TIME
BEING.
>> MCDONALD'S ACTUALLY HAS HIGH
RIVER AS THE ONLY PLACE TO GET
BEEF IN CANADA WHICH IS WHY IT
HAS TO GO TO THE U.S. AND OTHER
PLACES TO GET BEEF.
>> Reporter: CONSUMERS AT THIS
SUPERMARKET MAY FIND LESS
SELECTION, BUT EXPERTS DON'T
EXPECT MAJOR SHORTAGES THERE.
>> IF YOU DO WANT BEEF, YOU WILL
BE ABLE TO FIND IT.
PRICES MAY GO UP THOUGH.
>> Reporter: PORK PRODUCERS
ARE ALSO STRUGGLING WITH
BOTTLENECKS.
A FARM ON PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
WAS RECENTLY FORCED TO EUTHANIZE
HOGS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO PLACE
TO SEND THEM FOR SLAUGHTER.
BEEF AND PORK INDUSTRY GROUPS
ARE ASKING FOR HELP FROM OTTAWA.
TODAY THE PRIME MINISTER SAID
THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS WORKING
WITH INDUSTRY, BUT HE OFFERED
FEW DETAILS.
>> Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau: WE NEED TO MAKE SURE
THAT THOSE SUPPLY CHAINS CAN
KEEP FUNCTIONING.
BUT WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE
THAT THE PEOPLE WHO WORK IN
THOSE SUPPLY CHAINS AND WILL
CONTINUE TO NEED TO WORK IN
DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES OVER THE
COMING WEEKS AND MONTHS AS WE
CONTINUE TO BATTLE COVID-19 ARE
KEPT SAFE.
>> Reporter: RANCHERS WON'T
REAP THE BENEFITS OF A PRICIER
BARBECUE SEASON.
INSTEAD, THEY'RE BRACING FOR
ROCKY MONTHS AHEAD.
ALLISON DEMPSTER, CBC NEWS,
CALGARY.
>> Adrienne: IF YOU ARE LUCKY
ENOUGH TO HAVE RETIREMENT
SAVINGS, YOUR JAW LIKELY DROPPED
THE LAST TIME YOU DROPPED ON
THEM.
CANADIANS ARE HEAVILY INVESTED
IN THE OIL SECTOR AND IT'S
OBVIOUSLY TAKING A HIT.
ERIN COLLINS TAKES A CLOSER LOOK
AT THE OILPATCH'S ASTONISHING
FIRST QUARTER LOSSES AND WHEN WE
MIGHT SEE A RECOVERY.
>> Reporter: FLOODWATERS HAVE
THE DE FACTO CAPITAL OF CANADA'S
OILPATCH UNDERWATER TODAY.
A VERY DIFFERENT KIND OF
DISASTER HAS THE COMPANIES THAT
FUEL FORT McMURRAY'S ECONOMY
UNDERWATER TOO.
IT'S NO SECRET THAT COVID-19 HAS
BEEN DEVASTATING FOR CANADA'S
OILPATCH.
THIS WEEK A FIRST GLIMPSE AT
JUST HOW BAD THINGS ARE.
TODAY CENOVUS ENERGY ANNOUNCED
LOSSES OF $1.8 BILLION IN THE
FIRST QUARTER, HUSKY LOST
$1.7 BILLION.
YESTERDAY VERMILION HAD LOSSES
TOTALLING $1.3 BILLION.
ANALYSTS SAY THAT THE LOSSES
WILL CONTINUE TO PILE UP DUE TO
AN UNPRECEDENTED CRASH IN GLOBAL
DEMAND.
BUT THEY SAY THAT THE BAD NEWS
CAN'T LAST FOREVER.
>> A YEAR FROM NOW THINGS WILL
LOOK A LOT BETTER AND THERE WILL
BE A LOT MORE CERTAINTY IN TERMS
OF THE FUTURE DIRECTION.
AND THAT WILL BE WELCOMED BY THE
WESTERN CANADIAN OIL INDUSTRY.
>> Reporter: UNTIL THEN, IT
WON'T JUST BE OIL AND GAS
COMPANIES THAT FEEL THE
FINANCIAL BITE OF THIS DOWNTURN.
MOST CANADIANS WHO HAVE AN RRSP
OR A MUTUAL FUND ARE ALSO
INVESTED IN THE OILPATCH AND ITS
UNCLEAR FUTURE.
BUT AMIDST THAT UNCERTAINTY,
SOME GLIMMERS OF HOPE.
SCOTT DARLING SHUT HIS FIRST OIL
WELL DECADES AGO AND NOW $1.
$1.7 BILLION IN IN CASH TO
DECOMMISSION MORE WELLS COULD BE
MEAN THAT DARLING IS ONE OF THE
LUCKY FEW IN THE PATCH THAT
COULD BE BUSY IN THE COMING
MONTHS.
>> IT'S NOT GOING TO SAVE THE
INDUSTRY BUT IT WILL HELP OUT,
HOPEFULLY PUT SOME PEOPLE TO
WORK.
IT SEEMS LIKE FAIRLY FAST.
>> Reporter: BUT MOST OF THE
PATCH IS STRUGGLING MIGHTILY.
FOR HIS PART, ALBERTA'S PREMIER
CONTINUES TO PRESS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT FOR AS MUCH AS
$30 BILLION IN CREDIT TO BE
EXTENDED TO THE STRUGGLING
SECTOR.
>> OBVIOUSLY, ALL OF OUR ENERGY
COMPANIES ARE HEMORRHAGING CASH
RIGHT NOW.
AND A BIGGER RESPONSE IS NEEDED.
>> Reporter: CANADA'S OILPATCH
WAS ALREADY STRUGGLING TO KEEP
THE LIGHTS ON IN CALGARY'S
TOWERS BEFORE THIS PANDEMIC
ARRIVED.
NOW THAT IT HAS, IT COULD BE
YEARS BEFORE THEY FILL UP AGAIN.
ERIN COLLINS, CBC NEWS, CALGARY.
>> Andrew: WELL, THE U.S. FOOD
AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION IS
EXPECTED TO GIVE EMERGENCY
APPROVAL TO A POTENTIAL COVID-19
TREATMENT, REMDESIVIR,
ORIGINALLY CREATED FOR EBOLA, IS
SHOWING SOME PROMISE IN EARLY
CLINICAL TESTING.
VIK ADHOPIA HAS MORE ON THE
FINDINGS.
>> Reporter: AS AN EBOLA DRUG,
REMDESIVIR FELL OUT OF USE
BECAUSE OF MINIMAL SUCCESS.
IT'S NOW BEING TESTED FOR THE
CORONAVIRUS IN A LARGE STUDY
INVOLVING 10 COUNTRIES, LED BY
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT'S NATIONAL
INSTITUTES OF HEALTH WHOSE BOSS
SAYS THAT THE RESULTS WERE SO
PROMISING THEY HAD TO BE SHARED
IMMEDIATELY.
>> THE DATA SHOWS THAT
REMDESIVIR HAS A CLEAR CUT
SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE EFFECT IN
DIMINISHING THE TIME TO
RECOVERY.
>> Reporter: WHEN REMDESIVIR
WAS TESTED ALONGSIDE A PLACEBO
DRUG ON MORE THAN A THOUSAND
SEVERE CORONAVIRUS PATIENTS,
THOSE ON THE PLACEBO RECOVERED
ON AVERAGE IN 15 DAYS.
FOR THOSE ON REMDESIVIR, IT WAS
QUICKER, JUST 11 DAYS.
