>> Ian: TONIGHT, ALL THAT 
PHYSICAL DISTANCING MAY BE 
STARTING TO WORK.
>> I'M STARTING TO SEE SOME 
GLIMMERS OF HOPE.
>> Ian: SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN 
BENDING THE CURVE, BUT ALSO 
WARNING, THE BATTLE AGAINST 
COVID-19 REMAINS CRITICAL.
CANADIAN AIRLINE CREWS FALLING 
SICK WITH COVID-19.
IS ENOUGH BEING DONE TO PROTECT 
THOSE ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN THE 
SKY?
CBC NEWS INVESTIGATES.
>>> KEEPING CANADIANS ON THE 
PAYROLL.
>> I SAID TO MY TEAM, I WILL 
PLEDGE TO PAY YOU.
>> Ian: WHAT OTTAWA'S NEW WAGE 
SUBSIDIES MEAN FOR SMALL 
BUSINESSES ON THE BRINK.
>>> AND CANADIANS HEADING OUT OF
TOWN TO ISOLATE.
COULD ALL THOSE VISITORS TAX 
SMALL-TOWN HOSPITALS?
THIS IS "THE NATIONAL".
IN JUST DAYS, OUR COUNTRY HAS 
BEEN TRANSFORMED.
SCHOOLS SUSPENDED, BUSINESSES 
UPENDED, TRAVEL DISRUPTED, ALL 
TO HOLD BACK THE SPREAD OF 
COVID-19.
AND TONIGHT A GLIMMER OF HOPE 
ALL THIS MIGHT BE MAKING A 
DIFFERENCE.
B.C.'S PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER 
PRESENTED MODELS OF THE 
PROGRESSION OF THE DISEASE IN 
THE PROVINCE.
B.C. AMONG THE FIRST TO ENACT 
PHYSICAL DISTANCING MEASURES AND
ASKING TRAVELLERS TO ISOLATE.
THERE ARE SIGNS OF A POSITIVE 
IMPACT, BUT DIVE INTO THE 
NUMBERS LIKE VIK ADHOPIA DID AND
THE MAIN MESSAGE REMAINS CLEAR.
WE'RE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS AND 
WE NEED TO KEEP OUR DISTANCE.
>> Reporter: THE ADVICE TO KEEP 
OUR DISTANCES HAS MADE FOR 
STRANGE SCENES ACROSS THE 
COUNTRY.
CANADIANS ADJUSTING TO LIFE 
FARTHER APART, ALL TO INTERYOU 
WANT -- INTERRESULTS THE SPREAD 
OF COVID-19.
B.C. IS SHOWING POSITIVE SIGNS.
WHEN LOOKING AT COVID-19 CASES 
PER MILLION, THIS IS WHAT THE 
PROVINCE'S TRAJECTORY WAS, BUT 
HERE'S WHERE THE PROVINCE IS AS 
OF WEDNESDAY.
THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES HAS 
HALVED, ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE TOO 
SOON TO CALL IT PROGRESS.
>> I'M STARTING TO SEE GLIMMERS 
OF HOPE THAT WE'VE FLATTENED 
OUT, OUR INCREASE, OUR 
TRAJECTORY HAS LEVELLED OFF A 
BIT.
WE NEED TO SEE THAT CONTINUE.
>> Reporter: ONTARIO IS INCHING 
TOWARD A THOUSAND CASES, 
INCLUDING THREE MORE DEATHS.
STILL THERE IS A HINT OF AN 
ENCOURAGING SIGN.
>> I WAS ANTICIPATING THAT OUR 
NUMBER WOULD BE HIGHER THAN 170,
SO I'M SURPRISED IT WAS 133.
I WOULD SAY THAT'S OKAY.
IT'S ONLY ONE DAY.
>> Reporter: COMPARED TO TWO 
HARD-HIT REGIONS, CANADA'S CASE 
LOAD IS NOT CLIMBING AS QUICKLY 
AS ITALY AND HUBEI PROVINCE, BUT
IT'S NOT TIME TO EASE UP ON THE 
ISOLATION.
>> WE'RE IN IT FOR THE LONG 
HAUL, IT'S NOT DAYS AND WEEKS, 
IT'S DEFINITELY MONTHS.
>> SO MUCH OF THAT DEPENDS ON US
ALL DOING OUR PART TO DEEP THIS 
FROM GOING EXPLOSIVELY.
>> Reporter: MORE THAN 90% OF 
THE ASSESSED CASES IN CANADA 
DON'T NEED HOSPITALIZATION.
AND THAT'S JUST KNOWN CASES.
IT'S ACTUALLY THOSE PEOPLE WITH 
MILD OR NO SYMPTOMS THAT ADD AN 
UNPREDICTABILITY TO THE 
EQUATION.
>> THEY FEEL HEALTHY.
THEY'RE WALKING AROUND, 
CONTACTING OTHERS, GOING TO 
STORE, SO THEY'RE CREATING 
SECONDARY INFECTIONS WITHOUT 
REALIZING IT'S HAPPENING.
>> Reporter: THE ANSWER IS ALL 
TOO FAMILIAR WITH CANADIANS.
STAY APART, STAY AT HOME.
>> Ian: A BRIGHT SIDE IS HARD TO
SEE TONIGHT.
THE DEATH TOLL HAS RISEN 
SHARPLY.
55 DEATHS ARE NOW LINKED TO 
COVID-19.
UP MORE THAN 30% FROM YESTERDAY.
THE BIGGEST SURGE IN QUÉBEC.
4700 HAVE TESTED POVER FOR THE 
DISEASE.
IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT IS 
SIMILAR TO THE DAILY INCREASES 
WE'VE BEEN SEEING ALL WEEK.
>> FOR SOME ANALYSIS ON THIS, 
WE'RE JOINED BY INFECTIOUS 
DISEASE SPECIALIST DR. ISAAC 
BOGOCH AND CAREFUL STATEMENT 
HERE FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA, WHAT
DO YOU MAKE OF IT?
>> IT'S EXTREMELY APPROPRIATE 
THEY WERE CAREFULLY WORDED 
STATEMENTS THERE.
IT'S TOO EARLY TO BE CAUTIOUSLY 
OPTIMISTIC.
CERTAINLY WE ALL HOPE IT'S 
HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, 
BUT IT MEANS WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR
FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, PRACTISE 
OUR PHYSICAL DISTANCING 
MEASURES, BROADLY TEST 
INDIVIDUALS AND ISOLATE AND 
SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO ARE POSITIVE 
OR EXPOSED TO POSITIVE CASES.
>> Ian: WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT 
ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN THE NEXT 
WEEK OR SO?
>> CERTAINLY IF OTHER PARTS OF 
THE COUNTRY HAD BEEN PRACTISING 
THE SAME PHYSICAL DISTANCING 
MEASURES AND HAVE EXPANDED THEIR
TESTING PROGRAMMES, THEN WE CAN 
HOPEFULLY START TO SEE THE CURVE
FLATTEN.
OF COURSE, WE KNOW WE'RE HAVING 
DIFFERENT EPIDEMICS IN DIFFERENT
PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.
SUCCESS IN ONE PART OF THE 
COUNTRY MAY NOT BE THE SAME IN 
ANOTHER PART.
>> Ian: RESTRICTIONS REMAIN IN 
EFFECT, SOME PROVINCES ARE 
GETTING TOUGHER AND WE'LL SEE IF
THIS GLIMMER OF HOPE PLAYS OUT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>> DESPITE THE RESTRICTIONS 
THAT CANADIANS ARE ENDURING, 
THERE ARE LIMITS AND EXCEPTIONS 
TO PHYSICAL DISTANCING.
WORKERS WHO WON'T OR CAN'T STAY 
HOME.
FLIGHT ATTENDANTS, THOSE ORDERED
TO STAY ON SITE AND THOSE 
WORKING WITH GROCERY STORES, 
CONTACT SEEMS UNAVOIDABLE.
