COVID-19 and golf

[cpal]

Confirmed cases is a pointless metric given that a large number of people are asymptomatic. The effort to determine the true rate of infection is sadly lacking. If they aren't going to do large-scale random testing to get a proper infection rate then they should be tracking deaths, not cases. Also doesn't help that in some places, deaths are being over-reported too though (see NY state).

In other countries where the effort has been made, the spread is massive compared to confirmed cases (which is why death rates are way lower than originally thought), and that's a good thing.

The strategy should be to control infection spread within vulnerable populations and get moving to reopen ASAP. People are responsible enough to practice social distancing as we reopen, but this asinine obsession with enforcing confinement until randomly selected "confirmed case" metric is met is absurd.

[cpal]

New numbers from the federal government estimate 7% of Canadians have had COVID19.

That lowers the death rate by orders of magnitude. Government needs to make decisions with the reality of current data but some seem to be stuck in the March mindset.

Either way, Quebec just announced that retail stores outside Montreal can reopen May 4. Have to assume golf courses will be included in that. Will have to see if Gatineau participates (rather than waiting for Ottawa) and what the situation is RE: border crossings. Best case scenario, we can golf on the QC side in a week.

[Lucky]

It's more than 79% if you take the workers in the LTC / old age homes into the numbers as well; example, breakout at the old age home near Carlingwood, now 11 dead, 119 residents infected, 48 staff infected. It's easy to have 100, 200, 300 people infected in these large homes. 95% of covid-19 deaths in Canada are people over 65. We didn't protect the elderly properly.

The trend is very much downward, across all regions in the country, including Ontario and Quebec. After having 3 of 5 days in Ontario (last week) with over 600 new cases, it's starting to plateau and move down; 3 of last 4 days in the 400 new cases range.

The Ontario government should have a plan for all businesses, and working (aggressively) to ensure no business is left behind.

The federal money printers have been going non-stop...can you imagine receiving thousands of dollars in the spring time, for the summer, when you were young? It's crazy. There is no free money. We will be paying for this for many years, via tax increases and cuts to services. The sooner we can stop the money printers the better we will be in the years to come.

We should be golfing as soon as possible, for our health, and for the health of the golf industry and course owners and workers. It's quite clear that it can be done with the right safety measures - and it is happening already, all over the world - let's make it happen here now

[Lucky]

Ford just said "later this week we will be releasing the next step in this process....clear sector specific labour guidelines ... for how businesses can operate safely in this new reality"

sounds promising

[justsomeguy]

If you want to look at a model for how to handle this pandemic, you should look at New Zealand:

https://ca.yahoo.com/news/new-zealan...171918287.html

Clearly, their aggressive lockdown strategy has worked.

If you want to look at a model for how NOT to handle this pandemic, you should look at the United States. They're trending to have 100,000 deaths by mid-summer. They represent 4% of the world's population but 27% of COVID-19 deaths worldwide so far (and that percentage keeps going up). Yeah, let's do what they're doing... NOT.

[Lucky]

If you step back (in hindsight), it's really not that complicated - stay away from each other whenever possible, try and prevent any cases from spreading further, wear masks, and lockdown the elderly with restricted / safe access.

The problem in the USA (and Canada somewhat too) was the late start, rapidly affecting heavily populated areas, being late on mask usage, and not protecting the elderly. Asia and other places have had success acting rapidly, tracing and wearing masks. The USA messed-up, bad. The damage is done. However, what they did to get there is no reflection on what they'll do to get out of it. Their numbers, like everywhere in the world, are decreasing with social distancing. With the exception of a couple of overly eager states, most counties and states have been wisely planning their way out of this.

It sounds like Ford govt wants to see a couple of weeks with the curve heading downwards, which I'm sure we will see in the immediate weeks ahead. Hopefully they announce which businesses can open (with specific safety procedures) this week, so that when they say GO the golf courses can be ready to open the flood gates!