THE DEATH RATE FOR REMDESIVIR
PATIENTS WAS LOWER THAN PLACEBO
PATIENTS.
AND THE DATA IS NOT PUBLISHED
NOR PEER REVIEWED BUT IT WAS
ENOUGH FOR AN INDEPENDENT PANEL
MONITORING THE RESEARCH TO STOP
THE TRIAL.
>> WHENEVER YOU HAVE CLEAR-CUT
EVIDENCE THAT A DRUG WORKS, YOU
HAVE AN ETHICAL OBLIGATION TO
IMMEDIATELY LET THE PEOPLE WHO
ARE IN THE PLACEBO GROUP KNOW SO
THAT THEY COULD HAVE ACCESS.
AND ALL OF THE OTHER TRIALS THAT
ARE TAKING PLACE NOW HAVE A NEW
STANDARD OF CARE.
>> Reporter: THERE'S STILL
MORE THAN 20 OTHER CLINICAL
TRIALS UNDERWAY, A SMALLER ONE
PUBLISHED TODAY IN THIS
PRESTIGIOUS JOURNAL HAD
INCONCLUSIVE RESULTS.
THIS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
SPECIALIST SAYS THAT IS TO BE
EXPECTED IN DRUG TRIALS BUT THE
FINDINGS RELEASED BY WASHINGTON
ARE SIGNIFICANT.
>> I THINK THAT IT'S A SENTINEL
MOMENT IN THIS EPIDEMIC, BUT, OF
COURSE, PART OF ME ALSO WANTS TO
SAY, LIKE, I REALLY WANT TO SEE
THE DATA AS WELL.
>> Reporter: THE QUESTION FOR
CANADA IS -- WHAT NOW?
REMDESIVIR IS NOT APPROVED FOR
USE IN THIS COUNTRY, THOUGH THE
MAKER GILLIAD IS PROVIDING IT TO
HOSPITALS ON COMPASSIONATE
GROUNDS.
BUT HEALTH CANADA SAYS THAT THE
MAKER HAS BEEN OVERWHELMED BY
REQUESTS.
VIK ADHOPIA, CBC NEWS, TORONTO.
>> Andrew: NOW THOSE WHO
RECOVER FROM CORONAVIRUS SHOULD
DEVELOP ANTIBODIES, KEY TO
REHELP OPENING, MAYBE FOOGING
OUT HOW
MANY PEOPLE CAUGHT THE VIRUS.
WIDESPREAD ANTIBODY TESTING IS
UNDERWAY IN THE STATES AND OUR
SUSAN ORMISTON GOT A FIRSTHAND
LOOK.
>> HI, DR. BERGERON, I'M SUSAN
ORMISTON.
>> Reporter: WE CAME TO A B.C.
MEDICAL CLINIC TO GET A RAPID
TEST FOR COVID ANTIBODIES.
ARE YOU GETTING A LOT OF PEOPLE
TESTING?
>> 400 NOW I BELIEVE.
>> Reporter: YOU CAN GET ONE
HERE EVEN WITHOUT SYMPTOMS.
HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED?
>> NOT MUCH.
>> Reporter: SOME EMPLOYERS
ARE ASKING FOR IT IN ORDER TO
RETURN TO WORK.
>> VERY SIMILAR TO THE MONO TEST
OR THE FLU TEST.
OR WE ALSO USE
THIS FOR STREP TEST.
>> Reporter: THE U.S. IS
RAMPING UP TESTING AND TRYING TO
DOUBLE IT TO TRY TO FIND OUT
WHERE CORONAVIRUS LURKED AND WE
DIDN'T KNOW.
IN MY TEST --
>> THERE'S NO EVIDENCE OF EITHER
I.G.G. OR I.G.M. ANTIBODIES
INDICATING TO ME THAT YOU HAVE
NOT HAD THIS ILLNESS UNLESS YOU
HAVE BUILT ANTIBODIES.
>> Reporter: BUT THIS OTHER
SAMPLE FROM ANOTHER PATIENT DID
SHOW POSITIVE.
DO YOU WORRY THAT THERE'S A
FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY?
>> YES, I HAVE A LOT OF PATIENTS
WHO WANT TO GET THIS TEST TO
SEE IF IT'S OKAY TO BE AROUND
THEIR
ELDERLY PARENTS OR TAKE CARE OF
A SICK LOVED ONE.
AND I'M VERY CAREFUL TO SAY THAT
THEIR
BEHAVIOUR, NO MATTER WHAT THE
RESULT IS, SHOULD NEVER CHANGE.
THEY STILL NEED TO BE WEARING
MASKS AND SOCIALLY DISTANCING
AND STILL WASHING THEIR HANDS.
>> Reporter: WE DO KNOW THAT
THE VIRUS STRUCK MORE PEOPLE
THAN WE THOUGHT.
NEW YORK RECENTLY RECORDED
NEARLY 14% AND THEY HAVE HAD THE
VIRUS, EVEN WITH MILD OR NO
SYMPTOMS.
BUT STILL CONCERNS OVER THE
TEST'S RELIABILITY.
>> MANY OF THEM ARE OUT THERE
THAT HAVE NOT BEEN VALIDATED.
BUT A FEW HAVE BEEN VALIDATED BY
THE F.D.A.
>> Reporter: A NEW LARGE TRIAL
UNDERWAY AT THE NATIONAL
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH WILL TEST
BLOOD SAMPLES FROM 10,000
AMERICANS.
>> WE'RE LOOKING TO MAP THE
SPREAD IN HEALTHY PEOPLE.
SO CURRENTLY ASYMPTOMATIC, SO
PEOPLE THAT AREN'T SICK RIGHT
NOW.
>> Reporter: FIRST RESULTS
PERHAPS EARLY JUNE WILL PROJECT
HOW MANY HAD IT BUT NOT IF
THEY'RE IMMUNE.
>> THE POSITIVITY ALONE WON'T
TELL US IF THAT PERSON IS
PROTECTED FROM THIS DISEASE.
>> Reporter: THAT'S THE NEXT
STEP.
SUSAN ORMISTON, CBC NEWS,
WASHINGTON.
>> Andrew: OKAY, A GOOD TIME
TO BRING IN DR. ISSAC BOGOCH, AN
INFECTIOUS DISEASES SPECIALIST
HERE IN TORONTO.
SO, DR. BOGOCH, GIVEN THE
UNCERTAINTY, WHAT DO WE EXPECT
ANTIBODY TESTING TO RELIABLY
SHOW US AND HOW MUCH STOCK
SHOULD WE PUT IN IT?
>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE NOT
ENTIRELY SURE OF THE MANY
ANTIBODY TESTS OUT THERE WHICH
ONES ARE
RELIABLE AND WHICH AREN'T.
SO IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHAT THE
STRAW HORSE IS.
AND CANADA HAS APPROPRIATELY
DRAGGED ITS HEELS TO APPROVE
THESE TESTS AND TO USE THESE
TESTS WIDELY BECAUSE WE'RE NOT
ENTIRELY SURE WHAT TO MAKE OF
THE EXISTING ONES.
I THINK THAT IN THE COMING WEEK
OR WEEKS WE'LL HAVE A BETTER
UNDERSTANDING OF WHICH ONES TO
USE.
AND WE'LL PROBABLY START TO SEE
MORE AND MORE TESTING HERE IN
CANADA.
ONE OF THE ISSUES IS TO SAY
LET'S SAY THAT A TEST IS
POSITIVE AND IT'S TRULY A
POSITIVE TEST WHAT WE DON'T KNOW
NOW IS TO WHAT EXTENT IS THAT
PERSON IMMUNE TO COVID-19, AND
IF THEY ARE IMMUNE, FOR HOW LONG
WILL THAT PERSON BE IMMUNE.
