COVID-19 in Saskatchewan: The Week in Review, April 24

It was another historic week in Saskatchewan!

Each weekend, you can catch up on anything you might have missed with the 650 CKOM/980 CJME weekly wrap of COVID-19 developments in our province.

From Re-Opening Saskatchewan to shutting down a number of events, we pull it all together for you.

And while it may be hard to read with the hair falling in your eyes, there may be relief in sight.

Premier Scott Moe declared this week that the province managed to “flatten the curve.” So much so that there’s now a plan to re-open Saskatchewan in five phases, starting in a couple of weeks.

There continued to be good news on the COVID-19 case front, with recoveries outpacing new cases every day. In fact, 82 per cent of people who got the virus have recovered.

And Saskatchewan people continue to give each other a hand, so to speak in this era of physical distancing. Helping each other out and even finding ways to make each other smile!

Let’s start with:

The numbers

The spread of COVID-19 seems to be slowing through most of the province. Last week there were only 20 new cases. This week? 23.

It wasn’t all good news though. While cases in Saskatoon and Regina are becoming more rare, northern communities like La Loche and English River First Nation are seeing a spike. A care home in Regina is also being watched carefully after another staff member tested positive for the virus.

Numbers for the week:

341 total cases
280 recoveries
4 deaths (unchanged)
57 active cases
4 inpatient hospital care cases
1 person in ICU

Re-opening Saskatchewan

What are you most excited for? Hitting the links? Getting that tooth checked out? Or finally ridding yourself of the caveman look with a professional haircut?

There was a lot of anticipation as Premier Scott Moe and Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab revealed the “Re-Open Saskatchewan” plan to start easing the coronavirus lockdown. We carried it live of course on 650 CKOM.

With the low cases numbers showing a flattened COVID-19 curve, the plan sets out how to re-open businesses and services in five phases, starting May 4. Here’s the Cole’s Notes version with key dates:

May 4, 2020 (Phase 1)

Dentists, optometrists, physical therapists, chiropractors allowed to resume operations
Fishing and boat launches opened in provincial parks
Reservations for camping open to public, with available dates starting June 1

May 15, 2020 (Phase 1, part 2)

Golf courses open, but golfers must have tee times and will hit the edge of the cup, rather than dropping the ball inside

May 19, 2020 (Phase 2)

Hairdressers/barbers can open
Retail stores allowed to operate
Massage therapy, acupuncturists and accupressurists allowed to serve clients
Hairdressers and barbers could reopen on May 19, meaning you won’t have to attempt this!

June 1, 2020 (Phase 1, part 3)

Campsites open

Phase 3 (date TBD)

Restaurants with 50 per cent capacity
Bars
Gyms and fitness centres
Childcare facilities
Public/Private gathering sizes increased to 15 people

Phase 4 (date TBD)

Indoor/outdoor recreation and entertainment facilities, like theatres and arenas
Gathering size increased to 30 people

Phase 5 (date TBD)

Consider lifting long-term restrictions, like opening schools or relaxing visitation rules at long-term care homes and hospitals

You can read the entire plan here.

You may have noticed a lot of “TBD” dates there. The premier and Dr. Shahab say they want to wait and see how well the first two phases go, and whether COVID-19 cases increase or if the curve remains flat, before starting phase three.

And if you’re wondering about seeing family, Dr. Shahab suggests that you can make a deal to see people from one or two other houses. BUT that’s just as long as the group is under 10 people, and you’re just interacting with those people. Oh, and keep physical distancing if you can. Premier Moe said Thursday he’s hoping to go see his son, who he hasn’t been with in six weeks.

Notice something that wasn’t in the plan? NDP leader Ryan Meili did. He’s not happy there’s no mention of when the Legislature will resume, to give his party a chance to question details of the plan.

But Meili is managing to keep busy…

Good news and helping hands

There was plenty to smile about besides the flattening curve and case rate in Saskatchewan this week.

Some of that news came out of the University of Saskatchewan. Leave it to the engineering students to devise a new N-95 mask for healthcare workers!

Like many others stepping up to help, NDP leader Ryan Meili is doing his part. He renewed his medical licence and is now working in a Saskatoon COVID-19 testing centre. He’s not the only one though. Retired paramedics are jumping back into ambulances to help share the load.

The good news for those un-retirees is they won’t be assigned to as many car crashes. That’s because there’s fewer of those, since there aren’t as many cars on the road and some people are cancelling their plates.

Most of the time, a baby brings a smile. A pandemic certainly doesn’t stop them from being born, and now families are figuring out ways for new grandparents to meet their grandbabies.

Some people are taking advantage of all the time they have on their hands at home right now. A Martensville woman accidentally found out people REALLY like her recipes, and now she’s got a whole “Quarantine Cookbook” on the go.

Others just need a sign out there to brighten their day. Does a literal, bright sign do the trick? A Regina man hopes so. If that’s not your style, Broadway Theatre in Saskatoon is pulling out all the stops to make sure a pandemic-related movie quote is up for all to see at all times.

Remember when you had a pen pal? Okay, maybe the younger millennial crowd doesn’t. But seniors are getting a blast from the past as kids are pairing with them virtually to send old-fashioned letters and drawings.

Cancellations and general bummers

Ugh. <— that’s the best way to describe how a lot of people felt this week as the dominoes started falling on summer events in Saskatchewan.

Regina’s folk festival won’t happen. Canada Day at Diefenbaker Park in Saskatoon was axed along with Rib Fest. In fact, forget about garage and yard sales or any youth soccer in Saskatoon.

There are still a couple of events hanging on for now. Country Thunder (read: Craven) says it’ll keep planning until it’s told by authorities to shut it down.

And if you think with the province re-opening you might be able to catch a festival next door in Alberta, think again. Calgary’s Stampede is a big “yee-nah,” while Edmonton cancelled K-Days.

On top of all that? You might have to pay more for that juicy steak after major meat packing plants shut down due to COVID-19.