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Food Truck Guide May 13, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 26

Next edition May 27

PAGES 10 & 11

The hidden costs of the COVID-19 pandemic

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star

Work on LRT Stage 2 is well underway along the entire stretch of the 174. Construction crews recently installed the steel girders that will provide the base for the raised portion of the rail line east of Montreal Road. STAFF SUPPLIED

By now, everyone is aware of the potential threat the COVID-19 poses to their health.

Everyone is also aware of the horrific toll it has taken on their fellow Canadians and the tremendous stress it has posed on our health care system.

As of May 8, there had been 1.27 million confirmed cases in Canada. Of that number, 64,802 Canadians had to be hospitalized and 24,529 Canadians have unfortunately died from the disease. And we’re still not out of the woods yet.

Although the rate of hospitalizations and deaths look as though they are on the decline thanks to vaccinations, it’s expected to take several months before things can begin to get back to “normal” – whatever “normal” ends up looking like.

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In the meantime, tens of thousands of Canadians will continue to suffer from the hidden impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the mainstream media continues to focus on new case counts, variants and deaths, Canadians of all ages are struggling with issues behind the headlines.

Whether its kids struggling to keep up in their virtual classroom, teenagers dealing with the lack of socialization, couples struggling to keep their marriage together, or small business owners struggling to merely survive, the strain the pandemic poses on our mental health is immeasurable.

It has lead to a higher state of anxiety among children and adults alike. Studies are showing that the mental strain of having to cope with the ongoing isolation and stress of the ongoing pandemic has lead to increases in domestic CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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S H O P, T O U R A N D B U Y O N L I N E 2 • May 13, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 26

East end COVID cases reverse course over past two weeks

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star After six weeks of exponentially increases in the number of active COVID-19 cases in the east end, the numbers are finally starting to trend in the opposite direction, reflecting a similar decrease in cases over the same time period city-wide.

During the two-week period from April 19 to May 3, there were 368 active COVID-19 cases in the three wards that make up the far east end of the city. That’s a 33 per cent drop from the previous two-week period when there were 556 active cases in the three wards.

Cumberland Ward saw the greatest drop in active cases, going from 237 active cases between April 5 and April 19 to 134 active cases between April 19 and May 5.

In Orléans Ward, the number of active cases dropped from 140 to 96, while in Innes Ward, the number of cases dropped from 179 to 138.

City-wide, there was an average of 2,529 active cases in Ottawa between April 19 and May 5, that’s a 33 per cent decrease in the average number of cases during the previous two-week period when there were 3,858

active cases.

By last Friday, the number of active cases in the city had dropped to 1,458. That’s the lowest number of active cases in Ottawa in over five weeks.

Hospitalizations are also down. According to the Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 dashboard, there were 81 individuals being treated for COVID-19 in Ottawa Hospitals as of May 7, 21 of whom are in ICU. Both numbers have been on a steady decline since April 26 when Ottawa was experiencing record highs in both areas.

The seven-day average number of reported cases in the city has also fallen below 100 per 100,000 residents for the first time in more that month. As of May 7, it was at 87.9. Just two short weeks ago it was 209.75.

If the current trend continues, it will be under 40 by May 20 which is when the current six-week provincial shutdown order is supposed to expire. Forty cases per 100,000 residents is the benchmark for regions to move into the orange zone which would allow restaurants and other nonessential businesses to reopen.

The reproduction rate, which is a measure of the average number of secondary COVID

Number of reported cases in the east end wards between April 19 and May 5

Innes Ward 179 cases

cases caused by a single infected person, must also be below 1.2, which it has been since April 10.

Finally, the positivity rate for COVID testing needs to be below 2.5 per cent.

That may take a little more time to achieve considering the rate has hovered between 5.5 per cent and 13.5 per cent over the past two weeks. In fact, it has not been below 2.5 per cent since March 13.

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Orléans Ward 140 cases

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there are vaccines. As of Thursday May 6, 406,236 Ottawa residents had received at least one dose of the vaccine and 29,806 residents had received two doses.

Vaccinations are starting to ramp up again after trailing off for several days due a limited supply – 6,224 doses were administered on May 6 alone.

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May 13, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 26 • 3

Essential Essential – it’s a funny word that means different things to different people. According to Webster’s Dictionary, the word “essential” means something that is absolutely necessary and/or extremely important.

But what is essential to one person may not be essential to another and vice versa. Sure, there is the short list of things that are essential to life such as water, air, food and heat, but beyond that, what’s “essential” is subject to interpretation. That has never been more clear than during the current pandemic during which businesses have been divided into essential and non-essential.

Grocery stores and pharmacies are essential for obvious reasons, but so are The Beer Store, LCBOs and garden centres. Almost every other business has been deemed non-essential. Most retailers are allowed to offer curbside service, but other businesses such as barbershops, hair salons and fitness centres, have to remain closed. Restaurants are closed but they can still provide takeout and delivery service.

It’s easily understandable that most people don’t consider hair salons, gyms or restaurants “essential”. And it may not be essential to them, or to you, or to anyone else who doesn’t need a haircut, or whose body has never crossed the threshold to a fitness centre or who doesn’t eat out very often, but I can assure you that they are essential to the people who own them and their families.

You may not think that the taekwondo centre on Innes Road is essential, or the hair salon in Place d’Orléans or the spa and wellness centre on St-Joseph Blvd. is essential, but the owner who had to sign a personal guarantee against their commercial lease and has three or four mouths to feed at home with a mortgage and car payments, thinks it is and they’d be right.