SO THERE'S STILL A LOT OF
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.
>> Andrew: OKAY, INSIGHTFUL
CHAT AS ALWAYS.
DR. BOGOCH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
>> Adrienne: CANADA HAS PASSED
ANOTHER TERRIBLE MARKER.
MORE THAN 3,000 PEOPLE HAVE NOW
DIED.
AND THE NUMBER OF NEW INFECTIONS
CONTINUES TO CLIMB.
THERE ARE MORE THAN 51,000 CASES
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
QUÉBEC SAW 837 NEW INFECTIONS
TODAY.
BUT THERE ARE SOME SIGNS OF
PROGRESS.
ONTARIO REPORTED ITS LOWEST
NUMBER OF NEW CASES IN THREE
WEEKS.
AND SOME PROVINCES HAVE THEIR
SIGHTS SET ON RE-OPENING.
>> TODAY WE ARE ANNOUNCING THE
RESTORATION OF SAFE SERVICES.
>> Adrienne: MANITOBA'S
PREMIER SAYS THAT THE PROVINCE
WILL EASE RESTRICTIONS ON
MONDAY, ALLOWING NON-ESSENTIAL
BUSINESSES TO OPEN UP THEIR
DOORS LIKE DENTISTS, CLOTHING
STORES AND HAIR SALONS AND
RESTAURANT PATIOS AND
CAMPGROUNDS AND PLAYGROUNDS WILL
REOPEN AND ELECTIVE SURGERIES
WILL START BACK UP.
BUT --
>> IT WON'T BE BUSINESS AS
USUAL.
FOR NOW IT WILL BE A NEW NORMAL.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS WILL REMAIN
IN PLACE FOR THE TIME BEING.
WE ARE STILL RESTRICTING
GATHERINGS TO NO MORE THAN 10
PEOPLE.
>> Adrienne: P.E.I. ANNOUNCED
TODAY THAT SCHOOLS WILL NOT BE
RE-OPENING THIS YEAR.
BUT STARTING FRIDAY PEOPLE FROM
DIFFERENT HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE
ALLOWED TO GATHER IN GROUPS NO
BIGGER THAN FIVE AS LONG AS
THEY'RE OUTSIDE AND SIX FEET
APART.
>> WE CAN'T GREET PEOPLE WITH A
HUG OR A KISS OR A HANDSHAKE.
>> Adrienne: QUÉBEC, THE
HARDEST HIT PROVINCE, IS OPENING
UP MOST DAYCARES AND ELEMENTARY
SCHOOLS IN MAY.
AND THE PROVINCE ANNOUNCED TODAY
IT WILL LIFT TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
OVER THE MONTH.
>>> NEW BRUNSWICK HAS ALSO
STARTED LIFTING SOME OF ITS
RESTRICTIONS AND HERE'S WHY --
FEDERAL MODELING RELEASED THIS
WEEK SHOWS THAT NEW BRUNSWICK
HAS NOT ONLY MANAGED TO FLATTEN
THE CURVE, BUT AVOID IT ALL
TOGETHER.
NO NEW COVID CASES FOR 11 DAYS
STRAIGHT.
AND OF THE 118 CASES THAT IT HAD
SEEN, ALL BUT FOUR HAVE
RECOVERED AND NO ONE HAS DIED.
AND CONSIDER THIS -- NEW
BRUNSWICK IS HOME TO ONE OF THE
OLDEST POPULATIONS IN THIS
COUNTRY.
IT'S HOME TO A STRUGGLING HEALTH
CARE SYSTEM AND IT BORDERS
HARD-HIT QUÉBEC.
STILL, AS HARRY FORESTELL
EXPLAINS, THE PROVINCE IS SO FAR
WEATHERING THIS PANDEMIC
VIRTUALLY UNSCATHED.
>> Reporter: CONSIDER IT A
REWARD FOR GOOD BEHAVIOUR.
AFTER SIX WEEKS OF LOCKDOWN, A
BLISSFUL CASE TO FREEDOM AS THE
PROVINCE LIFTS SOME
RESTRICTIONS.
>> WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF THE
ANNOUNCEMENT MY PHONE STARTED
RINGING.
>> Reporter: NEW BRUNSWICK HAS
SO FAR WEATHERED THE COVID STORM
WITHOUT A SINGLE DEATH
ATTRIBUTED TO THE VIRUS AND ONLY
A HANDFUL OF HOSPITALIZATIONS.
DEMOGRAPHICS CERTAINLY HELP.
A LARGELY RURAL PROVINCE, NEW
BRUNSWICK LACKS THE CROWDED
URBAN CENTRES AND MAJOR AIRPORTS
THAT HELP DISEASE SPREAD SO
QUICKLY.
EVEN SO COVID WARDS LIKE THIS
STILL ANTICIPATED AN INFLUX OF
PATIENTS BASED ON THE PROVINCE'S
AGING POPULATION.
>> WE ARE ONE OF THE OLDEST
PROVINCES IN CANADA AND WE KNEW
THEN THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS VIRUS
LIKES TO LATCH ITSELF INTO THE
ELDERLY POPULATION ESPECIALLY
AND THAT THE OVERALL OUTCOMES
AMONGST SENIORS ARE BAD.
>> Reporter: LONG-TERM CARE
CENTRES WERE ESPECIALLY
VULNERABLE AND ACTED QUICKLY TO
KEEP VISITORS OUT AND TEST
EMPLOYEES.
SO WHILE THE CORONAVIRUS HIT THE
NURSING HOMES IN QUÉBEC AND
ONTARIO, IT HASN'T GAINED A
TOEHOLD HERE.
>> WE TOOK ACTION QUICK AND
SOON.
AND WE ACTED ON THOSE THINGS IN
THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR
RESIDENTS' SAFETY AND OUR
STAFF'S SAFETY.
>> WE SAID IF YOU TRAVELLED
INTERNATIONALLY, PLEASE STAY
AWAY FROM SCHOOL.
>> Reporter: ANOTHER FACTOR
PROTECTING THE PROVINCE, THE
DECISION TO CLOSE SCHOOLS ON
MARCH 13th.
>> THE GOVERNMENT ACTED QUICKLY
AND
PROACTIVELY, TOOK IT SERIOUSLY
AND CLOSED THINGS DOWN LIKE
SCHOOLS AND IMPLEMENTED SOCIAL
DISTANCING EARLY.
AND THEN THE POPULATION CLEARLY
HAD TRUST IN THE GOVERNMENT AND
WENT ALONG WITH IT.
THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT NEW
BRUNSWICK DID IT THE RIGHT WAY.
>> Reporter: DESPITE THAT
SUCCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS
ARE WARNING NEW BRUNSWICKERS TO
STAY VIGILANT.
ANOTHER WAVE OF COVID-19 COULD
STRIKE BEFORE THE YEAR IS OUT.
HARRY FORESTELL, CBC NEWS,
FREDERICTON.
>> Andrew: A WORKER IN AN
AMAZON WAREHOUSE NORTH OF
CALGARY IS SOUNDING THE ALARM
OVER A GROWING NUMBER OF
COVID-19 CASES.
THE TECH GIANT REPORTED A
POSITIVE CASE ON APRIL 12th,
BUT AN EMPLOYEE SAYS THAT AT
LEAST FOUR MORE CASES HAVE BEEN
CONFIRMED SINCE THEN.