>> Reporter: KATY SAUNDERS 
CALLED HER HUSBAND KEITH HER 
SOULMATE.
SHE SAID SHE'S TRYING TO 
NAVIGATE THE NIGHTMARE.
KEITH HAD COVID-19 AND DIED 
WEDNESDAY AT THE AGE OF 48.
SAUNDERS WAS AN EMPLOYEE AT THIS
SUPERSTORE IN OSHAWA EAST OF 
TORONTO.
HE HADN'T BEEN TRAVELLING LIKE A
GROWING NUMBER OF PATIENTS.
>> TO ME THIS IS EVIDENCE OF 
COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION.
IS IT COMMUNITY WIDE?
NO.
PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW IT'S 
IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE SOCIAL 
DISTANCING.
>> Reporter: BUT PHYSICAL 
DISTANCING CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR 
THOSE WORKING IN GROCERY STORES 
AND A FEW INFECTIONS HAVE NOW 
BEEN REPORTED.
LAST NIGHT THE GROCERY CHAIN 
LUONON
REPORTED AN INFECTION.
LUONGO'S SAYS CUSTOMERS WHO 
RECEIVED DELIVERIES HAVE BEEN 
NOTIFIED.
KEITH SAUNDERS LAST WORKED AT 
THE CANADIAN SUPERSTORE ON MARCH
16.
THE HEALTH AUTHORITY SAYS THE 
RISK OF TRANSMISSION TO 
CUSTOMERS IS VERY LOW.
STILL PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT 
WORKERS AND ABOUT THEIR OWN 
SAFETY WHEN THEY'RE SHOPPING FOR
ESSENTIALS.
THIS VIDEO ON HOW TO HANDLE 
GROCERIES HAS BEEN VIEWED MORE 
THAN 13 MILLION TIMES.
>> BECAUSE I KNOW THAT HUMAN 
HANDS HAVE TOUCHED THIS 
MEDICATION BOTTLE IN LESS THAN 
72 HOURS, I'M GOING TO WIPE THAT
DOWN.
>> Reporter: BUT THE U.S. FOOD 
AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION SAYS 
CURRENTLY THERE IS NO EVIDENCE 
OF FOOD OR FOOD PACKAGING BEING 
ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSMISSION OF 
COVID-19.
THE ADVICE FROM HEALTH EXPERTS?
IF YOU'RE CONCERNED, WASH YOUR 
HANDS WHEN YOU COME BACK FROM 
THE GROCERY STORE AND AFTER 
REMOVING FOOD PACKAGING.
>> Ian: AIR TRANSAT HAS 
ANNOUNCED FLIGHTS TO BRING BACK 
CANADIANS STRANDED.
BUT A DOZEN CREW MEMBERS AT 
CANADIAN AIRLINES ARE SICK WITH 
COVID-19.
THAT IS PROMPTING CALLS FOR 
CHANGE.
>> Reporter: AIR TRAFFIC, MUCH 
OF IT NOW GROUNDED, BUT STILL 
SOME FLIGHTS ARE REPATRIATING 
CANADIANS.
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS CONTINUE.
YESTERDAY, ONE FLIGHT ATTENDANT 
IN THE U.S. DIED FROM COVID-19.
CBC NEWS HAS LEARNED THAT MORE 
THAN A DOZEN HERE IN CANADA ARE 
SICK.
SEVEN CASES AT WESTJET.
AIR TRANSAT, FOUR FLIGHT 
ATTENDANTS, ONE PILOT.
AIR CANADA WON'T SAY.
BUT WE'VE LEARNED THERE ARE MANY
CLUSTERS IN THE WEST, INCLUDING 
CALGARY WHERE ONE MEMBER HAS 
BEEN RELEASED FROM INTENSIVE 
CARE.
THIS FLIGHT ATTENDANT IS STILL 
FLYING BUT IS AFRAID.
>> BECAUSE WE ARE ON THE FRONT 
LINE AND WE ARE EXPOSED TO 
PEOPLE FROM ALL AROUND THE 
WORLD.
THERE IS CONNECTIONS FROM ALL 
OVER THE WORLD TO COME HOME.
>> I ASKED SEVERAL TIMES WHY WE 
ARE NOT WEARING HAZMAT SUITS.
OTHERS ARE.
>> Reporter: UKRAINE 
INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES IS NOW 
OUTFITTING ALL CREWS WITH THESE.
CANADA'S AIRLINES ARE PROVIDING 
GLOVES AND MASKS, BUT THEY'RE 
VOLUNTARY.
>> THEY'RE NOT PROPERLY FITTED 
N95 MASKS, WE DON'T HAVE 
PROPERLY FITTED GLOVES AND WE 
DON'T HAVE DISPOSABLE ISOLATION 
GOWNS.
>> Reporter: IN A STATEMENT, AIR
CANADA SAID WE'RE NOW MAKING N95
MASKS AVAILABLE TO OUR CREWS.
WE REMAIN IN CONTACT WITH 
EMPLOYEES AND UNION LEADERSHIP.
AS THE UNDERSTANDING OF COVID-19
INCREASES, WE EXPECT TO TAKE 
ADDITIONAL MEASURES.
BUT FLIGHT CREWS AND ESSENTIAL 
SERVICES ARE FALLING ILL.
THEY SAY THEY'RE AT RISK AND 
PUTTING TRAVELLERS AT RISK.
THE ADVICE CONSTANTLY CHANGING.
>> WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH 
SECTORS TO REFINE THAT GUIDANCE 
AS WE UNCOVER VARIOUS ASPECTS OF
THEIR WORK.
>> Reporter: WE ASKED IF THEY'LL
REQUIRE CREWS TO WEAR PROTECTIVE
SUITS?
OFFICIALS DECLINED TO ANSWER.
>> Ian: CONSTRUCTION WORKERS ARE
ALSO RAISING THE ALARM ABOUT 
ON-THE-JOB SAFETY, ESPECIALLY IN
ONTARIO WHERE THE GOVERNMENT 
CALLS THE WORK ESSENTIAL.
>> Reporter: THE FIGHT TO HALT 
ONTARIO CONSTRUCTION IS GETTING 
PERSONAL.
>> MY WIFE IS CRYING EVERY TIME 
I GO HOME.
>> Reporter: THIS UNION REP 
TELLS ME HE DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS 
BEING RECORDED BUT SAYS 
LABOURERS ARE AT RISK DURING THE
PANDEMIC.
>> THESE GUYS DON'T HAVE SIX 
FEET AROUND YOU.
WE'RE ALL BREATHING ON EACH 
OTHER.
WHERE IS YOUR EATING FACILITIES?
ARE THEY SANITIZED?
DO YOU WASH YOUR HANDS?
>> THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN ANY 
JOB SITE, ANY TIME OVER THE LAST
20 YEARS.
>> Reporter: THIS PLUMBER SAYS 
COVID-19 IS SHINING A SPOTLIGHT 
ON SHODDY CONDITIONS.
HE WAS JUST LAID OFF.
>> LAYOFF IS SOMETHING YOU HATE 
TO RECEIVE, BUT I WAS KIND OF 
THANKFUL FOR IT BECAUSE THEY 
MADE THE DECISION FOR ME.
>> Reporter: UNLIKE IN QUÉBEC 
WHERE THE GOVERNMENT STOPPED 
CONSTRUCTION, ONTARIO PREMIER 
DOUG FORD SAYS SHELTER IS 
ESSENTIAL AND SO IS 
CONSTRUCTION.
>> IF THE WORKPLACE, THE 
CONSTRUCTION SITE IS NOT SAFE, 
YOU CAN WALK OFF THE JOB.
>> DOUG FORD SAYS WALK OFF THE 
JOB IF YOU FEEL UNSAFE.
IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE.
>> Reporter: THIS ELECTRICIAN 
RELUCTANTLY WALKED OFF THE JOB.
THE SINGLE MOTHER WORRIES EI 
WON'T BE ENOUGH, BUT SAYS HER 
HAND WAS FORCED.
>> THEY HAVE US SIGN A FORM, 
WASH YOUR HANDS, WE'RE LAUGHING,
WHERE IS THE SINK?
>> Reporter: THEY SIGNED A 
PETITION TO SHUT DOWN ALL 
CANADIAN CONSTRUCTION SITES, 
WHILE SOME HAVE SHUT DOWN ON 
THEIR OWN.
>> IT WOULD BE BETTER TO SUFFER 
FOR 15 DAYS THAN POSSIBLY 
DRAGGING THIS FOR MONTHS TO 
COME.
>> Reporter: SOME MIGHT THINK 
THAT BEING CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL 
IS A COMPLIMENT.
>> I HEAR THE WORD ESSENTIAL, 
BUT REALLY TO ME WHAT YOU'RE 
SAYING IS EXPENDABLE.
>> Reporter: HE SAYS WORKERS ARE
BEING SACRIFICED.
>> Ian: OF COURSE, HEALTH CARE 
WORKERS ARE ON THE FRONT LINE.
SOME LIKE JENNA MALOCHE ARE 
SPEAKING UP.
>> I THINK THAT A WORD THAT 
EVERYONE LOVES TO USE IS 
UNPRECEDENTED.
FRUSTRATING TO BE A HEALTH CARE 
WORKER AND SEE WHAT WE SEE AND 
SEE THE SUFFERING AND THE DEATH 
WHEN WE GO TO WORK TO SEE PEOPLE
TREATING THIS JUST LIKE ANY 
OTHER TIME IN HISTORY.
FOR US, I THINK THAT THE MOST 
DIFFICULT THING TO SEE IS THE 
PATIENTS THAT DO NOT HAVE ACCESS
TO THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.
A FAMILY MEMBER SAID TO ME, I 
WANT YOU TO GO INTO MY HUSBAND'S
ROOM AND I WANT YOU TO SAY IN 
HIS EAR THAT HIS FAMILY LOVES 
HIM AND WE MISS HIM AND THAT 
JUST BE STRONG AND GET THROUGH 
IT.
AND THAT IS SOMETHING DIFFICULT 
TO HAVE TO CONVEY TO A FAMILY 
MEMBER WHO CAN'T BE THERE AND A 
LOT OF OUR PATIENTS DIE WITHOUT 
THE SUPPORT OF THEIR FAMILY 
AROUND THEM.
>> Ian: THERE HAVE BEEN 1100 
CASES OF COVID-19 AND 27 DEATHS 
IN DETROIT ALONE.
>>> TURNING BACK TO THIS 
COUNTRY.
LET'S SHIFT TO THE ECONOMIC 
DAMAGE.
FOR SOME SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, 
IT'S NO SALES.
THEIR EMPLOYEES, LAYOFFS AND NO 
PAY.
TODAY THE GOVERNMENT 
ACKNOWLEDGED IT'S NOT DOING 
ENOUGH AND ANNOUNCED A NEW 
SUBSIDY TO BACKSTOP UP TO 75% OF
WAGES.
EVAN DYER HAS THE DETAILS.
>> WE'RE GOING TO WRAP UP 
OPERATIONS FOR THE TIME BEING.
>> Reporter: ANOTHER BUSINESS 
SHUTS ITS DOORS.
>> WE JUST DECIDED NOT EVERYONE 
WAS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE 
COMFORTABLE WORKING IN THIS 
SITUATION.
>> Reporter: WHILE OTHERS 
STRUGGLE ON.
>> I SAID TO MY TEAM, I WILL 
PLEDGE TO PAY YOU.
I DON'T WANT YOU TO HAVE TO GO 
ON EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.
SO I WILL PAY YOU.
>> Reporter: BUT NEARLY ALL 
AGREE THE GOVERNMENT'S INITIAL 
OFFER TO SUBSIDIZE WAGES AT 10% 
WAS NOT ENOUGH.
>> THAT'S NOT GOING TO CUT IT.
IT'S NOT SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH FOR 
EMPLOYERS TO BE ABLE TO HANG 
ONTO WORKERS TO RIDE OUT THE 
ECONOMIC CRISIS THAT IS COMING 
ALONGSIDE COVID-19.
>> Prime Minister Justin 
Trudeau: IT'S BECOMING CLEAR WE 
NEED TO DO MORE, MUCH MORE, SO 
WE'RE BRINGING THAT PERCENTAGE 
UP TO 75% FOR QUALIFYING 
BUSINESSES.
>> Reporter: IT'S AN APPROACH 
TAKEN BY MANY EUROPEAN 
COUNTRIES.
CANADA'S WAGE SUBSIDY IS 
SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 
PACK, WHICH RUNS FROM 60% IN 
GERMANY TO 90% IN SWEDEN.
THIS STORE IS CLOSED, BUT SHE 
DECIDED TO KEEP PAYING HER THREE
EMPLOYEES.
>> I HAVE TO ADMIT WHEN I DID MY
PAYROLL ON WEDNESDAY, I WAS VERY
DEPRESSED.
WHEN I HEARD AT 9:00 OUR TIME 
THIS MORNING, I WAS ECSTATIC.
>> Reporter: THIS STORE WAS 
ORDERED TO CLOSE ON MARCH 24 AND
THE CHANGE WON'T BE ENOUGH.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE DID LAY OFF
THE STAFF.
WE HAD TO DO THAT.
>> Reporter: TODAY'S 
ANNOUNCEMENT WON'T BRING THEM 
BACK.
>> WE'RE STILL LOOKING AT OTHER 
MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT HAS 
PROMISED.
BUT THE DETAILS ARE STILL TBD.
I'M HOPING TO HEAR MORE AND THAT
WILL CHANGE OUR STAND.
>> Reporter: TODAY'S CHANGE HAS 
BEEN WIDELY WELCOMED.
WAGES ARE THE BIGGEST EXPENSE 
FOR MOST SMALL BUSINESSES.
NEXT WEEK MANY FACE ANOTHER BIG 
CHALLENGE.
RENT COMES DUE.
EVAN DYER, CBC NEWS, OTTAWA.
>> Ian: CANADA'S RESPONSE TO THE
CRISIS HAS INCLUDED FISCAL 
POLICIES LIKE THE ONE THAT EVAN 
JUST TALKED ABOUT, BUT IT'S ALSO
SEEN AGGRESSIVE MONETARY POLICY 
FROM THE BANK OF CANADA.
DAVID COCHRANE LOOKS AT THE 
LATEST IN THE TWO-PRONGED 
ATTACK.
>> Reporter: THE NEEDS ARE SO 
NUMEROUS AND SO URGENT, THE 
FINANCE MINISTER SAYS THERE IS 
NO FINANCIAL LIMIT.
>> I WILL TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE 
NOT PUT A CAP ON WHAT WE MIGHT 
NEED TO VEST TO SOLVE THE 
PROBLEM, TO MAKE SURE WE PROTECT
CANADIANS.
>> Reporter: SO ON TOP OF THE 
ENHANCED WAGE SUBSIDY, THERE IS 
$95 BILLION IN ADDITIONAL HELP, 
INCLUDING INTEREST-FREE LOANS OF
UP TO 40,000 FOR SMALL 
BUSINESSES, 10,000 OF WHICH CAN 
BE FORGIVEN ENTIRELY.
THERE IS BIGGER LOANS OF UP TO 
76. -- 6.25 MILLION AND NO 
PAYMENT OF G.S.T. AND CUSTOM 
DUTIES UNTIL JUNE.
IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, HE'S 
POURED MORE THAN $200 BILLION 
INTO THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19.
