COVID-19 Roundup: New projections, falling festivals, common sense budgeting
Nova Scotia COVID-19 Modelling, April 14
As of yesterday, April 14, Nova Scotia has 517 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Officials confirmed 43 new cases in yesterday’s update.
Stay on target
Yesterday the provincial government released projections that show a flattened peak in total COVID-19 cases in May that continues into June if public health measures continue. The estimates show that if Nova Scotians continue to follow public health orders, there could be 1,453 cases by June 30. If there’s poor compliance with those orders, cases could grow to 6,269 over the same period. “The public health directives we’ve put in place are working,” says Premier Stephen McNeil in a press release. “These projections clearly show complying with social distancing and other measures can save lives. But we have to stay vigilant. The coming weeks are crucial, and we must continue to follow the protocols.”
The summer with no festivals
Since the pandemic hit, summer festivals have fallen like dominoes. One of the latest cancellations is the intimate Read by the Sea festival in River John. Other festivals have come and gone, this celebration of Canadian literary talent chugged away for 20 years. “We considered postponing until late August,” co-ordinator Monica Graham told the Tatamagouche Light, “but we might have to postpone it again depending on the COVID situation. The festival has too many complicated moving parts to manage more than one date change.”
Helping kids cope
As stressful as it is for adults, this is an even harder time for kids, who often don’t understand why all this is happening. As your children seek reassurance, it’s important to understand how they express and interpret feelings. In her recent Our Children feature, Abby Cameron explores the concept of love language. “The basic idea is what makes one person feel loved doesn’t make another person feel loved,” says author Gary Chapman. “We express our love in the way that’s meaningful for us and it’s not necessarily the same” for other people.
Common sense budgeting
For millions of Canadians, government payments like CERB, EI, and GST credits are suddenly essential to make ends meet. When that money comes in, there’s a temptation to treat oneself, just a little. But now that most of us are hunkered down at home, it’s easier than ever to avoid impulse purchases, so Halifax Magazine personal-finance blogger Leanne Salyzyn has advice: make it last.
The great indoors
As officials continue to urge people to stay close to home, the Nature Conservancy of Canada has closed its conservation trails and properties. “This closure is necessary, as together we protect our communities and do our part to flatten the curve,” John Foley, the organization’s Atlantic regional vice-president, says in this recent Lighthouse Now story.
Need to know
Know a community group, good cause, or inspiring local story we should share? Email the editor.
This story was originally published in Halifax Magazine.
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