THEY'RE CALLING ON AMAZON TO
SHUT DOWN THE FACILITY AND
SANITIZE THE WAREHOUSE.
[Cheers and Applause]
>>> DOZENS RALLIED AT THE
ALBERTA LEGISLATURE TODAY.
PROTESTERS ARE DEMANDING
AN END TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS,
SAYING THAT PEOPLE NEED TO GET
BACK TO WORK.
NO WORD YET ON WHETHER ANYONE
WAS TICKETED FOR BREAKING
PHYSICAL DISTANCING LAWS.
>>> WELL, SOME CANADIANS ARE
VOICING THEIR CONCERN AFTER
RECEIVING A CONTROVERSIAL
NEWSPAPER IN THEIR MAILBOX
UNSOLICITED.
"THE EPOCH TIMES" PUBLISHED A
CONSPIRACY THEORY ABOUT THE
ORIGIN OF THE
CORONAVIRUS AND CHINA'S ROLE.
AND AS KATIE NICHOLSON EXPLAINS
THAT HAS MANY WORRIED ABOUT THE
CONSEQUENCES.
>> I WAS DISGUSTED.
I WAS ACTUALLY -- I'M HORRIFIED.
>> Reporter: THIS POSTAL UNION
REPRESENTATIVE WAS SO UPSET BY
THIS FRONT PAGE OF "THE EPOCH
TIMES" THAT HE FILED A SPECIAL
REQUEST TO ASK THAT POSTAL
WORKERS NOT DELIVER IT.
>> WE SAW THAT THE FRONT COVER
IS
PROMOTING XENOPHOBIA TOWARDS THE
ARBIAN COMMUNITY.
AND IT COULD ALSO PUT SOME OF
OUR ASIAN LETTER CARRIERS AT
RISK.
>> Reporter: THEY REJECTED
THAT AND SAYING THAT IT DID NOT
MEET THE CRITERIA OF
THE WILLFUL PROMOTION OF HATRED
AS ESTABLISHED IN THE CRIMINAL
CODE OF CANADA.
"THE EPOCH TIMES" WAS FOLLOWED
BY A SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT
PERSECUTED IN CHINA AND AT
LOGGERHEADS WITH CHINA'S RULING
COMMUNIST PARTY.
THOSE WHO STUDY CHINA AREN'T
SURPRISED TO SEE THE PAPER SEIZE
ON THE PANDEMIC TO TAKE AIM AT
BEIJING.
>> THERE IS SO MUCH BAD BLOOD
THAT EITHER SIDE WOULD TAKE
WHATEVER OPPORTUNITY THEY
REASONABLY COULD TO THROW MUD AT
THE OTHER.
>> Reporter: THE PAPER
RECENTLY PRODUCED THIS
DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF
THE VIRUS.
IT PUSHED SO MANY DEBUNKED
THEORIES THAT FACEBOOK FLAGGED
IT AS FALSE INFORMATION.
>> JUST THIS MORNING MY FRIEND
SITTING IN FRONT OF THE HOSPITAL
WAITING FOR THEIR MOTHER-IN-LAW
FOR A MEDICAL CHECK-UP YELLED
AND SCREAMED OUT, YOU DIRTY
CHINESE.
>> Reporter: THIS ADVOCATE
WORRIES THAT THE PAPER'S
INFLAMMATORY HEADLINES HURT ALL
CANADIANS.
>> BECAUSE THIS PERCEPTION THAT
CHINESE EQUALS VIRUS IS ALREADY
QUITE PREVALENT IN CANADIAN
SOCIETY.
>> Reporter: IN AN EMAIL "THE
EPOCH TIMES"
SAID THAT SOME MAY HAVE INFLATED
CRITICISM OF THE CHINESE PARTY
WITH THE CRITICISM OF THE
CHINESE PEOPLE.
BUT SAYS THAT THE
PARTY DOES NOT REPRESENT CHINESE
PEOPLE.
WHEN ASKED THE PAPER DIDN'T SAY
WHAT
STEPS IT COULD TAKE TO QUELL THE
FEARS OF ASIAN-CANADIANS AFRAID
THAT THE HEADLINES COULD MAKE
THEM TARGETS OF HATE.
KATIE NICHOLSON, CBC NEWS,
TORONTO.
>> Andrew: HERE'S A QUESTION
FOR YOU -- HOW MUCH ARE YOU
DRIVING LATELY?
AND ARE YOU STILL PAYING THE
SAME FOR CAR INSURANCE?
>> IF DRIVING IS DOWN BY 50%,
ACCIDENTS ARE DOWN BY 50%, WE
SHOULD BE PASSING ON THE
SAVINGS.
>> Andrew: UP NEXT, THE CALLS
FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES TO PONY
UP PANDEMIC REBATES.
>> Adrienne: AND WE FOCUS ON
SENIORS.
THEY'VE BEEN AT THE CENTRE OF
THIS PANDEMIC STORY.
TONIGHT THEY'RE AT THE CENTRE OF
OUR COVERAGE, BEGINNING WITH
THEIR QUESTIONS FOR OUR EXPERTS.
>> WHAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN
FOR PEOPLE MY AGE WHO ARE
>> Andrew: WELL, ANYONE
VENTURING OUT IN THE TIME OF
COVID-19 WILL TELL YOU THAT SOME
ROADS AND HIGHWAYS ARE VIRTUALLY
EMPTY.
SO WHILE THERE ARE MANY
CANADIANS STILL PAYING THE SAME
PREMIUMS FOR CAR INSURANCE.
AARON SALTZMAN TAKES A LOOK.
>> I'M ONLY GOING TO THE GROCERY
STORE AND BACK.
>> Reporter: HIS COMPANY
COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, THESE DAYS
HIS TRUCK RARELY
LEAVES THE DRIVEWAY BUT HE JUST
FOUND OUT THAT HIS INSURANCE IS
GOING UP 20% RETROACTIVE TO
JANUARY.
>> I'M AT A SPOT THAT I CAN
AFFORD IT I THINK FOR THE NEXT
LITTLE WHILE.
BUT I KNOW THAT A LOT OF
PEOPLE THAT I WORK FOR CAN'T.
>> Reporter: THEY SAY THAT THE
INCREASE WAS DECIDED UPON PRIOR
TO THE PANDEMIC.
AND IT REFLECTS THE CLAIMS
EXPERIENCE THAT THE
COMPANY HAS SEEN OVER THE LAST
SEVERAL YEARS.
COOPERATORS IS NOW OFFERING A
10% REBATE TO ALL ITS DRIVERS
BUT THAT'S AFTER THE 20% HIKE.
WITH FEWER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD
DUE TO COVID-19, AND FEWER
COLLISIONS, THE INSURANCE
INDUSTRY HAD PLEDGED TO PASS ON
THE SAVINGS TO DRIVERS.
>> THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THAT
RISK PROFILE THAT INSURERS USED
MONTHS AGO TO ESTABLISH THE
PREMIUM HAS GONE DOWN.
AND SO THERE'S A NEED TO REFLECT
THAT.
>> Reporter: PUBLIC INSURERS
AND MANY COMPANIES ARE OFFERING
ACROSS-THE-BOARD REFUNDS FOR ALL
OF THEIR CUSTOMERS, WHETHER
THEY'RE DRIVING LESS OR NOT.
BUT SOME OF CANADA'S BIGGEST
INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE ONLY
CUTTING PREMIUMS IF PEOPLE ARE
DRIVING LESS, REDUCING COVERAGE,
OR UPPING THEIR DEDUCTIBLE.
OPTIONS THAT ARE GENERALLY
AVAILABLE PANDEMIC OR NOT.