>> SO IT'S VERY SIGNIFICANT.
IT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE THAT WE 
WILL NEED TO MAKE IT MORE 
SIGNIFICANT.
>> Reporter: IT WAS A ONE-TWO 
PUNCH FROM THE MINISTER OF 
FINANCE AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE 
BANK OF CANADA WHO CUT INTEREST 
RATES AGAIN TO JUST ONE QUARTER 
OF 1%.
AND PROMISED TO PUMP $5 BILLION 
INTO FINANCIAL MARKETS EACH AND 
EVERY WEEK UNTIL THE ECONOMY IS 
IN RECOVERY.
>> SOME MAY SUGGEST THAT THIS IS
USING A LOT OF FIRE POWER, BUT I
THINK THAT YOU KNOW A 
FIREFIGHTER HAS NEVER BEEN 
CRITICIZED FOR USING TOO MUCH 
WATER.
>> Reporter: EXTRAORDINARY 
MEASURES FOR EXTRAORDINARY 
TIMES.
TRYING TO KEEP MONEY MOVING IN 
AN ECONOMY IN LOCKDOWN.
DAVID COCHRANE, CBC NEWS, 
OTTAWA.
>> Ian: AS WE TRY TO MANAGE THE 
VIRUS, DIFFERENT PROVINCES AND 
CITIES ARE FACING DIFFERENT 
CHALLENGES.
ANITA BATHE IS TRACKING STORIES 
FROM COMMUNITIES ACROSS CANADA 
FOR US TONIGHT.
>> Reporter: LET'S START IN 
ONTARIO THIS HOUR WITH REPORTS 
OF PEOPLE STILL NOT 
SELF-ISOLATING.
THE PROVINCE SENT OUT AN 
EMERGENCY ALERT TODAY TO CELL 
PHONES, RADIOS AND TVS WARNING 
TRAVELLERS TO STAY HOME.
MONTREAL DECLARING A STATE OF 
EMERGENCY HOPING TO PREVENT 
FURTHER SPREAD AMONG THOSE ON 
THE STREETS.
>> NO, THE CITY IS NOT UNDER 
LOCKDOWN, NOR IS IT IN 
QUARANTINE.
IF THIS HAPPEN ONE DAY, IT WILL 
BE AT THE REQUEST OF THE 
GOVERNMENT OF QUÉBEC AND THE 
PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
>> Reporter: A SHARP RISE IN 
DEATHS IN QUÉBEC TODAY, 10 MORE.
WITH NEARLY 400 NEW CASES, 
THAT'S MORE THAN 2000 PEOPLE 
INFECTED.
AND FOUR PEOPLE HAVE DIED ON A 
CRUISE SHIP WITH 247 CANADIANS 
ON BOARD.
HOLLAND AMERICA HAS NOT 
CONFIRMED THE DEATHS ARE RELATED
TO COVID-19, BUT SAYS THEY'RE 
NOT CANADIANS.
THE SHIP IS WAITING TO GO 
THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL AND 
ONTO FLORIDA.
>> I HOPE THAT HE WILL SEND A 
PLANE OR A SHIP OR SOMETHING TO 
US IN FLORIDA SO THAT ALL THE 
CANADIANS CAN GET HOME I'M 
HOPING, BECAUSE I APPRECIATE THE
NUMBER OF PEOPLE AROUND THE 
WORLD STRANDED, BUT THEY'RE NOT 
STRANDED ON A SHIP.
>> Reporter: OTTAWA SAYS IT IS 
MONITORING THE SITUATION.
IAN?
>> Ian: THANKS, ANITA.
CBC NEWS HAS BEEN TRACKING EVERY
CONFIRMED CASE IN CANADA.
YOU CAN CHECK IT OUT ONLINE.
>>> NEW YORK IS URGENTLY 
BUILDING FOUR TEMPORARY 
HOSPITALS TO DEAL WITH THE 
RISING TIDE OF COVID-19 CASES.
UP NEXT, A HAUNTING LOOK AT THE 
WAR DOCTORS ARE WAGING ON THE 
FRONT LINES.
>>> PLUS MORE OF YOUR GREAT 
QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID-19 PUT TO 
OUR EXPERTS, INCLUDING HOW LONG 
CAN WE EXPECT THIS TO LAST?
>>> AND DISTANCE BUT SOCIAL.
>> EVERYONE LOVES A GOOD 'OLE 
NOVA SCOTIA KITCHEN PARTY.
>> Ian: THROWING UP THE VIRTUAL 
DOORS TO STAY CONNECTED THE NOVA
SCOTIA
COVID-19 IN THE UNITED STATES 
HAS NOW SURPASSED 100,000, MORE 
THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY.
HOSPITALS IN U.S. HOT SPOTS LIKE
NEW YORK ARE DESPERATELY SHORT 
ON SUPPLIES.
TODAY THE U.S. PRESIDENT INVOKED
THE KOREAN WAR ERA DEFENCE 
PRODUCTION ACT TO COMPEL 
MANUFACTURERS LIKE GM TO MAKE 
VENTILATORS.
>> President Donald Trump: WE'LL
NOT HESITATE TO USE THE FULL 
AUTHORITY OF THE FEDERAL 
GOVERNMENT TO COMBAT THIS 
CRISIS.
>> Ian: TRUMP ALSO SIGNED THE 
U.S. RELIEF BILL.
DRIVE-THRU TESTING SITES AND 
TEMPORARY HOSPITALS ARE GOING UP
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING 
THE CONVENTION CENTRE IN NEW 
ORLEANS.
NEARLY HALF OF THE CASES ARE IN 
NEW YORK WHERE 6,000 PEOPLE HAVE
BEEN HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID-19.
THAT'S DOUBLE WHAT IT WAS THREE 
DAYS AGO.
THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE WORST IS 
STILL AHEAD.
>> WE'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT 21 
DAYS FOR A POSSIBLE APEX, SO WE 
WANT TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO 
BE READY.
>> Ian: HERE'S STEVEN D'SOUZA 
WITH A GLIMPSE BEHIND THE FRONT 
LINES IN NEW YORK.
>> Reporter: PATIENTS PILING UP.
FRUSTRATION BUILDING.
NEW YORKERS ARE POSTING ON 
SOCIAL MEDIA THE DIRE SITUATION 
ON THE FRONT LINES.
>> IT'S LIKE A WAR ZONE.
EVERYONE IS IN THE TRENCHES 
TOGETHER.
AND WE HAVE TO RELY ON EACH 
OTHER.
>> Reporter: FOR THIS DOCTOR, 
THE SHOCK WASN'T THE INITIAL 
WAVE OF PATIENTS AT HIS HOSPITAL
IN BROOKLYN, IT'S WHAT HAPPENED 
NEXT.
>> ALL THE PATIENTS THAT CAME 
IN, FOUR OR FIVE DAYS IN, 
THEY'RE ALL IN -- 
>> Reporter: HE SAYS ALMOST ALL 
THE PATIENTS HE'S SEEN ON 
VENTILATORS HAVE DIED.
PATIENTS ARE KEPT ALONE.
NO VISITORS ALONE.
>> WE'RE TELLING THEM THIS MIGHT
BE THE LAST TIME THEY'RE AWAKE.
THAT IS VERY TOUGH.
I THINK THAT IS WHAT IMPACTS THE
PHYSICIANS THAT ARE ON THE FRONT
LINES, THE NURSES ON THE FRONT 
LINES MORE THAN THE NUMBERS.
>> Reporter: SUPPLIES ARE 
LIMITED, SO HOSPITAL STAFF ARE 
MAKING DUE AS THE EMOTIONAL TOLL
ADDS UP.
>> EVERY SHIFT I'VE WORKED I'VE 
CRIED AFTER LEAVING FROM THE 
SHIFT.
WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO
HELP EVERYONE, TO SEE EVERYONE, 
TO TREAT EVERYONE, BUT WE HAVE 
LIMITED RESOURCES.
>> WE DO HAVE SOME PROGRESS.
>> Reporter: THE MAYOR SAYS 
SUPPLIES ARE COMING AND DOCTORS 
WELCOME THE TEMPORARY HOSPITALS 
BEING BUILT, BUT WOVEN INTO 
THEIR WORK, THE FEAR THAT 
THEY'LL FALL SICK NEXT.
>> SEEMS INEVITABLE.
>> Reporter: AND HIS WARNING FOR
THE REST OF AMERICA.
NEW YORK IS A PREVIEW OF WHAT IS
TO COME.
>> PEOPLE ARE NOT RECOVERING AT 
A RATE THAT YOU WOULD HOPE.
YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE 
ADEQUATE TREATMENT YET.
AND THE HOPE IS THAT IS GOING TO
COME, BUT UNTIL WE HAVE THAT, 
PATIENTS ARE GETTING SICKER, 
THEY'RE STAYING SICK AND IT'S 
SERIOUS.
>> Reporter: AT ONE OVERWHELMED 
HOSPITAL IN QUEENS, A MESSAGE OF
THANKS AS DOCTORS ACROSS THE 
CITY DIG IN KNOWING THE WORST IS
YET TO COME.
>> Ian: THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS 
IS STILL EXPLODING IN MANY PARTS
OF EUROPE.
ITALY EXPERIENCED ITS DEADLIEST 
DAY SINCE THE OUTBREAK BEGAN.
IN THE U.K., THE NATION'S 
LEADERS ARE STRUCK BY THE VIRUS,
TOO.
MARGARET EVANS IS THERE.
>> Reporter: THE BRITISH CAPITAL
WAKING TO DAY 4 OF A NATIONWIDE 
LOCKDOWN AND NEWS THAT THE PRIME
MINISTER, BORIS JOHNSON, HAS 
TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE 
CORONAVIRUS.
>> I'VE DEVELOPED MILD SYMPTOMS 
OF THE CORONAVIRUS, THAT'S TO 
SAY A TEMPERATURE AND A 
PERSISTENT COUGH.
>> Reporter: HE WASN'T ALONE.
THE HEALTH SECRETARY WAS 
TWEETING HE, TOO, TESTED 
POSITIVE AND THE CHIEF MEDICAL 
ADVISOR IS NOW SHOWING SYMPTOMS.
THAT LEFT IT UP TO ANOTHER 
SENIOR MINISTER TO ANSWER 
QUESTIONS ABOUT A GOVERNMENT 
POTENTIALLY NOT PRACTISING WHAT 
IT PREACHED.
>> THE VIRUS DOES NOT 
DISCRIMINATE.
WE ARE ALL AT RISK AND THAT IS 
WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT WE 
PRACTISE SOCIAL DISTANCING 
MEASURES.
>> Reporter: JOHNSON APPEARED IN
PARLIAMENT ON WEDNESDAY.
HIS DIAGNOSIS FOLLOWS THAT OF 
PRINCE CHARLES LAST SEEN IN 
PUBLIC WITH THE HEIR TO THE 
BRITISH THRONE ON MARCH 9.
JOHNSON DELIVERED HIS LAST 
WEEKLY BRIEFING TO THE QUEEN BY 
TELEPHONE.
AND BUCKINGHAM PALACE HAS SAID 
SHE REMAINS IN GOOD HEALTH.
THE NEWS COMES AS BRITAIN IS 
BRACING ITSELF FOR WHAT IT 
FIERCE WILL BE A SHARP -- FEARS 
WILL BE A SHARP RISE IN THE 
NUMBER OF CASES.
THE PAIN OF OTHER NATIONS 
SPURRING PREPARATIONS.
IN SPAIN, QUARANTINE MEANS THE 
DEAD ARE OFTEN BURIED ALONE, THE
LIVING UNABLE TO VISIT THOSE 
SICK IN HOSPITAL.
>> PEOPLE GET SICK ALONE.
THEY DIE ALONE.
THEY'RE BURIED ALONE.
YOU CANNOT DO ANYTHING.
>> Reporter: IN ITALY, MORE THAN
900 PEOPLE HAVE DIED OVER THE 
PAST 24 HOURS ALONE.
TODAY THE POPE ALONE IN ST. 
PETERS SQUARE, DELIVERED A 
GLOBAL BLESSING.
FOR WEEKS NOW IT HAS BEEN 
EVENING, HE SAID.
WE'VE REALIZED WE'RE ON THE SAME
BOAT, ALL OF US FRAGILE AND 
DISORIENTED.
IT WAS TIME, HE SAID, TO ROW 
TOGETHER.
TONIGHT IRELAND BECAME THE 
LATEST COUNTRY TO IMPOSE A 
LOCKDOWN.
THE PRIME MINISTER WARNING THAT 
INTENSIVE CARE UNITS COULD BE AT
CAPACITY WITHIN DAYS.
MARGARET EVANS, CBC NEWS, 
LONDON.
>> Ian: NEXT ON "THE NATIONAL", 
OUR EXPERTS TACKLE YOUR TOUGH 
QUESTIONS.
FOR EXAMPLE, CAN QUARANTINED 
CANADIANS TAKE THEIR DOG FOR A 
WALK?
PLUS --
>> I'M SAYING DON'T COME TO 
CANMORE FOR NOW.
>> Ian: CLASH IN COTTAGE 
COUNTRY.
THEY SAY STAY AWAY.
>>> ANOTHER REMINDER OF WHAT IS 
LOST IN THE LOCKDOWN.
CANADIANS LOVE TO MEET UP, 
GATHERING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF 
THOSE PLACES THEN VERSUS NOW.
>> Ian: WELCOME BACK.
IT'S TIME FOR OUR NIGHTLY 
COVID-19 QUESTION-AND-ANSWER 
SESSION ON THIS EDITION FROM 
TORONTO, RESPIROLOGIST SAMIR 
GUPTA AND IN HALIFAX, INFECTIOUS
DISEASE SPECIALIST, LISA 
BARRETT.
DR. GUPTA, THE FIRST QUESTION TO
YOU.
HOW LONG DO PANDEMICS USUALLY 
LAST AND HOW LONG CAN WE EXPECT 
THIS ONE TO LAST?
>> SO IF WE LOOK BACK, WE 
USUALLY WOULD HAVE TWO OR THREE 
PANDEMICS EVERY CENTURY.
THE LAST ONE WAS IN 2009 AND 
THAT WAS THE SWINE FLU PANDEMIC.
TYPICALLY THEY LAST 12 TO 18 
MONTHS.
THE CHALLENGE IS FOR A COUPLE OF
REASONS THAT'S RISKY, BECAUSE 
ONE, THE PANDEMICS ARE MUTATED 
FLU VIRUSES AND THIS ONE IS 
DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT'S A 
CORONAVIRUS.
THE OTHER IS I WOULD SAY THE 
WORLD IS A DIFFERENT PLACE.
IN TERMS OF HOW FAST IT SPREAD, 
THERE IS A LOT MORE DOMESTIC AIR
TRAVEL NOW THAN THERE WAS EVEN 
10 YEARS AGO.
THE OTHER IS ON THE MITIGATION 
SIDE, THE KINDS OF STRATEGIES 
THAT COUNTRIES ARE UNDERTAKING 
ARE PROBABLY MORE EXTENSIVE, SO 
HARD TO COMPARE TIMELINES.
>> Ian: IS THERE SOME KIND OF 
MEASURE YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES 
ARE LOOKING AT TO KNOW WHEN 
WE'VE GONE THROUGH THE WORST OF 
IT?
>> DEFINITELY DURING ANY 
INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAK, WE 
WATCH TO SEE WHEN THE MOST CASES
IN THE SHORTEST AMOUNT OF TIME 
HAPPEN.