What is “essential” is therefore relative.

So when a small business owner is told their business is non-essential and has to drastically reduce their services or offer no service at all, not once but twice – or in some cases three or four times – since the pandemic began, you can understand how they might get a little upset. I know I sure would, because while it may be a temporary inconvenience for their customers and an annoyance for their employee, it’s potentially disastrous for the person who must still pay the bills whether their business is open or not. Try telling them that we’re all in this together.

They’ll either start gnashing their teeth, weeping uncontrollably, cursing the government, or all three.

In order to mitigate their losses, the federal government has offered them loans of up to $60,000, $20,000 of which will be forgiven if they pay it back by Dec. 2022. The way things are going, that window is getting smaller and smaller. Owners of businesses that have been completely shutdown can apply for something called the Canada Recovery Benefit which will pay them a fraction of their regular income. It’s better than nothing, but not much.

So the next time you hear about a “non-essential” business, think about the people who own them and their families for whom they are both absolutely necessary and extremely important.

Fred Sherwin, editor

Fredrick C. Sherwin, Editor & Publisher fsherwin@orleansstar.ca The Orléans Star is a bi-weekly publication distributed to 44,000 residences in Blackburn Hamlet, Orléans and Navan. The newspaper is locally owned and operated by Sherwin Publishing Inc., 745 Farmbrook Cres., Orléans, ON. Inquiries and delivery issues should be sent to info@orleansstar.ca.

4 • May 13, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 26

Ontario Liberals release plan to assist caregivers, Ontario families The past year has been especially hard on parents in ages recreation and skill-building.

Ontario – especially moms.

And for families choosing options and caregivers Parents and caregivers across Ontario have stepped outside of licensed childcare, we’ll enhance the Childup to the plate, taking care of the people around them care Access and Relief from Expenses (CARE) tax through. We owe all Ontario caregivers a great deal credit by 50% to an average of $2,000 and provide it of thanks for all they have done in regular advance payments. to manage through the challenges But this isn’t only about relief for Queen’s parents; of the past year. They also deserve it’s about our economy too.

Park action from our provincial governIncreasing women’s workforce parment. ticipation has the potential to grow Corner Last week, Ontario Liberal Ontario’s economy by nearly $7 billeader Steven Del Duca released lion a year. Our economy will not Stephen Blais our plan for a $10 a day universal recover from COVID-19 without childcare, reducing average fees by 80% for a savings full and equal workforce participation and that won’t of $10,000 a year. happen without childcare. Every dollar invested in How would you and your family use $10,000? childcare returns $2.50 to the economy.

Save for your child’s education? Reduce debt? Save These investments will be critical to Ontario’s econfor retirement? Our plan will provide real tangible omy once restrictions are lifted. The plan would enfinancial relief for families. able over 130,000 women to return to the work force Doug Ford’s government has already said that they and create 30,000 new jobs in childcare and 15,000 won’t partner with the federal government to make jobs in construction of new childcare centers. this transformative project happen in Ontario. The To ensure we can deliver on this plan, we will profederal government is putting billions of dollars on the vide free tuition for all early childhood education table for Ontario’s childcare system. This lack of co- programs at Ontario’s colleges while ensuring the operation will ensure families continue to struggle on economic dignity of workers with enhanced pay and waitlists and paying $50/day for childcare and maybe benefits for workers, to align with full-day kindergarget some back in a tax credit under the false promise ten classrooms. We will also improve recruitment, reof “choice.” tention and professional learning opportunities.

Additionally, within 100 days of taking office, we This Mothers Day, we are celebrating the moms of will reduce fees for before and after-school care by Ontario — and we’re ready to take the action that the over half to $10/day by September 2022 to ensure parents and caregivers of Ontario deserve. families can access flexible licensed care that encour-

Has Doug Ford not learned anything over the past 12 months It’s been nearly 14 months since the COVID-19 pandemic descended on Canada and since then, there has been a litany of studies conducted on everything from asymptomatic transmission to contact spread and the effectiveness of face mask materials.

Too bad the Premier hasn’t read any of them. Instead he relies on a combination of advice from public health officials and actual scientists who believe common sense is an anethma to their work. Unfortunately, he ignores both the scientists and common sense, which is a heck of a trick.

To begin with, scientific studies have proven that it is nearly impossible for a person to contract the virus while walking, or jogging, or riding their bike, even if you pass by someone who happens to be asymptomatic. That’s because the level of viral load that could be transferred during that split second you cross paths is entirely inefficient to get you sick.

Studies have also proven that the material your mask is made of, plus how you wear it could reduce its effectiveness by as much as 80 per cent. If you wear a loose-fitting single-ply mask, you might as well toss it the garbage and wear one of those faceshields which are equally ineffective. Microscopic COVID particles can easily get under, over and around your shield and make you sick

Up Front Fred Sherwin by entering your mouth, nose or even your eyes, which puts the effectiveness of face masks in an entirely different light.

All of which to say it is okay to go for a walk around the block without wearing a face mask and you don’t to zap your groceries with UV light when you get home from the grocery store. It also means that face masks themselves are not foolproof, think of them like condoms, which are not always reliable either. Accidents can happen and you can get sick, even if you wear the best face mask on the planet.

It depends on duration of the exposure, the volume of exposure and your immune systems ability to fight the virus.