CANADA'S INSURANCE DISPUTE
RESOLUTION SERVICE SAYS THAT
IT'S GETTING COMPLAINTS ABOUT
THE LACK OF REBATES.
IT ALSO SAYS THAT SOME COMPANIES
MAY NOT BE IN A POSITION TO
OFFER THEM.
>> IF AN INSURER HAS A HUGE LOSS
RATIO AND IT'S NOT MAKING AS
MUCH MONEY, YOU MIGHT NOT GET
THE SAME REBATE AS THE SMALLER
INSURER, SAY, WHO IS MAKING MUCH
LESS CLAIMS BEFORE THIS
PANDEMIC.
>> Reporter: ONTARIO'S N.D.P.
IS CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT IN
THAT PROVINCE TO FORCE INSURERS
TO CUT ALL PREMIUMS BY HALF FOR
THREE MONTHS.
>> IF DRIVING IS DOWN BY 50%,
ACCIDENTS ARE DOWN BY 50%, WE
SHOULD BE PASSING ON THE
SAVINGS.
>> Reporter: DRIVERS, HE SAYS,
SHOULD GET THE BENEFITS OF
DRIVING LESS, NOT INSURANCE
COMPANIES.
AARON SALTZMAN, CBC NEWS,
TORONTO.
>> Adrienne: AMONG THOSE MOST
AFFECTED BY THE ILLNESS AND BY
FINANCIAL UNCERTAINTY AND BY
LONELINESS FROM COVID-19 ARE
SENIORS.
NEXT ON "THE NATIONAL," WE'RE
PUTTING OUR FOCUS ON THOSE HIT
HARD BY THE PANDEMIC.
OUR DOCTORS ANSWER SENIORS'
QUESTIONS.
>> IF WE PHYSICAL DISTANCE, IS
IT OKAY TO HAVE FRIENDS, KIDS
AND GRAND KIDS OVER FOR A VISIT
IN THE BACKYARD?
>> Adrienne: PLUS, AN INSIDE
LOOK AT THE STRAIN THAT SENIORS'
DOCTORS ARE FACING.
>> WE'RE ALL WORKING DOUBLY HARD
NOW.
>> Adrienne: AND VETERANS GIVE
US THEIR ADVICE FOR THIS
HISTORIC MOMENT.
>> THERE'S A SAYING, KEEP CALM
AND CARRY ON.
>> Adrienne: SPECIAL COVERAGE
STARTING RIGHT AFTER THIS.
(*)
>> Adrienne: WELCOME BACK.
WHEN IT COMES TO UNDERSTANDING
THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19, ONE
GROUP HAS BEEN HIT ESPECIALLY
HARD IN CANADA -- SENIORS.
THEY REMAIN THE MOST VULNERABLE.
SO TONIGHT WE'RE FOCUSING OUR
SPECIAL COVERAGE ON THEM.
WE'LL LOOK AT THE NEW CHALLENGES
THAT THEIR DOCTORS ARE FACING
AND SOME OF THE EXTREME MEASURES
FAMILIES ARE TAKING TO SEE THEIR
LOVED ONES.
BUT, FIRST, LET'S HEAR FROM
CANADIAN SENIORS DIRECTLY AND
PUT THEIR QUESTIONS TO OUR PANEL
OF DOCTORS.
WITH ME TONIGHT IS DR. SAMIR
SINHA, THE DIRECTOR OF
GERIATRICS IN TORONTO.
AND DR. NATHAN STALL,
GERIATRICIAN AT MOUNT SINAI IN
TORONTO.
THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.
SO WE HAVE A WHOLE BUNCH OF
QUESTIONS.
THE FIRST ONE COMES FROM GRACE.
AND LET'S HAVE A LOOK.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT
STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN FOR PEOPLE
MY AGE WHO ARE THINKING IN THE
NEAR FUTURE OF MOVING INTO A
NURSING HOME OR HAVING CARE IN
MY OWN HOME IN LIGHT OF WHAT IS
HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IN NURSING
HOMES.
>> Adrienne: IT'S A BIG
DECISION.
DR. SINHA, CAN YOU START US OFF?
>> I THINK THAT A LOT OF
CANADIANS RIGHT NOW ARE REALLY
NERVOUS ABOUT WHAT MY FUTURE
CARE NEEDS MIGHT LOOK LIKE AND
IS IT SAFE TO BE IN A NURSING
HOME.
AND I THINK THAT RIGHT NOW
THERE'S A LOT OF WORK GOING ON
TO SAVE MANY LIVES.
BUT ALSO TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE
MIGHT HAVE TO RE-THINK OUR
MODELS AND TO HAVE HOME-BASED
CARE THAT IS MORE IN LINE OF
WHAT PEOPLE LIKE SHE WANTS.
>> Adrienne: OKAY, NEXT UP WE
HAVE A QUESTION FROM COREY.
>> I HAVE WELL-MANAGED TYPE 2
DIABETES.
I'M WONDERING WHY I'M AT GREATER
RISK FOR COVID-19?
IS IT MY AGE?
OR IS IT MY ILLNESS?
OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH?
>> Adrienne: DR. STALL, THAT
ONE IS INTENDED FOR YOU.
>> YEAH, SO IT'S PROBABLY A
LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.
BUT WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO
RECOGNIZE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT
LEVELS OF RISK WHEN IT COMES TO
COVID-19, IS THAT IT'S NOT JUST
CHRONOLOGICAL AGE ITSELF AND
IT'S NOT JUST THE PRESENCE OF
CO-MORBIDITY.
I'M SURE THAT WE ALL KNOW
SOMEONE WHO IS A 90-YEAR-OLD AND
WHO IS IN GREAT HEALTH AND GOOD
FUNCTION.
AND WE PROBABLY KNOW
SOMEONE WHO IS 60 YEARS OLD AND
IN LESS GOOD HEALTH AND LESS
GOOD FUNCTION.
SO IT'S BEYOND CHRONOLOGICAL
AGE.
SIMILARLY, WHEN YOU SPEAK ABOUT
DIABETES THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO
WELL-CONTROLLED DIABETES LIKE
COREY AND A LACK OF ORGAN
DISEASE OR
HEART DISEASE.
SO CONSIDERING THE CO-MORBIDITY
DOESN'T GIVE US THE ENTIRE RISK.
AND WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT HOW
ADVANCED THE DISEASE IS WHEN WE
TALK ABOUT COVID-19 RISKS.
>> Adrienne: YOU CAN CERTAINLY
UNDERSTAND HOW FRIGHTENED PEOPLE
ARE.
THESE ARE GOOD QUESTIONS.
UP NEXT WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM
VIVIAN.
>> WHY IS ONTARIO SO SLOW TO
TEST ALL SENIORS AND CARE
WORKERS IN NURSING HOMES?
>> Adrienne: DR. SINHA, THAT
ONE IS FOR YOU.
>> YEAH, NO, I THINK THAT
EVERYONE IS THINKING THAT WE
NEED TO BE TESTING EVERYONE AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY
WHEN 90% OF OUR DEATHS RIGHT NOW
IN ONTARIO ARE IN THESE HOMES
THEMSELVES.
BUT THE CHALLENGE IS THAT WE
ONLY HAVE SO MUCH TESTING
CAPACITY WITH ONLY ABOUT 14,000
TESTS A DAY AND 144,000 PEOPLE
IN CARE.
SO OUR FOCUS RIGHT NOW IN
ONTARIO AND OTHER PLACES IS TO
TEST AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE
IN HOMES WHERE THERE ARE
OUTBREAKS.