AND SO WE DO A CURVE TO LOOK AT 
WHEN THE CURVE IS GOING UP AND 
WHEN WE REACH THE PEAK AS WE 
COME DOWN ON THE OTHER SIDE SO 
THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES PER DAY,
PER WEEK, PER MONTH.
WHEN THAT STARTS TO GO DOWN 
RELIABLY OVER MULTITIME... 
PERIODS, SO MULTIPLE CASES WITH 
FEWER CASES, IF WE KEEP UP WITH 
THE MITIGATION STRATEGIES, AS 
DR. GUPTA JUST MENTIONED, WE MAY
BE ON THE END OF THE FIRST WAVE.
>> Ian: EVEN AS YOU DESCRIBE 
THAT, IT SOUNDS NICE TO HEAR 
SOMETHING THAT WE CAN LOOK 
FORWARD TO, HOPEFULLY, IF WE 
CONTINUE THESE MEASURES.
DR. GUPTA, NEXT QUESTION TO YOU,
WITH THE 14-DAY MANDATORY 
QUARANTINE, ARE THEY ALLOWED TO 
LEAVE THEIR HOUSE TO EXERCISE OR
WALK THEIR DOG?
>> I WOULD SAY THAT THE 
QUARANTINE REALLY IS IN PLACE TO
PROTECT OTHERS, SO IF YOU'RE 
RETURNING FROM TRAVEL BY 
DEFINITION YOU'RE AT HIGH RISK, 
SO YOU NEED TO RESPECT THE 
QUARANTINE.
YOU CAN GO OUT IN YOUR OWN 
SPACE, BACKYARD FOR A WALK, BUT 
I WOULD ASK PEOPLE NOT TO GO IN 
PUBLIC SPACES OR EVEN ON THE 
STREET WHEN IN THE 14-DAY 
QUARANTINE PERIOD.
>> Ian: WHEN A PERSON IS AN 
ASYMPTOMATIC CARRIER, HOW LONG 
ARE THEY CONTAGIOUS FOR?
>> WHEN PEOPLE DON'T HAVE 
SYMPTOMS THEY'RE MINIMALLY 
CONTAGIOUS TO OTHER PEOPLE 
BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT SNEEZING OR 
COUGHING OR SPREADING DROP 
LETTS.
HOWEVER, WE KNOW THAT THE VIRUS 
DOES SHED FOR SOME TIME.
WHAT IS NOT CLEAR IS IF YOU'RE 
CONTAGIOUS AFTER YOU'VE HAD 
SYMPTOMS AND ARE SHEDDING.
RIGHT NOW, THE 14-DAY INCUBATION
PERIOD SHOULD BE VERY, VERY 
RESPECTED.
>> Ian: I WANT TO QUICKLY ASK 
THIS QUESTION OF EACH OF YOU.
DR. GUPTA, I'LL START WITH YOU, 
WHAT IS THE MOOD LIKE IN YOUR 
PRACTISE IN YOUR CITY RIGHT NOW?
>> WELL, I HAD A CLINIC TODAY, A
VIRTUAL CLINIC.
I DID IT FROM HOME, SO THAT'S A 
NEW REALITY.
MY PATIENTS PRETTY MUCH ALL 
ASKED ME WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO 
THEM IF THEY GOT THE INFECTION.
MY PATIENTS HAVE RESPIRATORY 
DISEASES, PEOPLE ARE WORRIED AND
SCARED.
>> WE'RE JUST STARTING TO SEE A 
RAMP-UP IN THE NUMBERS HERE IN 
HALIFAX, SO WE'RE A LITTLE 
BEHIND TORONTO.
PEOPLE HERE HAVE GENERALLY BEEN 
PRETTY GOOD ABOUT STAYING IN.
THERE IS A LOT OF WORRY AND 
CONCERN, BUT MY PATIENTS HAVE 
BEEN VERY GOOD ABOUT DOING 
VIRTUAL VISITS AND SUPPORTING 
EACH OTHER AND REACHING OUT TO 
HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND 
SUPPORTING THEM AND TELLING THEM
THEY APPRECIATE WHAT IS BEING 
DONE.
LOTS OF PLANNING AND 
APPRECIATIVE PEOPLE STAYING 
HOME.
THEY'RE STAYING IN AND NOT GOING
OUT, WHICH IS REALLY VERY MUCH 
WHAT WE APPRECIATE.
>> Ian: WE APPRECIATE THE TIME 
THAT EACH OF YOU ARE TAKING WITH
US TONIGHT.
THANKS VERY MUCH.
AND AS YOU LIKELY HAVE BEEN 
SEEING, WE'RE ASKING YOUR 
QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID-19 EACH 
NIGHT.
SEND US QUESTIONS ON INSTAGRAM 
OR BY E-MAIL.
JUST MAKE SURE TO PUT "THE 
NATIONAL" IN THE SUBJECT LINE.
>>> SUMMER COTTAGES ARE SUPPOSED
TO BE A PLACE TO RELAX, BUT 
DURING THIS CRISIS THEY'VE 
BECOME A SOURCE OF TENSION 
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
WHETHER YOU CALL THEM CAMPS, 
CABINS, CHALETS, SOME OWNERS ARE
USING THEM TO SELF-ISOLATE.
CAROLYN DUNN SHOWS US WHY THAT 
TRIGGERED A BACKLASH.
>> Reporter: IT'S EASY TO 
UNDERSTAND WHY ANYONE WOULD WANT
TO COME HERE, BUT CHECK OUT WHAT
HAPPENED LAST WEEKEND WHEN THEY 
DID.
NOT EXACTLY PHYSICAL DISTANCING.
>> IT'S CAUSED ANXIETY AND 
CONCERN LEVELS IN OUR COMMUNITY 
TO JUST SKYROCKET.
>> Reporter: SO CANMORE'S MAYOR 
IS SAYING WHAT HE NEVER IMAGINED
HE WOULD.
>> USUALLY I'M STANDING HERE 
WELCOMING PEOPLE TO COME AND 
ENJOY OUR BEAUTIFUL TOWN IN THE 
MOUNTAINS, I'M SAYING DON'T COME
TO CANMORE FOR NOW.
>> Reporter: WITH NEARBY 
NATIONAL PARKS CLOSED, THERE ARE
FEARS THE SMALL TOWN CAN'T 
HANDLE VISITORS AND THE 
CORONAVIRUS RISKS THEY BRING 
WITH THEM.
IN ONTARIO'S COTTAGE COUNTRY, 
THE ISSUE IS PEOPLE COMING AND 
STAYING WEEKS BEFORE THE USUALLY
SUMMER SURGE.
HUNTSVILLE MAYOR WAS ONE OF 
SEVERAL WHO TRIED TO WARD THEM 
OFF.
>> WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE 
INCREASED POPULATION AT A TIME 
WHEN WE'RE NOT PREPARED.
>> Reporter: MANY COTTAGES 
RESENT BEING ASKED TO STAY AWAY 
FROM SECOND HOMES THEY PAY TAXES
ON, BUT CONCERNS GO BEYOND 
LIMITED FOOD AND SUPPLIES DURING
THE OFFSEASON.
HEALTH CARE SERVICES ARE STILL 
VERY MUCH AT SMALL-TOWN LEVELS.
>> WHAT I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE
TO THINK ABOUT WHEN THEY'RE 
MAKING THAT DECISION CONSIDER 
WHAT HEALTH CARE IS THERE AND 
WHAT THAT MAY MEAN FOR THEM.
>> Reporter: SOME PEOPLE ON 
SOCIAL MEDIA HAVE LASHED OUT AT 
THOSE WHO KEEP COMING.
I GUESS PEOPLE DIDN'T GET THE 
MEMO TO STAY HOME, ONE WROTE, 
YOU'RE INFECTING MOSTLY POOR 
ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE LITTLE 
HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE ANOTHER 
VENTED.
