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GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, OTTAWA

What's going on?

Today is International Nurses Day, the birthday of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightengale, and the day to give thanks to probably the most important people in the health care system.

Only a day?

In Canada, it's also National Nursing Week, which runs from Monday to the Sunday around Nightengale's birthday.

Isn't it obvious we all love nurses?

Sure, when there is a pandemic on. Then we can't get enough of them. Literally. Retired nurses were brought back, student nurses were fast tracked, provincial barrier rules waived.

But in the before times, all provinces had capped nurse employment, especially full time. Nursing work was to be found in temporary and part time work, all in an effort to lower pay and save money. Most small towns and northern areas were desperate for nurses.

We all know better now, right?

We'll see. Ontario has the lowest nurse-to-popuation ration in the country. We still haven't even tested all medical staff for COVID-19, much less removed caps on nurse numbers. Student nurses are still on the hook for tens of thousands in student loans.

What's the absolute least thing that I can do to support nurses

Use these hashtags today on your social media posts #CNA2020 #IND2020 #Nurses2020 #NationalNursingWeek #SupportNursesandMidwives #YearoftheNurseandMidwife #YearoftheNurse 

We'll see you tomorrow — Martha and Darren

STATS

Weather: Chances of flurries. High of 5° 

Number: 80. The per centage drop in parking tickets issued by Ottawa during the pandemic.  [CFRA]

Ottawan of the Day: Liam Mooney, editor of The Warbler, a newsletter on business, design, urbanism and city building, who advocates The Neighbourhood Playbook, a way of better including regular people in urban planning [Art613]

Quote: “It's scary, especially when people come up to your car and knock on the window with masks on. You have to tell them to be patient, stay back, and as soon as it comes in, you'll have it, I promise” – Rural-suburban mail carrier Jana Kelly on what it's like to deliver the post during the pandemic  [CBC]

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

There have been 1,676 confirmed cases of COVID‌-19 in Ottawa, an increase of 23 since yesterday, and 171 deaths, an increase of 10.

CHEO on lookout for mysterious COVID-19 releted illness that affects children [Ottawa Citizen]

Premier Doug Ford's daughters visited his house on Mother’s Day [CBC]

Death toll at Carlingview Manor rises to 42 [Ottawa Citizen]

Another OC Transpo staffer tests positive [Ottawa Citizen]

Feds create loan programme to assist Canada's largest companies [Ottawa Matters]

 

?️ the ottawan Guide to Navigating Coronavirus in Ottawa

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WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

Ottawa residents with Quebec cottages start petition for access
But rural mayors want them to stay away [CBC]

People have been calling the cops on homeless people
Now that people are home all day, they are starting to notice their neighbours who don't have homes and calling the police on them [CBC]

Urban expansion debate continues today
Council didn't set additional dates for debate and seem surprised by the interest [CBC] 
+ Related Sandy Hill developer cuts number of units, increases parking space numbers to comply with existing rules

Are glass domes along the Rideau Canel the future of COVID-19 dining?
An Amsterdam art gallery proposes some solutions [National Post]
+ Related City of Victoria to help restaurants by using public spaces for dining
 

On first day back, school in Quyon registers only one student
Parents in Quebec have voted with their feet and mostly kept their children at home [Ottawa Citizen]

Man arrested after breaking into three shops and only managing to steal a used sweater
We don't have much more to comment about this, so here is a link to Meryn Cadell's 'The Sweater' [Ottawa Citizen]

Has anyone noticed before that Jim Watson was mayor during the Ice Storm, The Flooding, and now the Pandemic?
An interview with the mayor [Ottawa Magazine]

Ottawa Citizen publisher seeks $20 million in wage subsidies
The publisher, Postmedia, closed 15 newspapers last week [Ottawa Matters]
 

THINGS TO DO #SUPPORTLOCALARTISTS

? Ottawa multidisciplinary artist DRPN Soul is responsible for some of our city’s most dynamic and expressive street images. He’s created large scale works for @bywardmarket and other areas of the city, but due to COVID-19 he currently has openings for private commissions. Hit him up at info@kalkidan-assefa.com. [Instagram]

? If you’ve spotted the vibrant mural in the Glebe that celebrates front line workers, you’ll be familiar with Hamilton artist Juliana LaChance’s work. You can buy small scale versions of her work at her Etsy store or commission her for something much larger for your child’s bedroom or your living room ceiling [Juliana La Chance]

?  Cornwall illustrator Effie, whose Instagram account is full of bright and design prints, is having a competition today. Head over to @lzysunday for your chance to win two prints of your choice. [Lzy Sunday]

? Scatterbee of Ottawa is offering whimsical free or Pay-What-You-Can (PWYC) downloadable colouring sheets. You can either print them or download as PNG files and colour them digitally. [Scatterbee] You can also support Scatterbee by purchasing one of her whimsical prints, cards, and stickers from her Etsy shop [Scatterbee]

Cut us and we bleed Ottawa. Reply back to us with your comments or suggestions. We read every single email. hello@theottawan.com