AND THEN START DOING
SURVEILLANCE TESTING IN OTHER
PLACES.
SO WE'RE TRYING TO REALLY MANAGE
OUR TESTING CAPACITY AS BEST AS
POSSIBLE SO THAT WE CAN TRY TO
CATCH UP AND EVEN STAY AHEAD OF
THIS VIRUS.
>> Adrienne: OKAY, OUR NEXT
QUESTION COMES FROM JIM.
>> MY QUESTION IS THAT IF I HAVE
TO GO TO A HOSPITAL, HOW DO I
MAKE SURE THAT I'M NOT TRIAGED
AS AN EXPENDABLE, SINCE I'M OVER
80 YEARS OF AGE.
>> Adrienne: OKAY, THAT IS A
COMPLETELY HEARTBREAKING
QUESTION.
DR. SALL?
>> YES, SO ONE OF THE THINGS
THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO
RECOGNIZE IS THAT THE SUCCESS OF
OUR PHYSICAL DISTANCING IN
CANADA HAS MEANT THAT WE HAVE
NOT REACHED THE SURGE LEVELS IN
OUR ACUTE AND CRITICAL CARE
SYSTEMS THAT WE THOUGHT THAT WE
MIGHT HAVE.
SO THESE CRITERIA -- AND I WILL
SAY THAT NONE OF THEM IN CANADA
PROPOSED USING CHRONOLOGICAL AGE
AS A CRITERIA.
SO WE HAVE NOT USED THOSE
CRITERIA TO ALLOCATE SCARCE
MEDICAL RESOURCES BECAUSE WE
HAVE NOT REACHED SURGE CRITERIA.
NOW OTHER JURISDICTIONS LIKE THE
UNITED KINGDOM HAVE DEVELOPED
SIMILAR CRITERIA FOR THE
ALLOCATION OF SCARCE MEDICAL
RESOURCES AND MECHANICAL
VENTILATORS WOULD BE ONE OF
THOSE.
AND INTENSIVE CARE BEDS WOULD BE
ANOTHER.
SO CRITERIA ARE APPLIED ON HOW
ADVANCED UNDERLYING CHRONIC
CONDITIONS ARE OR WHEN IT COMES
TO AGING THEY HAVE INVOKED A
CONDITION CALLED FRAILTY OF A
REDUCED FUNCTION AND HEALTH IN
OLDER INDIVIDUALS.
SO SIMPLY THE USE OF
CHRONOLOGICAL AGE IN AND OF
ITSELF IS NOT
SOMETHING INVOLVED IN THOSE
CRITERIA.
BUT I'M HOPEFUL BASED ON THE
SUCCESS AS A COUNTRY IN
FLATTENING THE CURVE THAT THESE
CRITERIA WILL NEVER HAVE TO BE
USED.
>> Adrienne: OKAY, OUR LAST
QUESTION, WHICH IS ONE THAT SO
MANY PEOPLE ARE ASKING, COMES
FROM MARGARET.
>> IF WE PHYSICAL DISTANCE, IS
IT OKAY TO HAVE FRIENDS, KIDS
AND GRAND KIDS OVER FOR A VISIT
IN THE BACKYARD OR THE DRIVEWAY?
>> Adrienne: OKAY, SO BEFORE
YOU ANSWER THIS, DOCTORS, WE
KNOW THAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE
DIFFERENT IN EVERY PROVINCE AND
PEOPLE OBVIOUSLY SHOULD FIRST
AND FOREMOST FOLLOW THE PUBLIC
HEALTH GUIDELINES WHERE THEY
LIVE.
BUT WE COULD HAVE YOU BOTH LOOK
AT THIS.
DR. SINHA, HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER
THIS ONE?
>> THIS IS A TRICKY ONE, RIGHT,
BECAUSE WE'RE ALL A BIT STIR
CRAZY RIGHT NOW.
AND WE WANT TO GO AND SEE OUR
FRIENDS.
AND WE SAY, WELL, WE'LL ALL PLAY
SAFE.
AND THE CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW IS
THAT ESPECIALLY YOUNG
GRANDCHILDREN, THEY DON'T
UNDERSTAND PRINCIPLES OF
PHYSICAL DISTANCING.
THEY WANT TO HUG GRANDMA.
AND THIS IS WHERE PEOPLE
SOMETIMES DON'T GET IT RIGHT.
AND THAT'S HOW THE VIRUS
ACTUALLY GETS US.
>> Adrienne: ALL RIGHT,
DOCTORS, THANK YOU BOTH VERY
MUCH AS ALWAYS.
AND AS WE HAVE MENTIONED WE WILL
BE ASKING YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT
COVID-19 EVERY NIGHT GOING
FORWARD.
SO, PLEASE, SEND US THE
QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE AND YOU
CAN MESSAGE US DIRECTLY ON
INSTAGRAM @CBCTHENATIONAL OR YOU
CAN SEND US AN EMAIL AT
covid@cbc.ca.
>> Andrew: NEXT ON "THE
NATIONAL," DR. SINHA IS BACK AND
HE'LL GIVE US A FIRSTHAND LOOK
AT WHAT HIS LONG BUSY DAYS AT A
BUSY TORONTO HOSPITAL LOOKS
LIKE.
>> Adrienne: PLUS, A MAN WHO
GOT A JOB IN A LONG-TERM CARE
HOME SO HE COULD BE CLOSE TO HIS
MOM.
BUT FIRST --
(*)
>>> A LITTLE MUSIC GOES A LONG
WAY AND IF YOU'RE LUCKY IT COMES
TO YOU JUST AS IT DID FOR THESE
RESIDENTS IN A RETIREMENT HOME
IN TORONTO.
>> ONE MORE TIME.
>> Adrienne: WHAT STARTED AS A
CREATIVE SOLUTION TO THE
COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS IS NOW A
WEEKLY OUTDOOR CONCERT.
THE AUDIENCE ON THEIR BALCONIES
AND THE STAFF AND HEALTH CARE
WORKERS LOOKING UP AND THE MUSIC
BRINGING EVERYONE TOGETHER.
(*)
* SWEET CAROLINE 
(*)
>> Adrienne: WELCOME BACK TO
OUR SPECIAL SENIORS AND COVID-19
COVERAGE.
YOU MAY KNOW IT YOURSELF, THE
PAIN OF BEING SEPARATED FROM
LOVED ONES IN LONG-TERM CARE.
IN TONIGHT'S PANDEMIC DIARY, THE
STORY OF ONE MAN WHO TOOK A JOB
TO BE CLOSER TO HIS MOM.
>> HI, MY NAME IS BRIAN COCHRANE
AND I'M 45 YEARS OLD AND I
RECENTLY STARTED WORKING AS A
UNIT AIDE
IN A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY IN
THE MIDST OF A FIGHT AGAINST
COVID-19.
IT IS THE LONG-TERM CARE
FACILITY THAT MY MOTHER IS AT.
SHE'S ON THE THIRD FLOOR CORNER
UNIT.
WE HAD BEEN RESTRICTED FROM
VISITING FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
I APPLIED FOR A JOB AND LESS
THAN 24 HOURS LATER I HAD
COMPLETED TRAINING AND I WAS
STARTING MY FIRST SHIFT WORKING
ON MY MOTHER'S FLOOR.
FIRST STOP --
>> I'LL TAKE YOUR TEMPERATURE.
>> I'M FEELING STRESSED AND I'M
FEELING NERVOUS AND I ALSO FEEL
SATISFACTION THAT IN SOME SMALL
WAY, SHAPE OR FORM THAT I'M
PARTICIPATING AND I'M HELPING.