YOU COULD KILL MY ENTIRE FAMILY.
THE MESSAGE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE 
SICK AND TIRED OF STAYING HOME, 
STAY HOME ANYWAY.
CAROLYN DUNN, CBC NEWS, CANMORE,
ALBERTA.
>> Ian: STILL AHEAD ON "THE 
NATIONAL", HOW A FAMILY OF 
REFUGEES WHO CAME TO CANADA FOUR
YEARS AGO ARE PAYING FORWARD 
THEIR SPONSOR'S KINDNESS.
* JUST SIT DOWN AND TALK TO ME A
WHILE *
>> Ian: COME ON IN, YOUR
FINANCIALLY FROM THERE CRISIS.
-- THIS CRISIS.
THE GOVERNMENT SAYS HELP IS 
COMING, BUT FOR NOW, SOME ARE 
FORCED TO LAY OFF STAFF.
>> Reporter: LINING UP FOR A HOT
MEAL, STANDING APART OUTSIDE 
WHERE THEY WOULD NORMALLY BE 
WELCOMED IN.
>> THIS IS OUR LUNCH ROOM AT THE
MISSION.
WE USUALLY HAVE 50, 60, 70 
PEOPLE, BUT OBVIOUSLY IT'S EMPTY
RIGHT NOW.
>> Reporter: THIS MISSION HAS 
CHANGED THE WAY IT WORKS TO 
PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS.
>> A LOT OF THINGS WE HAD TO 
CANCEL.
WE'RE KEEPING OUR FOCUS ONLY ON 
THE PROVISION OF FOOD AND 
WHATEVER EMERGENCY SERVICES THAT
WE CAN PROVIDE.
>> Reporter: CHARITIES ACROSS 
CANADA SAY THEY'RE FACING AN 
UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGE WITH 
COVID-19 WITH CANCELLED FOOD 
DRIVES AND FUNDRAISERS IN SOME 
CASES A DROP IN DONATIONS AND 
SHARJ OF VOLUNTEERS.
>> -- SHORTAGE OF VOLUNTEERS.
>> WE'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING 
LIKE THIS.
I'M FEARFUL IT RISKS HOLLOWING 
OUT THE CHARITABLE SECTOR.
>> Reporter: UNICEF IS ASKING 
THE PRIME MINISTER FOR HELP.
THEY WANT A $10 MILLION 
STABILIZATION FUND TO HELP 
ORGANIZATIONS FROM SUFFERING 
IRREPARABLE DAMAGE.
THIS NON-PROFIT'S STORES ARE 
CLOSED AND 850 EMPLOYEES 
TEMPORARILY LAID OFF.
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS IN 
HALIFAX IS UNABLE TO COLLECT AND
SELL CLOTHING, BUT IT'S STILL 
TRYING TO MAINTAIN CONNECTIONS 
LIKE THIS.
>> HI, LONDON.
>> HI, I LOVE YOU.
>> Reporter: VOLUNTEER BIG 
SISTER KAITLYN AND HER LITTLE 
SISTER LONDON.
>> LONDON TURNED 11 A COUPLE OF 
DAYS AGO.
IT'S THE FIRST BIRTHDAY WE'VE 
HAD TOGETHER IN A WHILE.
I LEFT HER PRESENT ON HER 
DOORSTEP AND WAVED AT HER.
>> IT WAS NICE, BUT A LITTLE 
UPSETTING BECAUSE I COULDN'T 
GIVE HER A BIG SQUEEZE.
>> Reporter: QUÉBEC'S PREMIER IS
ENCOURAGING HEALTHY PEOPLE UNDER
70 TO SEE IF LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
NEED VOLUNTEER HELP AS MANY 
CHARITIES APPEAL TO CANADIANS TO
DONATE IF THEY CAN.
>> Ian: AS THE COMMUNITY 
BENEFITS FROM SOCIAL DISTANCING,
THERE IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE IT 
BRINGS RISK.
VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 
KNOW ISOLATION IS A TOOL THEIR 
ABUSERS CAN USE.
ELLEN MAURO LOOKS AT A 
CONSEQUENCE OF COVID-19 HIDING 
IN THE SHADOWS.
>> Reporter: IN A CRISIS, HOME 
FOR MANY IS A SANCTUARY.
FOR OTHERS, IT CAN BE A PRISON.
A PRISON MADE DARKER WHEN THE 
USUAL ESCAPES ARE SUDDENLY CUD 
OFF.
>> GROWING UP IN AN ABUSIVE 
HOME, I WOULD SAY UNSCHOOLED AND
WITH A JOBLESS PARENT IT WAS A 
REALLY SCARY AND HOPELESS 
SITUATION.
THERE WAS NO HOPE THAT THEY 
WOULD GET UP AND GO TO WORK THE 
NEXT MORNING AND NOW YOU'RE 
GOING TO BE SAFE.
>> Reporter: RIFAA CARTER IS A 
SURVIVOR OF FAMILY ABUSE, NOW AN
ADVOCATE, SHE SAYS COVID-19 HAS 
CREATED A PERFECT STORM.
>> CONSTANTLY REMINDED OF WHAT 
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR ME 
IF I WAS THEM.
ALL THE RED FLAGS ARE GOING TO 
BE MISSED.
>> Reporter: WITH BUSINESSES 
CLOSED AND SCHOOLS SHUTTERED, 
THERE IS LITTLE REFUGE FOR THOSE
FACING ABUSE AT HOME.
LITTLE INTERACTION WITH OTHERS 
OUTSIDE AND THAT WORRIES 
ADVOCATES.
>> ISOLATION IS THE FIRST THING 
THAT AN ABUSER WILL DO, IS KEEP 
THEM AWAY FROM FAMILY AND 
FRIENDS.
SO THIS IS AN ABUSER'S DREAM TO 
HAVE CONTROL OVER THAT PERSON.
>> Reporter: AND WITH SO MUCH 
SHUT DOWN, THEY MAY NOW FEEL 
LIKE THERE IS NOWHERE FOR THEM 
TO GO.
WOMEN SHELTERS ARE STILL OPEN 
AND COUNSELLING SERVICES ARE 
AVAILABLE, BUT THEY'RE UNDER 
PRESSURE TRYING TO PRACTISE 
SOCIAL DISTANCING WHILE 
EXPECTING DEMAND TO RISE AS THE 
PANDEMIC GOES ON.
TO HELP, THE GOVERNMENT PLEDGED 
$50 MILLION IN ITS RECENT AID 
PACKAGE.
>> WE'RE ALL KIND OF CONTENDING 
WITH SOME OF THESE REALLY, 
REALLY CHALLENGING TIMES AHEAD.
>> Reporter: MARLENE HAM'S 
AGENCY OVERSEES DOZENS OF 
WOMEN'S SHELTERS AND SAYS NO ONE
HAS BEEN TURNED AWAY BUT 
CHALLENGING TIMES MEAN DIFFICULT
DECISIONS.
>> WE'VE HAD TO LOOK AT GOING 
DOWN TO WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT 
AND THAT IS WOMEN WHO ARE IN 
IMMINENT DANGER.
>> Reporter: MANY ORGANIZATIONS 
ARE PUTTING COVID RESOURCES 
ONLINE, INCLUDING SAFETY PLANS 
FOR ISOLATING AT HOME WITH AN 
ABUSER.
DEEPA MATTOO LEADS A LEGAL 
SUPPORT CLINIC FOR WOMEN 
EXPERIENCING VIOLENCE.
>> WOMEN ALONE AND LOCKED IN THE
HOUSE WITH THEIR ABUSERS, THERE 
IS POTENTIAL FOR ESCALATION.
>> Reporter: AND ANXIETY OVER 
THE PANDEMIC ONLY MAKES IT 
WORSE.