Getting back to lessons learned that are being ignored, the two most egregious are the willingness of public health officials to ignore the science on the need for multiple tests in potecting against false negative

Spring is in the air!

results and the failure of the government to protect target high risk individuals from the virus and keep them out of the hospital – namely, individuals who are obese, or both obese and suffering from other at-risk health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.

As far as the testing is concerned, there’s a reason why hospital staff are tested on a regular basis and the government tests individuals entering this country no less than four days after they’ve been tested in their country of origin. It’s to protect against the possibility of a false negative test result.

The American College of Physicians looked at seven different studies conducted on the effectiveness of viral antigen tests and found that the potential for a false negative test result ranged from 100 per cent on Day 1 of contracting the virus to 20 per cent three days after symptom onset.

So what does this mean in practical terms?

It means that as many as 20 per cent of the people who have tested negative for COVID in Ottawa could, in actual fact, be carrying the disease. It’s easy to see how that could be problematic.

Of course, we don’t know what the actual false negative rate is in Ottawa because most people only get tested once.

How many of those people were given

a false negative result and then spread the virus without knowing they were the source?

We’ll never know until the testing regime is changed.

As for the government’s failure to vaccinate individuals based on their health rather than simply their age, this is the most mindboggling. A French study found that 35 per cent of hospitalizations were clinically obese, while 90 per cent of patients in ICU suffered from the same condition.

The study spurred the French government to move obese individuals to the front of the vaccine queue.

We could easily do the same here for obese individuals and others with high-risk health conditions which would significantly reduce hospitalizations, intensive care cases and the need for ventilation, but to do so would require putting the vaccines in the hands of family physicians as they’ve done in countries like Australia.

If the Premier was to learn anything from the available science conducted over the past 14 months it would be that the risk of outdoor transmission is minimal in most settings and that the easiest and most effective way to keep people out of hospital is to vaccinate the people who are at the highest risk of ending up there in the first place. #enlistfamilyphysicians

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Health, Happiness and Home May 13, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 26 • 5

Stage 2 LRT proponents must do Councillor urges local residents more to address local concerns to help make area roads safer Stage 2 LRT brings hope for economic growth, more affordable housing collocated with transit and better connectivity to our ward. The construction of this multi-billion dollar project, however, has been terribly disruptive to all of us, but especially those who live along the Hwy. 174 corridor.

This has been a constant frustration for me, dealing with the proponents KEV, hearing promises from them on how they’ll work in certain areas only, install broadband back up alarms, ensure tailgates aren’t slammed and box shaking would stop – all of these promises have been broken. The shaking all day, the noise all night and the spotty communication with my office and with you has me exasperated and angry.

We are in constant contact with the Stage 2 office, bylaw and KEV, working through this.

I will not give up on protecting your sleep and mental health. These things are precious to me. My team and I have stepped up our communication in a major way since the

beginning of construction east of Blair Road, and we will continue with the newsletters and social posts. Please continue to share your concerns with stage2@ ottawa.ca, bylaw services and my office. Hearing these concerns helps me to better represent you when dealing with KEV. I have managed, once again, to get the sound attenuation barrier bumped up in the project schedule to help mitigate these disruptions.

Instead of seeing the first panels installed closer to the end of the year, they are doing the prep work NOW to get at least two lengths of the barrier up ASAP. I have worked to have the original plan lengthened at least an extra 80 metres to cover more homes up the on-ramp at Jeanne d’Arc on the north side and continue to negotiate to maximize the length along the entire line.

This is something that should have been done two decades ago, something we worked hard to get into this project and something I will continue to push for.

In four words: I have your back.

Speeding is far and away the issue brought on the pilot will be coming to council this to my attention most frequently. It was the summer and I will be advocating for more concern expressed by one in every three cameras to be installed in our community. people I spoke to during After hearing incredibly my recent campaign. disappointing reports This is an issue that I Catherine about increased incidents take very seriously, and of drivers passing stopped Kitts my frustration knows school buses, I requested no end when it comes that staff report back on to increased incidents the pilot project for school Cumberland Ward 19 of stunt and dangerous bus stop-arm cameras. driving in our community.

I’m also working with Safer Roads Ottawa Councillors have a small discretionary and M.L. Bradley to explore what additional budget for temporary traffic calming measures can be put into place. measures, and our traffic assessment team One common misconception is that counhas already begun reinstating flex stakes and cillors have the ability to direct where police will be implementing new traffic calming patrol, or set up speed traps. Unfortunately, measures in some known problem areas in that is not the case. However, I encourage the coming months. residents to report incidents of speeding At present, Cumberland Ward has the and dangerous driving to the Ottawa Police highest number of speed boards in the Service (OPS) non-emergency line 613city. However, even with our best efforts, 236-1222 ext. 7300 or by using their online speeding is a very difficult issue to combat reporting tool available at ottawapolice.ca. and one that effects the entire city. It has no Residents can also request a “Slow Down simple solution. for Us” lawn sign through the Safer Roads I am an ardent advocate of the City’s speed Ottawa program by e-mailing: SRO@ enforcement cameras pilot project. A report ottawa.ca

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ners guide for the unitiated backyard gardener

uide for beginner rdeners A beginner’s guide for the uninitiated backyard gardener

anted to make a salad w yourself? Or give d one made of fresh own garden? Now is row like a pro with a :

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• Wheelbarrow – Investing in a wheelbarrow is a must for gardeners. You’ll likely need to purchase some gardening soil to mix in with your ground soil. Having a wheelbarrow on hand to help you transport the soil from your (NC) – Have you ever wanted to make a extracting weeds and transferring items vehicle to youra garden is gold. wanted to make salad from

u ever salad using vegetables you grew yourself, or from pots to your garden. giveyourself? a bouquet to a loved Or one using flowersa bouquet Finally, investing in a good wheelbarrow u grew give mpt may picked not be fromasyour GARDENING own garden? NowGEAR is is a must. You will likely need to purchase one made of fresh picked Gardens in time British beflowers a true gardener, need keyto mix in your to shine andTo grow vegetables and some you’ll gardening soil aorfew fertilizer nserve garden?