WHAT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT IS THE
IDEA OF INTRODUCING THE
CORONAVIRUS INTO THE LONG-TERM
CARE FACILITY.
ALL THE MORE SO BECAUSE MY
MOTHER IS AMONG THE RESIDENTS
THAT I CARE FOR.
WHAT REALLY GIVES ME HOPE IS THE
PEOPLE THAT I AM WORKING WITH,
THE EMPLOYEES DESERVE MORE
CREDIT THAN WE COULD POSSIBLY
GIVE THEM.
>> Adrienne: DOCTORS ARE ALSO
HAVING TO ADAPT AND CHANGE HOW
THEY INTERACT WITH THEIR ELDERLY
PATIENTS.
SO TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THOSE
CHALLENGES, WE HANDED THINGS
OVER TO DR. SAMIR SINHA.
HERE IS HIS OWN
BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT HOW
COVID-19 HAS AFFECTED HIS JOB.
>> SO IT'S JUST AFTER 6:00
a.m. AND I'M DRIVING INTO WORK.
I USUALLY TAKE MY BIKE WITH THE
BIKE SHARE PROGRAMME OR TAKE THE
T.T.C.
BUT FOR PIE HEALTH AND THAT OF
MY CO-WORKERS, I NOW DRIVE.
I'M DR. SAMIR SINHA, I'M A
JEERTRICIAN AND THE
DIRECTOR OF GERIATRICS AT THE
EMERGENCY HEALTH NETWORK IN
TORONTO.
I'LL TAKE YOU THROUGH A DAY OF
WHAT IT'S LIKE FOR ME TO WORK
NOW AMIDST THIS REALITY.
I DO A LOT OF MY VISITS NOW
VIRTUALLY.
BUT A NURSE RUNS OUR OUTPATIENT
LAB.
NANCY, I'M SEEING MY
PATIENTS OVER THE PHONE OR
THROUGH VIDEO CHAT.
THEY'RE NOT COMING HERE WHERE
THEY USUALLY GET THEIR BLOOD
WORK.
WHAT ARE YOU SEEING?
>> WE ARE SEEING VERY FEW
PATIENTS NOW AND IT DOES HAVE US
QUITE CONCERNED.
WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE
ACTUALLY GETTING THEIR BLOOD
WORK, EVEN FOR DIAGNOSES.
>> SO IT'S A BIG ISSUE?
>> IT IS A BIG ISSUE.
>> THERE'S BEEN NO TYPICAL DAY
SINCE THE PANDEMIC DAY.
WE'RE ALL WORKING DOUBLE HOURS
NOW AND JUST TRYING TO DO
THE BEST THAT WE CAN TO SUPPORT
OUR PATIENTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE
OF THE HOSPITAL.
THIS WEEK I HAVE BEEN FOCUSING
ON CALLING ALL OF MY PATIENTS
AND USING EITHER THE PHONE, THE
GOOD OLD TELEPHONE, OR USING
VIDEO LINKS FOR THOSE WHO ARE A
LITTLE BIT MORE
TECH SAVVY.
TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE
OKAY AND THEY'RE GETTING WHAT
THEY NEED.
AND DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
FOR ME?
>> I DO.
IF A BED BECOMES AVAILABLE
DURING THIS COVID-19 PANDEMIC
AND WE TURN IT DOWN, WHAT ARE
OUR OPTIONS?
>> YEAH, NO, GOOD QUESTION,
ACTUALLY.
SO THE MINISTRY OF LONG-TERM
CARE JUST PASSED EMERGENCY
REGULATIONS JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO
JUST TO SAY THAT IN CASES LIKE
YOURS IF YOU DO GET A BED
OFFER, TRADITIONALLY IF YOU TURN
IT DOWN YOU'D BE STRUCK OFF THE
LIST.
BUT IF YOUR FAMILY SAYS JUST
RIGHT NOW, CAN WE HOLD OFF UNTIL
THE PANDEMIC HOLDS, THEY
WILL HOLD THE BED SO YOU WON'T
LOSE YOUR PLACE IN LINE AND THEN
YOU CAN DECIDE WHEN IT'S OKAY
FOR MOM TO GO IN.
>> SOUNDS GREAT.
>> TYPICALLY IT'S 16 TO 18-HOUR
DAYS.
ONE OF THE LAST CARS OUT OF THE
LOT AT NIGHT.
ANOTHER PRODUCTIVE DAY.
BUT WHAT ALWAYS KEEPS ME UP AT
NIGHT IS
WONDERING IF I COULD HAVE DONE
ANYTHING MORE.
>> Andrew: STILL AHEAD ON "THE
NATIONAL," TIPS ON HOW TO HANDLE
ALL OF THIS FROM THOSE WHO HAVE
LIVED THROUGH BIG MOMENTS IN
HISTORY.
>> THIS IS JUST LIKE THE
BEGINNING OF WORLD WAR II.
>> Adrienne: ADVICE THAT YOU
DON'T WANT TO MISS IN OUR
"MOMENT."
(*
>> Andrew: WELL, THEY WERE
JUST STARTING TO MAKE A NEW LIFE
IN CANADA WHEN THE PANDEMIC
CHANGED EVERYTHING -- HOUSING
AND JOBS AND SUPPORT AND
SUDDENLY A LOT HARDER TO COME
BY.
LAURA LYNCH LOOKS AT HOW
REFUGEES ARE COPING WITH COVID.
>> Reporter: WHAT'S NORMALLY A
SKIER'S DREAM, NO LIFT LINE AND
UNTOUCHED HILLS, IS NOW PART OF
THE NIGHTMARE IN WHISTLER.
THE CORONAVIRUS HAS SHUTDOWN THE
VILLAGE.
IT'S EMPTY OF BOTH TOURISTS AND
LAID OFF WORKERS.
BUT FOR SOME IT'S ALSO TORN
APART THE PROMISE OF A NEW LIFE
IN A NEW LAND.
>> I WAS REALLY HAPPY THAT DAY.
>> Reporter: THIS SYRIAN
REFUGEE AND HIS PARTNER FOUND
JOBS
AT A HOTEL SHORTLY AFTER
ARRIVING HERE IN JANUARY.
JUST OVER A MONTH LATER THE
VIRUS SHREDDED THE ECONOMY.
>> WE LOST OUR JOBS,
UNFORTUNATELY, AND THE HOUSE
WE'RE LIVING ALSO COMES WITH THE
JOB.
BUT WE HAVE TO LEAVE THE HOUSE
AS WELL.
>> Reporter: NOW HE CAN'T
SLEEP, HAS PANIC ATTACKS.
HE SAYS THAT IT'S AS IF HE'S
BACK IN WAR-TORN SYRIA.
>> IT REALLY TRIGGERS A LOT OF
THINGS.
IT'S LIKE IT SCARES ME A LOT.
SO I THINK THAT IS WHY IT
TRIGGERS ANXIETY IN ME.
>> I'M DR. RASHID --
>> Reporter: THAT
VULNERABILITY IS WHAT SETS
REFUGEES APART IN THIS PANDEMIC.
>> MANY PEOPLE HAVE LIVED
THROUGH HORRIFIC TRAUMA SO WE
SEE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED
THROUGH TORTURE AND WAR AND BEEN
ESTRANGED FROM FAMILIES AND
SOMETIMES SEEN FAMILY MEMBERS
KILLED.
