Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SOBERING SECOND THOUGHTS SUNDAY:

What’s a lifetime’s work worth?

Four dollars an hour?

Or so it seems if you’re in LTC and you pray your PSW will help you live long-term.

Saturday’s $4-an-hour raise for all LTC workers seems too little, too late.

Or is it better late than never.

And a $250 bonus for those now working more 100 hours per month till Labour Day is a bit rich.

Especially if you’re a frontline health-care worker restricted to less than 20 hours a week and forced to moonlight at other private health institutions.

It means employees working an average of 40 hours per week would receive $3,560 in additional compensation. Those eligible to receive the payment will be staff working in long-term care homes, retirement homes, emergency shelters, supportive housing, social services congregate care settings, corrections institutions and youth justice facilities, as well as those providing home and community care and some staff in hospitals.

But what about benefits?

…

Like scouts and guides, hospitals were prepared for the worst.

Orillia’s hospital  CEO Carmine Stumpso says OSMH continues to adjust to the changing landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic.

That is 30 per cent fewer patients.

She says in an update: “As a result of our success in suppressing community spread, along with our planned reductions in activity, we are currently operating at about 70 per cent of our overall capacity.”

She says it’s similar to many other hospitals across the province that have put all their resources into the fight that has yet to manifest itself as feared.

Thankfully to most of us.

“In earlier phases of our pandemic planning, we used this extra capacity to retrain and redeploy staff in different areas as part of our pandemic readiness plan,” Stumpso said.

“We also established the Couchiching COVID-19 Assessment Centre, which continues to see anyone with possible symptoms of COVID-19 infection to provide education and arrange testing where appropriate.”

…

On a more positive note …

Communities across Muskoka continue to rally to the COVID-19 cause.

In Gravenhurst, a group of like-minded businesswomen have come together to help meet the need.

This week Jessie and Emily Dursley, Robbie Irvine, Kim Barnes and Annette Gillan — the respective women owners of the Relish, Oar, Butcher’s Daughter and Well Fed restaurants — produced about 1,000 small quiches for GAP

The Gravenhurst against Poverty food program has seen demand triple for its Wednesday takeout now, which usually feeds 60.

The program began when the Gravenhurst Marriott Residence Inn offered supplies.

…

At the other end of the food table …

On May 2 a couple of them are also participating in a national ‘Stay At Home Gala!’
It’s being cooked up online in Muskoka at 7 p.m. this Saturday.

The virtual gala — much like the similar ones last night and tonight — is meant to link Canadians coast-to-coast so they can enjoy Atlantic and Pacific seafood.

In addition to poutine, perogies and Calgary beef that won’t stampede, local at-home diners have the option of a local “gala dinner” home delivery.

And, of course, everyone is welcome to bib up to the TV dinner table to for entertainment, inspirational speakers and a silent auction.
In Muskoka, the takeaway is a four-course gourmet meal sponsored in each town by:

• Huntsville: 3 Guys and a Stove, Tall Trees, Henrietta’s Pine Bakery, & Whimsical Bakery
• Gravenhurst: The Oar partnered with Well Fed, and RELISH
• Bracebridge: Riverwalk

In addition to national acts, local gourmands can tune in to hear Muskoka performers Jed and Isla-Marie Corbeil, Sean Cotton, Miranda Mulholland, Tobin Spring and Lucas Stark.
So, grab a drink, take a seat, kick your feet up and get ready for an evening of entertainment and connection… pants optional, say local chambers of commerce organizers.

Let us know if you’re going to party on.

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