Now is your time to shine as inspiration as items in your wardrobe: flowers like a pro with a few tips to get you with your existing soil. Having a wheelw would like your Overalls There’s aonreason traditional started. barrow hand to help transport your soil a you pro with a few• tips to–get you

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A great option ative inspiration.

GaRdeninG GeaR like your own garden to look. WindRiver Hop on Overalls – There’s a reason tradiace, for planting your are Mark’s rain boots which come To bewhy a true gardener, you’ll need a few key items in your wardrobe: a stroll throughprofile your tional overalls have remained to in style for ntenance: the Internet, take in a shorter and are anti-microbial • Overalls – There’s a reason traditional Carhartt overalls have stayed in style for so long. neighbourhood, or visit one of the many so long.

With room for kneepads for extra few essential tools for preparing the soil/space, for planting your With room for knee pads for extra cushioning and multiple utility pockets, overalls are ct your hands from keep your feet fresh. Not to mention, they’re ntenance: garden centres in the east end for some extra cushioning and multiple utility pockets for , make sure to have easy to hose off after a day in the dirt. essential. ur hands from prickles, thorns and dirt, make sure to have some motivation. your tools, overalls are essential.

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Awnings can reduce cooling costs and save on energy consumption

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h mestyle

What to consider planning your back yard oasis A beginners guidewhen for the unitiated backyard gardener

A guide for beginner gArdeners

(NC) When most people think about (NC) Havetheir you ever wanted make a salad to your garden. renovating homes, theirto thoughts usuallyvegetables turn to upgrading kitchen,Or or give from you grewtheir yourself?

• Wheelbarrow – Investing in a wheelbarrow bathroom;tovery people aa bouquet yourfew loved onethink madeabout of fresh is a must for gardeners. You’ll likely need to upgrading the exterior of their flowers picked from your ownhomes. garden? Now is purchase some gardening soil to mix in with Creating an outdoor space forlike entertaining your time to shine and grow a pro with a your ground soil. Having a wheelbarrow on is a tips home project that results few to improvement get you started: hand to help you transport the soil from your in additional living space and can increase vehicle to youragarden is gold.

(NC) Have you ever wanted to make salad from the value of your home.

RESEARCH vegetables you grewa deck yourself? Or give a bouquet It can be as simple as building While your first attempt may not be as GARDENING GEAR or a patio. Throw in some patio of fresh flowers picked toinstalling your made beautiful as loved Butchart one Gardens in British To be a true gardener, you’ll need a few key furniture with a cantilever umbrella and a from your own garden?

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GaRdeninG GeaR youpreparing should consider is your budget.

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FILE PHOTO some hand.

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• Wheelbarrow - Investing in aitems wheelbarrow is aa must for gardeners.

You’ll need to determiningpatience. excavate weeds and transport from pots to wearing sunscreen. of professional designer, or alikely landscape which features are “need to Depending on the proximity of your FILE PHOTO provide warmth cooking • Sun hat – You’ll likely be spending quite a bit of time outside so it’s best to protect yourself purchasesome someseating, gardening soil toormix in with architect your ground Having a wheelbarrow withsoil.experience in designingon haves”, and which are “nice to haves” which neighbours, and the existing fencing and capability foryou thetransport occasional with a wide brimmed hat in addition to wearing sunscreen. hand to help the get-together, soil from your vehicle to your garden is gold backyards with patios and decks. can always be added at a later date. landscaping of your yard – or lack thereof butVessel this is Sink not atWith all the same thing as Faucet The key to a successful project is to do Examples of a need to have could be – you may want to consider installing creating a true outdoor Fleurs & Pépinière ON L Y living space that plenty of planning, which will help you a multi-function grill, outdoor lighting, additional privacy features. provides a level of comfort and functionality avoid any costly mistakes, or experiencing overhead protection from the elements or an TIP #3: Be flexible. Your budget may not comparable to the living space inside your post-completion regrets. outdoor gas hook up. match your imagination. Consider your home.

To that end, hereDebris are the top three things Examples of a “nice to have” are a hot & Construction outdoor space as a work in progress. What When you space to be R Edesign G .Waste, $ an 1 9outdoor 9 Recycling Book Your Central Air Installation you should consider when creating a space tub, anFurnaces outdoor sound system, a fire pit, or and Avoid the Rush by Now you cannot afford today, you can always add used for entertainment orRoll your own personal Off & FrontforLoad Service outdoor entertaining. a putting green. later.

The important thing is to get started. enjoyment during the summer months, it is • Air Conditioning System up to 22 SEER 2 to 30 yard containers O N Lavailable Y would like TIP #2: Consider special• challenges.