[Gofish2]

Unless U are Trudeau Quebec border is closed , I think around June 1st golf courses will open , hopefully

I think the enforcement of border crossing is variable depending on the bridge. My friend has a business in Grenville Quebec directly across from Hawkesbury and half his customers (probably most buying beer) are from the Ontario side. I last spoke to him a week ago and asked if any of his clients were having issues at the bridge and he reported that there were no problems.

[cpal]

I'd imagine the presence in Gatineau is quite different than other border areas.

[Lucky]

I've heard of 2-hour delays and turn backs on the bridges in Ottawa area. I know of a few people that are not taking the chance of not being allowed to cross. Hopefully when they open up things in a couple of weeks on the Quebec side they'll drop the restrictions at the provincial borders too; recognizing that we're all in the same position of lockdown.

[Michael]

It's more than 79% if you take the workers in the LTC / old age homes into the numbers as well; example, breakout at the old age home near Carlingwood, now 11 dead, 119 residents infected, 48 staff infected. It's easy to have 100, 200, 300 people infected in these large homes. 95% of covid-19 deaths in Canada are people over 65. We didn't protect the elderly properly.

The trend is very much downward, across all regions in the country, including Ontario and Quebec. After having 3 of 5 days in Ontario (last week) with over 600 new cases, it's starting to plateau and move down; 3 of last 4 days in the 400 new cases range.

The Ontario government should have a plan for all businesses, and working (aggressively) to ensure no business is left behind.

The federal money printers have been going non-stop...can you imagine receiving thousands of dollars in the spring time, for the summer, when you were young? It's crazy. There is no free money. We will be paying for this for many years, via tax increases and cuts to services. The sooner we can stop the money printers the better we will be in the years to come.

We should be golfing as soon as possible, for our health, and for the health of the golf industry and course owners and workers. It's quite clear that it can be done with the right safety measures - and it is happening already, all over the world - let's make it happen here now

I have a family member in one of these Ottawa homes and it is quite sad and sometimes difficult to get any information but I understand they are busy. Where are you getting your numbers from, latest from OPH as of yesterday for Carlingview at 4 PM is 94 residents, 8 deaths, and 34 staff infected. Not doubting you, but if there is more up to date data, would like to see it.

[pwoods72]

New numbers from the federal government estimate 7% of Canadians have had COVID19.


Either way, Quebec just announced that retail stores outside Montreal can reopen May 4. Have to assume golf courses will be included in that. Will have to see if Gatineau participates (rather than waiting for Ottawa) and what the situation is RE: border crossings. Best case scenario, we can golf on the QC side in a week.

What a stark contrast in approaches between Quebec and Ontario! Legault is quite transparent in recognizing LTC and non-LTC infections/deaths when presenting "the curve" and I appreciate that he stated that their goal of ensuring the hospitals are not overwhelmed and capacity is achieved was the goal and he feels they have met that.

They didn't specifically mention golf courses when allowing Retail stores to open that are not in a mall but you have to figure Pro Shops are Retail so......

[justdoit]

I'm respecting the stay at home rules and not crossing, hope they lift the restrictions soon or I'll have to buy expensive Ontario beer.

Lol..there is one you have to try..from Beau's,its Fulltime,all I drink now not sure if it's in ontario but should be

[justdoit]

In the Gatineau region you can circulate at will within the Gatineau region and the MRC des Collines region. Pretty big area for pleasure drives.

Golf courses in Quebec are planning to open in May. Ours on May 15.

Which one is yours?

[1800Duffers]

I have travelled to Beau's quite often in the summer via motorcycle to have lunch and sample the beer. Their beer is very good and I believe the Fulltime is an IPA.

[justdoit]

I have travelled to Beau's quite often in the summer via motorcycle to have lunch and sample the beer. Their beer is very good and I believe the Fulltime is an IPA.

Yes it's an IPA..it is organic for what its worth

[Lucky]

https://www.iheartradio.ca/580-cfra/...-19-1.12262209

The company that owns the Carlingview Manor long-term care home in Ottawa says a facility-wide COVID-19 test has revealed a significant number of positive cases.

In a message to family members of residents, obtained by CTV News, Revera says a recent mass swabbing revealed 119 residents and 48 staff have tested positive for COVID-19.