>> WOMEN ARE FEARFUL OF LEAVING.
THEY'RE VERY SCARED OF 
UNCERTAINTY.
>> Reporter: WITH SO MUCH 
UNCERTAINTY, RIFAA CARTER SAYS, 
CONTACT EVEN FROM A DISTANCE HAS
NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT.
>> I WOULD REALLY ENCOURAGE 
PEOPLE TO REACH OUT TO THOSE 
THEY KNOW ARE EXPERIENCING 
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
JUST DON'T LOOK THE OTHER WAY.
IF YOU HEAR SOMETHING CALL FOR 
HELP.
>> Reporter: IT MAY MAKE ALL THE
DIFFERENCE.
ELLEN MAURO, CBC NEWS, TORONTO.
>> Ian: NEXT ON "THE NATIONAL", 
WHEN THEY CAME TO CANADA, THINGS
LOOKED DIFFERENT.
NOW THESE FOREIGN STUDENTS ARE, 
WELL THEY'RE STUCK.
WE HELP
>> Ian: THEY'RE NOT ONLY 
ISOLATED FROM FELLOW STUDENTS, 
THEY'RE ALSO AWAY FROM FAMILY.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ARE 
SHARING THEIR STORIES DURING 
THIS PANDEMIC.
MANY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR 
STATUS, THEIR FINANCES, EVEN 
LOSING THEIR HOME.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE.
I'M DIEGO PALACIOS.
THIS IS MY 6TH DAY OF 
SELF-ISOLATION.
>> Reporter: DIEGO PALACIOS IS 
ONE OF MORE THAN HALF A MILLION 
INTERNATIONAL POST-SECONDARY 
STUDENTS IN CANADA TRYING TO 
COPE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC
THOUSANDS OF KILOMETRES FROM 
HOME.
>> JUST TO HAVE MY MIND 
SOMEWHERE ELSE.
I JUST HAVE TO TAKE A WALK AFTER
LUNCH.
>> Reporter: HE'S NOW ALSO 
SOCIAL DISTANCING AND IS WORRIED
MONEY IS RUNNING OUT.
>> END OF MAY, WON'T BE ENOUGH 
TO PAY ALL MY BILLS.
>> Reporter: WE ASKED 
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ACROSS 
THE COUNTRY TO RECORD VIDEO 
DIARIES SHARING THEIR CONCERNS 
ABOUT LIFE HERE AND FAMILY BACK 
HOME.
>> AND HOW ARE YOU FEELING?
>> STRESSED AT THE MOMENT.
AND MAYBE A BIT LIKE POWERLESS.
>> Reporter: MANY STUDENTS 
LIVING ON CAMPUS ARE SCRAMBLING 
LIKE ALEX LAO.
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, UNIVERSITIES
AND COLLEGES HAVE CLOSED 
RESIDENCES.
CONCORDIA GAVE HIM EXTRA TIME TO
FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GO.
>> MY PARENT ARE IN ITALY.
>> Reporter: SOME SCHOOLS ARE 
MAKING EXCEPTIONS FOR 
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS.
>> GOOD MORNING, GUYS, FROM 
VANCOUVER.
>> Reporter: SYED AHMED ARRIVED 
TO START A NEW PROGRAMME JUST 
DAYS BEFORE CANADA SHUT ITS 
BORDERS, ONLY TO LEARN HIS 
CLASSES ARE NOW ONLINE.
>> I'M DEFINITELY A SOCIAL 
PERSON.
AND IF I HAD TO TAKE AN ONLINE 
CLASS, I COULD HAVE DONE IT IN 
DUBAI.
>> Reporter: VEENITA BHATT 
HASN'T SEEN HER FAMILY IN TWO 
YEARS.
>> I MISS THEM A LOT.
>> Reporter: TO COMBAT 
LONELINESS, WE HOSTED A CHAT 
WITH THE STUDENTS.
>> I KNOW THAT FOR YOU IT WILL 
BE REALLY, REALLY HARD.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
>> Reporter: AND THAT, THEY SAY,
HELPS.
>> Ian: NICE IDEA.
STILL AHEAD, RETURNING THE 
FAVOUR FOUR YEARS LATER.
THEY WERE IN SELF-ISOLATION AND 
NEEDED GROCERIES.
WE'LL TELL YOU WHO CAME TO HELP 
IN OUR "MOMENT".
BUT FIRST, NOVA SCOTIA TRADITION
COMING TO LIFE DURING THE 
PANDEMIC.
HOW A SIMPLE CALLOUT FOR MUSIC 
BECAME THE VIRTUAL KITCHEN 
PARTY.
>> HOPE YOU ENJOY!
[ * ]
>> I'M COMING TO YOU FROM NOVA 
SCOTIA.
>> YOU GUYS HAVE A LITTLE 
KITCHEN PARTY.
I GOT TO BRING THE MARITIMES TO 
THE PARTY, RIGHT?
>> LIVE FROM MY LIVING ROOM, 
AGAIN.
>> EVERYBODY LOVES A GOOD 'OLE 
NOVA SCOTIA KITCHEN PARTY.
>> THIS IS GIVING THEM A SENSE 
OF COMMUNITY.
MAYBE EVEN FINDING SOME NEW 
FRIENDS.
AND I'M SO, SO VERY THANKFUL 
THAT THE GROUP HAS HAD SUCH A 
POSITIVE RESPONSE AND THAT WE'RE
ABLE TO BRING A LITTLE BIT OF 
JOY TO PEOPLE AND A LITTLE BIT 
OF A DISTRACTION WHEN I FEEL 
LIKE WE NEED IT MOST.
* WE NEVER WANT TO SEE THE SUN 
GO DOWN *
ENJOY.
>> Ian:  TRAVELERS ARE TURNING
TO CANADA BEING TOLD TO
SELF-ISOLATE FOR TWO WEEKS, BUT
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HEAD HOPE
AND THERE'S AN EMPTY FRIDGE.
A FAMILY RECENTLY RETURNED FROM
MEXICO AND FOUND THEMSELVES IN
THAT SITUATION, BUT THANKS TO A
REFUGEE FAMILY THEY SPONSORED IN
2017, THEY CAME HOME TO A
GENEROUS SURPRISE.
AND THAT IS TONIGHT'S "MOMENT."
>> A COUPLE DAYS AFTER WE GOT
BUICK GOBACK, I GOT A PHONE CALL AND IT
WAS MY FRIEND MARA AND SAID I'M
OUTSIDE YOUR HOUSE.
SHE BACKED UP TO THE SIDEWALK
AND DIDN'T WANT TO BE TOO CLOSE
AND SHE HAD PUT SEVEN BAGS OF
GROCERIES ON MY FRONT STEPS.
THEY KNEW WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO
GO SHOPPING IS THEY BOUGHT
EVERYTHING FROM COOKIES AND
CANDIES FOR MY KIDS AND A HUGE
AMOUNT OF FOOD AND I WAS JUST
VERY, VERY MOVED AND VERY
SURPRISED AND TOUCHED.
I THINK OFTEN PEOPLE THINK OF
ACCEPTING REFUGEES IS SOMETHING
TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE, BUT IT'S
SUCH A MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP AND
CANADA BENEFITS SO MUCH FROM THE
PEOPLE WHO COME HERE.
>> Ian:  I KNOW SO MANY FAMILIES
WHO HAVE ENJOYED GIVING TO
REFUGEES WHO HAVE COME HERE AND
TRYING TO GET ESTABLISHED AND
I'M SURE FOR THOSE REFUGEE
FAMILIES, IT MUST BE A REAL
PLEASURE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY
GIVE BACK.
THEY OWN A GROCERY STORE, BY THE
WAY, THAT FAMILY ON VANCOUVER
ISLAND.
THAT IS "THE NATIONAL" FOR
FRIDAY, MARCH 27th, GOODNIGHT.