If the The sooner you build an outdoor space the like adding an addition to your home that TIP #1: Decide exactly how youEach High Efficiency Oil, Natural Gas or Free Estimates Solid wood construction, marble counter top, outdoor space and what activities area is exposed to wind or full sunlight, how sooner you can enjoy it. provides a self-sustaining, multi-purpose, to use yourFaucet, Electric Furnaces sink and mirror included

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April 13, 2017 • Volume 31, No. 3

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10 • May 13, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 26

ORLÉANS V - CHATEAU

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Location: 1265 Colonial Road (beside the Navan Autopro) Specialties: Gourmet hot dogs, Cubano sandwich, Philly Cheesesteak ail the name of your favourite food truck to info@orleansstar.ca and you’ll RN BU draw will be held on O entered to win one of three $25 gift certificates.

The Web site: https://dottiessnacks.ca/ C IAN y 27, 2021, and the winner will be notified byBRemail.

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May 13, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 26 • 11

The Almighty Cheese

The Almighty Chese food truck is owned by Steven & Julie Carle. Steven worked in management before the couple decided to open a food truck in 2009. Steven left his job and operates the truck full time while Julie runs all the financials and helps out with the truck when she’s not working fulltime for the federal government. When the couple first set out on their new enterprise they wanted to be different from other food trucks by offering a variety of comfort food that all ages can enjoy, Judging by the reviews they’ve been receiving on Facebook, so far so good.

Dottie’s in Navan

Going bonkers with boredom?

Virtual summer camps Mix and match half days Register now ottawa.ca/virtualprograms 12 • May 13, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 26

Amy Henderson is the owner/operator of Dotties. When they aren’t busy with farming and school, you will often see her husband Wayne and their kids working alongside her. Before starting Dotties, Amy had a career in management and esthetics as well as business development. When she opened the food truck in the midst of the pandemic last April her target was to simply work at markets and fairs on the weekends, but when business took off the family decided to make Dotties a full-time affair! Named after Amy’s mother, Dotties is bringing the diner experience outdoors. They offer hearty sandwiches, hot dogs, homemade Kettle chips, milkshakes, mini donuts and more. You can find them beside the Navan Autopro at 1265 Colonial Rd.

h mestyle

Let Romantic guide take your experience to the gardener next level A beginners for grilling the unitiated backyard

A guide for beginner gArdeners

(NC) Drive down any street in Orléans his own business at the corner of St. Joseph (NC) you ever wanted makethe a salad to yourd’Arc garden. with theHave windows rolled down toduring and Jeanne Boulevards. His son Jason from grew yourself?

• Wheelbarrow – Investing a wheelbarrow dinnervegetables hour and you you’re bound to catchOra give joined him shortly afterwards and theinfather of the smell of back yard and son been working together awhiff bouquet to sweet your loved onea made of fresh is a team musthave for gardeners.

You’ll likely need to barbeque with steaks on the grill or a rack of ever since. flowers picked from your own garden? Now is purchase some gardening soil to mix in with ribs intime a smoker. sells only theHaving very bestasmokers your to shine and grow like a pro with a Romantic your ground soil. wheelbarrow on or grilling as it is called more and grills

by Weber, Pit Boss, American fewBarbequing, tips to get you started: handmade to help you transport the soil from your commonly known among aficionados, is a Muscle and Louisiana Grills. Pilon swears by vehicle to youragarden is gold.

(NC) Have you ever wanted to make salad from suburban pursuit that has caught fire over the the store’s motto which is “Take BBQ to the RESEARCH vegetables you grew yourself?

Or give a bouquet last 10 years with shows like BBQ Pitmasters, next level, you’ll taste the difference.”

While your first attempt may not be as GARDENING GEAR to your one of fresh flowers picked BBQ Pit Wars and the Great BBQmade Challenge “It’s To not be two or three times better,”need says a few key beautiful as loved Butchart Gardens in British a true gardener, you’ll featured on the Food Network.

Pilon.

“It’s 10 times better.” from your ownserve garden?

Now is your to shine Columbia, it can certainly as inspiration as items in your time wardrobe: Almost overnight, would-be grillmasters Before investing in a new grill smoker,traditional you begin to visualize how you would like your • tips Overalls –get There’s aorreason and grow like a pro with a few to you went from barbequing steaks and burgers you should visit Romantic’s BBQ cave once garden to look. Hop on the web, take a stroll Carhartt overalls have stayed in style for started: over a propane grill to smoking pork butt, the current stay-at-home order is rescinded, through your neighbourhood or head to your so long. With room for knee pads for extra brisket and side ribs in wood pellet smokers where they have the latest models of wood ReseaRch local garden store for some creative inspiration cushioning and multiple utility pockets, with pellets made of pecan, or pellet and charcoal grills, smokers and While your first attempt may nothickory be as beautiful asoveralls Butchart Gardens in British Columbia, are essential. apple wood. And if you are a serious griller smoker/grills, provide it can certainly serve as inspiration as you begincombination to visualize how you wouldwhich like your garden TOOLS • Footwear – You’ll want wear shoes that to Hopchances on the web, a stroll to to your local in look.

Orléans, are take you’ve beenthrough to theyour bestneighbourhood flavour and tasteor in head barbequing.

When to BBQs and smokers, Romantic Fireplaces and BBQ You’ll need to acquire a few essential tools are comfortable and functional.

A great option it comes garden store for someand creative GaRdeninG GeaR Romantic Fireplaces BBQsinspiration. in Canotek It’s also important to consider how many for preparing the soil/space, for planting your are Mark’s WindRiver rain boots which come Mike and Jason Pilon arekey your grilling To be a true gardener, you’ll need a few items in yourexperts. wardrobe: FILE PHOTO Park. people you intend to grill for. If you only owners Tools seeds and for garden maintenance: in a shorter profile and are anti-microbial to • Overalls – There’s a reason traditional Carhartt overalls have stayed in style for so long.