Revera earlier reported 11 deaths related to the virus.

These numbers differ from what Ottawa Public Health reported in its most recent report on institutional outbreaks.


OPH says, according to provincial data collected at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 26, 70 residents of Carlingview Manor have lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19, alongside 32 staff members. OPH's data confirms four deaths at the home.

The data OPH reports comes from Ontario's integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS) and can sometimes differ from what private companies like Revera are reporting.

Revera says 18 residents on the second floor of Carlingview Manor, zero on the third floor, seven on the fourth floor, 29 on the fifth floor, 28 on the sixth floor, 22 on the seventh floor, and 15 on the eighth floor have tested positive.

Very sad news...the future not looking good there right now.

[Budapest]

I see people comparing country deaths regarding Covid. Spain, Italy, France and the UK have a population of 240,000,000 with close to 100,000 deaths. The US has a 335,000,000 pop with 60,000 deaths. Using New Zealand as a metric is a joke. Over 5 million people ride the NYC subway daily, more than the population of NZ. It’s like saying the rest of Canada could learn from PEI. Also I’m a member at I’ll walk across that unused railway bridge if I have to. Closing the border does nothing if we follow the basic guidelines for safety.

[White Light]

Which one is yours?

Sorry, can’t say. Don’t want to preempt the management.

[leftylucas]

Sorcier has mentioned May 15th,

[rossigm]

I received a call from Guy Beaulieu yesterday he's the Golf Director at Sorcier . He never mentioned an opening date, like every other golf courses in the province he's waiting for the go ahead from the government. He was hoping to hear something at yesterday's press conference but it didn't happen :-(. So we are still waiting.

[Johnyc]

I received a call from Guy Beaulieu yesterday he's the Golf Director at Sorcier . He never mentioned an opening date, like every other golf courses in the province he's waiting for the go ahead from the government. He was hoping to hear something at yesterday's press conference but it didn't happen :-(. So we are still waiting.

Curious to hear from anyone who has played Sorcier. I heard from a member that it is in nicer condition (last year) than Hunt Club. He mentioned the layout is also amazing. If it’s that nice it will certainly be worth me checking it out this year.

[1800Duffers]

The course is worth playing.

[Kak]

Here's a press release from the Quebec Golf Club Association. English version not available

( Montréal – 29 avril 2020 – Les boutiques de golf pourront ouvrir leurs portes dès le 4 mai prochain, à l’exception de celles de la communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) qui pourront rouvrir à partir du 11 mai.Montréal – 29 avril 2020 – Les boutiques de golf pourront ouvrir leurs portes dès le 4 mai prochain, à l’exception de celles de la communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) qui pourront rouvrir à partir du 11 mai.)

[1800Duffers]

Interesting to see how Ontario will deal with the news. Will Ontario drivers who book tee times be permitted to play?

[Lucky]

Let's gooo!!!

[justdoit]

I'd imagine the presence in Gatineau is quite different than other border areas.

So I live in aylmer..last Sunday out on the bike crossed into Ottawa via pont champlain just a quick test..came back 20 minutes later was pulled over and questioned..while being interrogated 4 cyclists passed by me and the officer not one being stopped.senseless

[cpal]

So I live in aylmer..last Sunday out on the bike crossed into Ottawa via pont champlain just a quick test..came back 20 minutes later was pulled over and questioned..while being interrogated 4 cyclists passed by me and the officer not one being stopped.senseless

That entire endeavor is an insane waste of resources. Hopefully they stop as of May 4.

[1800Duffers]

Translation - (Montreal - April 29, 2020 - Golf shops will be able to open their doors as of May 4, except those of the Montreal Metropolitan Community (CMM) which will be able to reopen as of May 11. Montreal - April 29, 2020 - Golf shops will be able to open their doors on May 4, except those of the Montreal Metropolitan Community (CMM) which will be able to reopen from May 11.)

[cpal]

Yup. So next week we may finally get out if QC border cop BS subsides.

[pwoods72]

Now I'm waiting to see when each course announces their opening date and specific protocols. I'll be more than happy with a May 8th date for some and expect a later date for others.