>> Reporter: THE ANXIETY MAY
BE EVEN BE WORSE FOR THOSE WHO
ARRIVE UNABLE TO SPEAK ENGLISH
OR FRENCH, LIKE THE SIX FAMILIES
LIVING IN TEMPORARY HOUSING HERE
IN VANCOUVER.
>> WE'D LOVE SOME LEADS FOR
THESE FAMILIES TO BE ABLE TO
TRANSITION OUT OF OUR TEMPORARY
FACILITY WHERE
THEY'VE BEEN FOR TWO, THREE OR
FOUR MONTHS NOW INTO PERMANENT
HOUSING.
>> Reporter: THERE IS ONE
REFUGEE WHO PROBABLY KNOWS MORE
THAN MOST ABOUT DEALING WITH
ISOLATION.
SYRIAN HASSAN ALKANTAR HAD
ATTRACTED GLOBAL ATTENTION WHEN
HE WAS STUCK AT THE ARRIVALS
HAIL AT THE
AIRPORT IN KUALA LUMPUR FOR
EIGHT MONTHS.
WELCOMED TO CANADA JUST OVER A
YEAR AGO, HE IS ALSO LIVING IN
WHISTLER.
HE'S ALSO LOST HIS JOB.
HE'S LIVING ALONE IN THE RESORT
SPA WHERE HE USED TO WORK.
>> IT'S NOT MY BEST TIME BUT
THIS TIME IT WILL BE OKAY.
>> Reporter: MUCH EASIER TOO,
HE SAYS, THAN SURVIVING WAR.
>> YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW WE LIVED
AS SYRIANS FOR LAST NINE YEARS.
WE USED TO PLAY WITH DEATH.
WE WERE LIVING ON THE EDGE.
>> Reporter: AKANTAR HAS
STARTED LOW-TECH COOKING CLASSES
ON HIS FACEBOOK PAGE, A WAY TO
SHARE A MESSAGE OF RESILIENCE
WITH OTHER
REFUGEES AND CANADIANS IN
GENERAL.
>> TO TELL THEM THAT IS A
TEMPORARY THING.
WE CAN GET THROUGH IT.
THEY NEED TO BE PATIENT.
THEY NEED TO THINK AS SYRIANS,
TO BE CALM, AND TO LIVE
DAY-BY-DAY.
>> Reporter: AND SO EVERYONE
WAITS FOR THIS VILLAGE TO RETURN
TO ITS VIBRANT NORMAL.
BUT FOR SOME IT ALSO MEANS
WAITING TO TRULY START OVER IN
THEIR NEW COUNTRY, CANADA.
LAURA LYNCH, CBC NEWS, WHISTLER.
>> Adrienne: NEXT ON "THE
NATIONAL," ADVICE FROM PEOPLE
WHO HAVE LIVED THROUGH SOME OF
HISTORY'S MOST DIFFICULT
MOMENTS.
>> Andrew: BUT, FIRST, OUR
COVID-19 HOW-TO GUIDE.
TONIGHT ADVICE FOR US WHO HAVE
TROUBLE BREATHING, EVEN WHEN
WE'RE HEALTHY.
I HAVE ASTHMA.
AM I MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO
COVID-19?
>> THERE'S NO EVIDENCE THAT
YOU'RE MORE LIKELY TO CATCH THE
VIRUS IF YOU HAVE ASTHMA.
YOU'RE PROBABLY NOT MORE LIKELY.
BUT IT'S QUITE LIKELY THAT IF
YOU DO CATCH IT YOU'LL HAVE A
MORE SEVERE FORM OF THAT
INFECTION.
BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT
ASTHMA TENDS TO FLARE UP WHEN
PEOPLE GET VIRUSES.
THAT'S A COMMON REASON THAT
PEOPLE HAVE ASTHMA FLARE-UPS AND
OFTEN END UP IN THE EMERGENCY
ROOM.
>> Andrew: AND THE BAD NEWS
DOESN'T END THERE,
UNFORTUNATELY.
THERE'S OPEN QUESTIONS WHETHER
IN SEVERE CASES OF COVID-19 THAT
EVEN AFTER A PATIENT RECOVERS
THAT
THERE MAY BE LONG-TERM DAMAGE.
SCAR TISSUE IN THE LUNGS MAKING
IT HARDER TO BREATHE.
>> SO IF YOU HAVE COVID-19,
THAT'S A VIRUS THAT IS CAUSING
THAT FLARE-UP, YOU MAY WELL HAVE
A MORE SEVERE INFECTION BECAUSE
OF THE ASTHMA.
>> Andrew: WHEN THE STAKES ARE
THAT MUCH HIGHER, KEEP YOUR
PHYSICAL DISTANCE FROM OTHER
PEOPLE AND WASH YOUR HANDS AND
DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE.
 H
>> Adrienne:  THESE THREE
SENIORS ARE SECOND WORLD WAR
VETERANS AND THEY HAVE LIVED
THROUGH SOME OF THE MOST
CHALLENGING TIMES IN THE LAST
CENTURY.
AND BECAUSE OF THE HISTORY,
THEY'VE WITNESSED, THEY'RE WELL
EQUIPPED TO WITNESS WHAT WE'RE
LIVING THROUGH AND THAT IS OUR
"MOMENT."
>> I WAS SITTING HERE, LOOKING
OUT THE WINDOW AND I THOUGHT,
YOU KNOW, THIS IS JUST LIKE THE
BEGINNING OF WORLD WAR II.
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO
HAPPEN.
YOU HOPE FOR THE BEST.
WE'VE GOT THE BEST COUNTRY IN
THE WORLD IF WE PUT OUR SHOULDER
TO THE WHEEL.
>> MY WHOLE LIFE HAS BEEN A
LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND I THINK
I LEARNED A LOT IN THE WAR ABOUT
THE NEED FOR BEING KIND TO
PEOPLE.
>> I THINK THAT THAT WE SHOULD
PAY MORE ATTENTION TO ONE
ANOTHER.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET WRAPPED UP
IN YOUR OWN LITTLE WORLD AND YOU
NEVER THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE
ONES THAT ARE MUCH WORSE OFF
THAN YOU ARE AND IT SHOULD BRING
PEOPLE CLOSER TOGETHER.
>> IT'S NOT JUST ONE TOWN HERE
OR ANOTHER TOWN SOMEWHERE ELSE
OR ANOTHER COUNTRY SOMEWHERE
ELSE.
IT'S NOT THIS.
IT'S A WHOLE WORLD AND WE'RE ALL
THE SAME AND WE'RE ALL TOGETHER
IN IT.
THERE'S A SAYING, KEEP CALM AND
CARRY ON.
THERE'S NOTHING ELSE YOU CAN DO.
THERE'S ANOTHER SAYING, THIS,
TOO, WILL PASS, AND IT WILL
PASS.
>> Andrew:  THOSE ARE STRIKING
WORDS, THIS, TOO, WILL PASS.
IT'S SO HARD IN THE MOMENT TO
BELIEVE IT, BUT, OF COURSE,
SHE'S RIGHT.
OF COURSE, IT WILL PASS.
>> Adrienne:  LISTEN, THERE'S A
LOT WE CAN LEARN FROM THOSE
FOLKS.
WE MUST.
ONE THING I'M ALWAYS CURIOUS
ABOUT, WHY DID PEOPLE SERVE WHEN
THEY DID?
AND THEY ASKED, BOB AND HE SAID,
HE DIDN'T LIKE HIS BOSS AT
GENERAL ELECTRIC, FED UP.
THIS IS "THE NATIONAL" FOR APRIL 29th.
GOODNIGHT.
>> Andrew:  GOODNIGHT.