Owner Mike Pilon has been in the plan to cook for you and your family, you need something bigger. accessories and wood pellets.

You’ll need to- acquire a fewyour essential toolsfrom for preparing the soil/space, for planting your they’re With room for knee pads for extra cushioning and multiple utility pockets, overalls • Gloves To protect hands keep your feet fresh.

Not to mention, fireplace BBQ business for over 40 can get away with a smaller unit, but if you Whatever your grilling needs, Romantic Let Mike and Jason help enhance yourare seeds andand for garden maintenance: essential. prickles, thorns and dirt, make sure to have easy to hose off after a day in the dirt. years. He- started out your in Cornwall, before planthorns to entertain yourmake friendssure or host a family • Gloves To protect hands from prickles, and dirt, to have some Fireplaces and BBQs has the equipment to backyard retreat for an amazing barbeque • Footwear – You’ll shoes that are comfortable and functional. A great some sturdy gardening gloves onhe hand. hat backyard – You’ll likely be spending quite moving to Orléans in 2009 opened reuinion• Sun in your oasis, you will do the job. They also sellwant a full to linewear of grilling experience. sturdy gardening gloves onwhere hand.

don’t have to have a green thumb a green option areYou Mark’s WindRiver rain boots which cometo in have a shorter profileback and yard. are anti• HandTrowel Trowel– This – This as your a bit itofcomes time time outside so it’s to protect • Hand willwill act act as your best best friend when to plant yourbest seeds, microbial to keep your feet fresh.

Not to mention, they’re easy to hose off after a day excavate weeds and transport to your garden. friend when it comes time to items plant from your pots seeds, yourself with a wide brimmed hat in addition All you need are some seeds, the right tools and plenty of and in the dirt.

• Wheelbarrow - Investing in aitems wheelbarrow is a must for gardeners.

You’ll likely need to excavate weeds and transport from pots to wearing sunscreen. patience.

PHOTO upheaval and uncertainty. Every This past yearhat has beenlikely oneFILE of spending constant – You’ll be quite a bit of time outside so it’s best to protect yourself purchase some gardening soil to mix in with your ground soil. Having a wheelbarrow on • Sun aspect ofwith ouralives health,hat school, work, travel -sunscreen. have been impacted. We wide – brimmed in addition to wearing hand to help you transport the soil from your vehicle to your garden is gold have all had to compromise, sacrifice and learn to deal with the unknown Vessel Sink With Faucet & Pépinière and losses. Parenting is already hard toFleurs juggle but throw in Covid-19 and it O N LY has become a roller coaster of emotions and challenges!

Mother 's / Father ' s Day RenovationsFundraising $159 or just cleaning up…

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We C are asking you to help us to support the Mothers and Fathers in our with puErcA hOrléans, a Cumberland, Sarsfield, Navan, Vars and Carlsbad Spring of new furn se ace* Your kind donation through this Fundraising Campaign Keep $650 communities.

(INCLUDES 4 BAGS OF LAWN FERTILIZER AND A BAG OF LIME) will governmenin provide the many services and programs that thelp the Centre be able to EARLY SPRING • LATE SPRING • SUMMER • FALL rebates

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Potted Easter plants May 13, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 26 • 13 available now!

Visit our Showroom & our new 2016 displays

Rent-To-Own Option Available

(WHILE SUPPLIES LAST)

April 13, 2017 • Volume 31, No.

5 May, 2016 - Orleans Star - www.orleansstar.ca

$99.95

14 • May 13, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 26

Symphony Senior Living Orléans outdoor movie theatre is back Special to the Orléans Star Symphony Senior Living Orléans is hosting another outdoor movie theatre but this time, it will be all summer long!

In December 2020, the retirement home hosted a Christmas-themed drive-in theatre for a weekend while fundraising for The Ottawa Mission. The drive-in sold out within only a few weeks and was a huge success.

Now that the weather is better, Symphony Senior Living Orléans will be hosting weekend outdoor movies once a month in May, June, July, and August.

Bring a lawn chair and your favourite snack to sit outside and enjoy a movie underneath the stars. To ensure that you get the best experience, you will be given a set of headphones that are wirelessly connected to the movie system. No noise complaints and better sound quality for everyone!

Due to outdoor gathering restrictions, the movie for May will be a traditional drive-in style where you sit in your car. However, we hope that for the rest of the summer we will be able to sit outside to enjoy the fresh air.

To ensure everyone’s safety, groups of people will be spaced six feet apart and the headphone sets will be sanitized between showings. The movie will be played through a Blu-ray DVD player attached to an FM transmitter and displayed on a huge inflatable

screen. Some concessions will be included with the price of your ticket, but if you’d like something specific, we suggest you bring your own.

Symphony Senior Living Orléans hopes that they can bring some joy back into the community after such a tough few months in lockdown.

Symphony Senior Living operates four communities in the Ottawa area – two in Orléans, one in Kanata and one in Carleton Place. All four communities have remained COVID-free throughout the duration of the pandemic. Our residents have been safe, happy and healthy during the past year.

Even though COVID has put a halt to many gatherings across the country, Symphony has safety and effectively run various different fundraising events throughout the past year.

The communities have successfully raised thousands of dollars for different local charities in the Ottawa area that have been affected by the pandemic.

From drive-through food events to virtual silent auctions and now drive-in movies – Symphony is not letting COVID rain on their parade!

To buy tickets to the outdoor movie theatre and for more information on our events, contact Theleah at crcorleans@ symphonyseniorliving.com

• • • •

Custom orthotics Hip, knee, back and heel pain Flat feet Corns/calluses/warts

Symphony Senior Living Orléans plans to hold a series of outdoor movie nights in during the next few months. FILE PHOTOS

• • • •

Ingrown nail surgery Fungal nail & laser treatment Diabetic foot care Xrays

*Our services are covered by most private insurance plans

www.orleansfootclinic.com | 3012 St. Joseph Blvd., Suite 201

Melissa CloutierChatel, DPM

Anna Grynechko, Chiropodist

May 13, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 26 • 15

T:4.9"

Hidden costs of pandemic will have far-reaching and long-lasting impact on Canadian society Continued from page 1

385 Vantage Dr. Orléans (behind McDonald’s Innes at Tenth Line Rd.) Tel: 613841-5550 Website: www.theautopros.ca

Offer expires June 14, 2021

Stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Learn more at ontario.ca/covid-19 Paid for by the Government of Ontario

16 • May 13, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 26 Cossette

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

from home with helping their kids navigate their virtual studies, and kids and students themselves.

In this week’s Orléans Star, we will examine the impact the pandemic is having on education, mental health and the social fabric of our country.

We will take a deep dive on how the pandemic has effected one local family in particular. We will look at studies and reporting that has been done in other regions and cities and we will take a look at how the pandemic has affected the ability of charities to raise money and deal with a shrinking number of volunteers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken and is still taking a tremendous toll on all of us. It therefore behooves all of us to be considerate of others who may not be handling it as well we are. And most importantly to get vaccinated so that we can all get out of this together while suffering as little damage as possible.

T:11"

Social gatherings can have deadly consequences.

abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, suicide attempts and divorces. Deaths from drug overdoses and suicides have gone up as a result.

The impact has been especially hard on kids, who will have to live with the trauma caused to their development for years to come. The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, or CIFAR, has been leading the way on research into how the pandemic is affecting children’s biologies, their brains, their immune systems, and their ability to thrive. It’s incredibly frightening to think that the strain placed on children by the pandemic, may weaken their immune systems making them less capable of fighting future pandemics when they become adults.

Researchers are already looking into the possibility of pandemic-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among front line and other essential workers, parents who are trying to balance working

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Students, parents struggle to keep up during pandemic One of the areas where the COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact is education. While it is not clear just how great an impact it has had on a child’s learning curve, it is clear that some kids have been able to fare better than others while some kids have fared far worse.

What side of that line a child falls on depends on a number of factors including the level of their parents’ education, access to resources like high-speed Internet and their ability to work in a virtual environment.

The potential impact is greater the older the student is and the higher the grade level they’re in.

The impact may also have a bearing on their choice of post-secondary education and the potential for success – or failure – in a post secondary environment.

There is an entire cohort of young people whose final semester of high school was a total write-off last year and who decided to take a gap year this year in the hope of attending in-school classes next fall which is still entirely up in the air All of which to say, there are a number of educational experts who believe that the pandemic has had a negative impact on the education of a significant number of students which has limited their options moving forward into a post-secondary strean.

The hidden cost of the COVID-19 pandemic

Just how significant the impact is, or will be, or how many kids have been impacted negatively is the great unknown.

In a study conducted by Brown University last summer entitled Projecting the potential impacts of COVID-19 school closures on academic achievement, it indicates that students would start the 2020/2021 school year with an average of 66 percent of the learning gains in reading and 44 percent of the learning gains in math, relative to the gains for a typical school year.

There is no reason to think that the same impact isn’t being felt on this side of the border.

Heartbreaking stories of parents who have struggled trying to help their children cover their course curriculum abound. And not every child is impacted the same.

Just as you might have found prior to the pandemic, you have those students who are high achievers and have the capacity to learn well enough on their own with minimum supervision; you have other students who need more help and sometimes struggle with motivation; and finally, you have students for whom education is an ongoing challenge which can often be frustrating. Add into the mix the complete lack of socialization resulting from extended stay-at-home orders and you have a recipe for all sorts of issues that could lead to heightened levels of anxiety potentially leading to depression.

Sheryne Morcos has four children – a 14-year-old daughter in Grade 8; a 12-yearold son in Grade 7; a five-year-old daughter

in kindergarten and a four-year-old son in pre-school.

Morcos, who works at the Canadian School of Public Service, opted to keep all four of her kids at home when the school year started in September. The older kids attended virtual classes using laptop computers provided by the school board, while Morcos tried to keep the two younger kids busy with educational resources provided by the board combined with playtime.

The older kids started struggling after the Christmas break and Morcos and her husband David eventually decided to send them back to school in February.

“It was obvious that they needed social interaction and their mental state was deteriorating,” says Morcos. “They were lacking motivation from sitting in front of a computer all day, so we decided they should go back to school, but then that only lasted for about four weeks before the province closed everything down again.”

Morcos says virtual learning has effected the two older kids in different ays. The oldest – who generally does very well in school – has been anxious and stressed over the idea that she might not be keeping up with her fellow students who have attended in-school classes for the majority of the year before the province shut everything down in March.

The lack of socialization with her fellow students and friends hasn’t helped either.

“She’s been having really high anxiety and not sleeping well,” says Morcos.

The second oldest has been struggling

with virtual learning from the start. At first, he was in the synchronous stream which allows the students to attend a teacher-lead class together. When that didn’t seem to work, he transitioned to an asynchronous stream which allows the students to follow the curriculum on their own, but that made the situation even worse, to the point where he’s suffering from anxiety as well.

The whole situation has Morcos questioning how much her two oldest children are actually learning and the price they’re having to pay to do so.

The situation is even more exascerbated in the older grades. Just how prepared the Class of 2021 will be for college or university is a difficult question to answer.

Both the University of Ottawa and Carleton University plan to offer transition resources and workshops over the summer to help fill in any gaps students might be worried about.

Colleges like La Cité and Algonquin also have programs and resources in core subject areas like French, Mathematics, English and Science to help prepare students for the next level.

Unfortunately, the next level could end up being taught virtually at least for the fall semester.

The impact of the pandemic on education won’t be fully known for months and possibly even years after the pandemic.

What can’t be questioned is the impact the pandemic has had on the mental health and biology of many students which could have a lasting affect.

Pandemic pays heavy toll on our mental well-being You don’t have to look very far to see the mental toll the pandemic has had on our mental well-being. Most people need to simply look in the mirror.

Others can see it in the faces of their friends or co-workers.

“Working moms have a sort of unspoken understanding of each other,” says Sheryne Morcos, who is juggling a full-time job with a government agency with raising four kids aged 4, 5, 12 and 14. “When you’re in a Zoom meeting you recognize the telltale bags under the eyes, or when they mute their microphone to yell at their kids.”

Morcos spends most of her day helping her older kids with their school work while trying to entertain the younger ones.

In between, she attends any meetings she

The hidden cost of the COVID-19 pandemic

might have on her computer. She saves her own work for after the younger kids go to bed. Her alone time is restricted to the odd curbside pickup she can fit into her schedule.

Her husband David works at the Department of National Defence. He puts in three 12-hour shifts a week. By the time he gets home, the pair are both exhausted. On the days he has off, he provides Morcos with some relief in helping with the kids.

Weekends are usually reserved for extra schoolwork, or for Morcos to get caught up on her own work.

It’s a story that is shared by couples who have to juggle work with parenting across Canada. And they’re the lucky ones. Single parents have an even bigger challenge. Then there are the parents who have been out of work for months with no idea when they will ever go back. They are movie theatre ushers and sound engineers, performing artists and hotel workers, travel agents and bartenders.

You get the picture. All have their own stress to deal with. Unfortunately, we’re seeing that stress lead to increased incidents of domestic violence and divorce.

A sampling of seven family law offices across Ontario showed a 30 per cent increase in divorces since the pandemic began.

Across Canada, the number of calls to women’s assault help lines more than doubled between the start of pandemic in March and the end of the year.

And it’s not just adults who are stressed out. A recent study conducted in Hamilton showed that the number of youth in hospital after a suicide attempt had tripled over a four-month period under COVID-19 and referrals to an Eating Disorder Program had increased by 90 per cent.

Mental health professionals are growing more and more concerned about the potential long-term impact the pandemic will have on child development and our overall mental

health with references to possible Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

You can add small business owners to that list of potential PTSD victims. Many have been forced to provide curbside service, only or shut-down altogether. Melanie Boucher owns the 9Round gym in Orléans. Due to the provincial restrictions she’s been forced to close four times since the pandemic began.

The most recent closure came into effect on April 6 with very little warning. She’s a mother of two and has bills to pay like everyone else.

During the previous closures Boucher was able to get the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit. When the latest shutdown occurred she applied again. Despite the fact that she had received the benefit several times before, she was asked to provide Revenue Canada with documentation to prove that she’s self-employed. She did as CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

May 13, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 26 • 17

18 • May 13, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 26

Pandemic could have long-term impact on our mental well-being Continued from page 17

they asked and had to wait weeks to get paid while the bills and stress piled up.

Unfortunately, Boucher’s experience is not uncommon. Businesses can be split into three different categories during the pandemic and each comes with their own set of stresses.

You have essential businesses such as grocery stores and box stores like Costco that have remained open the whole time.

Then you have non-essential businesses that have been able to open in-between the stayat-home orders and can provide curbside service when the stay-at-home orders are in place. This second type of business includes

restaurants which have been limited to providing take-out service only during the shutdowns.

Finally, you have those businesses that have been severely impacted by the shutdowns such as fitness centres, health spas, hair salons and private contractors including designers, caterers, and engineers who are struggling to stay afloat.

The mental stress on small business owners to keep their business alive while providing for their families is beyond comprehension for most people. Most are having to put in even longer hours than they did before the pandemic began as they have

to cover for staff they’ve had to layoff in order to reduce their overhead.

All of them are hoping the cycle of lockdowns and reopenings will end before the pandemic forces them into bankruptcy.

As it is, it will take at least a year to pay off the government loans that have allowed them to tread water until now, which will add additional pressures to their lives long after the pandemic is over.

Another hidden cost of the pandemic has been in the area of fundraising and volunteerism. Many organizations and charities that depend on fundraising and volunteers to provide services to the public

have suffered a steep decline in both areas.

According to a recent Imagine Canada survey, fundraising revenue has declined by an average of 43 per cent, while 60 per cent of charities are reporting a decline in their number of volunteers.

In order to offset the losses, organizations are drawing on government funding, acquiring debt, selling assets and depending on fewer volunteers to put in longer hours.

Overall, the pandemic continues to provide challenges to Canadians of every stripe. How well we are able to cope with the strain it poses on our personal lives is the biggest challenge of all.

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